Trudy's Surprise (Slot Machine)! [Split 5 eva]

[Siniri]

Day 12: 18.5k
Day 13: 18.5k

Total: 144,875

Let me guess... These are the same neighbors who nearly set your roof on fire with their fireworks?

Start keeping a log of every conversation you have with them, promises made, etc., with dates and times. (Thinly veiled threats are still threats. I'd recommend discreetly recording conversations, but I just double-checked, and FL is a 2-party consent state, so if the conversation is not in public where there's no expectation of privacy, you'd have to make it obvious you're recording, which might antagonize them further.)

It's in their best interest to address the drainage issues now while the damage is minimal (and costs less to fix), because they'll be liable for all of it regardless, and if they've been made aware and ignore it, that could entitle you guys to more compensation in the long run (though obviously not having the hassle is the ideal outcome for you, too).

Edit: I just did the math, and even if I match for half the remaining days, I'll be setting a new record low to match my new record high. Maybe I can match 3/4 of the time and avoid that?

[Blue]

Day 13, Matched 0, 18.5k... Total: 150,250
ETA: Day 14, Matched 0, 18.5k... Total: 168,750

Start keeping a log of every conversation you have with them, promises made, etc., with dates and times. (Thinly veiled threats are still threats. I'd recommend discreetly recording conversations, but I just double-checked, and FL is a 2-party consent state, so if the conversation is not in public where there's no expectation of privacy, you'd have to make it obvious you're recording, which might antagonize them further.)

Assuming these threats are being made at your front door and you have a Ring Doorbell Camera (or similar), then it will record at least part of the conversion. Not sure if you can set it for longer than 30 seconds. That said, do you need to have a small sign on the Ring Cameras in FL that say, "You are being recorded"?

Forgot about the fireworks. Ugh.

[Pickles]

Day 13, Matched 2, 19k
Day 14, Matched 2, 19k

Yes, the same neighbors. We are aware about the state laws on recording, unfortunately. I made sure to put the details of the encounter in a number of texts, pms, and verbally told several friends about it. At this point, we are just avoiding them to the best of our abilities, with the hopes that there will be no further issues. I will never not be wary of them, even if they do actually ever start being "nice." Never. Not. Wary.

[Siniri]

Day 14: 19k

Total: 163,875

I've had neighbors like that, Pickles. It stinks. Maybe they'll suddenly have to move? Unlikely that the replacements who like astroturf and marble pool tiles will be much better...

I just found out that having a job with a W2 for eight months is going to screw me over from being able to buy a house. (Had I kept doing what I've been doing for the past nine years, before and after that job, I'd have qualified for a traditional mortgage. But somehow trying something different that temporarily made me more money means I'm ineligible, unless I want a 15% interest rate. Super frustrating. Can I just build a shack in the woods?) I'm going to have to move in February when this lease is up, and I don't want to rent anymore. I'm sick of landlords and housemates and being forced to move.

[Blue]

Day 15, Matched 0, 18.5k... Total: 187,250

@Siniri-... Whaaa? Seriously? A little extra income is bad? How the Smurf does that work? 15%?!? Loan shark? Sorry to hear that. This stinks!

[Pickles]

Day 15, Matched 2, 19k
Day 16, Matched 2, 19k, and a gift box

They pretty much told Mr P that they're not moving for at least 15 years. So we're stuck with them for that long, at least, unless we move. I am not willing to move again right now unless absolutely necessary.

What a mess, Siniri! Is this because of the ridiculous new loan rules that were passed earlier this year? Where people with good credit/average income, etc, have to pay an additional amount per month on their mortgages to cover people with bad credit/minimal income that want to get a house (and will probably default)? So glad we got ours well before THAT went into effect.

