Tuesday, Wednesday, break my heart

[ebonlock]

Samantha Bee on the Daily Show last night:

"...all other days bow down to the 25th, Christmas, it's the only religious holiday which is also a federal holiday, that way Christians can go to their services and everyone else can stay home and reflect on the true meaning of the seperation of church and state."

Priceless.

Ugh, it's gray and cloudy but at least no longer viciously cold, a small but definite blessing I suppose. Want to sleep, curled up fetal under a pile of blankets and my two kitties, and that's about it. I am in giant slack mode and class is just totally out of the question tonight. I'll try to put some more work in on the pearl bra concept for our next troupe costume. If I can finish covering one cup I'll feel like I'm well on the way to a prototype that can be shown to the rest of the gals.

Yeah I know we won't need them until next fall, but the idea of having them done and then only having to focus on learning new choreographies seems so...relaxing. And if these babies work they are going to kick such ass.



I came to the conclusion last night that 2005 needs to be the year I start saving some serious money. I should be free to do this as a) I'll undoubtedly have a lower car payment to deal with and b) my student loans will be paid off. That should give me a significant chunk of change each month to squirrel away.

I've discovered recently that deep down I really, really want to buy a place, move my junk into it, and stay there for a good long time. I don't want to be a renter my entire life, feeling like I can never really settle in. I'd also like some degree of security so that I can stop feeling quite so panicky about retirement.

See I'm at that point in life where I realize that holding out hope that I'll end up in a long term relationship where I can pool resources is a rather foolish idea. It's time to get realistic about my future and plan to spend it on my own with only a single income to live on. I'm pretty sure I can do this if I budget carefully and stick to my real goals. I don't need every single toy that catches my eye, nor do I need to go on any big vacations or trips. My current apartment is good enough for the time being, and relatively affordable so I should try to stay put as long as possible. I won't get exactly the car I want, but I'll get one that I can afford (I love my Bug, but did I really need it? No.). No more big costume or veil purchases, no matter how much I might want them. And gifts for others will be cut back just a tad.

Then maybe in a year or two I can start looking at some cheaper condos in the area if all goes well. Wish me luck!

Comments

[tersa.livejournal.com]

I *completely* wish you luck. I'm still buying toys, but, yeah, paying off my credit card and saving money is at the top of my 'importance' list.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I *completely* wish you luck. I'm still buying toys, but, yeah, paying off my credit card and saving money is at the top of my 'importance' list.

Thanks hon, I can use all the well wishes in this as possible!

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

Please count this as well wish number two. I understnad what you're feeling. I've come to this conclusion a couple times, stuck to it for a while, wandered away from it and then come back to it. I sincerely wish you much better resolve than my own.

And no fair answering my email questions in the form of a post. Have I mentioned that my days are long and boring with very little to look forward to? ;)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Please count this as well wish number two. I understnad what you're feeling. I've come to this conclusion a couple times, stuck to it for a while, wandered away from it and then come back to it. I sincerely wish you much better resolve than my own.

Perhaps we should form a support group? :)

And no fair answering my email questions in the form of a post. Have I mentioned that my days are long and boring with very little to look forward to? ;)

Now I really can't help it if we keep reading one another's minds, can I?

[aelfsciene.livejournal.com]

Well, count me in on the support group, though not so much for finding a place and settling down, just continuining to not-buy and save money for school.

God knows what I'll do when I reach retirement age, though hopefully my former school fund will have ripened into something useful by then; I'm sure to be on the single-income track, too, and probably a lowish one. o.O

[psyfic.livejournal.com]

I/We always wish you luck, {{{E}}}.

My original typo in that sentence was "always wish you lick". My pervy mind, I swear!

That said, I'd have to say this sounds sensible and do-able. My suggestion is when you do start looking at housing, check the FHA foreclosures out. You can find some *sweet* deals through them.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

That said, I'd have to say this sounds sensible and do-able. My suggestion is when you do start looking at housing, check the FHA foreclosures out. You can find some *sweet* deals through them.

Hmm, that sounds like an idea, how does one go about it?

[psyfic.livejournal.com]

Just ask the realtor to show you the FHA foreclosure homes and ask if he/she has any deals. On-line this site is helpful:
http://www.realtytrac.com

Just put your zip code in and see what's available.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Just put your zip code in and see what's available.

Wow, that's pretty cool, never even knew it existed!

[psyfic.livejournal.com]

I knew one day those three years slaving working at HUD would come in handy. :)

btw, and apropos of nothing at all, but had you seen this post?
http://www.livejournal.com/users/evieangelique/131979.html

Damn, but I fell right out of that handbasket....

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Damn, but I fell right out of that handbasket....

Oh my...

[windrose.livejournal.com]

There is definitely something to be said for the stability of owning your own home. Yeah, things are gonna suck financially for me for a while--I wouldn't be buying the laptop if my health didn't demand it--but just knowing that this place is MINE ... man. That's a beautiful feeling.

Sending you Find a Happy Home vibes. You deserve it, hon. :-)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Sending you Find a Happy Home vibes. You deserve it, hon. :-)

Thank you muchly, m'dear. I am smug, got all your Yule stuff boxed up and ready to go last night, with any luck I'll get it shipped this weekend. Fear me.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

I haven't even started my shopping. All hail ebonlock the Great and Terrible.

[divine-debris.livejournal.com]

I hear you on the "I've come to the point in my life" comment. I often look around and see that people my age or younger are in solid long term relationships, own houses or have "careers"...it's daunting to say the least. Although if you want to shake off the "wouldn't a relationship be nice" notion...go see "Closer" and you'll suddenly be questioning the whole blame thing!

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Although if you want to shake off the "wouldn't a relationship be nice" notion...go see "Closer" and you'll suddenly be questioning the whole blame thing!

Now you know how I feel about Julia Roberts *shudder*, but I'll take your word for it. And trust me, the "wouldn't a relationship be nice" notion has been quietly and formally laid to rest. It's me and the cats from now on, and somehow I find that I don't mind a bit.

[divine-debris.livejournal.com]

Laid to rest huh? I'd like to think I'm the eternal optimist but I'm certainly not canceling out the notion of becoming the neighborhood "cat lady" either. I don't know if it's a scary thing, but the older I get the less I mind it as well!

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Laid to rest huh? I'd like to think I'm the eternal optimist but I'm certainly not canceling out the notion of becoming the neighborhood "cat lady" either. I don't know if it's a scary thing, but the older I get the less I mind it as well!

I'll happily hold out hope that you can avoid the same fate, but if not there'll always be a place for you and your cats out here.

[divine-debris.livejournal.com]

All the hands of hope have withdrawn lately in that department...a-hem. You'll regret that offer some day when I show up on your doorstep with a cat carrier and my luggage! ;)

[shadowchaser44.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about the settling down and retirement thing. I'm kind of in the same boat, except I'm about 10 years further down the road than you (I think) and have no job, no reasonable prospects, and am living with my mother. You've met my mother... :(
Good luck on what sounds like an excellent New Years resolution! I hope you can find a good place when you're ready.

[murdoch.livejournal.com]

I thought I was at the point of a stable relationship and poolable resources a number of years ago. Whoops. Selling my house is yet another way of giving up on that. Mountain View condos start in the $250k-300k range and can get scary expensive.


And on the car thing: the Toyota Echo looks like it gets the 2nd best milage of any non-hybrid, non-diesel car - http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=2885&src=Hybrid+VehiclesCategory . At about $3-4k less than the Civic listed there. End of year is usally a good time to buy a 2004, if your lease runs out soon.