A couple years ago, I worked in a contract position (yes, the one I was laid off from) where my trainer was someone who normally works from home, but was coming into the office to do the training sessions. While WFH is a dream for an introvert like me, I was shocked at a remark she made about sometimes going “for days” without leaving her home.

While I’ve never been a super social person, I couldn’t fathom the idea of not going out and seeing people every day. Fast forward 5 years later, now that I’ve gotten used to working from home, I find myself in this exact position and it seems in a blink of an eye, it has become the norm. 

Although I’ve always been protective of conserving my “social” energy, an intrusive thought came across me as I made up yet another excuse not to accept an invite to hang out with my coworkers over the weekend this month. Am I turning into a recluse?

A part of me thinks I should engage with them socially as networking never hurts anyone. But I also just want to separate work from personal. And that right there is the excuse I gave myself to justify not going out with them. The truth is, I think more and more I am losing my social skills and my desire to have any social interactions! 

I was talking about this dilemma to my friend and how more than ever I’m having a harder time pushing my introverted tendencies. She was instead shocked by the way I described myself as an introvert. She gave examples of times I couldn’t hang out with her because I had plans with other people as proof that I have a social life.

It’s interesting that there’s this dichotomy between how I view myself (introvert, shy, socially awkward) and what others may view me as (extroverted, bubbly). I’m reminded of the time a friend once made a comment that I have “golden retriever energy”. While I wouldn’t call it a fake act, it does take effort and more recently I’ve become complacent with just staying comfortably at home.

It doesn’t help that my friend group is dwindling as some have moved away or are busy starting their family. I am starting to think whether I should put myself out there more? I’m really passive when it comes to making new friends and usually only go out only when invited and am rarely the one to initiate. 

One of my best friends is now in a relationship with someone she met from a dating app. She is now on a mission to get me to create a profile, even when I told her I don’t think I’m ready to settle down (and have kids or even want kids). 

She thinks (and I know she’s right) that it’ll take a couple of tries before I meet someone “right” so I should start now. I’m still contemplating…

Anyways, that’s enough of a ramble. I had to get this off my chest but didn’t think it would end up being this long…on to the usual financial updates!

April Budget

Fixed Spending

No changes.

Variable Spending

Utilities – My bi-monthly water bill was due this month along with monthly gas & electric bill.

Gas – Didn’t drive anywhere far this month and only filled up gas once.

Entertainment/dining out – Took my mom to a local amusement park that we’ve been wanting to go to which was a bit pricey. I didn’t dine out too many times this month, but the times I did go were pricey restaurants.

Groceries –  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw negative $1 in my groceries spending. I was conscious about eating the food I had in my fridge/freezer this month to finish up the things I had at home before going on my trip. 

I also made a Costco return on an item I purchased in March. Since I usually lump all my Costco purchases into “groceries” even if they’re not groceries, it negated out my actual grocery spending this month.

Shopping – Bought some new shoes. I plan to return one that I bought but is super delayed and won’t make it in time for my trip so I had to buy a different pair. I will return the delayed one once I receive it in May.

Travel

Bought some entrance tickets ahead of time. This amount should actually be halved once I charge my friend for her share.

On a side note, I’m getting less and less excited about this trip as it seems my luck with good weather during my travels has run out. The weather forecast keeps changing but I’m expecting at least one day (and at worst all days) of rain during my trip.

Miscellaneous

Dentist – Had to get a filling for a spot that was potentially turning into a cavity? It’s been mentioned since my visit last year so I finally decided to get it done.

Investments/Savings

No contributions to my investment account this month, but I successfully set up two Vanguard (a Roth IRA and brokerage) accounts and one high yield savings account for my mom!

She’s always been conservative in keeping quite a bit of money in her checking/savings account (that’s yielding no interest!) and I’ve been telling her for years that she should at least put her money in a HYSA if not invest it. She finally agreed!

I’m much more conservative dealing with her money as she’s near retirement age. I placed the majority into a HYSA just so she’s not losing the money to inflation after maxing out her Roth IRA.

Student Debt

Student debt paid this month: $880.77

Student debt remaining: $23,291.48

Here are all my previous student debt statements.

No updates on loan forgiveness yet so I’m still leaving my federal loans alone. I’m just continuing to make the minimum payment to my private loan.

Goals for Next Month

No changes in my goals from last month. Still working on saving for that 2024 sabbatical!