Hi All,
Am I starting to sound like a broken record...I'm going to see an apartment tonight!
It's a bi-level house and the apartment's on the bottom level. For those of you that don't know how a bi-level's set up, when you walk in the front door, you're on a landing and you either go up 6 steps, or down 6 steps. Upstairs is usually 3 BRs, Kit, DR, LR and a bath or 2. This one, they have blocked off the stairs going down, so you can only go up from the front door. The back door puts you in the ground level apartment. It's 2 BRs, kit, LR, bathroom and laundry. She said the BR is plenty big enough for a king size bed and furniture. The kitchen has been updated. It's in a nice area with a beautiful property. I don't know the area well, but it's in the town I bowl in, and nice and central for DH and me to commute. And the rent's only $950./+ utilities...so it's $25 less a month than we're paying now, but our heat/HW is included now. The woman and her husband bought it for their son who was getting married 5 yrs. ago...he didn't get married, so they've been renting it out! Upstairs is being redone right now, but there's a guy renting the MBR up there. He's a professional that is quiet she said. They don't mind the cat. I'm looking forward to seeing it, as usual.
DH didn't sound too thrilled, but I think he's a little stressed about money right now. And I don't think I'm making it any easier for him, because I asked him to write everything down that he spends money on for the next few weeks, so I can start making some sort of budget. I've already made a spreadsheet of our bills and estimated monthly expenses, but I can't do anything with it. I need a breakdown of exactly where every penny goes, so we can see where to make improvements! He doesn't get it I don't think. I mean, I think he's being head strong, ya' know? Any advice from those of you who've been married awhile, or just have good financial sense? I would really like to take over all the bill paying, including his debt, and get everything into one checking and one savings so I know where it all goes. That's my master plan. My mom says I have to let him take charge more, because he's supposed to be the head of household, but to be honest, sometimes I think he just doesn't have enough balls to do it!! I guess part of it is because I grew up in a machiarchal (sp?) family, my mom made all the decisions, because my dad died when I was almost 3. And my Gran kind of wears the pants too, even though Gramps is still around.
I try, I always ask his opinion, I do a lot of saying, "...if you want", and "...what do you think?"
Anyway, I'm rambling, sorry...
I know you'll all be sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to hear from me later about how we liked it!!