Octopus Overlords

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:31 am

Anonymous Bosch wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:32 am BTW Daehawk, did you ever follow through with this…?

Daehawk wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 11:41 am I am also signing up next month for a financial planning support group kinda thing. Supposed to help me teach myself to save and find ways to create a financial buffer for these problems. I honestly dont see how in the world they can help me as I have cut everything non essential out. Its just the mortgage left really thats killing it all. BUT its 3 hours a week for 16 weeks and they give you a $25 gift card per session and at the end of the full thing they give you $500. So heck with it whether I learn anything or not that I haven't already done..thats enough for me to go. Plus is goes in my record as I did attend and Im trying the stuff they suggest for me . That way I can get help in the future.

I did...they never called me for it so I didn't qualify after the initial interview.

I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly here. Are you saying that because the financial planning support group neglected to return your call, you abandoned the notion of signing up for it? Or were you specifically disqualified for some other reason?

No they have an interview and ask a bunch of questions then tell you thanks they'll call you if you qualify. I didn't. This is how my life works.

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:46 am No they have an interview and ask a bunch of questions then tell you thanks they'll call you if you qualify. I didn't. This is how my life works.

Well, considering your current predicament, perhaps it would behoove you to follow up with them and find out specifically why you did not qualify. More importantly, ask if there is anything you can correct or adjust to ensure that you can and do qualify.

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 10:46 amThis is how my life works.

No, this is how life works. It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. The reason your life stays the same is because you think everyone else is the problem. Your life can only change to the degree that you accept responsibility for it.

Anonymous Bosch wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 11:26 am It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

I'm not preaching here, just that every time I see this phrase, I will always quote it, because I'm such a believer in the idea, and I think more people should adopt my particular belief.

If you're a reader, Daehawk, please pick up Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" (or read it again if you already have...that one bears multiple re-reads IMO). I suspect it would do you a lot of good during these trying times. I can assure you your local library has multiple copies, probably in various formats.

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:25 am City was $1000 NO PAYMENT OPTIONS for the meter from city...then min a plumber would final it from the road to house I found was over $1500 more....so over $2500.

City is not in the business of collecting on installment plans. If you want payment options, you need to take out a home equity loan, or start putting things on a credit card.

You’ve also had time to look for artifacts from your original computer. So what have you done to make some money?

It could be doing lawns. Removing junk. Anything coming in will get you closer to stability.

I’ve been poor as a kid and worked folding radiation jumpsuits. 25 cents for 100 in a box. Saved $250 that way for my first computer (Commodore 64).

gilraen wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 11:40 am

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:25 am City was $1000 NO PAYMENT OPTIONS for the meter from city...then min a plumber would final it from the road to house I found was over $1500 more....so over $2500.

City is not in the business of collecting on installment plans. If you want payment options, you need to take out a home equity loan, or start putting things on a credit card.

Given your good credit rating, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) might be an option for you. HELOCs generally have the best interest rates and easiest repayment terms. For example, our minimum monthly payment is interest-only. On a $2,500 loan that might be as low as $20/mo. You can whittle down the principal at your own pace. Your bank might not give you a HELOC because you have almost no income, but it's worth asking IMO.

HELOCs are secured by your home. If you default, the bank can take your house. Using a HELOC to improve your home and increase its value is a good investment, but you should never borrow against your house for general consumerism or to pay other bills. City water is an investment. Fixing a pump that will eventually break down again isn't.

I'd avoid credit cards. Their interest rates are usurious and you'll wind up carrying a balance for a long, long time.

I apologize for the unhelpful tone of my post last night. I didn't mean to condescend. I get frustrated when I see someone having the same problems over and over. I'm sure you're more frustrated than I am!

I think we've been around this before and the issue always comes back to inputs, i.e. money coming in.

We've established that he's unable to work and is receiving a fixed benefit as a result. Selling belongings is a possibility, but it's chipping away at the bigger issues (lack of savings). Additionally, it costs money to sell things - packing, transport and postage - unless everything is a porch pickup. Unless there is a giant sale of everything possible on a specific day, I can't imagine the money coming back in this way is doing anything other than addressing day-to-day existence.

Taking out a HELOC does sound like it makes sense (and what I'd expect most people to do) because it's a lump sum, but that brings us back to the core issue - a lack of inputs. I can't imagine a lender is going to look at the overall equation and think it's a good idea. I also don't quite grasp how it would be possible to make monthly payments (either in isolation or bundled back into a mortgage) given the lack of money coming in. My impression from what's been shared is that there is (and has been) a significant deficit for a long time - whatever money coming in is largely going toward what (to me) sounds like a predatory mortgage and there isn't much at all left over for anything else (food, maintenance, savings, etc...). Increasing the outputs on what's already a deficient input is likely going either be financially/mathematically impossible or apply stress/pressure in additional (worse) ways.

