[LeanyBean]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hhh! I'm so frustrated!

Hubby and I have always lived paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes out of choice sometimes I wish the cash would stretch a bit further. We all know how it is.
Well we can barely afford to pay our 'mortgage' and all our other bills as well as put food on the table. In fact about 4-6 months of the year we can't even afford the 'mortgage'. We are under a Contract for Deed with the legal owner of this house. So I use the term mortgage loosely. We have a 3 yr renewable contract. Every 3 years we can either renew the contract, find a true mortgage or move on. Well our 3 yrs on the first go will be up at the end of the year. In the past few months I have wanted to serious blow this place up. We have found out about many 'renovations' over the years and many shoddy repairs after the purchase. For starters the wiring was never brought up to date, just patched into. I have live electrical wires that were used in the 1920s and 30s running through the floors upstairs. In case you haven't been acquainted with this type it is the stuff that has the canvas coating on it and that's it. When the breaker box was added in to replace the old fuse box, they must have had a monkey working on it. None of the loads are properly done on any breaker. Nor were the ones outside. Often I cannot running my washer, dryer and oven at tthe same time. It pops the breaker every time. Sometimes I get lucky and can run them but as soon as the fridge or microwave are in use . . . SNAP! Sometimes we even have to go outside to flip the external breaker for the entire first floor. This gets very annoying in the winter time. If my inusrance company knew about it they would cancel my home owners policy and in turn that would violate my Contract for Deed. Another catch, we have the knowledge to replace the wiring and bringing it up to code but no money to buy the supplies. This would also require us to replace most of the wall coverings and some of the floors. Another expense we cannot afford. Also if we don't have a professional electrician do teh work it cannot be recognized as being up to code. So a job this big will cost about 15-20 grand for a team of electricians to get it done in the quickest amount of time. Which still leaves us with many cosmetic repairs to make. About 2 months ago we had a huge electrical storm. Barely any rain but it went a good hour without more than 30 seconds without lightning striking. As a result we had to replace our digital modem, our cable box, a few surge protectors~which is the only thing that saved my phone, a night light, a handful of light bulbs, and the circuit board on my furnace. 2 weeks before this storm my washing machine died. Quite literally it sparked itself to death. All those times it helped to kick the breaker managed to scorch pieces of the control box. Luckily we ordered a new one and fixed it. 120 bucks. We still haven't gotten a bill about repairing the furnace but it will probably be between 150 and 200 for the circuit board and new transformer for it. Not even two weeks ago was when we got it repaired and just today I think we are facing the same problem again. This morning the furnace just kept running and running and it was getting colder in here. I barely had any fire going inside of the furnace which in turn was making the blower circulate cold air. When we discovered that it was the circuit board that needed replaced we had absolutely no fire. It is October in north Iowa. I need heat. Today is actually a gorgeous day now at about 70 out there. Warmer than average temps should be. And I am very thankful for it. It means I can survive a little bit longer trying to get everything fixed and figured out.
Hubby and I both got accepted into college. And qualified for a tremendous amount of school grants, scholarships and loans. But we'd still have to pay 450 each for our first terms if we would start for the October term~starting the 8th. But between our house issues and not being able to afford a sitter until the school/state daycare assistance woudl kick in we aren't starting yet. And we can't start at the beginning of their next term because it starts January 14th which more than likely be the day I will be delivering our 4th child. Which postpones us to the April term beginning at the earliest. If we reapply for the loans and such before July 1st we wouldn't have a penny to pay but would have to wait until the October start next fall. An actual piece of paper on the wall will do tremendous wonders for our careers. Not that I really have one. I have a knack and strong desire to make sure every little penny is accounted for, hence my draw towards being an accountant. I have had this deisre since I was in highschool. Hubby wants to get out of the entry level, manufacturing jobs. Don't get me wrong, his job is great; pays well and has the best benefits in the area. I wouldn't expect any less from Winnebago Industries.

Here's what we really need:
1. A better home~requirements~3 or more bedrooms, up to code wiring and strucutral integrity, within our current school district, preferably with good chunk of land-garage-more than one toilet, and a mortgae loan with payments we can afford.
2. Having both vehicles tuned-up, including bringing the 2nd car legal to drive. Not anything new just insurance and registration for the New Yorker and a full tune up for it and the van. Thankfully Iowa does not require any inspections whatsoever.
3. Enough cash in the savings account to cover any emergency we have.
I don't think this is too much to ask for. This is my American Dream. To be the always available mom to my kids with a house that fits our needs and the resources to be fully self-sufficient in getting what we need when we need it without fuss.

