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Downsizing Your Life Because of Illness?

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Posted 4/3/2013 12:49 PM (GMT -7)
Have any of you downsized your life due to having UC?

I have a lot of responsibilities, and often have the thought of selling my home and moving into an apartment. Since I'm seemingly always struggling with some health restraint, I feel like it would be a nice load off my shoulders to live in an apartment at least until I see myself being able to be healthy for months straight. Financially I've done the numbers and it's a big gain every month to simplify.

My gf wants to live in a house if we get married, so who knows if I'll ever do this. But it sounds so nice on days where I'm at home sick, can't work, and can't even fix up the repairs needing done at home.
Posted 4/3/2013 12:58 PM (GMT -7)
"Financially I've done the numbers and it's a big gain every month to simplify."

WAT?!? It's the worst. In fact, most magazine states that the advantages of renting are:

-Freedom of movement
-No outdoor chores

and some other stuff...but never a financial thing...

You're case might be different, maybe it works different where you live, but I'll give you my situation.

I'll be mortgage free in August this year. My current mortage payment each month is 800$ +- add proprety tax 250 per month. So this is 1050 roughly.

If I were to rent in a decent location, well, in the same location where I am now, it can cost me, 1100$ per month to rent, in a two bedroom condo.

WAT!??!??! so it cost me more to rent than to own a house....

See, in my situation stuff like this, financially, doesn't make sense.
Posted 4/3/2013 12:59 PM (GMT -7)
I have tried, yes. I think it is an important aspect of dealing with this disease (the mental component.)

No matter how you slice it, the average Westerner is way to busy and has way to much going on in my estimation. My friends all think my fiancée and I are crazy but we have no desire to have children. I think they are great, I have two nephews and a niece that I love to death but I cannot imagine being completely responsible for another human being. Responsible for their needs and their development into a functioning...well, everything, student, member of society...it boggles my mind. One rule I have always lived by is to live below my means. Someone told me once "I don't care how much you make, you will spend it." I told them they could not be more wrong.

That being said, I still have too many responsibilities. Too many at church, too many at work. I have two rental houses and a triplex that are enough to make me want to sell them and live in a cardboard box myself, but at least the houses are nice so people who actually care are living in them.

It's funny you should ask this because I discussed this with two friends over lunch yesterday. One is married with two kids and he was talking about how he could do fine in an apartment but it's not conducive to giving his kids "what he had." I mentioned a third friend they don't know who is the very definition of hedonism. He's a Phd, 29 years old, never had a real job, spent a year hiking the Appalachian trail a couple of years ago, spends time in Africa as a missionary, never wants for more (of anything) and is anxious about nothing. I can only imagine...
Posted 4/3/2013 1:00 PM (GMT -7)
Are you asking this strictly as a financial thing? I would think it would be much preferable to live in a house with UC rather than an apartment, unless you are only talking about monthly expenses being a lot cheaper. What's your mortgage like? Are you at a point where you can refinance? I only had 11 years left on my mortgage and recently refinanced it to a 30 year, decreasing the payments considerably. Not only did I get a lower interest rate with lower monthly payments, but I still have the option of making double payments (which would be about the same as my previous mortgage), in which case my house will still be paid off in that same 11 years. I know you are just in the thought process right now but if you are seriously wanting to make a life with your girlfriend and she prefers a home to an apartment, I wouldn't go down that road unless it was financially necessary.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:07 PM (GMT -7)
To Somedude:

My house is worth $185,000+, and it's paid for.
Taxes $175/mo, fees $20/mo, Insurance $70/mo
Utilities would be cheaper by about $90/mo or more
Average Home Repairs: $100

Apartment that's nice $760/mo. Minus the above total ($455) equals $305/mo more in the apartment. BUT, I would put a majority of that money towards my real estate investments, which currently bring in about 10% after management fees. Even at 8% I'd still bring in $1,233/mo, which is about $900 more than living in the house.

The responsibilities are different with the investments, as I don't have to manage them directly or do the repairs myself in many cases.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:13 PM (GMT -7)
Levi:

My gf and I don't want children if we end up marrying. It's just too much... and I get it. I can never predict my health, so I definitely don't want to bring in a kid to the world when I have a hard time caring for myself.

I think westerners are definitely way too busy. I love my home that I live in, but by the time I work, take care of repairs, head out on weekends for fun etc... I'm not really enjoying my home very much for the time that it's taking.