I'm spelling all this out because I think we all know it, but haven't said it plainly enough (somehow). As pointed out we've suggested any number of other options but the core is still the same - there isn't enough money coming in each month to cover expenses. Period. There's not too many ways to address that given what's already been communicated. I believe we are indeed at Zarathud's definition of insanity observation.

And yes, like Kraken has stated, I think we're all frustrated for you, my dude.

whatever money coming in is largely going toward what (to me) sounds like a predatory mortgage

Ive considered this myself. I tried to ask legal aide about it in 2019 but got nowhere. I still think its a predatory and illegal mortgage rate. But with less than 2 years to go I am not refinancing for another 10 years of debt.

You going to last the next two weeks, much less the next two years?

Exactly. This feels like a inability to see the forest for the trees.

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 1:20 pm Ive considered this myself. I tried to ask legal aide about it in 2019 but got nowhere. I still think its a predatory and illegal mortgage rate. But with less than 2 years to go I am not refinancing for another 10 years of debt.

I'm assuming the terms of the current mortgage were hammered out while your wife was still alive? More specifically, the equations and fee schedules were run assuming your combined monthly income, correct? Since that has changed, it is not realistic to then assume you could just "absorb" that monthly commitment in isolation (literally and figuratively) - the money you alone have access to was never intended to cover that mortgage arrangement *plus* all other monthly expenses associated with owning and maintaining a home.

So while it might not be ideal to figure out a new reasonable monthly payment, paying a lowered amount over a longer period of time is better than paying the current amount and not having water and food for the next 2 years, right?

Either way, this is still a crisis; lack of water for 2+ months is absolutely an immediate crisis. Fixing your mortgage payment is longer term solution so that a future crisis is minimized. None of this helps you right now (which I know you're aware of) but what you need the most. I don't have any more suggestions to offer here, unfortunately - other than what has already been provided.

I put the odds at him qualifying for a HELOC at .0001% without income.

Smoove_B wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:18 pm I also don't quite grasp how it would be possible to make monthly payments (either in isolation or bundled back into a mortgage) given the lack of money coming in.

Considering Daehawk's mortgage rate, it's considerably higher than an average HELOC rate. If he can actually qualify for a loan, there's a greater than zero chance he could get it for more than the $2500 and put the rest toward paying off the mortgage.

Carpet_pissr wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:40 pm I put the odds at him qualifying for a HELOC at .0001% without income.

Pretty much this, and I'm sure a HELOC would require an appraisal.

Alefroth wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:58 pm

Carpet_pissr wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 5:40 pm I put the odds at him qualifying for a HELOC at .0001% without income.

Pretty much this, and I'm sure a HELOC would require an appraisal.

Yeah, we're grasping at straws here. It would be a good move but pretty unlikely to happen. Refinancing the house is the next-best idea and has a better chance of success. It would at least free up a little cash every month.

I can't add anything to Smoove's summary, unfortunately.

Daehawk, Smoove correctly surmises the precarious nature of your predicament. As he pointed out, your most fundamental problem is your lack of income, which is a surefire recipe for disaster while inflation rates continue to soar at 40-year highs. This means your costs of living are only likely to increase as your extremely limited fixed income further diminishes.

So, as Zarathud aptly observes below:

Zarathud wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 11:48 am You’ve also had time to look for artifacts from your original computer. So what have you done to make some money?

It could be doing lawns. Removing junk. Anything coming in will get you closer to stability.

I’ve been poor as a kid and worked folding radiation jumpsuits. 25 cents for 100 in a box. Saved $250 that way for my first computer (Commodore 64).

Realistically, as uncomfortable and recalcitrant as this may make you feel, you're simply going to have to broaden your perspective and put serious thought and consideration towards what kind of part-time employment you are capable of performing within the limitations of your disabilities.

If nothing else, try contacting your local Goodwill to find out what opportunities they can provide to assist you with earning additional income and hopefully living more independently:

goodwill.org wrote:SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

We offer quality, customized services that enable people with disabilities to live, work and play in their local communities.

Every local Goodwill shares a belief that everyone should have the opportunity to live independently, earn a wage, and achieve their dreams. Some Goodwills specialize in assisting children and adults with specific disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments, mental health issues, brain injuries, substance abuse, or autism.

Here is a brief list of programs for people with disabilities offered by local Goodwills:

• Individualized placement and support services to obtain and keep competitive jobs.
• Free career centers that assist you in searching for a job, writing a resume and building your job interview skills.
• Departments that can place you with businesses and state and federal government.
• Rehabilitation programs that help you in your physical recovery.
• Resources for farmers and ranchers with disabilities through our AgrAbility partnership.
• Assistance with your taxes through our Real Economic Impact (REI) partnership, which can provide you up to $5,000 in credits, if eligible.

