Yes -- like if rent was $2,000, the mortgage would be $1,600.

That is exactly why I ended up buying my place almost a year ago. I'm currently paying about the same as my old rent for a two bedroom apartment. For a place about the same size as what I have now - I'd be luck for a $400 difference.

Could you pay in weed, or is that just limited to Boulder? (Or, from what my brother tells me about Boulder, paying in tacos is acceptable.)

Certain landlords, entirely possible. But with recreational weed easily available, it isn't such a hot commodity unless you are growing your own. (I got totally stoned Friday, felt like I was back in high school).

A note to all of you encouraging DH about the harvest-gold recliner clone on my facebook page? NO. No no no no no. no.

(though the Free Willy graphic is still making me laugh.)

The Free Willy graphic is the best!

Apartment complexes are going up all over the valley as communities vie to become part of Silicon Slopes, the tech initiative that's opening to pull in big tech jobs eager to employ the local workforce that's willing to work for wages significantly lower than the national average (Utah graduates are notoriously unwilling to leave Utah, they don't like leaving the bosom of their large families or the familiarity of a somewhat reactionary worldview). In any case, with new, posh, amenity-filled, expensive apartments going up all over, I'm looking at a somewhat older complex with rent about $150 cheaper per month that's going to want to stay competitive. I haven't toured the place yet, so I'm not sure what condition it's in, but I figure I'm probably good for several years before they want to remodel. I'm at least ten years away from retirement, when things get re-evaluated.

#teamgoldy

#NO

We're paying less in a mortgage than we were in rent, but that doesn't take into account a down payment, insurance, property taxes, and having to fix things when they break. Plus, yard maintenance.

Mom was here today and I was able to get in both a nap and a shower, so I'm feeling slightly less stupid than earlier. I've been taking Allegra, but I may have to give in and take Benadryl tonight, which I haven't been doing because it makes taking care of ltc if she wakes in the night harder.

I'm on the hardcore allergy stuff, although a lot of it comes from asthma and a doubly deviated septum. (On the scan, my septum looks kind of like the letter "S" as drawn by a kindergartner.)

So -- Symbicort inhaler, plus Fluoxetine and Azelatime (sp?) nasal sprays, and surgery next month. Meanwhile, lots of coughing, constant slightly stuffy nose, chronic fatigue.