Unemployment!

Alas, I am currently unemployed. However, I am also loving it. I am going to be a stay at home mom {er...well sort of but I will get to that in a minute.} But I have been go go go for the past three years. I was extremely busy throughout my entire pregnancy, working, stressing about how on earth we were going to afford the little bundle of joy whose day of arrival was fast approaching. 


Due to our lack of inexperience, our naiivety to saving and being resourceful, as well as the fact that we had not accepted that our lives were about to change in a very big way, we didn't have very much money saved up for after I gave birth. So when an opportunity arose 2 months after my DD was born, well it was back to work I went. And then DH went on parental leave so I was left working through my daughter's first year. Which, granted I didn't mind. But as the year went on and from one position to the next without anything substantial...or even any money, and with the whole thing that happened with the pervert at the one job that seemed to get me anywhere, my anxiety got worse. My depression was slowly tumbling into a one woman wrecking crew. Hey, did I want a divorce? I was THIS CLOSE to getting one. 


It took me getting suspended from the government job I loved the year before for my eyes to be opened. I needed a change and fast or my life as I knew it was going to end up in the toilet. So now, 3 months {really? is that all it's been?} after starting the anti anxiety meds I was on...I am finally not stressed out about every little thing. I am not applying for 70 to 80 jobs A DAY. {Sick right? This girl needs help...I know that's what everyone thought.} I could not be poor. I could not allow my child to feel the effects of Mommy and Daddy not having any money.


So, now that I am not working, what did I do to ensure the above didn't happen? Well I started being smart with our money. DH went back to work in October and since then, I have made sure the cupboards are full with plenty of easy (and cheap) meal ideas for him to take to lunch...hearty food to make sure he was satisfied through his entire shift. Before he took his time off I was too preoccupied with not knowing how I was feeling to care so I would let him buy lunch at work. 200 dollars a month on him eating out ON TOP of all the bills, groceries etc.
So where was I...oh yes! Stocking up when deals are on, (lately it's been a 1, 2, 3 dollar sale at one of the local grocery stores that has been a LIFESAVER.) We do not eat out as much, probably once a week or every two weeks rather than 4 times a week.


Also, open communication, as well as putting any surplus money aside...I have just over 400 dollars to get us through on top of DH's paycheques. We are now working as a team and we are able to get farther than not talking or communicating at all. Also, with being medicated I have more energy to cook, I plan grocery lists now...all ways around things are going well. 


So being unemployed for the time being is ok...as long as I have a safety net and have planned ahead..which I have.