Good day 13...

Stephanie, sometimes with the economy like it is it's better to rent. It's better then losing money. Not one person has looked at the house across the street from us (and over one house), the retired couple left to go an live in an senior-assisted housing unit. The house up the street never sold after 3 years either, I was told another relative took it over.One that was living in it couldn't afford the property taxes. They never did an thing to the house across the street while they lived in it that I know of..kept it looking it's basic look. It's in an situation it's not to good but for an starting couple in my estimation..because of its size...or maybe an single person "starter" home...another retiree house, but people are asking for lots of ground or larger house these days.  We have 27 houses for sale around here in an 2 mile circle from us...we have several brand new housing projects. Many of them they decided instead to rent them out...until things recover economically...if they ever do. They feel fotunate to get someone else to take over the monthly payments...esp the people that lost their jobs due to the economy. I find selling and buying houses strange surprises, but I've not seen one as of yet where it wasn't an better option... if they didn't get what they wanted right away...usually something better comes along.

 "Mercy Corps" left Portland for Haiti...disaster relief team of doctors and nurses...for the 7.0 quake they had recently.  

With that I go for now, I feel like we had an time warp recently and now we are going back into winter again around here for some reason.I keep saying..."normal" weather per locale and season!

Things are not good all over to tell you the truth, and as I said, we have to make our own fortune these days in ways....anyway possible perhaps also.  I hate jobs like your Paul where you get the heck sucked out of your vitality and little money for it...and have not much in your old age to show for all the hard work of your younger years, one of my biggest problems right now. I can not tell you the people calling into Dave Ramsey Show nightly looking for help, and many of them he tells the same thing, "Dude, your not making enough money, get more education or something to warrant an higher paycheck "There is nothing wrong with the way your doing things, your simply trying to live on to little money for the size of family you have and the responsibilites it involves. Find alternative ways to make more "cash flow" in your household income.

Thank you everyone and to Shirley and Peggy for the advice. It isn't ideal to rent it out but needs must although we have another viewer today. There is another hiccup on our purchase anyway - pretty sick of this now!

Sorry to hear that Paul but know already that employers rarely appreciate or even notice good employees like yourself from my own experience. Give ACAS a ring just to check they are correct - I always do.

Another day of slogging away at endless accounts and tax returns - I have definitely "hit the wall" so to speak - I always sense the impossible task feeling in the middle of January! Another 60 to go!!!!