As a single person with no chance of an inheritance and no family support in Vic, and who probably can't ever maintain a 5-day full time job for more than a few months at a stretch without burning out, I'm seriously wondering if I can afford to exist beyond being a financial conduit from my employer to the landlord

Not saving that much moving to the outermost suburbs as there's less stock for singles and a jump in commuting costs and time. The only real future I have is to move interstate to live with family

Just chiming in to hope Baku returns whenever he feels ready. He's one of the leading lights of this little corner of the internet but also destined for amazing things ahead... if you choose not to come back buddy I hope you might dimly remember us when you're 35 and running your own IT business mate.

It does appear that market rates are somewhat similar to what's being proposed (though idk if they take into account age of property etc - huge variation in this suburb)

Key difference is there is no REA fee in my case, so I'm contacting Tenants Vic tomorrow on advice regarding whether that's included when benchmarking rent increases. Because if the 550 benchmark includes REA fees of say 10%, I should only be paying 500/week

It looks like challenging a rent increase is free so I might just do it anyway. LL has taken the nuclear option so I might as well do the same

Landlord has suddenly withdrawn any option of negotiation - her accountant has apparently told her she "has" to up her rent to match market rates.

110/week extra. 21% increase. 550/week. This system is just not bearable any more. I'm going to seek advice... at least as to whether market rates include typical real estate agent fees or not

This is a vibe and I hate it

That's utterly gorgeous! It must be so satisfying to have worked with your own hands to restore it.

It'll be based on that and looking at what I can actually afford with the time I can work for as well. And just hope for the best. As for work I'll have to consolidate it to one job unfortunately, and bring up my hours back there. Not a great look but I gotta put myself first at times like this.

The worst thing - emailing the LL with a negotiated price - has yet to be done but I'm getting there soon... did the final hard thing of the day by emailing her to say I need a few more days. Now I need to get through tomorrow's very hard conversation at work. I can feel myself coming down with something, my throat is getting scratchy... fuck.

Good on you for taking next steps, it's not easy but it is very necessary. Having just done that today though, good lord I hear you on the costs - I won't listen to a thing the Feds spruik around MH until they put more money into subsidising treatment. Especially if MH is impacting your earning capacity...

Not the best weather but better out than in today to shake the blues. I've just made a series of very difficult phone calls... the Nasonex has helped a bit but now I just need to lie down, I think.

I'm wishing and willing this headache to be a stress based one and not the premonition of a cold/flu. The last thing I need right now is that...

Having a go with Nasonex to see if it helps. God help me if I've developed hay fever this year after not having it my whole life.

Positive things for today, dropped in to a friend's place in the morning, got my MH referral and a psych appointment for Wednesday itself - glad I didn't have to wait too long at all. I just haven't got any brain cells left though. Guess I'll go to campus and do some journaling even if the papers make no sense to me. Just need to stay out of the house...

Don't dead open inside 😎 🌷 🌊