I love your phd friend. There are many different ways to live if we get past our conditioning.

Thanks for your response!
Posted 4/3/2013 1:14 PM (GMT -7)
Hmmm...you could do what I have considered doing myself...I have that triplex and I've considered moving into the unit on the top floor and just renting the bottom two out. Best of both worlds...an apartment that you own.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:15 PM (GMT -7)
you have OTHER real estate investments? You own other properties??

Interesting.

F... it man, keep the house anyways. At least you own your house, it's something cool of yours than renting and giving money to some other dude that actually OWNS it.

Oh and if you own a 185,000$ and it's paid for and you're 28, very good my friend, very good. Even though mine will be paid off pretty soon, I'd still own an amount to my parents, instead of the bank.

And you have other properties....man you outdid me pretty good. I feel sad now........sniff sniff.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:16 PM (GMT -7)

garylouisville said...
Are you asking this strictly as a financial thing? I would think it would be much preferable to live in a house with UC rather than an apartment, unless you are only talking about monthly expenses being a lot cheaper. What's your mortgage like? Are you at a point where you can refinance? I only had 11 years left on my mortgage and recently refinanced it to a 30 year, decreasing the payments considerably. Not only did I get a lower interest rate with lower monthly payments, but I still have the option of making double payments (which would be about the same as my previous mortgage), in which case my house will still be paid off in that same 11 years. I know you are just in the thought process right now but if you are seriously wanting to make a life with your girlfriend and she prefers a home to an apartment, I wouldn't go down that road unless it was financially necessary.

I've actually got my basic bills down to around $800/month, plus a few hundred in things like taking my gf out to eat and such. This is because my home is paid for and I get about $1,000 every month from some apartments I own.

So... I am theoretically weighing the option of living in my own home and having around $1,100 outgoing every month, or living in an apartment without the need for much earned income. The extra positive about apartments is that I wouldn't come home seeing all the little things needing done, and feel mentally like I'm always falling behind. It gets to wearing on me.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:20 PM (GMT -7)
Lol Somedude. I got diagnosed ten years ago with UC, and made it a goal to have a home paid for and be able to have enough investments to pay my basic bills by the time I was 30 years old. It's been a combination of hard work and luck that's brought me this far. My inclination is to continue to grow my investments, and get to having time for the things that matter. The apartment idea does this... except like Gary mentioned, if my gf and I get married I better just keep the house for her.

It sounds like you're doing great overall if your home is about paid for! Don't let me get ya down, things just worked out well for me and I'm grateful for it.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:20 PM (GMT -7)
You only feel that way because of your mono. fix your mono than make a decision. You can't make decisions "under the influence".

Jebus man, mono needs to go way, it's not a chronic thing. A dude that I played badminton with had it for a month then it went away...
Posted 4/3/2013 1:22 PM (GMT -7)
"The extra positive about apartments is that I wouldn't come home seeing all the little things needing done, and feel mentally like I'm always falling behind. It gets to wearing on me."

i hear ya on that one !

love owning my home - hate the responsibility -

when i'm healthy, there is nothing better than being outside, working in the yard or in the garage on projects - we have dogs, cat, a couple mini donkeys, on 2.5 acres in the country - awesome when i'm feeling good - not so much when i'm feeling crappy -

since i was in my early 20's i've owned acreage - i love the space and freedom, but i'm getting older everyday and my health is not going to get much better before it gets worse - so we are talking about doing something different but it will take us a year probably to actually do something - i just don't want to wait too long and then it becomes a "have to" - would rather do it when we have a choice -

Post Edited (soystud) : 4/3/2013 2:35:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/3/2013 1:22 PM (GMT -7)
"It sounds like you're doing great overall if your home is about paid for! Don't let me get ya down, things just worked out well for me and I'm grateful for it.
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Well, if it doesn't work out with you and g/f...I'll date you, I see financial potential and I'm not ghey. lolololol
Posted 4/3/2013 1:23 PM (GMT -7)
My gf had mono for two freaking weeks and she was better! I think I've felt GOOD for TWO WEEKS in the last 8 months, TOTAL!

