coldhearted scientist وداد

I may like the changed times for many reasons, and I may even like the recession for its wake up call qualities, but the university is being asked to imagine how it would handle a 28% budget cut in fiscal 2009. I myself have a 28% budget cut this very semester due to my sabbatical, so I am ahead of the curve.

I now rent my second bedroom out to travellers. I am looking for well paid consulting opportunities. I cancelled my research trip. While I did not get cash for the ticket, I do have, at least, a voucher for the full amount. That means that if I find a renter who will pay as much rent as I will need to pay elsewhere, I can still travel.

I have not yet gone so far as to consider permanent roommates or a permanent part time job. But there will be no post hurricane repairs in the foreseeable future. If my roof tiles fall off this season, I will simply install a blue FEMA tarp. I had planned on a home equity line of credit (since insurance no longer covers named storms unless damage is very severe) for these repairs, but my bank says they are “helping me not to lose my home” by denying cheap funding for repair and weatherizing.

The same bank has, however, endowed me with more open credit on a card than I make in a year or owe on the house. You earn “reward points” if you use it to shop at businesses allied with the bank. I am told this increase in shopping capacity will “help me get the most out of life.”

Note that home repairers do not take credit cards, and that the Home Depot offers credit on better terms. As I say, I will be going for the duct tape and the a tarp in the 2009 hurricane season.

Axé.