u/b1976853

I’ve been in this sub for years now, preparing for what i figured was coming. march of this year i was kicked out of the place i was staying after it had been threatened for months, i was positive that whenever it did happen it would put me in my car. i wasnt scared of it honestly, other then the fact that my car barely drives and i live in the north with deadly winters, so i legitimately questioned how i would survive through that.

To my surprise one family member offered a place to stay, under the conditions that i would apply for section 8 and would take what they have when my name is called. there was no agreement made on paying anything, im definitely willing but it hasn’t been brought up yet. It’s been a huge blessing to have a place to stay at all, but i dont have my dog, and i feel like im intruding the family’s space which isnt bad but just weird.

The real problem im running into is i dont want to pay rent in the future (for so many reasons) but the obvious is the feeling of saving $800 a month when i only bring home 1300 a month. it made my mental health so much better and given me a sense of hope i didnt have. i can fulfill my dreams in the future if i can continue that rate of savings. for the first time in my life i have savings and i want nothing more then to build on that. the easy answer is to do what i prepared for and do car living, but i would need to secure a good vehicle and move locations first but leaving “home” does create a few problems too.

curious how others feel, weather you decided to be rent free forever, was it a temporary get on your feet situation, would you happily pay rent again, and im open to any suggestions or advice

first off i have an emergency fund of 2k saved and stored separately. i have an additional 2k that im trying to delegate towards necessary things, for reference im currently saving $600-$800 a month.

scenario one, every bit i save this month and the next few slowly goes toward the things i need to get taken care of (collections bill, medical bills and appointments, new phone, oil change & vet vists) slowly done one by one as i save the money for each, could take about 3 months which means no saving in that time but my 2k is still there. scenario two, i spend the additional 2k i have saved on those same things all at once, then start saving immediately and likely build it back in 2-3 months. both options mean in 3 months i’ll have 2k so which would you prefer.