Welcome to Friday, money nerds. It’s the end of yet another week.
For today’s set of money stories, we’ve gathered a handful of quarantine-related stories. I know that in some places, quarantine is winding down. In others, though, it’s still going strong. Plus, many folks are choosing to continue self-isolation even when official distancing measures are lifted.
Anyhow, here are some stories about money during the time of coronavirus.
The novel frugality: A return to thrift? [Vox] — “Since quarantine started, following the spread of Covid-19, there has been a move away from this culture of waste. This new strain of frugality — call it the novel frugality — is defined by its attachment to this moment and its participants’ motivations. While it might mirror long-held practices (like not throwing away aluminum foil or consciously saving scraps of leftovers to make new meals), its impetus is slightly different.”
How to maintain the car you’re barely driving. [Bitches Get Riches] — “Right now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, that basically includes everyone. But it’s not exactly a niche topic, either. Many frugal people, minimalists, and environmentalists own a car out of necessity, but are interested in driving as little as possible. So today we’re going to discuss how to take care of your car when you barely drive it at all.”
“I used to make fun of Silicon Valley preppers. Then I became one.” [The New York Times] — “For years, one of the most smirked-at subspecies in the technology ecosystem was that of the Silicon Valley Prepper…Now, with Covid-19, they feel vindicated. Because they are. The coders and founders long snickered at for stockpiling flour and toilet paper were absolutely right.”
Lastly, here’s a video that could come in handy during quarantine. It’s Jim Henson in 1969 explaining how to make a muppet. I love it! (It’s crazy how much he sounds like Kermit. Not surprising, I guess, but I wasn’t expecting that.)
That’s it for this week. Jim will be back on Monday with more excellent money stories from around the web. See you then!