news I should be happy about, I suppose

I went to see my parents last weekend, and was informed that they finally managed to pay off their house. Which is definitely good news. It didn't seem likely for a while that this would ever happen, so I am really happy for them. They love that house, and worked themselves silly for years just to keep it. However, now that this one big project is off the agenda, my mother decided that it is time for ME to buy an apartment. She has been trying to talk me into it for a while now, and I have been patienly repeating to her that, 1) I HAVE NO MONEY, 2) I do NOT want to change my job (and there isn't that much of a chance for finding a better-paying one right now anyway). I KNOW that housing is cheaper now than ever before - but that still doesn't mean it is cheap enough for someone who makes $22,500 a year. I just CAN'T afford to pay more than $600 a month - and the lowest monthly mortgage payment I have ever seen or heard of is somewhere between $700-800. Let alone that I don't have enough for a downpayment. These basic facts have not changed since the last time we had this conversation. However, last Sunday my mother happily announced that now she no longer has to pay the mortgage, she can start saving some money for my downpayment. And there is this wonderfully smart realtor lady, recommended by my aunt, whom she wants me to call for a consultation. And then, once I start looking at apartments, I should take notes, so I don't forget what I liked or disliked about each one etc.etc.etc.

Oh, and by the way, this should all happen within a year or so, because there is no telling when the prices might start going up again. So, considering the fact that the annual lease on my current place of residence expires at the end of February, it should probably happen within the next six months. Great. No problem. Thanks for the heads up. *grits teeth*

( Don't get me wrong, dear reader. )