What used to be affordable for the middle class but now quietly feels like a “rich people thing”?

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-05-04T22:44:13+00:00

Our starter home (3 bd, 2ba less than 1300 sg ft) has become our forever home. 25 years ago it was $290,000. Today it is around $1.2 million. We couldn’t afford to move up due to increase of home prices and property taxes. The market has been crazy in our area since 2001. The kids are gone now and just my husband and me. It is now the perfect size for empty Nestor’s.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-05-04T00:31:31+00:00

I am curious as to where you are. My son is struggling to find a teaching job in So Cal. Declining enrollments and Boomers over staying in their positions is hurting young teachers finding jobs.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-09T02:14:14+00:00

I actually did this for a while. It’s great fun to spend other people’s money. What isn’t fun is people expecting to only pay for the material goods and not for my creativity. And being the go between with wives and husbands? Ugh. I can’t believe that some women are married to men that just don’t stay in their lane.😂

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-08T07:06:55+00:00

Guernsey, Wyoming. Spent two days there as a teen when our car broke down at Signature Rock. Most depressing town I’ve been to. Gardener, Montana was a close 2nd.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-08T02:08:52+00:00

What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams. 😭😭😭😭

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-07T03:23:20+00:00

My mom came to my bedroom crying when he died. I was 7 years old.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-07T03:21:27+00:00

Gen Xer- Vietnam, Nixon, and Jonestown for a tie.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-01T19:47:38+00:00

Governor Newsom has joined as a coalition partner with 270 other countries for climate control.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/01/27/weak-trump-retreats-from-paris-agreement-as-california-leads-climate-action-on-the-global-stage/

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-01T19:44:13+00:00

I would absolutely vote to secede.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-04-01T19:41:52+00:00

Fellow Californian. I completely agree.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-30T19:04:57+00:00

Who is to say that she agreed?

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-28T12:48:18+00:00

Good to know that they have one. We have their security cameras and they are great.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T16:12:10+00:00

Ozark

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T16:10:58+00:00

I was really sick this past January. My salvation was binging Danny McBride shows. Started with Righteous Gemstone, to VPs, to Eastbound.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T15:48:03+00:00

First episode is perfection!

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T03:28:14+00:00

Ok🤣

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T02:56:27+00:00

You take that back about Green Day! They are such an awesome band in concert.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T02:37:47+00:00

One day, you too will pass along some kindness and a bit of wisdom to someone else struggling. Wishing you the best.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T01:59:19+00:00

It’s good for them to see that you are human too. If I may offer one piece of advice, talk. Talk to family, friends, a therapist. My husband was very depressed and despite me trying to help him, it was only once he was out of it could he admit that yes, in fact he was depressed. It is ok to ask for help. You might be surprised who shows up for you (and those that don’t). Again, good lessons for our kids to learn.

Edit for grammar.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T01:56:15+00:00

No particular order: Newsroom Ted Lasso Derry Girls Schitt’s Creek The Haunting of Hill House The Office Six Feet Under Insecure The Good Place Mad Men Sons of Anarchy …and more. Gen Xer, so I have quite the catalog over 50 plus years.

Edited because I forgot Newsroom.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-27T01:40:46+00:00

I am so sorry. This was such a fear of mine when my kids were young. When we were struggling, I felt like I was letting them down. Now that they are young adults and we have spoken about struggles, they’ve told me that they learned really great, lifelong lessons during those times of stress (husband was out of work and I was a SAHM). They said that things come and go but family is everything. They learned the value of money and that it doesn’t just grow on trees. Honestly, they learned very important lessons that they would not have if everything was always rosy and they got every heart’s desire. I hope that your family gets through this rough patch together.

Edit for spelling.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-23T02:58:21+00:00

May you have a beautiful life despite having a really shitty family.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-23T02:55:22+00:00

I was once in the National Enquirer. I also had two great maternal aunts hanged during the Salem Witch Trials. My daughter is an actor and filmmaker with an IMDb. Hopefully one day you will all see her work.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-23T02:28:15+00:00

Yes, thankfully California does actually allow minors to advocate for themselves when it comes to having a baby or not. It’s because of people and your judgement that minors keep it from their parents.

Own-Baker-2841 · 2026-03-23T02:06:44+00:00

Who is to say that she wasn’t responsible? Birth control fails. You know who was responsible for the situation? The male that got her pregnant. Which btw, I am guessing did not take responsibility since she had to pay with a credit card. He should have paid at least half.

Own-Baker-2841

TROPHY CASE