All Roads Lead....

Here's the deal.

In 3 months, the lease to my current apartment is up.

Ding. Dang. Dunzo! 

I could renew it. 
Honestly, I have no complaints.
I love the location. 
I love the community. 
I love that when there's a problem, someone is here to fix it within the hour. 
I love the amenities. The workout center. The pool. The courtyard.  
But there's one thing that has me caught up...
The 4 letter word: R-E-N-T

I truly believe that money is NOT everything. 
Money does not equate to happiness. 
My theory is, "As long as I have enough $ to live and do what I want, that's more than enough."

But I'm currently in this weird, mid-20's point in my life. 
It's like, I'm too old to live the college life. 
But I'm too young to buy my own house. 
And when I say that, I mean I have no money for a downpayment. 

That's the 11 letter word that gets me:
D-O-W-N-P-A-Y-M-E-N-T

What I'm paying in rent right now, I could easily make for mortgage. 
Except here's the thing. To buy a house, you need a downpayment. 

But when you have $80K in Student Loans, more than 1/2 of your paycheck goes to that. So you begin putting a $100 here, and a $100 there, into your savings account. Yet, it's going to take YEARS before you rack up enough funds for that 11-letter word. Downpayment. 

And let me tell you,
When the money you work so hard for is not being invested into anything, it seems like something has got to give. 

So I've decided..
There's gotta be a change! 
There's a 90% chance I will NOT be renewing my lease. 
Because I have other ideas in mind....
To save for that D-O-W-N-P-A-Y-M-E-N-T

Let me pick your brain. 
Because here's where I'm at. 
 

OPTION 1 - Live out of a Motor Vehicle. 

Pros:
My car if paid off! 
Or, I could get a cheap motor home...
Or, build a tiny house on a trailer...
I'm not home 1/2 of the time, so it wouldn't be all that bad. 

Cons:
Where the heck am I gonna shower?
Well...I could get a YMCA membership to take showers. 

But where the heck am I going to park this bad boy?
Walmart is a no-tow-away zone. But I hate Walmart...

Where the heck will my current furniture go?
I could rent a storage unit....but then that's defeating the purpose of saving money.

If I get a house on wheels, I need a hookup for water.
Where will that be, though?

What's going to happen in the winter when it's sub-degree temps outside?
Baby, it's going to more than cold outside!

What's my address going to be -- 1800 Blue Saturn Ave?
I could get a P.O. Box.


Okay, so honestly, this option isn't that realistic. But it's about 10% possible...

OPTION 2 - Live with Someone, Rent-Free in Exchange for Chores/Helping Out around the House. 

Pros:
I could help an elderly person with groceries/work around the house, if they loaned me a room. Not only would I benefit, but they would too. 

Or...if one of my Indy friends is buying a house, I could spot them a $100-200 bucks to help them with their mortgage. While they lend me a room. Friends helping friends. After all, it wouldn't be forever. Just a year or two. 


Cons:
Where am I going to find this "someone"?
What's going to happen when I'm not "home" to help out because I'm traveling?
What happens when I want to have a friend or two over? Will that be a issue?

This option is becoming a little more realistic, with about a 30% chance of happening. 
 

OPTION 3 - Find a cheaper apartment, with others, and split the rent. 
 

Pros:
I would have a shower. 
I would have an address. 
I would be in good company. I hope. 

Cons:
It's not going to be anything fancy. 
It will probably be itty bitty, and a little tight. 

Who is going to want to partake in this? 
How much cheaper will it be than where I'm at right now?
Will it be worth cleaning up after others?
 

This option is probably the most realistic, with about a 60% chance of happening. 
 

Or...I could stay right where I'm at:

I'm still able to afford living. 
And do what I want. 
But there's no wiggle room to save for that 11-letter:
D-O-W-N-P-A-Y-M-E-N-T
And when I ask myself, where I want to be in 5 years,
I see myself in my own house. 


So this option, has about a 10% of happening...again! 

 

Here's the other thing...
I WANT A CHALLENGE!

This is only going to be 1-2 years out of my life. 
Where I will save up several thousand dollars. 
To reach my 5-year goal of buying a house. 

It's not permanent. 
It's a means to an end. 
So honestly, I'm up for a little crazy. 
For sacrificing now, so I can have more later. 

Here's what I need from you...
YOUR THOUGHTS/OPINIONS!

Which option do YOU think is the most realistic? 
What feedback do YOU have for me? 
Do YOU know anyone who can help a sister out?
Can YOU help me out? 
What have YOU done in your years?

Please, reach out! 
Any and all feedback, is welcome :)