I am this frog right now.
The Indoctrinated Roommate
The working-from-home roommate and I are continuing to get on each other’s nerves. On top of everything else, he’s now told me he thinks COVID is a hoax and is not taking it seriously. He spends time getting indoctrinated by weird conspiracy theory and pseudo-scientific videos online. Because he blasts his computer at high volume in the house, I can hear the nonsense he listens to.
Since my last post, he had an out-of-state relative fly in to visit for a couple of days in the house without even telling the other roommate and me, let alone asking if we were ok with it. Not a mask in sight as they spent time in the common areas of the house. (Apparently, his family doesn’t take this seriously either.) I wasn’t comfortable with this and voiced as such.
He got offended and deflected what I had to say as a personal attack on his relative instead of accepting his own insensitivity to the needs of the other people in this house during a pandemic.
One Foot Out the Door
Guys, I have spent so much time looking at apartments since my last post. I’m so ready to have my own place. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to pull the trigger because of the cost. The more I increase my expenses, the more I become dependent on this stressful job to pay the bills. Plus, my ability to save anything to get away from this job reduces significantly.
Since burnout and the stress of working are a central problem for me, I want to take some extended time (months) off any work to travel and regain my health at some point in the future. But I won’t be able to do that until:
One. I’ve saved enough money
Two. I’ve been vaccinated against COVID. (I know that no vaccine will be even near 100% effective.)
Three. Travel restrictions against Americans are removed by other countries.
All three of these won’t likely be in place until late 2021 at the earliest. I don’t know how I’m going to last that long. Ughh.
Endurance
noun. the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way
In the meantime, my goals are to save money and ameliorate multiple acute health issues that I’m dealing with right now. Plus, I may need to have another surgery and will need to save for all that. Hello, High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) $$$$$. #2020SUCKS
Soooo, all this makes spending money to move anywhere less appealing. For now, I’m staying put. Unless the Indoctrinated roommate gets really reckless, I plan to endure the coming months with the goal of saving money.
It may be time for another spending plan. I’ve been very lax in my spending over the last several months since getting out of debt and it is definitely time to tighten the belt again.
One Ray
One ray of good news, in my life right now is that I have just maxed out my Roth IRA for 2020! (Congrats to Michelle at strugglingtobedebtfree who recently maxed out hers as well.) Now the money that I was taking from each paycheck to fund my Roth will now go toward medical savings.
.
“When you don’t have options, you’re in prison.” (DDSW Archives)
Double Debt Single Woman 
Maybe you and your other roommate can move out together to save money and/or find another roommate, and travel domestically to get away. The USA has many options!
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If my other roommate and I were friends, that would be a good idea. Unfortunately, we are not. 😦 Frankly, I don’t want to room with anyone any longer.
Thanks for writing in, Anonymous. 🙂
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The guy from out of state should have quarantined. Keeping noise down is common courtesy. Can you speak to your landlord about it, or to whoever holds the lease? I don’t see why you should have to leave, or get sick!
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Hi SMS. I agree. Unfortunately, common courtesy isn’t always common. The landlord doesn’t care. It’s up to me to figure things out.
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You’ve got grit, hang in there!
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Thanks, CAT! 🙂
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That sucks.
Otherwise, it sounds like you have a solid plan that prioritizes your financial and physical safety. I guess my only question might be, what are you doing to prioritize your mental well-being? I have always believed in the necessity of this but have only really put it into practice for myself. It has been a game changer and every aspect of my life is a bit brighter. I hope you continue to prioritize your self. Ain’t nobody else gonna do it.
Thank you for continuing to share your journey. You have no idea of how many times I have returned to your site over the months for hope and inspiration.
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You make a very good point about prioritizing myself, Afro Penny. I will think about that.
Sending you vibes of support in your own journey. 🙂
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Ugh, that roommate! Good for you for not buying into his deflection tactics. Sigh.
Sounds like a good plan to get a new spending plan and focus on your immediate health concerns for now.
I definitely understand not wanting to be dependent on your stressful job, wanting to take extended time off work to travel and rest. But is there a point where living with roommates is even more stressful than being dependent on your job? You know your situation best of course, just curious as to what your thoughts are on this.
Hang in there lady, rooting for you as always!
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Hi Maria,
Your tipping point comment is spot on. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do.
And thank you!
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Wow, that was incredibly insensitive and rude! I’m so sorry you are going through that. Just try to hang in until you can figure out a new plan. Definitely do what ever you need to do to keep yourself safe. That’s the most important thing. Congrats on maxing out the Roth!!!!
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Thank you, Michelle!
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I wish I could come over and slap that guy upside the head.
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LoL! That would be entertaining! 🙂 Thanks, Isabella. 🙂
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Hi,
Can I beg you to write more consistently? You don’t have to put out as much of the personal information if that’s what stopping you. I’m sure i’m not the only one interested in knowing how you are handling money now that you are debt free and what it feels like switching that mentality of paying off. There’s not a ton of content about handling that transition and you are a pretty good writer. I do find all the other stuff interesting but it would still be interesting if you had to leave it out.
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Hi, debtor.
Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
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