Roomate or Second Job? (Long!)

[owen's mum]

The short short version: my BF moved out, I jammed my big toe, and my roof started leaking (all in time for New Years Eve!)

At this point I don't make enought money to pay all the bills with normal extras (roof repairs, car insurance, clothes for work, etc.) My question is, would you recommend a roomate or a second job?

I'm a penny pincher, so I should be able to get by with an extra $50 per week.

I could do office work, retail, dog/house sitting, or tutoring.

I think could also rent my second bedroom for around $100 wk (I got the house through a special program, so I have to check first.)

It is very small house with a 1 1/2 year old boxer and a cat, so it might be hard to rent (roomate needed, must love animals, but not have any !) I also kind of like my privacy (although a roomate might reduce the post-brake up loneliness.) Part of me thinks it would be stronger of me to live on my own because I've almost always live with parents or boyfriends.

On the other hand a second job would make taking care of Owen and going back to school a lot harder.

Any advise would be very very welcome.

Thanks,

 

[haleyandmark]

I'm sorry you are going through this - and that bad luck! I hope everything heals soon! I have had some major klutz-y luck within the past couple of days so I can kind of understand how you're feeling (but not so much)!

I don't have a lot of advice to offer...I also live with my boyfriend (Mark) and if he moved out, I would be completely confused - and I don't have a job!

You should make a list of all the pros and cons of both situations/ a roomate and an extra job, and do what is in YOUR best interest:

Maybe a roomate could keep you lots of company and it might relieve your stress of having another job (spending more time away from home), but then again it could create more stress...

Then, maybe having an extra job could for sure keep you busy and you could make more friends that way, but then again it could take all your time away from Owen and your kitty...

See where I'm going with that?

Well, good luck with your situation! I'm sure other people will have better advice to offer for you! Keep us posted !!

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

One way to approach it would be to try and find a second job that you can do from home... you mention some skills you have, maybe you could figure out a business that you can start from home.

Another think you could do is take up a second job while searching for a compatible roommate... that gives you some time to find someone who can respect your privacy and meet your criteria.

I know it's rough for you right now.. hang in there and eventually you will emerge from this, stronger!

 

[Cami]

I have been where you are. It's not an easy situation.
At the time I was in my teens, early 20's. I opted for having a friend move in as a roomate. We were good friends and thought "what couldn't be more perfect?" There are alot of downfalls to living with someone, also alot of downfalls to living alone.
With a roomate, you are totally reliant on another person for living expenses. Alone you have to budget, but you know that in the end you are soley responsible and therefore have to rely on yourself.
Having someone around may offer comfort, a sense of security and companionship. But also can be trying on you if you are someone that likes personal space and quiet time.
With animals, I am sure that there is no one that will watch out for their safety as well as you will. That would be a biggie with me as I am sure it is with you. I wouldn't trust anyone to make sure that my girls didn't slip out the door or get left outside.
For me, my first room mate moved back home after losing her job. Room mate #2 I had to ask to leave after she stopped paying her share and #3 ended up moving out of state to go back to school.
I finally decided to move to a less costly, but nicer smaller place and went it alone for a few years untill I got married. If I had to do it all over again I would chose to live alone.
It's very hard to find two different personalities that mesh and put them under the same roof, IMO. (especially women!)
In any case I am sure that you will make the right decision, and everything will work itself out in the end.
I am sure that there are many wonderful room mate situations out there that you will hear stories from.
Good-Luck!