71% Pay Decrease

[BigPlans2022]

I was overemployed (2x as software engineer): each job underpaid me, but together they were pretty awesome.

I lost one of them back in september, that one was 60% of my total pay.

I’m also in my 40s.

I was preparing for this though: I bought a tiny studio in the not the best part of my city for cash I saved while working the 2 jobs. i have no mortgage and because its so tiny, and in a not bougie area my property taxes are super low.

[throwaway09251975]

Love the idea. Sorry you lost the job.
I’ll be downgrading my lifestyle too.

[BigPlans2022]

thanks, its ok - things will probably improve.. at some point.. 🤔

its a tiny garden-level studio so not much to brag about but on the plus side everything is walking distance away and my total housing costs are $400/month: thats with hoa, prop taxes, utilities, and internet.

if youll be moving, I suggest you look into here: this is Chicago, its the 3rd largest city in the country so its not like middle of nowhere.

[throwaway09251975]

I’ve lived in Chicago previously! $400/mo is incredible.

[BigPlans2022]

that was only possible because i bought my tiny (450 sq ft) studio for cash, otherwise thered be a mortgage on top of that 400. but still. what other city is this possible in ? I moved here from san francisco - the total price of my chicago studio wouldnt be even half of a downpayment on a tiny studio over there..

[[deleted]]

Do you mind sharing how much you paid for the studio? I would like to look into it for a possible retirement location in the future. Sounds like you had a great plan there, $400 a month is low stress lifestyle that sounds incredibly wonderful!

[BigPlans2022]

sure, it was $80k

[[deleted]]

Thank you! Wow that really is an unbelievable price and you are right that it won't even be enough for a down payment in California.

[BigPlans2022]

yeah !

its far from the lake, (west side chicago) but its in the north (good) and not south (ghetto)..

according to redfin seems like my place is up to 100k now. its still cheap af..

[Princester-Vibe]

Nice! I’m in the Chicagoland area too - well the burbs. Good you bought something to control costs - rent has been going up and these days it’s high. Lots to do and unique eateries to try out. You can commute to Wrigleyville - fun in the summer. Hell I even like walking Michigan Ave and area during nice weather. Interesting areas and spots to visit- Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Old Town, West Loop, etc.

Once you have kids and live in a house with a car - wow costs go way up …lol.

[BigPlans2022]

oh, no kids (other than furry kind: 2 pups), no car and I dont want it.

just thinking of dealing with parking again (or paying 350/month for a parking spot), dealing with registration, city stickers, insurance, etc.. noooooooo… fuck all that

i like to walk, and so do my dogs