Or rub it in.
Or make anyone too jealous.
But…
Today the Alaska State government dropped $1281 into my bank account.
Just for me being me.
OK, not really, but it’s nice to think of it like that! The truth is, this was the final step to me becoming a “real” Alaskan. And after two years up here (and two winters survived just fine!) I think we can call it official now.
I am an Alaskan girl.
Through and through.
And as such – I got my first PFD payment today.
Growing up, I heard lots of stories about Alaska. I believed it to be a place of Eskimos and igloos. I couldn’t picture people living normal lives here, and my first visit I actually asked if I should bring groceries.
Because it was beyond me that any business could survive up here.
Most of what I believed about Alaska in my younger years has turned out to be false. At least in terms of the Anchorage area. We rarely dip below 0 degrees, we have plenty of stores and restaurants (although, I wouldn’t hate bringing a few things up here), and I have never actually seen an igloo.
Only two of the things I heard before moving here myself have proven to be true: The first being that this is one of the most beautiful places anyone has ever seen:
And the second being that they pay you to live here.
OK, so it doesn’t quite work like that. From what I understand, the Alaska Permanent fund dividend is set up using money from oil. Every year (based on financial factors that I’m not even going to attempt to explain) every resident in Alaska get’s a check.
Two years ago, people took home almost $3300. For every single member of their family.
That’s a lot of free money!
Granted, you do have to pay federal taxes on this money, and there are rules and regulations. For instance, you have to be here from January-January to qualify, which is why even though I’ve been here over two years now; this is the first check I’m getting.
The first time I can officially call myself a real Alaskan.
Obviously this money is coming at an opportune time. Between this, and the help from the roommate for the next few months; my frozen cycle is actually paid for.
At least, the cycle itself. I used miles for the plane ticket, I had to buy the drugs, and I still have to pay for the hotel and car when I’m in Seattle, but… The actual cycle was covered by these two extra surges of money.
It’s nice when life works out like that.
I still have to figure out who’s paying for my broken house, but for now… Financial worries are at least a little eased.
And that’s a great feeling.
So thank you Alaska, for helping a sister out and dropping money in my bank account like the money fairy on this fine Alaskan day.
Money for nothing is my favorite kind.
