derailed - and was doing so well!

I found out today my rent is going up 13% in August. If I resgin the lease, that means more than half my monthly income (once I clear with taxes and such) will be going to rent. I love my apartment, though. I feel safe here, and it's clean and I love it.

I'm in a sticky situation. Do I move, which I don't want to do? Do I email or call the people? I don't want to talk to them in person - I want to contact them and tell them I just can't afford the 13% increase. It's rediculous. I'm sure they will be able to rent it out, so why would they keep me?

I don't know what to do. My stomach hurts and I'm kinda freaking out here....

Well, it wouldn't do you any good to contact the landlord -- as you said, they could probably rent it out in a heartbeat. And I doubt you could get them to lower the rent.

Can you MAKE it with the increase in rent? With it taking more than HALF your income, it doesn't sound feasible to me. Do you have to pay all utilities besides? If utilities are included (which I doubt) then it might be ok, but these days, that never happens.

Sounds to me like you're going to have to move. I know you don't want to, but gosh -- I sure don't know how you're gonna make it with that much of an increase. Just another case of the rich getting richer.

I wish you the best of luck! Let us know what happen, ok? Take care. Hugs, Lee

((((((( Doggiedo! )))))))

I would be freaking out, too. In fact, I would doubt my ability to make a rational decision in such a state. Do you have anyone to consult about your situation? 2-1-1 if nothing else?

(((Doggiedo!))))

I can relate to it. I'll have a similar rent increase in August and half my monthly income will be swallowed up in this way! Scary.
As I love my flat I only moved into this January, I will still try very hard to keep it for the next few months. I am in the lucky position that bills and Internet are included in this so it's just about manageable even if I haven't got much spending money then.
If you feel you can manage, I would try to keep your flat. Your flat is your home and it's very important. Of course, it can only be done without incurring too much debt. You need to weigh up the financial situation very carefully.
I overdraw my account each month, which isn't ideal either, but am keen to hang on to the flat for the moment although at the moment my job and with it my flat might not be completely safe.
A home can give one a certain amount of stability though.

So I talked with the manager - it's an apartment complex. Of course they don't care and they can't help at all. I guess it didn't hurt to ask.

I keep track of all my expenditures each month and I know exactly what I spend on food, utilities (and the rent includes heat and hot water, which is good), and even food, dog stuff, entertainment, etc. It's a really cool spreadsheet. I can swing it...and will do a 7 month lease I guess.

I feel safe here and I like it. It's clean and I don't have to worry about anything - well other than the rent increase!

How frustrating! I had money for a house, but I used it on a downpayment when I was married a few years back. Now the ex has the house and I'm screwed. I hate him for it. Now I'm stuck renting and I hate it!!! I feel like I'm just throwing money away...

((((DD)))), if you can swing it, stay as long as you can.

You said it, it's your home. You feel safe and you like it. it's clean and you don't have to worry about anything.

I feel the same way about my home. I still make the (excruciatingly annoying) drive back and forth to the office each day (1 & 3/4 hours to 2 hours each way, every day, ON THE 405) for the very reason you are staying in your place: I feel safe, I like it, it's clean, and I don't have to worry about anything

When I was not working, I even cut back on cable, internet, hardly used my car, cut entertainment expenses, and lowered my cell minutes. I was practically living like a monk, but I felt safe.

Things have a way of just working themselves out, too! You never know what's right around the corner, a little more money, a windfall, a helpful hand, etc.

Make the effort to contact the people, sometimes you get a nice surprise. Tell them thet maybe, you can afford half as much the increase or meybe in 6 months you will be able to afford it. Try to look out for a solution before you give up- Have a rest and think it over.

How come the EX didn't pay you HALF of the cost of the HOUSE??? He should have -- that is the USUAL expectation in a divorce!!! Afterall, you made the downpayment -- and the house was BOTH of yours!!! He should have paid you 1/2 the value of the home!!!!

Somewhere along the line, you got screwed!!! Even if he couldn't afford it, he should have taken out a home equity loan or a loan of some sort to pay you!

Jeez -- that sucks. I hope his roof leaks. Hugs, Lee

Thx. I do feel a little better having slept on it overnight.

Yes, the divorce was a mess. Since I used my savings, it's still considered shared money since we "share" everything in a marriage. It's considered equal distribution. We had the house evaluated and we were under water. So ideally he should have paid me out my share of the house, but since we were underwater (if we were going to sell) we wouldn't have made anything. As a result, he didn't need to pay me anything. He had to refinance and is in a worse situation bc the house still isn't worth what we purchased it for...and the mortgage fees have gone up...but I walked away without owing anything...and he's tied down with the mortgage payment. Still totally sucks. My parents remind me all the time I got screwed over- and that doesn't help either. Not sure how I get over this bitterness especially with this renting issue now...it's one big headache.