Contact your local Goodwill to see what programs are available in your area.

I apologize for the unhelpful tone of my post last night. I didn't mean to condescend. I get frustrated when I see someone having the same problems over and over. I'm sure you're more frustrated than I am!

I did see that. Didn't respond cause I know your regular postings are no where near that so figured you were having a bad day or something. No worries.

I am selling stuff. I have gone through one of two back storage rooms and found things I can profit from. I also have some of my own PC gaming collection I will be selling off. One game is selling...I mean actually selling for and not asking for...$250 so that will be good. But Im also in the process of working with that place that helped before through United Way. Im getting new estimates.

If all else fails my credit rating is now nice enough for either a small bank loan or a bank credit card. Those are 15% interest btw...not the usual 29%. But those are last resorts but will be there if needed. Im checking with more well folk on prices and fixes and finding out about paying in installments..not sure anyone does that still but doesn't hurt to ask..or beg. I can pay $50 a month ok...if pushed I can do $100. This is as Im selling stuff so I can have some income extra or pay stuff off faster.

Im not resting so to speak. Im over my bout of boo hoo and back in the saddle..... so to speak.

As an aside I must say I find BlackHawks postings always so calm and respectful to my rantings at times. I dont know how the poor guy does it. He always comes across with his point yet stays cool...not that others dont.....just saying he seems to be a slot car when it comes to straight line responses lol. TY

Anybody wanna buy a wallaby?? ...nm I dont have one. sry.

Why don't you start a thread called Daehawk's Garage Sale and list the items you want to sell. Who knows, some of your crap may be someone else's treasure.

Doubt you guys are into Remco dolls and Madame Alexandra dolls ...I do have a manly chainsaw Im selling but shipping wouldn't be worth it I do have some Annette Funicello bears you might like

Daehawk wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 1:20 pm

whatever money coming in is largely going toward what (to me) sounds like a predatory mortgage

Ive considered this myself. I tried to ask legal aide about it in 2019 but got nowhere. I still think its a predatory and illegal mortgage rate. But with less than 2 years to go I am not refinancing for another 10 years of debt.

You really need to bring your mortgage payments down, they are killing you. You need some breathing room. At the rate you are going to you won't reach the two years to pay it off. Refinance, to get money for the water, then pay the debt off early because the payments will be less. There's no reason you have to let it go 10 years. It won't be 2 years but it certainly doesn't have to be 10 years. If you can reduce your payments, you'll save money, then you can repay more in months were you are doing ok financially. This should have been done as soon as your wife died.

Daehawk wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:21 pm Im checking with more well folk on prices and fixes and finding out about paying in installments..not sure anyone does that still but doesn't hurt to ask..or beg. I can pay $50 a month ok...if pushed I can do $100...

This well is a hole in the ground that you are throwing money into.

No one who is going to do a good job would expect to only get paid $100 per month.

You do know the cost of everything is going up right? Your house payment is probably going up due to insurance increases. Hopefully you have some equity? I think you need to sell, and then just rent a single room someplace that you won't need the car any longer. If your assistance can cover the rent and then some that is. In town, near a grocery, hospital, doctors, store. No need for gym membership as you'll be walking or biking. For now someplace that would take your dog too, but then once he passes no more pets which will expand your rental options greatly. Get some Sea Monkeys if you have to.

Looks like single room rent has gone up crazy too. Might be a problem. I'd say look overseas, which is what I'm going to do, but I don't picture you wanting to do that.

House payment never goes up.

I spoke to a different well place this morning. To do it all and yank 200' feet of pipe out of the well and clear it is half what the other guy was quoting me....this one says $200 - $300 depending on how long it takes. So gotta have that plus a buffer...much better than the $600 the other guy was starting at.

But no one will give me a written quote..no one..the place that can help me out cant do anything to help without a written paper showing the estimate...so I cant get the help lol....I dont get why no well place does quotes...or estimates even in writing......its just old country folk around here set in their ways.

I think it's because they can't plainly see the problem way down there so it could be easy, or it could be hard, or it could be really hard to fix. They won't know until they see it.

I was surprised when he said the hole at the bottom for water is about the diameter of a pencil.

Unagi wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:51 pm

Daehawk wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:21 pm Im checking with more well folk on prices and fixes and finding out about paying in installments..not sure anyone does that still but doesn't hurt to ask..or beg. I can pay $50 a month ok...if pushed I can do $100...

This well is a hole in the ground that you are throwing money into.

Daehawk wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:36 am I spoke to a different well place this morning. To do it all and yank 200' feet of pipe out of the well and clear it is half what the other guy was quoting me....this one says $200 - $300 depending on how long it takes. So gotta have that plus a buffer...much better than the $600 the other guy was starting at.