[Siniri]

Day 15: 19k and Double-Decker Smore (which looks disgusting, somehow... Like it was drawn by someone who's never actually eaten a smore, or even by AI, which I guess is the same thing)

It's because you have to have two years of the same kind of non-salary income with no gap in employment, so they just wouldn't include any of the money I made in the salaried position, and therefore my income would be considered too low for the 2-year period. (And it's based on federal laws passed after 2008, so there's no discretion.) Basically, my only option if I want to buy now is to find a salaried position (until after I close, at the very least).

Technically, I could qualify for a small mortgage, which would be enough to get a condo since I have a big down payment saved up, except state laws limit how much the mortgage company can make, so most don't make loans that small at all.

So it's either wait two years (from April), get a salaried position, or somehow scrounge together another ~$40-90k in the next five months.

P.S. Salaried meaning not hourly wages. There has to be a contract guaranteeing an annual salary. I'm trying to start my personal training company, and getting a job at a gym wouldn't count for two years because that's usually commission-based. Blargh.

It's weird I can't get a mortgage for even half what I'm paying in rent. Obviously I can afford it!

[Blue]

Day 16, Matched 0, 18.5k, and a The Art of Making the Perfect Smore Book

Matches and Totals	Stats
Matched 0: 11 (134,000)	Gift Boxes: 1
Matched 2: 5 (71,750)	BLB: Day 5
Matched 3: 0 (0)	Lowest with Glitch: 352,375
Matched 4: 0 (0)	Low on Record: 451,375
Total: 205,750	High on Record: 464,750 (2x)

Bummer P. 15 years is a long time. Hopefully things get better for you, even if it is slow progress. Something in the right direction.

That is baffling, Siniri. So, if you were to get a Salaried job as an administrative assistant tomorrow, independent of pay, and you had a paystub that shows you have this position, then you could immediately get a loan at a decent rate? Holy macaroons, that is crazy. How is the job market out there? Could you hire in somewhere just long enough to have that paystub (through escrow)? Mortgage at half of rent cost sounds good. Of course, then there's homeowner's insurance, but that is likely much less than the difference. Nice job on squirreling away a hefty down payment! Do whatever you can to avoid PMI. It is a complete waste of money.

[Pickles]

Day 17, Matched 0, 18.5k

Siniri, that is a mess and makes no sense. I hope things work out in a better way sooner. 100% agree on PMI.

[Siniri]

Day 17: 19k

Total: 201,875

Uh-oh. I seem to have skipped a day at some point and not recorded my total. I'll have to go back and figure out which day it was, but I do remember spinning an 18.5k early in the post-critical days just before bed and making a mental note to record it the next day. I just need to confirm that's when it's from.


Yeah, if I got a job with guaranteed salary making at least $30-40k, that would work. It's because they don't trust "self income" because they're worried it fluctuates too much.

So yeah, I'm looking at a couple of options (my employment *should* have W-2s, it's just my employers never file it right, so I could find one that does and take on more hours with that client, or maybe find a gym that pays a base rate rather than commission, or maybe data analytics working from home using what I learned in grad school plus a few crash courses... I've got options that don't totally suck).

I could also contact more lenders, but it's going to be tough to find a conventional loan with my current situation. I'm going to put feelers out on all fronts and hopefully find *something*.

I figure I've got a month to find a way to get pre-qualified. Then hopefully I can move quickly to buy. (Homes here move very fast, anyway. You've got to make an offer within the first few days of it going on the market.) There's not a ton in my price range, and I know I can't be picky. I'm not looking for a forever home, just someplace safe and sound that I can live with/in, and maybe even pick up a housemate to pay off the house and student debt faster. The housemate will have to be optional to qualify, but it could make my housing nearly free.

[Blue]

Today, 3 matches, 19.5k

Sounds like you have this under control. Looking forward to hear how things progress!

[Pickles]

Day 18, Matched 0, 18.5k

Sounds complicated, Siniri! I hope you're able to work it all out.

[Blue]

Day 18, Matched 2, 19k, and a gift box... Total: 244,250

[Pickles]

Day 19, Matched 0, 18.5k, and a Ghost Spyder Plushie

[Blue]

Day 19, Matched 2, 19k... Total: 263,250