Rethinking My Living Arrangement

Posted on by Double Debt Single Woman

Image credit: The Atlantic

Roommate #1’s room has remained empty since she left. Last month, Landlord told me that one guy was interested in renting it, but I said no. I didn’t want to share a bathroom with a guy. I’ve done that before (see my old posts about my roommate when I first moved to this area) and I’m not interested in doing that again. However, as the weeks have gone by, Landlord has been getting increasingly desperate to rent out the room. I was getting concerned that he would rent it out to anyone just to get the money.

One afternoon, Landlord, without letting me know ahead of time, invited a woman into the house to look at the room. Afterward, he asked me to come meet her after they spent some time talking. He informed me that she is interested in the room and will start moving in her things tomorrow. Wait, what? This is just dropped on me in front of the woman. I was not consulted for my opinion and felt ambushed. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was by design.      Read More

Not a Very Independent Independence Day

Posted on by Double Debt Single Woman

How are you holding up these days? I’m somehow managing, but it is a daily struggle. Warning! This will be a rant and whine post.

The Virus

Blast this virus to the fiery depths of hell!  I’m still virus-free, thankfully, but everything about this pandemic is relentless. I’ve greatly limited my news intake, so that’s helping.

Roommate #1, the one who fled to her parents’ house upon the start of lockdown, has completely moved out as of last month. Now that there is an empty room in the house, the rest of us roommates are paying higher rent and utilities to cover the cost. My monthly payment has gone up over $250. And good luck to us getting a new roommate in the middle of this pandemic with more rentals on the market now that people are leaving town.    Read More

2020 – The Year of the Emergency Fund

Posted on by Double Debt Single Woman

For some of us, 2020 was supposed to be the year of resets, freedom, and new beginnings. It didn’t turn out that way, unfortunately. Sigh.

With no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic, we cling to hopes of a vaccine and medical treatments.  It’s all scary, tiring, and depressing. This, combined with a draining job, has resulted in my not posting much this year.

The Job

The job is still draining and stressful and I’d rather be doing any number of things instead, but given the current environment, I’m grateful to have any money coming in. Three more people in my division have been let go. One of those let go was in my team.  Read More