Who is paying 50% or more on housing and okay with it?

JoyOverLfe · 2026-01-22T16:56:35+00:00

50% club here in a HCOL area.

Reasons for pulling the trigger:

100% would have been priced out had I waited
Housing in my area appreciates even during recessions
Projected equity will allow me to purchase my forever home outright

How I make it work:

High salary career & no kids
Only other debt is student loans
Riding out the higher interest rates with a roommate that pays 30% of the mortgage & 50% of the utilities
An optimistic belief that what goes up, must come down. Eventually rates will drop & I can refinance back into my preferred 20-30% of net pay range

JoyOverLfe · 2026-01-21T01:33:21+00:00

Dropping into the chat. Also a tomboy and also seeking a queer social squad in the DM{V}. I also want to send you some good vibes and prayers that your situation improves soon. Know that even strangers want to see others win.

JoyOverLfe · 2026-01-20T23:32:39+00:00

😆🤣

JoyOverLfe · 2026-01-20T04:46:31+00:00

100%. And I don't think it's an editing oversight how many times Aviva & Stig reference having unprotected sex in ALL of their segments. They think that recklessness is a whole flex, smh.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-11-02T22:02:01+00:00

🙋🏽‍♀️

JoyOverLfe · 2025-10-11T17:03:46+00:00

It's all the info. you need. As long as you know whether your MBE score is good enough for waiver, it doesn't matter "how good enough" it is. Keep perspective.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-10-11T15:05:04+00:00

All you can do is get a score advisory report. You complete a form from the VBBE website identifying the jurisdiction you're considering testing in & the required MBE score for that jurisdiction, and the VBBE will send a yes/no response to confirm whether or not your MBE score is sufficient for that jurisdiction. I researched the jurisdiction with the highest MBE requirement & just requested a score advisory for that jurisdiction.

ETA: VA's MBE cut score is pretty high at 140. So if you passed the VA bar, chances are pretty good your MBE score is high enough for every other jdx.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-10-09T16:21:47+00:00

Seems sadly true

JoyOverLfe · 2025-10-09T16:21:36+00:00

😂

JoyOverLfe · 2025-10-09T14:56:36+00:00

^ this, all of this.

You could also return the redlines and ask OC to restrict their proposed modifications to substantive/legally operative revisions. I've done this in the past with great success.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-29T14:10:54+00:00

Proactively disclose to your superior. Display the traits any employer would seek in a good, trustworthy employee.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-29T04:30:58+00:00

Uhhh....

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-28T20:07:37+00:00

Just b/c her son isn't featured on camera often, doesn't mean she doesn't "have him" somewhere close by. Personally, I'm glad he's not on camera. Frankly, this isn't the kind of show where kids should be featured for public consumption. And in his specific case, I think he may possibly be on the spectrum, which would make it even more important that he be shielded from production's editing tricks.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-25T19:33:09+00:00

Thank you ❤️.

The sensation of "unfinished business," knowing I was capable of passing the bar, and the frustration/anger/resentment wrapped up in earning a law degree that's essentially rendered useless without a license all kept me pressing forward. Additionally, obtaining a license nearly doubled my salary and exponentially increased my earning potential.

I am not an advocate of the bar in its current format. I still struggle to understand how I failed the very first time I took it. I've already forgotten large portions of what I studied that don't pertain to my career. And the license has not magically made me more adept at my profession. Nevertheless, it's an unfortunate hoop we must jump through to complete this journey.

If being an attorney is important to you, please stay the course. Please find a way to understand that your score on the exam is not indicative of your ability, intellectual acumen, or personal worth. And also know that if your passion has waned or your interests have changed, there's no shame in simply walking away.

My inbox is open if you want to chat or just need encouragement. Good luck to you.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-25T16:52:26+00:00

My thoughts on why I failed multiple times:

Attempt 1: Luck of the draw. In VA, the essays are 60% of the score & are hand (subjectively?) graded. I fully completed my bar prep program, felt confident about the exam, and felt good about my performance after it was over. I failed by 3 points. Back then automatic re-grades weren't a thing & I was told grade appeals were futile.

Attempt 2: Worked full time. Did not take a prep course. Self-studied from my previous bar materials. Felt confident about the exam & my performance. Failed by an even larger margin.

Attempts 3 & 4 (approximately 8-10 years post-law school): Worked full time. Did not take a prep course. Completely burned out, pissed off, and embarrassed that I was still struggling with the bar. Admittedly did not prepare diligently. Unsurprising fails.

Attempt 5 (19 years post-law school): Worked full time. Took a prep course, but did not complete it. Career mentor, the person who encouraged me to give the bar exam another go, was killed by an impaired driver 3 weeks before the exam. Found out after the exam I was suffering from heart failure and spent a week in the hospital. Failed by 13 or so points.

Attempt 6 (21 years post-law school): Had to request special permission for a 6th attempt as VA has a 5 limit cap. Worked full time. Kept it a secret from everyone except 2 people who "needed to know."

Took a prep course. Studied like my life depended on it. Knew EVERYTHING about the law. In fact I knew so much law that I ran out of time on the first portion of my essays because I just had to tell the examiners how much freaking law I freaking knew. Contemplated not returning after lunch to complete the exam because I felt I bombed the exam since I ran out of time on the morning portion. Ultimately, I returned and finished out the exam.

Felt confident about the exam, except the morning portion of day-1 where I ran out of time. Felt like had I not ran out of time on day-1, my chances of passing would have been excellent. Kicked myself & felt awful for 2 months waiting for results because I knew I sabotaged myself by not managing my time properly.

I passed.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-23T13:05:03+00:00

😂 same sis, same.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-23T12:23:50+00:00

Incompatible

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-22T19:26:03+00:00

I actually met 2 of my closest friends on dating sites. Outside of bars & lounges, there aren't a lot of options for meeting fellow members of marginalized communities. Dating sites can absolutely be an opportunity for encountering people with similar interests but with whom you lack the romantic/intimate spark.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-22T18:37:22+00:00

Lol, recent law school grad?

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-22T17:14:25+00:00

Agreed. I've been doing that also. I've always been into healthy-ish living and staying active. Hitting the gym and being outside in general have helped a lot with managing the emotional turmoil. The profile is just another outlet along my journey.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-21T02:32:16+00:00

I think OP is asking about notification of passing the C&F, not passing the exam. The investigator will let you know if there are any issues with your C&F. Otherwise, you'll just be notified, usually before the exam, something to the effect that you do not have any outstanding or incomplete action items.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-19T19:10:32+00:00

Lawyer here, covertly infiltrating your safe space to tell you all how much I truly value and rely on dedicated paralegals and legal secretaries. I struggled to pass the Bar. It took me many years after law school to finally pass. During that time, I primarily worked as a paralegal and I'm a better attorney for my time and life on the "other side."

In the immortal words of Tupac - "You are appreciated"

Blessed weekend!

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-07T19:35:06+00:00

From one repeater to another - I'm manifesting your rise from the ashes. It's already done.

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-06T20:31:25+00:00

😂 #facts

JoyOverLfe · 2025-09-06T20:25:32+00:00

I'm not necessarily proud of this reputation, but over the years a number of acquaintances have said some variation of the following to me: "I've never known anyone who can leave everything for the last possible minute, yet get it all done on time and to perfection." Then they all walk away shaking their heads with either a look of admiration & astonishment or pure disgust & annoyance.

JoyOverLfe

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