There’s only so many hours in my day, and only so many funds in my bank account to pay for babysitters. I have to use my free time efficiently and effectively. Unfortunately, I’m finding this means I’m spending more time shuttling between the grocery, dry cleaners, and car wash and less time doing what I set out to do when I quit my job: volunteering.
The recession has impaired not only my shopping budget, but my ability to give of my time and self to others.
I’m a selfishista. A cheapista. A narcissista. I can’t get past paying the babysitter to stay a few more hours so I can do something besides accomplishing my bare bones needs.
When I stopped work, I made a pact with myself to give back to the community considering my new ”lady of leisure” status. I was elected to a local board, joined my Temple’s membership community, and got involved with my son’s preschool. But while I thought that all this volunteering would just cost me time, I’m found myself adding more and more babysitter hours to fulfill all my non-paid commitments.
The belt tightening around my house didn’t necessarily mean I had to get rid of my babysitter altogether (hello, I can be cheap, but I still need my sanity), but it does mean that I have to make tough choices. And the grocery, even though I loathe it, will win every time.
The selfishista has arrived, and unfortunately, volunteering is going to take a hit. Anyone else out there cutting back on the unpaid commitments too?
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