(a) my burial/disposal costs so that others don't have to bear the expense (oh, and I've absolutely no plans to pop my clogs before my time is up!) - as well as
(b) a sum to have this flat professionally cleaned throughout for when the time comes to leave it - which I've promised the landlord.
Then there's also a little more on top which I've been keeping for a 'rainy day'.
Since July last year all my expenses have been cut back to the bone - apart from my single luxury of cinema once or, occasionally, twice a week. There's just no way I can contain further expenses within existing income. (I've still not even had a single holiday for 21 years!)
Money kept for a rainy day? Well, looks like it's just started raining - and, sadly, it's not raining men, so no "Hallelujah!"
He wants to increase the rent by £60 ($92 American) per month so that it's identical with the flat under me, which is, in fact, slightly smaller than this one. When he rang me he had the impression that it would only affect me a little as he thought that I was being subsidised in whole or in part by the local Council. He seemed a bit abashed when I told him that I've been getting no help at all for the last 6 years, having had to find all the money myself. On hearing that he asked me if I could increase it by £20 for at least the time being. I couldn't really refuse. The last time he made an increase was more than 5 years ago. Besides, he hasn't been a troublesome landlord - and, very importantly, he has turned a blind eye to my having two cats even though under the tenancy agreement no pets are allowed at all. So I'm not really in a position to argue. I've just got to keep on his right side.
So, after giving the matter some thought, I'll increase it by the £20 for a couple of months and then I'll just have to swallow hard and take the increase up to the full £60 he's asking for, even if that means going back to chipping away at my savings again.
Of course, in these times of austerity there are plenty of people in a more desperate state than I am. It's said that so far we've experienced only about 10% of the necessary increases in prices and taxes and reductions in public services, so things are likely to get a lot, lot worse.
Still, it's reassuring to know that when Prime Minister Cameron, sitting with his Cabinet, of whom 21 out of its 26 members are known to be millionaires, tells us that "We're all in this together!" it makes me feel sooooooo much better!
What a pain! A royal pain, as we say in the colonies. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Walt. While I'm watching later on TV today, as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the royal pageant of 1,000 boats on the River Thames carrying those hard-pressed members of Liz's family - both immediate and extended - I'll be feeling ever so sorry for them. But, as you say, there's no alternative but to count one's blessing and to get on with life. That's what they are doing, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read this. Maybe you should send a little note to Cameron. Since we're all in this together, I'm sure he'd be happy to kick in his share. Sending some hugs your way. Sorry they can't be cashed in for anything more valuable.
ReplyDeleteEvery little hug helps, Mitch. Just as well there are blogs like yours to distract me from life's woes. Thanks.
DeleteNow 'scuse me - I've got the telly on in the background where I've just seen the lovely Camilla - and I'm watching out for Her Maj, the head of this poverty-stricken family.
No fun this.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will keep us abreast of the news what happens.
Perhaps I can stay as a lodger? I will pay that part of the rent. I tidy up well, and I don't eat much. All I ask is some decent tea (no rubbish) and tolerance of my Midwest brash 'As".
Dr Spo, you are a wag! If I didn't know you better I might have taken you at your word - and the tea I mainly drink is PG tips de-caff in tea-bags, which may well come under your heading of 'rubbish' (+ Earl Grey, but only about once a month.)
DeleteTaking in ANY lodger would be strictly forbidden in any case - and besides, even when I've had friends visiting (the last one was over 20 years ago) after just two or three days I'm suffocating to have my own space back. So, saving my pussies, the thought of any human co-habitation is a non-starter.
But progress, if any, shall be reported on these 'pages'.
Btw: The sound of your voice from your past brief videos was, I recall, quite 'cute'. There was certainly nothing there that grated. However, my own voice with it's strong north-east England accent (so I'm told) may be more difficult to tolerate for an extended period.
well, my pseudo-Canadian accent (inherited from father's side and living too close to ontario) would drive you crackers with its oo for ou sounds. Well, that's aboot it.
