Making the Most of It

Got a lovely compliment on the thriftyfun site on an old Xmas post of mine about giving my elderly neighbor across the hall an Xmas wreath for her door. 

I do like to share my tips!  As I said in the post, I am caught between posting them on thriftyfun's tip contest (sometimes I WIN) and putting them in the blog here. It's a healthy outlet for my tendency to try to tell everybody a better/thriftier way to do things.  I have lived in a big city for so long now - on limited funds - and I know that one can make a reasonable go of it, if you use your wits. 

I learned the importance of rent-controlled apts. in NYC as a student, and when I came to L.A. I never underestimated the value of the rent-controlled status of my little place.  This has served me in good stead, as the rents here, once cheap, have risen precipitously and now I read that the MEDIAN rent in L.A. is $1700 a month!  Well, mine is 1/2 that. 

My husband insisted on looking for a place out in Pasadena once- but when I saw the SAME era apt. with the SAME concrete stairs and carport and kitchen but fewer closets/storage space for TWICE as much, I insisted on re-painting and fixing up my place.  It certainly has been worth it.  I had a little $ and we did the work ourselves with the help of friends.  (They don't re-paint L.A. apts., the way they do NYC ones...) Even pulled up the ratty carpet & put down tile. We have area rugs now....Generally a success.

I have been accused of being a fogy for staying put - but I see another artist friend looking hard for affordable housing - thinking of a room instead of a place and I am grateful for my old-fashioned thrift.  Even if the place goes under the wrecking ball, they will have to pay us a relocation fee.  And I think that for all the effort I have put into this building over the years, making it a respectable place, I deserve it! 

I do indulge in a daily newspaper subscription, which I read every day at breakfast - and over the years it has kept me informed of the ins and outs of L.A. housing and rent control and related issues...and it's worth every penny.  A new landlord tried to squeeze us due to the tight housing market and my low rent - my husband refused to believe it - but it WAS serious, and with the help of a fax and the internet and the nolo press books from the library, I fought him off.  Now he knows better than to mess with me. 

I do think of all the poor folks who have been living around here for years, facing unscrupulous landlords doing slimy things like not receiving rent!  (Heard about THAT one while I was working a recent election.)  Couldn't do that to ME, because I know it's illegal & I would call the Housing Department on him/her/it!

But keeping your wits about you paid for my forebears - my Swedish grandmother and my mother - and it continues to pay for me!

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Being Thrifty is Using Your Wits!

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