the Empathy List #51: Emptying Our Wallets

Money in the Age of COVID

Hey friend, Liz here.

We all need it, our world runs on it, we all have a love/hate relationship toward it. Because it’s true that money make our world go ‘round.

Question for you: What’s money been like for you during this pandemic?

In the season of COVID—when economies worldwide have slowed or stalled, when entire industries have folded, when jobs seemed to evaporate for us moms—money seems more mysterious than ever.

Amidst a season where my husband and I are getting creative about money (we’re considering refinancing our mortgage! Are we crazy?), I’m taking comfort in the fact that we’re not alone.

We’re all walking our own money journeys, and we’re all doing our best to make and save and turn out our wallets and budgeting, and that’s okay.

This collection of stories highlights that very fact. We may be able to hold money in our hands, but we cannot hold it down; it’s fluid and ever-changing—and we’re all doing the best we can. (Mostly.)

Thanks for reading! Warmly, Liz Charlotte Grant

P.S. Follow me elsewhere on my website, on Facebook and on Instagram. 

Also, I’m now offering affordable editing services for authors and entrepreneurs. ;-) Schedule your free 15 min. consultation today.

---

---

#1

Okay, you’re sick of hearing about Gamestop and its meteoric rise (and fall) on the stock market. But do you understand it? My favorite money podcasters can help.

(They can also help with other questions, btw.)

The Planet Money podcast | Listen…

---

#2

Unfortunately, scientists have now proved it: money really does buy happiness. (Womp, womp.)

The richer you are, the happier you are. (But there are other ways to be happy, promise.)

Vice | Read more…

---

#3

These are the viral Tik Tok videos espousing financial advice. (Note to self: do not let anything viral tell you what to do.)

Vox | Read more…

---

#4

“I lost my job a week before my birthday.”

After filing for bankruptcy, a photographer traveled the country to capture the lives of 99 others (the 99%) who were in debt. These are the faces of the Americans (like you) living in debt.

The New Yorker | Read more…

---

#5

The tale of the man who forgot his bitcoin password and lost $30K. Bye-bye retirement!

Wired Magazine | Read more…

---

And just for fun…

Michelle Obama interviews America’s poet, Amanda Gorman.

Time | Read more…

---