Thank you all for letting me just let loose. I needed it.

[MiaCamille]

((hugs)) Arlene, i wish i could help you with something, i'm sorry you're going through rough times right now... hopefully it will all get better.. sending good vibes your way...

[mommy2067]

Sending you ((((((hugs))))))....I have been in similar not the same but similar seemingly "desperate" frustrating...don't know when it will get sorted out times too...probably most of us have...
I just want to share something with you that I have done many times in the past and it does work...it takes time but ..I used to write down the things I was "looking" for...let's use the ex. of the house...(which I have done)...but I would write them down as if I already had them...so in a grateful tone more as a thank you letter... as in "thank you for the 3 bedroom house that has ample living space, 2 bathrooms, a yard...etc. My family and I will really enjoy living here" That kinda thing...for me it was a prayer of gratitude...it could simply be a thank you letter to the "universe"...but I truly believe and know it has worked for me many times over...There has been many 11th hour saves, unexpected cheques in the mail...whatever... that have come at the right moment....Not to say hard work doesn't go along way too but I believe with a little faith anything is possible and nothing without it...Just wanted to share my 2cents...

I know things may look difficult and neverending right now...but this too shall pass...You will persevere and get through all of this stuff someway, somehow...perhaps by putting this vent out there somebody else will have some good ideas for ways to resolve the repair issues etc that you are faced with!! Hang in there Arlene!!

p.s. btw DH and I basically live paycheck to paycheck right now too..but I keep telling him I know it won't always be that way..!!!

[mcmama]

I don't know what a contract for deed is. Are you in an owner financing arrangement? If you were buying a house, you would have an inspection. You would pay several hundred dollars for that, and the deal would not go through in some areas if there were serious flaws. Also, in some areas, the certificate of occupancy issued by the local building department will not be issued unless things are up to code.

If you still have wiring from the age of knob and tube and fusebox, you have a fire hazard and a potential litigation problem. Also a potential homeowners insurance problem.

When I bought my house, I bought under duress to get out of the marital property. I probably should have bought myself an extra month to properly move and fix up an empty house. But I could not do that, work a new job, raise my kids, and withstand my ex's constant invasion and assertion of his rights (He bought my share of the marital house.)

For the past 8 years I have been undoing do it yourself messes. Also, the certificate of occupancy was easier to get then than it is now. So I bought a house with wiring issues (not as bad as yours, needed to update box from 1970s), plumbing issues (including drywell which collapsed last year resulting in basement flooding EVERY time it rained) rodent issues (necessitating new siding and a contract with an exterminator) and all sorts of DIY construction which today would be illegal but back then was ok. And I have been undoing a lot of it over 8 years.

The worst thing was that the valve on the water heater was not installed properly. Fortunately the water heater rusted and leaked before blowing up. Today the c of o inspection would turn that up - back then they did not check for this and I had no idea - and my "get the deal done" home inspector did not catch it either.

So when I sell my little cape, the new owners will have new appliances, a bathroom with no holes in the wall and sealed plumbing, a sump pump, new siding, and new sidewalks. And a new water heater.

And fresh paint, new wiring, and maybe if I get to it, sanded and varnished hardwood floors.

So I better not hear any complaints about the age of the roof or the furnace - they're old but they work well. And if they want new windows, well, that's their doing - most of that will likely be done by new owners who would want to expand this place.

Owning a home may be the American dream, but waking up to the maintenance of it is an ongoing reality.

My house is a 2 BR 1 bath cape with no garage in northern NJ. Market value is around $315,000-330,000. Property taxes are $6900. The lot is 50 x 100.

Iowa sounds good to me right now. But it has no beach, so I am heading to FL.

[mommy2067]

Wow Janet, sounds like you have had your work cut out for you and then some.....but the beach is in sight right???

[mcmama]

Better be. I was supposed to be out of here by now, but I got sick this summer and that sort of delayed it. Also it became really clear that my ex was not capable of day to day parenting of a teen. So I am here at least through Christmas and my sons college apps. The house is not yet on the market. I want to list it after TG, my realtor wants to wait until January.

So the delay has meant an increase in taxes, an increase in the so called realty transfer fee, and of course, the dishwasher decided to break. I am working very hard on things here, and holding my breath that nothing else messes up my escape from NJ!

For people looking for a piece of the American dream who are coming out here from the bronx and outer boros of NYC, this is a good community, more affordable, better schools, great police force/public safety - and way higher taxes. But if you don't have to live in the area, the living is better in other parts of the country. Like Iowa.

Arlene, I am sure that you stretch every dollar. Just be assured that your dollars stretch further in Iowa than mine do in NJ.

