I win at journal keeping...

[mis_creation]

Not.

Anyhoo, it's been a somewhat interesting almost-two-months here.

Among other things, a couple friends have moved in temporarily because their landlord is dumb and obnoxious. So that's fun. Instant hanging out.

And I got to go to Hiawatha! Which was awesome, and fun, and I got to see people I hadn't seen in years. Too much sugar, too much smoke, too little sleep (though I got more than others), and still was the best thing I'd done all year. Erin had fun too, I'm pretty sure, but she's been busy with moving since we got back so I haven't actually talked to her since.

I don't know. Life is kinda weird right now. I'm really, really wanting to move out, but my best option for moving out is Christina and Heathe, and they've decided to move in with Christina's dad for a while to save money, re-build their credit and help family. Which is fine and dandy, really. And I can do the same if I can get a second job. I'm really glad I'm breaking even (more or less) with my library job, but I'd like to do better than breaking-even when I'm living with my folks.

And I would like to know what it's like to live by myself. Ooh, and I just looked at some more apartment listings, and there's one-bedrooms for $500 on the other end of town. With pets allowed and a fitness center. Hefty but one-time deposit for pets. All told, I'd need a deposit of $500 (+? does tax apply?) to move in. (For any who care, this is the place I'm considering. Looks okay to me.)

Since I'm only making a minimum of $448 at the library per month, I'd definitely need another job. But I need that anyway.

So, nothing has really changed. Stuff has happened, but not enough, I guess.

Still in a holding pattern.

Still hoping for better. I haven't been back to a Starbuck's, so I haven't gotten to turn in the application(s).


....and I'm just rambling at this point. I started this thing before I went to work, so I guess I should post it now, huh?

Comments

[silentrequiem.livejournal.com]

$500 for a one-bedroom? That's unheard of in the DC area. o.O
Double that and you might be closer to a studio.

And deposits are not taxed -- you do get it back provided you don't trash the place.

One thing on their requirements, though -- "You must pass income ratio standard according to Rental Services Inc." See if you can find out what that ratio is. When I was shopping for mortgages, I was quoted 40% for monthly mortgage payment. I expect that is more or less true for renting as well.

Good luck!

[mis-creation.livejournal.com]

That's really cheap for here, too, especially a place that allows pets and has a fitness facility (which isn't a must but is very, very nice).

Good. No taxes. But actually, I don't have any pets yet. I could conceivably move in with just the $200 deposit (it's a $300 pet deposit). Of course, I still can't pay the rent, but still. If I choose to get a pet, I could just pay the pet deposit then, right?

...I have no idea what that means. Is that like a ratio of income:outgoing? Or something like how much of my actual gross income is going to be taken up with rent? *is financially dumb*

Thanks! But it's not gonna happen until probably January at the earliest, since I still have found a second job...

Also... *throws confetti* Congratulations on buying/moving into your new place! That's awesome!

[silentrequiem.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It's how much of your total income goes towards your monthly rent. It's to protect the apartments so they get tenants that are more likely able to pay their rent every month.

And thanks!!!

[mis-creation.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks for clarifying that for me. I appreciate any help I can get.

Yeah... Current budget projections mean my rent will make up more than half my expenses, even at the cheapest place I can find. My monthly expenses (student loan repayments, Netflix, credit card payments, ISP, and cell phone) add up to around $320/month, plus projected groceries. There's mitigating factors, of course, but mostly it doesn't add up right now. *sigh*