How the shit do normal people afford to live here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We pick and choose which bills we pay each month. We are currently running almost three months behind in bills. I haven't had new clothes in 1.5 years. I have to analyze each item in the grocery store as a want vs. need. I could go on and on.

My current dream is for my husband to be able to afford to go to the dentist. We are both educated, but were hit very hard when my husband was laid off three years ago. It has been a struggle to bounce back from that.

Yet you still have the Internet.

[Anonymous]

1350 what is your point? Many people need the internet to stay employed or for school. If I don't have internet then I don't have a job. Or maybe the poster is using someone elses signal. Or maybe the poster lives with mom and dad and is using their internet.

If you are going to try to be an ass, try harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pick and choose which bills we pay each month. We are currently running almost three months behind in bills. I haven't had new clothes in 1.5 years. I have to analyze each item in the grocery store as a want vs. need. I could go on and on.

My current dream is for my husband to be able to afford to go to the dentist. We are both educated, but were hit very hard when my husband was laid off three years ago. It has been a struggle to bounce back from that.

Yet you still have the Internet.

Snarky comment of the day. To the PP quoted above, I hope your situation improves soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:many people who work at places like "Crate and Barrel" are either:
young and do group housing
have no college debt (thanks mom and dad)
college students
retirees
spouse who is primary breadwinner and they are doing it to have independence, help with some nicer things, keep employed while the kids are in school, 2nd job to make ends meet

there are many different models and expectations.

but there are also many different parts of the DC metro area - open a map of DC and see how big it is. When was the last time you explored NE or SE?

Last time I was in SE was 15 years ago to go a nightclub at the time called Buzz.

+1,

[Anonymous]

"I moved to DC in '94. Got a 23K per year job and an efficiency apartment (with a great view) for 600 per month in Cleveland Park. I got laid a lot."

Congratulations on getting laid a lot! How is that germane to the topic?

[Anonymous]

Here's the secret: most folks knock over liquor stores nights and weekends to supplement their income.

[Anonymous]

I worked retail when I first graduated from college. I lived in a group house in Arlington. I did have a car, but it was paid off. My expenses were low as a single. Basically cheap rent, food and entertainment, clothes. Of course that was the days before cell phones, Internet etc so other monthly costs were super low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:many people who work at places like "Crate and Barrel" are either:
young and do group housing
have no college debt (thanks mom and dad)
college students
retirees
spouse who is primary breadwinner and they are doing it to have independence, help with some nicer things, keep employed while the kids are in school, 2nd job to make ends meet

there are many different models and expectations.

but there are also many different parts of the DC metro area - open a map of DC and see how big it is. When was the last time you explored NE or SE?

Last time I was in SE was 15 years ago to go a nightclub at the time called Buzz.

+1,

Yup. I miss it. It was such an extraordinary club. Simple, raw, large, and a ton of talent went through there. Of course I'm way too fucking old to be going anymore, even if hadn't closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pick and choose which bills we pay each month. We are currently running almost three months behind in bills. I haven't had new clothes in 1.5 years. I have to analyze each item in the grocery store as a want vs. need. I could go on and on.

My current dream is for my husband to be able to afford to go to the dentist. We are both educated, but were hit very hard when my husband was laid off three years ago. It has been a struggle to bounce back from that.

Yet you still have the Internet.

Snarky comment of the day. To the PP quoted above, I hope your situation improves soon.

Thanks PP.

To the snarky clueless guy, we need the internet for business purposes. It may amaze you to know that people, even people that are not wealthy may have to use the internet for their work. It is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pick and choose which bills we pay each month. We are currently running almost three months behind in bills. I haven't had new clothes in 1.5 years. I have to analyze each item in the grocery store as a want vs. need. I could go on and on.

My current dream is for my husband to be able to afford to go to the dentist. We are both educated, but were hit very hard when my husband was laid off three years ago. It has been a struggle to bounce back from that.

Yet you still have the Internet.

Snarky comment of the day. To the PP quoted above, I hope your situation improves soon.

Thanks PP.

To the snarky clueless guy, we need the internet for business purposes. It may amaze you to know that people, even people that are not wealthy may have to use the internet for their work. It is true.

Don't forget porn. There's porn too.

[Anonymous]

I made around $40,000/yr a few years ago. I am a single mother and live in a 2 bedroom apt. in Alexandria. I pay all of my bills every month. I don't go out much but I have enough for cable TV, internet, Netflix and occasional take-out or eating out. I don't have the money to go on vacation and I don't buy jewelry, nice clothes for myself. But we aren't struggling and I feel very fortunate.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people live in housing with multiple (family or non-family) people contributing to housing/ultilites costs.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor is below poverty level. Dad died and left the house to him and his sister (paid off). The sister just lets him live there. It's falling apart, gutters rusted out completely, etc. He only uses one small light bulb for light, he burns wood and other stuff he finds for heat. He walks to the grocery store nearby and gets a bag or two of groceries from time to time. He was working at a hospital as a janitor or orderly, but I'm not sure he's still doing that. His live-in girlfriend goes to a methadone clinic every day.

Established neighborhood, desirable location in D.C.

[Anonymous]

There are decent places to live for less than $400k. Granted they are not perfect but we are perfectly happy in our small, older townhouse that cost quite a bit less than that. Schools and neighborhood are nice.

[Anonymous]

Yet you still have the Internet.

Maybe the person is at work as an admin and using the computer there.