I let him back in and now I am kicking myself #2

WOW - my landlord is being a di*ck. He won't budge on the $100 raise in rent and was snippy with me about it over email. So I replied in just as snippy of a manner, telling him I've been a good tenant for the last five years and that I'm not signing the lease until April 1. He says he's already giving me a break by raising it only by $100. He claims inflation costs.

Worst case scenario - I have to somehow move in with my mother and put all my furniture into storage. I'm not even sure that she could have me live with her again.

Wow! I believe you. Your welcome

I hope you can get it sorted, hope

I did a search for your state and there are co-ops and other non-government options in nonprofit housing. I will text you the websites.

I really encourage anyone in market rentals to investigate affordable housing (not the same as low-income government housing) Unfortunately a lot of non-profit buildings are "hidden" as they are run by various charities or societies. This is not the same as government housing so you won't find it easily. Buildings may be run by groups like the Masons, the Lions Club, Christian groups, municipalities, and more. Most cities will have some of these options. Sometimes they will go by "community housing."

Sounds like it would be good to ask her at least. The best housing is with family, free or cheap. Good luck

I’d be very interested to see what you find. Normally in the US lower rent dwellings are impossible to get into unless you are extremely low income (even though Hope is unemployed she only lost her job very recently and is high income), disabled, waited for housing for years, currently live in DV shelter etc

Having said that, there are areas in the US that are very low cost of living, dirt cheap rent. But they are typically in the areas with no jobs and limited infrastructure in the middle of nowhere.

Typically for a single, no kids, not disabled person to get to any kind of low rent place is impossible. Those places would be gone to low income or disabled parents with young children.

But I’d love to see what you find. It would be great

Thanks for looking into it @Samicat. I still cannot afford to move. I don't have any money.

Did you sell a ring? Would that help? I know resale value of jewelry is low but better than nothing

No it won’t make a difference.

Wow! I believe you.

Do you have any unwanted stuff that you could sell to help out with finances, Hope?

Willow the only things people could sell are pricey stuff like cars or real antiques. Even furniture is hard to sell. People by me selling furniture for dirt cheap. I donate to habitat for humanity because it’s impossible to sell for more than minuscule price

Rent is extremely high in our area. Most rentals are going up at least $200 or more a month around here.
Check with perhaps moving in with your mother for a while. Might be necessary while you are on figuring things out again. It’s not the worst thing.

I actually have my son and his wife living with me now. Helps all of us. They are out of the apartment rat race. I have assistance with my mortgage and bills. We’re all much more secure this way and are pretty good at staying out of each other’s hair. It’s been a win-win for all of us.

I realized after the fact that I cannot move in with my mother because I have a cat. It's not allowed where my mother lives. I'm not giving up my cat.

I am stuck.

No, I do not have anything I can sell except my engagement ring, and even that is only worth a few hundred dollars, which won't make any difference.

I had a rather desperate thought this morning. I have over 700 friends on Facebook. I have over 3200 followers on a Facebook fan page I created, where I post daily quotes to help people.

My desperate thought was to raise money through my Facebook followers and my Facebook friends. I could create a GoFundMe account to help keep me afloat financially.

This is SO not my style - to ask friends for money, but it's a thought that crossed my mind in my scramble to problem solve.

IF only half of my Facebook friends donated just $25 each, I could raise $8,750. IF half of my Facebook friends donated $50 each, I could raise $17,500. Either amount would make a huge difference - especially the latter amount. IF any of my FB followers donated, that would be AMAZING.

I don't know.... I am thinking about it. It's one feasible avenue at least.

Your expectation is they will want to give you money. If the roles were reversed and you were asked for money on facebook, what would your reaction be? Would you still follow them? Would your opinion of them change if they begged for money?
Asking other people to give you money isn't solving your actual financial problem. It's akin to putting a bandaid on broken arm. I realize you're desperate for a solution, but desperation is when regrettable choices are most often made. Every choice has a consequence and desperation stops us from seeing the bigger picture. My only intention is to help you gain perspective surrounding this option.

Life certainly seems to be giving you a bunch of challenges. You'll get through this all eventually.

My friends on Facebook will help, I know this much. My followers? Maybe a handful since I do help them on a daily basis. Maybe I wouldn't ask my followers, just my actual friends.

I have seen friends do this in the past. I don't see anything wrong with it. I would give $25 to a friend in need, without question.

I don't see why you're sour on the idea. I am out of options and this is a viable one. Yes, it would keep me afloat for 3 more months, and it would solve the problem. I am going to do what I think I need to do in order to survive.

I'm not sour on your idea. An hour ago you ended your post with not sounding sure of your idea and your choice. Now, you sound more confident. Is something holding you back from implementing your idea?

I have nothing to lose or gain by your choice and idea. My only intention is to give you things to think about so you can make the best choice for yourself.

You can also apply for a Pell grant and tuition aid through unemployment to learn new skills for work. It's tough being unemployed. I was unemployed for over 2 years during the pandemic. It's scary I know. If your state offers free training and tuition wavers, go learn something new. What do you have to lose?

It's something I want to think about implementing. I just came up with the idea this morning. I want to let it sit for a day and I want to talk to some friends about it as well.

My concern is meeting my expenses, without going further into debt. This is my #1 priority right now.

And thank you.... it IS tough to be unemployed. This is my 4th time dealing with it in my life. It's never easy, but somehow, I've always landed on my feet, each time. But with zero interviews this whole last week and zero responses to my 10 applications in the last 2 weeks, I am getting nervous.

My landlord also called me directly about the increase in my rent.

He explained that his realtor says he can get $2100 a month for my apartment, but that he will only charge me $2000 a month, so he's giving me a break by $100 already. He says that keeping a tenant in the apartment longer-term is more preferable than having a high turnover rate and spending money on advertising each year, but that he also needs to make money from the rental as well. So I told him I understood and I thanked him for giving me $100 off. I also apologized for my curt sounding email when I balked at the raise in my rent.

I have got to keep positive relations with my landlord so that I can stay put. He doesn't know I lost my job and he doesn't need to know.

How about taking some classes to make yourself more attractive to employers. Like things you struggle with: excel and power point for example.

I have no opinion about asking people for money. Maybe not on social media though. Don’t know. Can your family help? I’d give money to my immediate family.

They have community drive on this forum but you won’t collect big sums you plan for. It might be $500 or so.

Yes, I can look into classes. I've been too depressed to do that much though. Looking for jobs and applying each day takes several hours of time. After that, I am pretty much drained.

I cannot ask family for money. I think fundraising is a good idea instead.

There’s a rental relief in your state if you were unemployed for 90 days. Could your husband keep a cat until you could situate yourself. Could you cut your expenses like no clubbing no going out no eating out no drinking no smoking no shopping etc that could help. Just trying to look for practical solutions.

I’ve already cut down on my spending as much as I can. I’ve been unemployed only 7 weeks. Last resort is giving my cat to my husband.