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Options/Clutter Challenge

January 11th, 2010 at 01:03 am

I didn't have a talk with my landlady this weekend. She came home Friday night slamming doors and loudly complaining about how if she has to turn up the heat (presumably for me) then she (meaning me) should pay for it. It was pretty obvious she wanted me to hear it. Pretty silly really, because no matter how much she turns up the heat, it's not going to help how cold it is in my room.

So, anyway, after that, I realized that she isn't in any kind of mood to have a rational discussion.

---
Yesterday at church I made my need known for a new living situation as soon as possible. One possibility arose, but I think it's pretty slim.

An older lady (maybe late 70's) had been renting out a room to someone up till Christmas. The person had been there for a year and a half, and apparently was driving her crazy, so she finally told the person to go.

From her one question of me (do you have a car?) I surmised that the problem had been the tenant was asking for rides a lot.

She didn't sound too enthused about taking on another tenant, but promised that she'd think about it.

I know nothing about what the space is like, nor how much it would cost ... but I figure if it works out that the lady is open to my coming there, it may just work out in the other details. (Gotta have a little faith, right?)

My other option that I'm looking at again (which I chose to not go with before) is living with my mom and stepdad. I stayed with them this weekend, and my mom offered it again to me. I told her that I wanted her to sit down with D and work out what their expectations of me would be (i.e. what would it take for them to both be comfortable having me in the house all the time) and then I'd take a look at it and see if I could live with those expectations. I also told her that if we did it, I'd want to have a weekly conference where we'd feel free to constructively share what's working and what's not working, so if anything's bugging anyone, it won't take more than a week to get it out and figure out a solution.

I would have to rent a storage unit for the majority of my stuff, and my commute to the gym would nearly double. But .. if I can find enough tutoring students, I could quit the gym, or cut way back -- and be much closer to where most of the tutoring students would be located.

I'm thinking of offering $150/month, plus whatever household chores they'd like me to do. Then $30/month more for utilities. That would give me $110 month towards the extra gas and rental of storage unit.

We both would just have to keep in mind that this is short term. Who knows, maybe this summer I'll manage to find a school in desperate need of a librarian, and can get my emergency certification and then move to wherever that school is. (Dream, dream ...dream..)

---
One way or another, my personal deadline for getting out of here is two weeks from today. I wish I could do it this coming Sunday, but I don't think that's possible.

It is not healthy for me to live in this environment.

--
Saturday I made it over to the animal shelter. I ended up only being there a bit over an hour. There were a lot of new dogs. Penny and Lenny were both gone - hopefully adopted (and not in the back sick or something). There were also a lot of people there - part of why I didn't stay very long.

I went to a free music concert at our sister church. It was pretty good - not enough to buy the lady's cd, but I did leave $1 offering for her.

After the concert I went over to my mom's. We watched the Cowboys stomp the Eagles. Big Grin Then today we played with the Wii for a while. I showed mom and stepdad how to do the boxing, and we played skee ball and darts on another game. They're thinking about getting the Wii Fit.

Mom made a cottage cheese roast for me. There were enough leftovers for me to have lunch the whole week! Smile I'd been thinking about making enough quiona and cornbread, and opening up a can of baked beans for lunches. But this way I don't have to *use* my landlady's cooking stuff. Heaven forbid! Rolleyes

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Today I cleaned out my car. There was a bunch of stuff I threw away.

I'll say 20 points worth (for the challenge)

I also cleared out a good bit of stuff from my pantry that I don't think I'll ever get around to actually using. I'm going to see if I can find a place to donate it.

I'll give myself another 20 points for that.

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I've decided to not replace my printer just yet. Once I move, I will either replace it, or maybe work out a deal with my mom on using theirs. (maybe buy every other ink cartridge? or pay 1/3rd of cost?)

---

I wish I had a temperature gauge to find out what the temp is in my room right now. My feet are freezing, my hands are slightly cold, but the rest of me is okay.

It sure was nice sleeping in a *warm* room last night!

---
Oh, I forgot to mention this before. When I got back last Sunday, there was a sign on the washing machine saying that it was broken. However, on both Wednesday and on Saturday when I got home from church ... guess what I heard? The washing machine.

So this lady is trying to make me mad with the animals, and to top it off not letting me use the washing machine. Jokes on her though, cuz when she's not here, the animals still choose to be in my room, and I washed most of my clothes before I came back! (and did some more at my mom's this weekend)

I'm SO ready to get out of here!!

19 Responses to “Options/Clutter Challenge”

  1. Joanne Says:
    1263172547

    I;m sorry to hear that you are still being made to feel uncomfortable living there. Yes, can understand that you want to move ASAP. I would too. I hope that you get to move to your Momsand StepDads. I hope thet this improves quickly for you. Also, having to stay in a cold room isn't good. Could you casually ask what is "wrong" with the washer ? Just to see what kind of an answer you would get? Is your landlady hinting for more money? are you the only tenant? If not, is she treating them nicer? Hope you get to move soon..

  2. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1263172981

    Thanks Joanne.

    At the moment, I don't think I could even speak to her civily, quite honestly.

    Funny you should ask about how she's treating the other renter (yes, there is another renter). I just passed by the other persons door on my way to the bathroom. There was a note posted on his door. Unlike the notes she posts on my door, it was neatly folded in half. The ones she posts on my door are always completely open so anyone passing by could read them. Interesting, isn't?

