No, it’s not a post months too soon for lent.

The New York Times published a great piece, “What America is Living Without,” in which Alissa Quart summarized some of the responses received by the newspaper’s opinion section.

She wrote: “While by some measures, members of the middle class now earn more than those of prior generations, the Brookings Institution recently found that one-third of the American middle class still can’t afford essentials. And for the rest, the high costs of child care, housing, medical care and other necessities make their incomes feel paltry. So they are trimming, reining in the lives they once expected for themselves.”

The paper published the incomes, locations and ages of respondents. For example, “Film and theater tickets, Paul Tick, 72, has a household income of $82,000 in Bethlehem, N.Y.” or “Medication, Chelsea Dowler, 32, has a household income of $78,000 in Lansing, Mich.”

A few more: “A new winter coatCatherine Fitzpatrick, 70, makes $24,000 in New York City, My kids’ college tuitionJeff Struck, 50, has a household income of $176,000 and two children in Portland, Ore. and Regular haircuts–It’s become so pricey. With the
prices of everything else it’s incredibly difficult to justify
the cost. Sara Herman, 45, makes $94,500
in Nutley, N.J.”

What, if anything, are you giving up in this economy or that you’ve waited to buy or replace in the past?

Regardless of economy and income swings, I’ve maintained a list of things I put off buying for years in some cases. Some would be headscratchers to many. Two years ago my nephew gave me a too generous gift card and one of the favorite things I bought was a wonderful pair of garden shears. WHAT? I live in a city apartment and how much could shears cost anyway? The rusty pair I had from the country house was a sin. The new pair is a joy to use on my too many plants and to snip off the tips of cut flowers. I would rather put my money towards a gift or restaurant meal with friends or a blouse or sweater or donation to a food bank. I am driven to stay within my budget, want to have money tucked somewhere to pay for anything I buy or to put aside money from projects and windfalls for rainy day surprises like gargantuan dental bills.

I feel a twinge when friends rave about a series on a streaming platform I don’t subscribe to but forget about it soon enough. I have access to enough right now.

I’m reluctant to share other nonessentials that are on my current list. Compared to winter coat, medication and education that I chose to pull out of Quart’s article, they are beyond frivolous which is why they have collected dust on my someday-I’ll-buy list. Plus I’d rather travel.

What, if anything, are you giving up in this economy or that you’ve waited to buy or replace in the past?

   

It’s always been a challenge to get places on time in NYC but in spite of congestion pricing to cut down traffic, a plethora of car service options should there be a scarcity of yellow cabs and apps such as MTA Bus Time to track when the next vehicle will arrive, it’s still tricky.

My father had a thing about time. It was simple. You weren’t late. I have always done my best to be on time.

These days unless your dance card is empty and you can add half an hour or more to what should be a normal departure time, arriving promptly is a crap shoot.

A friend, delayed by a tardy car service, was 15 minutes late for a doctor’s appointment. A snarky receptionist asked her if she’d called to warn the office. Given that the office always makes her wait for her appointment she had not and she said this to the woman. She argued that had the delay looked like half an hour to an hour, she would have called.

If you are going to be late for a business or doctor’s appointment or meet up with a friend, when would you call –or text–about a revised ETA? Would you communicate faster depending on who your appointment is with?

   

I posted “Service of Fear,” on Halloween 2016. At the time I asked fellow tenants in the office space I rented for their favorite horror movies since I don’t like to be scared so I avoid them.

They mentioned:

“The Haunting”

“When a Stranger Calls”

 “The Birds,” “Psycho” & “Rear Window” 

“The Conjuring” 

“The Gate”

“The Strangers”

 “Halloween II”

 “The Thing”

 “The Shining”         

  “Poltergeist”

   “The House of Wax”

   “Bones”

I asked AI if there was a correlation between horror movie popularity and scary political times. “Yes — research and cultural analysis show a strong historical correlation: horror film popularity often peaks during periods of political unrest, social anxiety, or ideological polarization, as the genre reflects and amplifies collective fears.”

Some examples AI provided:

“Great Depression (1930s): Films like Dracula, Frankenstein, and White Zombie reflected fears about outsiders, immigration restrictions, and racial prejudice.”

“1960s religious upheaval: The breakdown of traditional religion fueled occult horror (The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby)”

“Post‑9/11: Horror emphasized random violence and ‘us vs. them’ nationalism (The Strangers, Cloverfield)”

What am I scared about? Shenanigans that impede a legitimate election that has already begun with DOJ holding hostage 20,000 votes in Los Angeles and the president ordering DOJ to block the Alaska Senate race if Republican, Senator Dan S. Sullivan loses.

Are you a horror film fan? What are your favorites? Does your yen for the genre increase when you feel anxious about political unrest?

   

I was easily bribed as a child. If I was good, mom would give me a TV dinner if she and dad were going out. I loved the fried chicken and medicinal mashed potato. It was a win-win.

This election season we’re bombarded with bribes.

Some New Yorkers are slated to receive almost $200 before the midterm elections. Checks ranging from $100 to $200 in Governor Hochul’s Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate [POWER] program will go to 8.2 million of us. The $1billion program is designed to ease high utility and energy costs. Eligibility is based on 2024 New York State resident income tax returns.

I don’t sneeze at $100, but FYI: According to AI, “the average electric bill for a 1-bedroom apartment in New York City ranges from $90 to $175 per month during mild months, but can spike to $200 to $400+ per month in the summer if you run air conditioning frequently.” Friends have received theirs. I haven’t seen mine.

President Trump sent $90 to seniors to offset Medicare Part B premiums. The standard deduction from Social Security is $202.90/month, though depending on income can reach $694.

Do you think these incentives are enough for Republicans or Democrats to switch their midterm votes?

I’ve written about the Trump Dividend–$5,000 we’ll get if Republicans win both House and Senate. As he skirts the country to inspire Republican votes, he’s promising everything from pardons to $500 Obamacare refund checks. In Kansas. farmers were offered an $8 billion aid package to help offset higher diesel costs.

“Trump announced the Iowa project [on Monday, October 19] at an Oval Office event featuring Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson and many others. It was for a new $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel plant in Lee County in eastern Iowa — one that could create thousands of jobs and make Iowa the second-largest steel-producing state in the United States,” according to Aaron Blake, CNN.com. He added, “The story is quite similar with another Trump announcement on Wednesday: that South Korea would spend more than $50 billion on a struggling natural gas pipeline in Alaska.”

Do you remember receiving or hearing about so many bribes at election time? Are they enough for people to change their vote?

   

Caramelli cat, Cassie dog, Prunella the almost dachshund and Cat were my love animals. I’m lucky to live in a building overflowing with dogs to pat in lobby and elevator. A walk around residential city neighborhoods is a treat especially at traditional dog walking hours.

The thought of being forced to give up a beloved family member for lack of funds to feed him or her would have broken my heart. Those who have been blessed with furry family members can’t imagine life without them. But if budgets are stretched to the breaking point, feeding them becomes impossible. Losing a source of comfort at such a sad time is cruel.

Today NYC is launching a program to deter this potential heartbreak. The Mayor, NYC Council, Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare and Department of Social Service are funding free pet food at 22 city food pantries in the boroughs. Halleluiah!

I suspect if pets have not enhanced your life, you might think this is a waste of money. I think it’s a humane and wonderful improvement.