Checking In: Hard Month, Real Numbers, Something I'm Building
By A. A. Chips | March 26, 2026
I've been quiet. Not because nothing is happening—quite the opposite. I've been building, cleaning up, and turning inward in ways that I hope will lead somewhere more stable.
I relaunched my personal blog with 70 curated posts. It's the truest version of my voice I've ever put online—about community, technology, music, and what it means to build a life worth living. You're reading it now. If you're here, thank you.
I'm also in a hard month. The short version: a back injury kept me out of work for a week, and my housemate moved out earlier than expected. Together, that left a gap I'm trying to close by April 3 so rent and utilities stay stable.
I don't like asking for help. But I've learned that sometimes the most faithful thing is to be honest about need—and to be clear about what I'm asking for.
Where the Gap Is
Here's the simple breakdown of what I'm working to cover. Rent is the anchor. The rest are urgent expenses or quality-of-life things that make stability possible.
| Expense | Amount | Deadline / Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Rent (remaining half) | $650 | April 3–6 | Total rent $1300; first half from paycheck |
| ⚡ Energy bill | $250 | March 31 | Winter heating — due in 5 days |
| 🐱 Cat food + flea meds | $65 | Immediate | Kitty health |
| 🛞 Used tire (flat) | $50 | Immediate | Holds air a few days; need replacement |
| ⛽ Tank of gas | $50 | Immediate | Low on gas |
| 🌐 Internet | $80 | Early April | Work & communication |
| 📄 Car registration | $100 | April | Annual registration |
| 🧼 Carpet cleaner rental | $100 | While house in flux | Optional but helpful after housemate moved |
| 🥬 Groceries (1-2 weeks) | $100 | Ongoing | Break from free meal programs |
| Total remaining to cover | $1,445 (of which urgent: ~$1,065) | ||
If you're in a position to help — a one-time gift, a monthly contribution, or even just sharing this post — it makes a real difference. Here's the link to my GoFundMe: [link]. Anything helps, and I'm keeping a running tally of what's covered.
I also want to offer something back. Even in a hard month, I have skills to share:
- Tech support — computer help, website things, digital organization. Sliding scale, pay what you can. More here.
- Apple chips — if you're local, I'll hand-deliver a bag.
- A handwritten note — because I believe gratitude matters.
- A shout-out — if you have a small business or project you want promoted, I'll write a post about it.
What I'm Building
This month is hard, but it's not my whole story. I'm building:
- A real tech support practice — with rates, an intake form, and clear terms. The page is live under "Hire" on this site.
- Heartwarmers — a platform to help communities care for vulnerable neighbors. It's resting right now, but the bones are good.
- This blog — 70 posts, cleaned up and shared with intention.
I'm walking a mile so something bigger can walk ten. That's what I believe.
If you're able to help with this gap, I'm deeply grateful. If you're not, I'm still grateful you're here, reading this, bearing witness.
Either way, I'll keep walking.
— April
P.S. If this post resonates, sharing it helps more than you know. Here's the direct link: [permalink]
Comments (0)