I was reading an article about preparing for retirement (of course, that ship has sailed) but one thing I found interesting was the concept that, though there would be less income, there would also be fewer expenses.

I kept reading, thinking "Oh, some good news!"

Well, the idea was that there would be less money spent on gas, less mileage/wear and tear on the car, less money spent on coffee and lunches, less money for "work clothes", etc.

Not on THIS planet. I walked to work, so no money saved there. I brought my lunch in a bag, so not there either. I don't drink coffee, and would have had to bring it from home anyway. Not a lot of Starbucks in this neck of the woods.

And work clothes? Same as my "regular" clothes. Haven't bought a pair of pantyhose since Mary Tyler Moore was throwing her hat up in the air.

Now for the OTHER side: I'm home all day, so the computer is on all day now. It's costing more for electricity and propane, because (unlike Bob) I'm not comfortable at 64 degrees and all the lights off.

PLUS when I make those fifteen trips to the bathroom every day, I'm running our electric water pump (as opposed to gravity water at work), turning on OUR bathroom light, using OUR tp, washing my hands in OUR hot water and soap...

So far, I fail to see "fewer expenses". Must be the new math.