Our air conditioning unit broke down last Sunday. That's always traumatic in July or August when 90-100° days, replete with drenching humidity, are common. Luckily, it was a relatively cool 86° with cloud cover and rainstorms.
The total repair charges end up being about $750. We will also be signing up for their
yearly maintenance plan, which is $179 for the coming year. The guy told us that a new unit, which we "should really think about getting soon" would be $6,500. Yeah, right.
I think about this, and all the other charges for house maintenance. I wonder how many more years T and I will be able to afford to live in our own house.
Then I feel ashamed of my petty worries. Even if we were forced to sell and go into a small apartment we would still have enough. Enough is so much more than most people have. What a rough and tumble, frightening world we live in.
I suppose it's good to put problems into perspective, but I agree -- it's absurd that our society has changed so much that an average person (I assume you're average, as am I) can't afford to buy and maintain their own home. Almost unthinkable not too many decades ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy. And it is getting worse.
DeleteAnd yes, I am "average." That's why I am so ashamed for complaining. If I'm worried, how do the less fortunate survive?
I agree with you Colette and with Steve... it's somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only one who thinks upon and ponders such things. And actually, here, being it's a Tourist destination, Rentals are almost MORE expensive than buying, which creates an absolute dilemma!
DeleteRecently my car cost twice that to repair. I did it; I'm not willing to use Uber or the bus (which we do not have here). Some day I may well run out of money. I wonder what would happen then. Would any of the people I've cared for care? We'll see.
ReplyDeleteThis fear of running out of money is a terror we all live with in the U.S. This country doesn't care about the elderly, we are invisible.
DeleteConsidering how much you have done for so many of your family members, they better freakin' step up for you if you need help. Sorry to get so personal here, but...
I don't have that level of confidence.
DeleteI think it is shameful that I didn't plan properly for my old age. I get Social Security and a small pension. Even so I would be homeless if not for my son who is kind enough to have live with him. It is too expensive to live today.
ReplyDeleteIt really is too expensive to live today. The rich pick our bones for meat.
DeleteEmma, you can plan properly and still end up with a situation... Trust me, that was our Outcome. Life happens and Life keeps getting more expensive. For Young and Old it is becoming more of a challenge to sustain a Home of any kind, be it owned or rented. Multi-Generational Living seems to be increasing so as to share expenses.
DeleteWhatever we call it, these are existential worries. I often lie awake and calculate how long our savings may last if we use that much per month or how much we can use provided we live 10 or 15 or 20 more years.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a worry, running out of money.
DeleteStupid question: Do you really calculate that sort of thing in your head in the middle of the night? I simply cannot keep numbers in my head. I would have to use Excel, or a calculator.
Yes, our 1st World Problems pale in comparison to 3rd World ones don't they? And then it makes me feel somewhat ungrateful for ever griping. That said, being that one of our AC's is on the fritz too, I feel ya GF and the prohibitive expense of repairing or replacement of one! I'm still making payments on the one we replaced the 3rd Day we moved into Villa Boheme' to the tune of Five Grand at the time! And I took worry about running out of Money as Seniors to sustain current accommodations. I think that is why I cannot properly enjoy this Home, the expense of it all is prohibitive and sacrificial... whereas it wasn't at the Historic Home we had to Sell to get that Adoption pushed thru of The Force. I thought I had it all figured out financially... now I realize, you never quite can! Life happens and cocks up even the best made plans! *Le Sigh*
ReplyDeleteTrue that.
DeleteIf you do it often it gets easier. I am also bad with figures. And I round off. Sometimes it helps me fall asleep.
ReplyDeleteI worry occasionally but what really keeps me up at night are worries about Beloved's son and grandkids. They appear to think money grows on trees. What their old age will be like I have no idea but I'm glad I probably won't live to see that.
ReplyDeleteScary. I would be worried about them, too.
DeleteI said to Roger the other day, what's our plan when one of us can no longer care for one's self? I have this fantasy of buying an old victorian house with lots of bedrooms and having friends move in. With all of us pooling our resources we could have caregivers. We could create our own little senior facility ashram. The way we all live in this First World time is crazy.
ReplyDeleteLemme know when you get the ashram set up.
DeleteWe were just talking this morning about what we would do in the event of a return of catastrophic health issues, especially if the house wasn't paid off yet. They may be first world problems, but it's normal to worry about it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have to worry about money. That seems to be true of most of us.
DeleteI keep wondering who Trump's "best ever economy" is actually helping when I just read that almost 80% of our population could not afford a $500 emergency.
ReplyDeleteOur AC also broke last week although they have pumped enough juice into to it that it will hopefully limp along until the replacement unit is installed. Our last one only lasted 12 years. Could we please Make Appliances Great Again.
Hahaha. Now that's a MAGA I could get behind.
DeleteMy constant worry.
ReplyDelete$6,500 ? Wow.
There are articles upon articles about groups of friends establishing, "Golden Girls" type living arrangements. Co-living, communes, ashrams... yep, it is likely a new reality for many.
It would probably be best for extraverts. Introverts might have their comfort levels challenged. Although one's room would become one's castle if needed.
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