We have about a week to decide if we want to renew our lease. Our apartment is raising our rent about 10%. It's roughly $70 we really don't have. I don't remember if I mentioned it on here, but Mr. Random is leaving his miserable job. He's going back to school. We're equal parts terrified and excited for this next chapter.
Financially, it's probably a bad decision. It means we'll be living on my meager income from my RA and teaching at community college and student loans. For 1.5 years. Then we hope, pray, etc. that he gets a teaching job upon graduating. So we can start paying back his loans. I should graduate the following year, when we'll once again, hope, pray, etc. that I get a job. So we can start paying back my loans.
So, financially, it doesn't make a lot of sense. It'll mean a lot of debt that would have been nice to avoid. And, if I get a teaching job, it's possible he could have gone back to school then for free. But, finances aren't the only thing to consider when making life decisions. A major factor was Mr. Random's happiness. He's been truly miserable in this job. Quite frankly, he's not been happy since we moved here for my educational pursuits. He's worked one job or another for 4 years with the main requirement being income, not his own personal satisfaction or happiness. It's definitely time for him to be able to pursue something he'd enjoy. (if only he knew what that was...but that's likely another post - yes, he's not 100% sure this is a path he'll enjoy...yes, definitely another post). Also, there's the issue of daycare. It turns out part-time care costs more than full-time care (!!!) and would basically negate my income. Or halve Mr. Random's income. And things are pretty tight as it is. So - instead of scrimping and scraping by with Mr. Random in a job he hates and Baby Wiggles in daycare, we'll take turns caring for the little one and scrimp by with student loans. It doesn't make financial sense, but I really believe all 3 of us will be a lot happier for it. And that's definitely worth something.
Anyway, complicating factors is this raise in rent. It's going to make things even more difficult. So...do we stay? Do we move? I've looked into other properties. But we like the area we're in right now. Though our neighbors are somewhat noisy and there are somethings about the apartment (floorplan, and noisy vibrating AC unit) that I greatly dislike. We could probably rent a house for about $100 more per month than the new apartment rent. But that's yet another $100 we really don't have. And I do look forward to taking Wiggles to the pool this following summer.
What to do? More research probably...and it looks like I need a pro/con list.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI made a mistake in my previous comment. What I meant to say was:
ReplyDeleteOh jeez--husband quitting work to go back to school plus rent increase!? My s.o. never really had any passion about any line of work--got a masters in this, dabbled in that. In contrast, I was always very directed and passionate about my ph.d. career choice. Hard to prioritize, but we struck a balance eventually. He "settled" on a career, realizing there was no perfect career out there for him.
I hope you work through this soon! Sounds so stressful--especially with a baby and the expenses of day care. My thoughts are with you!
That sounds a lot like us! It is so hard for me to relate b/c I love what I'm doing and really think I'll enjoy the career I'm building for. So when I tell him, most people aren't happy in their jobs and you should just find the least of the evils...it doesn't really ring true for him. Because I AM happy in my job.
ReplyDeleteIt is stressful, but we're making it. We don't have to pay for daycare since he's going to school - we'll alternate our schedules. :)