With things a little tighter financially around the Sip Advisor headquarters for the foreseeable future, thanks to an expensive home redevelopment project, I thought it would be fun to look at how the Sip Advisor plans to allocate our limited resources:
Drink
Drinking is non-negotiable. While we’re out less and also buying less from liquor stores, this is still a spending priority for the Sip Advisor. With limiting purchases to just what’s needed, my vast collection is dwindling one ounce at a time. Many reliable soldiers have been added to the recycle bin and replacements will have to wait for when we have more financial breathing room. For a time, the cupboards may be barer than usual, but we’ll rebound eventually and then I’ll go on an epic spending spree and fill every shelf to suitable levels again.
Food
Everyone has to eat, so groceries are still high on the importance list. I find myself at stores regularly, picking up essentials. With growing kids, I shouldn’t be surprised I’m restocking items at the frequency I am. We’ve made some major cuts to our eating out/ordering in budget, only doing so for special occasions. I’ve even dropped grabbing food from the area around where I work during in-office days, in favour of packed lunches. Another treat that I can go without for a little while.
Kids
The Siplings are in that sweet spot of ages where they still want to do stuff with us… and since they want to do stuff we enjoy, we want to do stuff with them. We’re well aware this stage in their development won’t last long, so we’ll milk it for all it’s worth before their friendships and activities push dear ol’ mom and dad down the depth chart. There is also absolutely no activity the kids won’t be able to do if they’re interested. We’ll scratch and claw the funds together to make sure their childhoods are as amazing as possible.
Entertainment
You only live once and you have to make your fun while you can. That said, we have to be a little cautious with our entertainment funds for the next while. In January, we chose not to renew our Crave streaming subscription (it’s funny how many movies and shows are exclusively on the streaming service you cancel!) and in April, we pulled the plug on our Vancouver Canucks ticket memberships. Mrs. Sip also dropped her theatre membership(s), opting to select a show here and there, rather than keep the full board of performances her subscription provided. Likewise, I’ve had to ignore concerts, comedians and other performances I’d be interested in attending, waiting for the next time these acts (hopefully) roll through town. We’ve had to be cautious with spending “expendable income,” so have taken advantage of getting free tickets to New Westminster Salmonbellies lacrosse and BC Lions football.
Travel
I don’t really care about going places during this personal recession, but it’s the only way Mrs. Sip really gets to disconnect from work. We’ve stuck with Canadian travel as we ride the financial stress wave, taking advantage of Mrs. Sip being able to work along the way, as well as staying with friends and family, if possible.
Clothing
I need many items and my wardrobe is in need of an update, but I will be spending very little in this category. Any clothes budget goes to the kids, who when not outgrowing items, are wrecking them with their rough play or losing them with their forgetfulness. Mrs. Sip also needs to pick up the occasional piece, keeping her wardrobe fresh.
Appliances
Mrs. Sip and I – well, mostly I, as the chief cook of the home – have been navigating life without a microwave since around Halloween 2025. Perhaps I should set up a Go Fund Me campaign for the new device. Otherwise, we’re crossing every digit we have that there are no further service disruptions.
Gas/Transportation
Here’s one area we have an advantage, as our hybrid van allows us to achieve most driving on an electric charge. I only fill up on rare occasions, with longer journeys being what drains the tank. With gas prices soaring, this has been a small victory for us. You better believe the first thing I do anytime we return home is plug in the charger and on the rare occasion I have forgotten to do so, I really kick myself for the mistake. We’ve also tried to lower Mrs. Sip’s rideshare costs, with me picking up the slack and doing as much driving as I can.
Home Décor
The one advantage of having your home in upheaval is that you don’t need to spend any money on it. Mrs. Sip’s want of a new outdoor sectional seating area was completely kiboshed by losing our entire yard to construction storage. Same for patio plants. Once our complex project is complete, we will need to turn our attention to new fixtures – blinds, curtains, etc. – to go along with our updated windows.
Personal Care
Ain’t nobody got time for that! 😃
Emergencies
Lol… if only we could put some funds aside for those. That said, they seem to pop up everywhere when money is tight.
Pets
Thankfully, we only have a few fish which don’t take much to feed, if we remember to do so at all.
Health
I should probably be seeing a chiropractor or massage therapist but given these costs would only be partially covered for me, I can’t justify the expense at this point.
Giving/Donating
I’m charity at this point!
Split Decision
- 0.75 oz Rye
- 0.75 oz Bourbon
- 0.75 oz Campari
- 0.50 oz Crème de Cacao
- Dash of Chocolate Bitters
- Garnish with a Chocolate
If I’m being honest, every purchase brings some guilt with it, no matter how necessary. We’ve survived thus far and the light at the end of the tunnel can now faintly be seen!
