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.
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.
Yeah, a $400 difference could get eaten up right quick.
Housing in Boulder is not Bay Area expensive, of course, but it's pretty dang pricey compared to most of the country.
I pay about twice my parents' mortgage in rent with no equity, but on the flip side not having to deal with home insurance, repairs, and a lawn has probably added years to my life thanks to reduced stress.
having to fix things when they break
Which BLOWS. I've lived with Tim more than 8 years now, and I *still* hate not having a superintendant down the hall. Plus, I still resent paying for water and heat (most rentals here -- or, at least, the places I lived -- paid water and heat).
Some day I will grow up and be an adult, but today is not that day.
Fluoxetine
Fluticasone, I hope. (Fluoxetine is Prozac; fluticasone is Flonase, which I also use because I live with 2 cats, to whom I am VERY allergic, though I love them)
You're right, Steph. Thanks for the correction. Hubs and I are on so many meds between us, it's sometimes hard to keep track in my head.
not having to deal with home insurance, repairs, and a lawn has probably added years to my life thanks to reduced stress.
Which was the deciding factor between condo and apartment, though condos should cover the lawn, which incurs the condo fees.
I am leaning very hard toward condo for my next purchase.
Pete and I are idly thinking of a condo for when we eventually move from this house. While condo fees and sharing walls with people are not thrilling, no yard care and someone to take care of things if they go wrong sound very enticing.
(We have learned the hard way that we are not DIY home repair people.)
The flip side of condos taking care of some things is having a condo board making decisions about your shared living space that maybe aren't the decisions you'd make. And you have to pay for those decisions. Plus, condo fees.