How's everyone today?
@NiveusLepus Somewhat jaded.
@stueytheround What's got you grumpy, buddy.
@NiveusLepus Just got notice that our rent is going up 20%
We've been really lucky that it's well below market value, but this is just going to make life more tricky than it needs to be.
@NiveusLepus Can't afford a move. Everywhere else is even more expensive. We're going to have to make it work. No choice.
@stueytheround @NiveusLepus
Weird question but is any way related to the "upgrades" after the flood? If so, that sucks.
@wolfwoman Probably. I'm guessing their insurance premiums went up as well. They're good people. Not greedy. The flat next door costs another £150 on top of what our new rent will be!!
@stueytheround @wolfwoman The world is putting the squeeze on everyone.
@stueytheround @NiveusLepus
The domino effect. So sorry for all of you. I'll be praying for a good outcome for everyone!
@wolfwoman @NiveusLepus
It's the timing that's awkward. First higher payment is November 1st. We were just getting on top of our finances so it's discouraging. We'll be ok though. I'm just going to need to find a bit of extra work each month. Ten hours would cover it well enough.
@stueytheround @wolfwoman Gods and ancestors be with you my friend. I'm sorry you're in this spot.
@stueytheround @NiveusLepus Please reach out if we can help with $
@wolfwoman I will. Hopefully we'll be ok.
@NiveusLepus
@stueytheround @wolfwoman @NiveusLepus
That's it. I'm on my way to give you a hug, Stuey. I should be there by, um... 🤔 Soon. I'll be there soon.
💞
@JoyfullyDazed @stueytheround @wolfwoman I got all the hugs for all of my coso buddies
@stueytheround @wolfwoman @NiveusLepus
That's awful, buddy! I'm really sorry you're going through this. 20% is a big jump. It's always something, seems like.
@stueytheround @wolfwoman @NiveusLepus
I'm so sorry... I just signed a 5 year lease and the rent can't be increased more than 7% per year and no increase until 2025.
Rent is extremely high in WA and so even a small percent can add another $100 per month on rent.
It's a downer for sure.
@QueenOfEverything @stueytheround @NiveusLepus
It seems rent is high *everywhere*. MD is ridiculous. I am blessed to live with DD & SIL family, because I could never afford to live on my own with my tiny pension.
@wolfwoman @stueytheround @NiveusLepus
Yes, I'm job hunting now. Aren't we supposed to have huge stock portfolios and thousands in the bank while we relax in our Golden Years?
WTF?
@QueenOfEverything We can but dream! 🤣
I've no real desire to be wealthy, but comfortable? Comfortable would be perfect!
@wolfwoman @NiveusLepus
@stueytheround @QueenOfEverything @NiveusLepus So many hugs!!!
@stueytheround @wolfwoman @NiveusLepus
I agree... comfortable would be great. I have my cats, my flowers & garden, my rented house and lots of books.
There seems to be a tiny discrepancy between the 3.2% cost of living increase I got and the actual REAL Cost of Living!
@QueenOfEverything @stueytheround @NiveusLepus
Hahahahahha sorry, let me catch my breath hahahaha
Yeah, I heard that. I just made a series of very bad choices: husbands, house purchases, etc. I am very fortunate that I live with family now. They know I won't leave them anything except a membership in a really good timeshare system that only requires about $700/year maintenance fees. But all the other parents did better so they are OK financially.
@wolfwoman @QueenOfEverything @stueytheround Life is what happens while you're busy making other, (often more responsible) plans.
As I've gotten older I've learned more and more the value of the phrase "In my defense, I was left unsupervised"
@QueenOfEverything @wolfwoman @stueytheround That sounds kind of like... "Just go ahead and finish your degree bun, it's the ticket to a good job"
*eyes 60k in student loan debt* You sure?
@NiveusLepus @wolfwoman @stueytheround
Ahhh, student loans. This is a major Catch 22 in our country. My 40 year old daughter finally found the man of her dreams. He's divorced, got 2 kids and almost $100k in student loans. He got a Phd in nursing- so he's a "doctor of nursing" and sees patients. But he's going to be paying that student loan for life.
@NiveusLepus @QueenOfEverything @stueytheround
I am seriously not going to break my arm patting myself on the back. BUT. Maybe it's just because I was much older than traditional college students, but I was absolutely stingy in the use of student loans. I don't recall final amount but I paid it off in 10 years.
I believe the predatory lending practices lure folx too young to see the big picture. And the dangers!
@wolfwoman @NiveusLepus @QueenOfEverything @stueytheround
Can't blame them..
Student loans were created and schools kept increasing their tuitions and so student loans increased...
The schools were paid... Few there loan holders after 10 years.
Cancel all student debt 10 years after graduation... If not sooner...
@InvaderGzim @NiveusLepus @QueenOfEverything @stueytheround I agree with what you said. However, I must point out that the young people - including my eldest DD - took out way more than needed for their actual education & living expenses. It was FREE MONEY! So my belief that it was predatory is that the loan companies targeted young, inexperienced folx and offered them FREE MONEY!
@InvaderGzim @NiveusLepus @QueenOfEverything @stueytheround I have to add that I almost fell prey to this. At age 40, divorced mom of two, trying desperately to finish my BA. My car died. Like 100% dead. My credit was crap (thanks divorce, foreclosure, bankruptcy) and then like manna from heaven, FREE MONEY! I read the fine print carefully and determined I could buy a car with student loan money. I got the cheapest car I could. Felt guilty. But it was necessity.
@stueytheround That toads the wet sprocket. Will you be ok? Considering a move?