    As far as hinting towards needing more money? I wouldn't be surprised if that was it. However, the way she's going about it is quite foolish. Because instead of having a renter in here who *will* pay their rent without fail, she's losing that person ASAP, and who knows who she'll be able to get next - if any. Smart, huh?

  3. wowitsawonderfullife Says:
    1263175064

    Do you need to give a certain amount of notice? Something to think about. You wouldn't want to have to pay her when you are living somewhere else.

  4. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1263176091

    I'm going to pay her for February's rent and call that my notice. It's worth the $300 to get out of here ASAP. My lease only calls for a 30-day notice, and there is no specified end time/move out date.

  5. Joanne Says:
    1263176529

    After reading your response,If you can move so soon, that would be good. Hope that you get to live with your family forawhile..Good luck. Your peace of mind is worth the money.

  6. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1263176714

    Thanks. I totally agree - my peace of mind is worth it.

    My mom called a bit ago, and told me that shortly after I left, my stepdad came to her and brought up the idea of my moving in with them all on his own. I'm going to go over their Friday night so we can hash out everyone's expectations. My mom said that the one thing he's most puzzled about is what/how I eat. LOL! (I'm a vegetarian)

  7. momcents Says:
    1263181332


    I would say take up mom and stepdad on their offer! No sense in stressing yourself out about your present living situation if you will be moving eventually. I agree with having a discussion on how to handle things.

    I think if you give her 30 days notice on 1/15 then you'd only have to pay 1/2 the rent for February. Under the present conditions that she is creating, I would say she should only be entitled to the minimum amount possible. She has told you that she will be selling the house, right? You can point out that given the uncertainly of the situation, you have found a situation available to you immediately.

  8. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1263181651

    Thanks Momcents, I am very heavily leaning towards accepting that offer. Smile
    I've been paying rent here on or around the 20th of each month, so probably would need to do the full amount. However, I am wondering if I can just keep the security deposit out of the last month's rent? So, instead of $290, just give her $190. In a normal apartment complex, I know you can't do this, but I don't know that I trust her to give me back my security deposit.

  9. boomeyers Says:
    1263187111

    Will pray that whatever is supposed to happen, happens, and quickly!!

  10. frugaltexan Says:
    1263188200

    Thanks Boo. Can use all the prayers I can get. Smile

  11. homebody Says:
    1263217102

    What is her problem. Haven't you been walking her dogs for her? Some people.....

  12. frugaltexan Says:
    1263231534

    I wish I knew. The thing is, I'm not even sure that she appreciates my walking the dogs. When I first started doing it, I asked before taking them out. Finally she told me I didn't need to ask. Then, after Thanksgiving she told me that her kids felt bad that I thought I needed to walk the dogs everyday. I told her it was a total pleasure for me, and to tell them not to worry. --- Maybe I missed a hint there that SHE didn't want me walking them anymore. Who knows.

  13. monkeymama Says:
    1263232216

    I'd give notice and move in with the 'rents if nothing else materializes.

    There doesn't seem to be any reasoning with her. The washing machine thing is the last straw - she's just crazy.

  14. frugaltexan Says:
    1263234814

    Crazy is the word several people have used. I'm not entirely sure it's that. It may be part of a larger picture - depression - her dad died a little over a year ago. They were close. Even so, it's no excuse for her behavior.

  15. monkeymama Says:
    1263245855

    I suppose by crazy, I mean there is no reasoning with her. Which is just an impossible situation, no matter what the reason.

  16. debtfreeme Says:
    1263247805

    As someone who recently moved out a bad situation may I offer some advice?

    Move out immediately even if it is with your mom and dad for a couple of weeks until you find someplace else. I wish I had to get out faster.

    1. Give notice immediately. Do not offer to pay for the full month of February. Tell her in your notice exactly when the 30 day notice is effective and when it ends and pay only that amount. In your notice of leaving include how many days you are paying for February. (i.e. notice on Jan 15, 30 days is Feb 14.)

    2. Do not try and deduct anything from your rent i.e. security etc. In your notice tell her you expect your security/deposits back on your last day, no exceptions.

    3. When you leave your room for the last time, have her there and take pictures of the condition of the room. There are lots of stories out there (mine included but I won because the other house mate was in my photos on the day I cleaned.) of someone damaging the room after the tenant leaves and then winning a court case. Make sure she is in one of the photos and sees you taking them.

    4. Review your lease to make sure that everything is done. Include all the items that are required to be done before you leave as steps you will complete in your notice so she knows you know what needs to be done and can’t come after you later for additional items.
    If you pay for a percentage of the utilities tell her you want to see a copy of them for your last time. My landlady originally told me that my 1/3rd of the utilities was going to be $137 more than the bills totaled and didn’t give me a photo copy of the bills until I sweetly reminded her of the language in her own lease that says the tenant will get a copy. She was not happy I actually read my lease and knew what it said. If you pay a set amount then never mind.

    As with all advice, take what works and toss the rest! I hope it is a smooth transition for you.

  17. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1263263373

    Monkeymama - yep, unable to be reasoned with describes her to a T.

    debtfreeme, we had a *very* basic/general month-to-month lease. Nothing outlined as to move out responsibilities, etc. Thankfully, I don't share any utilities.

    I don't think I could talk to her at the moment. Maybe a third party could take pictures of the room and converse with her - I just don't think I could do it.

    Thank you for your advice btw.

  18. shiela Says:
    1263275717

    Man this is horrible situation, I hope you get peace soon.

  19. frugaltexan Says:
    1263307069

    Thanks

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