DeleteI doubt if I'd find it grating, Dr Spo. I do find all accents rather endearing (though Scottish being the cutest and sexiest, but that's for another time).
DeleteOne of the things I've learnt through life is that a person's 'externals', including voice traits, is only part of the 'envelope' enclosing the (for want of better word) 'spirit' within - and in that possession we all are equal. So, by looking beyond the surface, one can perceive the hidden 'jewel', the most attractive part we all possess.
Btw: How can one live TOO close to Ontario - or wherever? :-)
I really feel for you. Knowing that you had some money to fall back on, probably gave you a feeling of security. Seeing that money slowly diminish takes it away, which is so sad. To get through this, be grateful that extra money is there and that if you get through today, everything's all right.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I, too, saw the lovely Camilla with the Queen and it gave me a chuckle. What do you think was going through her mind?
Paul, re your question at the end, how about "This is only a rehearsal for when I become Queen - though I hope it doesn't piss down like this on Chuck and me!"?
DeleteRe, the money. Yes, must admit it's now a major worry. For nearly a year I've been living very carefully and frugally from one week to the next so I don't have to draw on my little nest-egg. There's no way the latter can be avoided now - and I hardly dare think of what's going to happen when it's gone. But I'll just have to live like Mr Micawber, believing that 'something will turn up'.
But thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated.
"We're all in this together!" - the 1% tell us 99% over here the same thing; IT'S RUBBISH!
ReplyDeletewhat the bloody hell are you to do, starve to death so the landlord can pocket a few extra euros? but, as you mention, at least you and your pussies have a place to live; there must be hundreds without shelter.
anything we can do to assist you?
Anne Marie - First of all, you are very kind to ask the question but there really is nothing anyone can do, nor would I WANT anyone to help - outside my own surviving family, perhaps. One has to see one's own way through such times otherwise life's trials are pointless. Anyway, when I look back on my life and recall troubled times, I've always, without exception, landed on my feet again - and I trust this will happen once more. (It had damn well better!) But I'm terribly moved by your offer. Thanks so much again.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't know why political parties, particularly when in opposition, don't bang on more about the tiny minority of the rich preaching to the poor how to live their lives, while they get away with all the tax wheezes they can they can find. I get the impression that in the U.S.A. the difference between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' is even more marked than over here. I think that most of the Democrat 'big-wigs' there are rolling in money almost as much as the Republicans. At least over here our Labour Party opposition does contain a high proportion of genuine working class Members of Parliament - and they usually remain so - unless, of course, you're a Tony Blair, from humble origins who, thanks to his 'connections', his memoirs and his speeches (why do so many people still revere him so much?) has become a many-times-multi-millionaire and earning almost as much as his top-grade lawyer wife! Yes, they must really be struggling like the rest of us.
And I bet you yourself are not immune to what's happening - so you've got yourself and your own nearest and dearest to care for.
Btw: Ought to add that I DO still play the National Lottery!
So sorry to hear about the rent increase. That's a tough pill to swallow. My private landlord here in Ohio has kept my rent the same for eight years. Now that I'm moving into an apartment in Virginia, my new landlord is a corporation, and I can bet the rent will go up substantially every year. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteYes, I knew a rent increase was in the offing, Cubby, but when it comes it still smarts - and this one in particular as the new rent now takes my ENTIRE state pension, so I can't imagine how those poorer than I am can manage. Strikes me that there's something wrong somewhere.
DeleteHope you'll be able to absorb your own increases without too much trouble - which is exactly your own thoughts, isn't it?
The increase seems reasonable; it's not bad to agree with it providing you've been with him for long and he's been a good landlord the entire time. Just save in every opportunity that you can, and you can make it. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGoldTeam.ca
Thanks, v.M. Well I've survived at the higher rent for nearly a year now - and am gritting my teeth thinking that yet another increase may be on the way. But when there's no alternative somehow one pulls through, though how it can be done currently evades me.
DeleteThanks for your visit.