I was on the road to financial stability but now even a trip to the grocery store gives me anxiety [Video]

This First Person column is the experience of Crystal MacCormac, a health sector employee living in Charlottetown. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see the FAQ.

Grocery shopping is an anxious and demoralizing day for us. 

My spouse is diabetic and has heart issues, which means we’re often left to pick between buying food or medication. Before heading to the cash register, I often evaluate what is in my shopping cart, weighing which of the more expensive items we can forgo or substitute for cheaper stuff to stretch our wallet until the next payday. 

For example, I often swap the more expensive fresh vegetables and opt instead for a frozen entree that has some veggies in it. 

How did I end up back here again? I went to college in my late 30s to improve our financial situation, which worked temporarily. For a few years, I was able to relax …