- by Barbara Fletcher

I was reminded of this article today: we are coming up on one year since it was published, and I thought I would share an update. I do not usually share so personally, but I do so because it may help others in some way.

I took advantage of the 6 month mortgage deferment, but I still almost lost my house; in fact, I had gone into debt to hang onto it when things became dire, even before the deferment.
In the beginning...

The Job:
Things had gotten so bad my employer was sending me out of my area, which increased the expenses incurred on my 11 year old vehicle...but still the hours were low. I paused my second job because I did not want to chance bringing the current plague from one place to another; it was a sizeable hit to the pay packet.

The Pandemic Top-up: The $4/hour disappeared.

The House:
The deferment helped a lot, but as much as the mortgage plus insurance was $200 less per month than the rent I'd been paying four years earlier, I wouldn't be able to keep it up much longer with my incoming falling so far behind my outgoing. Even the bit I was getting from my brother (who is currently out of work due to the pandemic) wasn't enough, and the thought of renting a room to a complete stranger is an “absolutely not” during the pandemic.

The 'Oh No...':
In October my furnace broke done in a way that may have been fixable, but it was 26 years old and there was a crack in the exhaust pipe inside the house. I told the repair person it would need replacing because they would condemn the works, but they thought they could fix it until I showed them the sizeable breach. "Yeah, you're right on that one."

The Vehicle:
At 11 years old, it had me in a constant state of low anxiety as to when the Big Breakdown would occur. I wanted a new one, but at $40,000 for new, I could not swing it.
I live alone and have one vehicle only; if I don't have wheels, I can't do my job.

The Finances:
I was dipping into my line of credit to cover core expenses.
I'm a very frugal person, but that only goes so far; when the wages drop so low, all the frugality in the world doesn't help when you're not pulling in enough to cover even the basics, and you've got nothing left to cut...I have no cable or satellite TV, I keep the thermostat down in winter, I don't water the lawn, I have rain barrels, and I use my bathwater to flush my toilet...I can't not have electricity or water and it's frowned upon to drive without insurance or to have a mortgage without it.

The Mental state:
Burnout was looming on the horizon. Again.
I had a moment when I realized a change was needed, so I opened myself up to possibilities.
Then, things started to happen...

The Job:
After thinking long and hard, I made the decision to look for a new or second job.
A second job was preferable; where I am now, I've got seniority, I'm a certified member and Co-chair on two Joint Health & Safety Committees (while sitting on a third), and I'm a Union Steward...all that would most likely disappear when I start a new job. The Health & Safety and Union Steward part might be of use, but the seniority would be gone, meaning I would have to start at the bottom again, with the lower wages that go with it.

I looked at the adverts, finding only a few that piqued my interest; many were too far from me, or offered an hourly pay much less that my current base pay. I was also looking for something that would use me to my full potential, which my current position did not do. I loved my job, but my talents were being wasted.

The Pandemic Top-up: It was still done.

The House:
I was having to reconcile myself with the fact I may have to sell.
I would rather that than lose it...and as much as I was told I would get a pretty penny, house prices were going through the roof, and rental prices were ridiculous! I was seeing that for a small apartment I would be paying almost three times my mortgage! And a room was about one month's mortgage!
YIKES!
Someone put forth the suggestion that I move back to where I used to live (York Region) with them and share rent; It was seriously considered.

The "Oh no...":
I was given a quote for replacement of the furnace, AC, and humidifier.
Someone suggested I buy outright; I told them it was best I do it as monthly instalments because if I had to sell, the onus would be transferred to the new owners.

The vehicle:
I looked around for something that would work for me, and was not liking how everything is computerized now...gone are the days when I could change my own spark plugs!

The Finances:
I talked to my bank.
My mortgage was up for renewal; I explained the situation, and was offered some options.

The Mental State:
I won't go into it; suffice it to say, I was not my usual jolly self, and was sinking fast.
Things really started to happen, and there have been favourable outcomes...

The Job:
As I was about to set up some interviews, I received an internal posting for a new program with my current employer.
It had guaranteed full-time hours, was nights only, and was in the same line of work I was doing, but had more to it. The shocker: if I am scheduled to work and there's a cancellation, I still get paid. That one is taking some getting used to!
I am now an E(enhanced)PSW, working directly under RNs in the Hospice @ Home program. My work challenges me and I am used to my full potential. I am immensely good at it and am appreciated for it.

The Pandemic Top-up: It was brought back, but as $3/hour.
It's been extended twice and may well disappear...we would like it to be permanent so we can be paid what we're worth.

The House:
I went with one of the options.
I renewed the mortgage (which was due this year), had an amount added in to pay off the old LOC and purchase a used vehicle, with some left over for a new LOC at about half the interest of what the old one was.

The "Oh no...":
All has been replaced and is working well.

The Vehicle:
I found a suitable one that was 5 years old at $20,000; the deal with the mortgage paid for it.
I've just about gotten used to the touchscreen controls and the push-button everything.

The Finances:
Things are better but I'm not out of the woods yet.
On top of what I had before, the mortgage is a bit higher, the vehicle insurance is higher, there's the monthly for the new furnace/AC/Humidifier...it's all adding up.

The Mental State:
It is so much better, for the time being.
The possibility still exists that I may lose the house down the road, especially if the pandemic top-up disappears...but things are okay for now.

All I can do now is:
"Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood and carry water."
-Zen proverb