I really would like to try LDN, and see if it helps regulate my immune system. Have you noticed anything from taking LDN?
Posted 4/3/2013 1:24 PM (GMT -7)
"I really would like to try LDN, and see if it helps regulate my immune system. Have you noticed anything from taking LDN?
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"

Nope, didnt notice shatt. I keep taking it though. Maybe a miracle will happen. I still eat gluten free too....at this point it's whatever now.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:24 PM (GMT -7)

Somedude said...
"It sounds like you're doing great overall if your home is about paid for! Don't let me get ya down, things just worked out well for me and I'm grateful for it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"

Well, if it doesn't work out with you and g/f...I'll date you, I see financial potential and I'm not ghey. lolololol

Haha... I'll think on it.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:26 PM (GMT -7)
Soystud: Isn't it a b**** to always have a list of things to do? I keep feeling like I'll catch up, then I'm sick, repeatedly. I love having a home too, when I feel well.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:40 PM (GMT -7)
Holy crap. I don't know what I should be more awestruck about: (1) the fact that people live places where houses are less than $200k, or (2) the fact that I'm 26 and I MIGHT be able to swing a downpayment on a house in ... maybe 15 years. (And that would be with my partner-someday-husband, so I'm really talking about, like, half a downpayment.)

What am I doing with my LIFE?!!
Posted 4/3/2013 1:41 PM (GMT -7)
Hahaha. Just FYI somedude, I found a picture of Thoreu, so you can see what he looks like first here you go images.forbes.com/media/lists/fictional/2006/06.jpg :D


Somedude said...
Well, if it doesn't work out with you and g/f...I'll date you, I see financial potential and I'm not ghey. lolololol

Posted 4/3/2013 1:43 PM (GMT -7)

ScienceGirl said...
Holy crap. I don't know what I should be more awestruck about: (1) the fact that people live places where houses are less than $200k, or (2) the fact that I'm 26 and I MIGHT be able to swing a downpayment on a house in ... maybe 15 years. (And that would be with my partner-someday-husband, so I'm really talking about, like, half a downpayment.)

What am I doing with my LIFE?!!

Lol, well... are you having fun doing something every day?!

Homes where I live in the midwest are around 100-130k for a starter home, and then it goes up from there.
Posted 4/3/2013 1:44 PM (GMT -7)

Levi said...
Hahaha. Just FYI somedude, I found a picture of Thoreu, so you can see what he looks like first here you go images.forbes.com/media/lists/fictional/2006/06.jpg :D


Somedude said...
Well, if it doesn't work out with you and g/f...I'll date you, I see financial potential and I'm not ghey. lolololol

HAHAHAHA!!! I just opened that up and laughed really hard out loud here. I'm just resting up at home trying to kill mono once and for all. That was great, Levi!
Posted 4/3/2013 1:51 PM (GMT -7)

Somedude said...
You only feel that way because of your mono. fix your mono than make a decision. You can't make decisions "under the influence".

Jebus man, mono needs to go way, it's not a chronic thing. A dude that I played badminton with had it for a month then it went away...

This is actually really good advice, by the way. Thanks.
Posted 4/3/2013 2:04 PM (GMT -7)
Where do you live, Thoreau, if you don't mind me asking? How long have you had IBD?

I'm 28 and I just moved back in with my parents (temporarily) and I literally can't imagine having owned a house at this point in my life. I have one peer who owns a home and he got it dirt cheap in Nevada of all places.

That said: yes I have thought about downsizing my life due to my IBD. But I don't feel that way when I'm in remission and feeling little to no symptoms. So I don't think you should make sacrifices unless you truly don't think you'll ever be capable of doing what's needed. Don't think about life as if you'll always be sick, approach it like you're going to get better and make plans accordingly. Plenty of people have lived full lives with IBD. I've looked this up. Shannen Doherty has CD. So we'll all be okay.
Posted 4/3/2013 2:14 PM (GMT -7)
NO - I only get one of these lives to live so I haven't downsized, I have on the other hand set low expectations for people from me from time to time. Of course with that being said I think it is purely a personal decision based on severity and of course financial means. What you are considering I would only think about from a financial standpoint and not a UC standpoint, but that has everything to do with having the finances to own and pay for. For me living in a home with the privacy it offers is worth it vs. living in an apartment and the hussle and bussle that goes with that type of living. It just wouldn't be for me unless money was an issue.
Posted 4/3/2013 2:28 PM (GMT -7)
"living in an apartment and the hussle and bussle that goes with that type of living."

Huh ? i see apartment living as anything but -

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