[ZanneA]

I hear ya!! I'm in an apartment right now $1,015.00 a month EXCLUDING utilities!! I mean, its nice, not SO crazy of a price (compared to what the real estate wants for houses around here!) I worked at this company that nudged me to go back to school to move up, so I just went to school, graduated, Got approved to buy a house, got my DREAM JOB at the company, then 10 days before I was going to get my benefits- they laid me off. Since then I only make $100 a week on unemployment and have been on abut 25 interviews, where they indicate that I am too young for job. Its been 3 months...and I had to finally take a job at PetSmart just to get some $$ and benefits!!

But the thing that bugs me the most is what the HR lady said to me when I was crying my eyes out "getting the boot," she said, "Suzanne, this is a blessing in disguise."

What is that supposed to mean?!!??!

[mcmama]

Who knows what it is supposed to mean. Probably a way of easing her feelings and getting rid of you while feeling she was being nice about it.

But to those of you who are struggling while furthering your education - the struggle is worth it. Really.

There is just such a gap in covering everything - there's always a catch, in qualifying for aid- you make too much, you didn't do it right, etc. Health insurance is a biggie for so many of us - if your company doesn't supply it or cover your family with it, then you are either struggling to pay for it and eat too, or you are applying for state coverage for your kids - and then you have to prove how "poor" you are, which is pretty demeaning.

But keep up the education - both husband and wife - because that is the ticket to skills and ongoing employability. And landing on your feet.

[ZanneA]

Yeah...We both finished our education and are now paying out the wazoo our student loan payments on top of everything else. But you should really stick with it!!! Its just good for your family and your self confidence!!

Plus if you can't pay your student loans most loan companies are really good at helping you out with them.

[LeanyBean]

Our contract for deed states we are purchasing the house directly from the owner with no banks involved. Quite literally we write our checks out to him. Purchase price was $50,000 @ 8% interest being paid on at a rate of 500/month. Everything looked fine when we were given a walk-through. It is just one problem after the next we keep discovering that is royally ticking me off. Of course we told him that we were very interested in the house in November and they said ok we'll draw up a contract. We told them at earliest we'd be able to move in would be the 1st of the year. They didn't tell the tenants at the time that we wanted to move in Jan 1st until December 27th. We couldn't move in until January 15th so lived out of boxes for 2 weeks after our holiday trip. Buttcheeses, anyways. I've found out so much about the histories of the owner and his group of lackeys. All of them have arrest and/or prison records usually revolving around fraud and 'con artist-ry' gone awry. So getting out when we can will be best. I want to leave this ugly mess behind us. I wish we could manage to get all the work done and fully renovate this house, but I highly doubt it will happen. It would be great if we could but it still means we would have to move out temporarily to have it done. Who knows. Perhaps I could win the lottery.

The beach sounds great to me, hubby says high up in the mountains. Right now we can't afford either so we're here in Iowa with the majority of our families in Pennsylvania. Even as bad as things seem, hubby's job is the very best one he's ever had and we are surviving just fine. It's just that I want more, I feel we deserve more for all we've done and been through. I also have issues about leaving my kids behind for the day while I work. Big issues. I was raised in a home where my mother was always home and always available for us. Dad worked in a factory 5 days a week and was home every night and all weekend for us. (In fact, he still works there. Been 35 years last month. In 2 yrs time hubby will be making more than dad. Hubby will have 7 yrs in at that point and dad will have 37. Shows you what different companies and different locations will do for you.) I guess I grew up with an ideal that I would love to replicate. I also don't feel that I am in the wrong to want that so strongly. On the other hand we all have to do what we have to do to get what we need and want.

Janet, I know what you mean about NJ. I lived in Easton, PA for a brief period while hubby was a store manager for Arby's in Philipburg, NJ~inside the mall~store is now closed. I told him I wouldn't cross over to the Jersey side because of all the expenses. No way we could afford car insurance let alone anything else. State Farm won't even cover anyone in Jersey. And I gotta say there are a crapload of bad drivers there. At least in my experience.

Suzanne, I am so sorry they screwed you like that. I guess they may not have been a great company to work for anyway.


The school loans through the college we were accepted to luckily don't kick in until 6 months after graduation plus hubby's work covers a tremendous amount of his as long as he stays employed with them for 2 yrs after he graduates. However with a company as large as Winnebago he can transfer to wherever there is a position available within the company that he has qualifications for. Plus the grants will cover the rest. Most of the terms the college ends up writing us a check instead of us to them. It was just the way things worked out with what we qualified for.