At least I stocked up on supplies a couple of days ago.
But the more I stay inside, the further it seems that I want to go. Yesterday I found myself enthralled by a travel commercial for a trip to the Caribbean. The cheap airfare, of course, would be offset by the fact that the hotel is probably not as forgiving price-wise. But it seems as though a lot of other people I know took vacations while unemployed, so I figure I might as well during the same situation. Of course, this involves me getting my mysterious severance check. I don't want to call about it, but I think I'll inquire with the person who was laid off the same day about it.
Even without a vacation, this last week was pretty expensive. Though most of it was medical.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 ($137.07)
- 11:09 a.m. U.S. Post Office - Clemente Branch - Free. I went to pick up what I thought was one box of person effects from my old work. It turned out to be four boxes. Without a car, I had no way of getting them home so I just got information on how to get it redelivered.
- 11:46 a.m. Chicago Public Library - Bucktown/Wicker Park Branch - $0.30. My uncle gave me a printer for the holidays but I still haven't set it up yet as it will just be one more thing to pack if I move. So I went to the Logan Square Library to print up my insurance cards before I went to the post office. I discovered it doesn't open until noon on Tuesdays so I took the bus to the Bucktown Library. The express computers are hidden there but I got out by noon which was when I wanted to finish my errands.
- 12:36 p.m. Walgreens - Free. I was worried since this was the first time I tried to use my insurance card. I wasn't even sure if it was real or a scam. When the pharmacy assistant couldn't find it on system, I got more worried. Eventually the pharmacist did and, thankfully, told me it only saved $10.00. I didn't bother filling the prescription.
- 1:20 p.m. Target - Free. When I first got to Target (which felt almost as bad as filling my prescription at Walgreen's), the pharmacy assistant told me I needed a new prescription from my doctor to get my meds. I managed to convince him to call over to Walgreens and he did, asking for help the entire time. I had the thought, "this incompetent guy has a job and I don't," but I quickly dismissed it from my mind.
- 1:46 p.m. Chipotle Mexican Grill - $6.38. Knowing I wanted to take my Effexor as soon as I got it from Target (I was told it would be a 45 minute wait), I went across to Chipotle. Had I not, I felt like I might pass out or go off on the Target staff.
- 2:39 p.m. Target - $130.39. Even though I came back over an hour after the first visit, I was told that the pills still were not ready. The same incompetent employee came out to show me the price. It was still only $10.00 cheaper at Target - but $14.00 cheaper than it would have been at Walgreens. So that was something.
- 7:03 p.m. AMC Loews 600 North Michigan 9 - Free. My friend Tony won free tickets to the premier of No Strings Attached. I wasn't going to pass up on a free movie.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19 (Free)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20 ($24.00)
- 2:37 p.m. Logan Theater - $4.00. Even though the choices were slim, I went to see Megamind to get out of my apartment.
- 7:03 p.m. Whole Foods Market - $20.00. I had signed up for a Food and Beer Pairing class a week or so prior and I'm glad that I did. The vegetarian options tasted so amazing that I wondered when the next chance I was going to get to have food this good would be.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 (Free)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 ($20.00)
- 1:45 p.m. Blue Line Club Car - Free. I had made plans to go to The Southern whether anyone else wanted to go or not. It turned out a couple of people wanted to go and I met up with them a Blue Line. They were both having Bloody Mary's. But since I hadn't eaten yet (and wanted to save money), I just got a water.
- 2:18 p.m. The Southern - $20.00. I almost felt guilty at how little money I had spent here in relation to the amount of free food that I had been given. But I really went there to satisfy my macaroni and cheese craving because there was a silly boycott of cheese products by certain Bears fans to spite Green Bay. And whenever there's a silly boycott, I make it a point to break it. And I got the side of grits, which blew my mind. I actually only spent $17.00, but I forget to get my change as I was still a bit out of it. Hence, $20.00.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 ($20.00)
- 1:04 p.m. Michael's Original Pizzeria & Tavern - $20.00. After what I spent on football the last week there, I was a bit scared to be among the people who were Green Bay and Pittsburgh fans. But I couldn't handle being around Bears fans so I went anyway. Thankfully, we split the bill by tables so I got some of their delicious pizza, part of four pitchers or beer, and an order of nachos for $20.00. It felt like a bargain and I was still there for 8 hours.
MONDAY, JANUARY 24 ($23.28)
- 1:15 p.m. Northwestern Arkes Medical Pavilion - Free. While I liked not paying a co-pay to see my doctor to get my meds changed to a cheaper option, the bill that will eventually arrive scares me a bit. At least when it arrives, I'll have money to pay it.
- 2:06 p.m. Soupbox - $7.03. It was warmer in Chicago than it had been, but a wind gust as I walked up the Magnificent Mile made me want to duck in for some warm soup. The soup was a bit disappointing and more expensive than I thought it would be. But it did warm me up.
- 3:07 p.m. Walgreens - $16.25. I was pretty much out of everything made of paper in my apartment. I bought in bulk this time so I won't have to go back.
So that's $224.35. Not exactly what I would want to spend in a week, but minus the meds, it was only $94.35. So that's not too bad at all. My total money spent since I've been unemployed is $481.69.
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