This is going with the assumption that there's a clog or break in the line? In 25+ years I've never heard of this happening. Instead it's always been the actual pump is shot (clogged, burned out) -or- the well is dry. Overwhelmingly it's a mechanical issue, but I have seen a well go dry and they need to drill a new one ($$$). This is where you might be finding resistance in quoting you because until they come out and start poking at things, there's really no idea to know what's happening and for a skilled laborer to figure that out, you're really paying for their time.

Additionally, this is also why in my part of 'merica most municipalities will prohibit well repair that involves drilling when public water service is available. On the whole it's easier (not cheaper) to just mandate your property distance to public water requires mandatory connection (in the event the well is dry).

Im really not an expert on any of this. I can tell you the well is full of water and the pump is brand new. Past that is not in my ballpark.

I'd only say the well *looks* to be full of water where you can see (and have bucket access). This water (closer to the surface) is basically filtered runoff from your yard - water that was at the surface a few years ago and is now likely "perched" on some type of restrictive layer (clay, rock).

The water your well is trying to get is 150+ feet below the surface (IIRC). There's a lot that can be happening below the surface. Oddly enough, David Byrne is appropriate here:

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again, after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

I'd be surprised if a 150+ well is dried out, but again, nothing is impossible. I've seen it - rare - but it happens.

A plumber can address mechanical issues, but only a well driller is going to be able to troubleshoot supply issues.

Well man from another town is out now. He seems to know his stuff and is nice. Also doesn't think it will take all my money....strange. Pod person alarm going off...will keep an eye on him

Seems God sent angels my way. The well guys came out today and got me water. 4 months dry and now I got water. Praise be. There was one small snag. They usually run the power wire through the underground pipes to the house power but mine seems to have multiple bends in it and they couldn't. In the end he had to run the wiring out the top of the well and along the yard. I'll have to bury it he said. Doesn't need a trench just 1" of dirt so the mower wont hit it. Said wait till after winter when the ground softens up.

Best of all no charge. They put in a used pump, new pipe, and wiring. When I asked about payment he said you need water right? I said ya. He said we'll get ya water no charges.

But Im still trying to get some financial help from the local place again here and when I do Ill send something up the line to them. I made sure he gave me a card with their address on it. Even if its 2 years from now when I pay off the mortgage Im sending them something.

He said he couldn't tell me if this used pump would run 10 years or 20 but its a good one. Great to me! By then I can hook up city if I want. Or am alive lol.

Would it be alright if I post the name of their company here on the board for others to see? Its local to me so wont be useful to anyone but Id feel better at least mentioning them here in this post.

That's great. Enjoy your celebratory shower. Having occasionally being in the position to help someone out, I wouldn't worry about sending money their way. A nice thank you card will be appreciated more than any money you can send. Of course, also recommend them to anyone in the area. Congrats again.

Daehawk wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:00 pm Seems God sent angels my way. The well guys came out today and got me water. 4 months dry and now I got water. Praise be. There was one small snag. They usually run the power wire through the underground pipes to the house power but mine seems to have multiple bends in it and they couldn't. In the end he had to run the wiring out the top of the well and along the yard. I'll have to bury it he said. Doesn't need a trench just 1" of dirt so the mower wont hit it. Said wait till after winter when the ground softens up.

Great news but this is dangerous advice. That's a life hazard to anyone digging who doesn't know where it is. The national electric code requires direct burial of wire outside a conduit at no less than 24 inches.

Hrothgar wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:08 pm That's great. Enjoy your celebratory shower. Having occasionally being in the position to help someone out, I wouldn't worry about sending money their way. A nice thank you card will be appreciated more than any money you can send. Of course, also recommend them to anyone in the area. Congrats again.

This. Maybe buy the company lunch one day when you can.
But referrals and a good Yelp or similar review is probably worth more to them than any money you'd send.
Their kind gesture should be called out in as many ways as possible.
It's becoming more and more rare these days, so do what you can within reason to show your appreciation.


And for God's sake.....TAKE A SHOWER, DUDE!!!!!!

malchior wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:28 pm

Daehawk wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:00 pm Seems God sent angels my way. The well guys came out today and got me water. 4 months dry and now I got water. Praise be. There was one small snag. They usually run the power wire through the underground pipes to the house power but mine seems to have multiple bends in it and they couldn't. In the end he had to run the wiring out the top of the well and along the yard. I'll have to bury it he said. Doesn't need a trench just 1" of dirt so the mower wont hit it. Said wait till after winter when the ground softens up.

Great news but this is dangerous advice. That's a life hazard to anyone digging who doesn't know where it is. The national electric code requires direct burial of wire outside a conduit at no less than 24 inches.

That's exactly what I was about to reply with. I can't imagine anyone suggesting a resident do such a thing.

Maybe you could hire somebody with a little of what they saved you to dig that 24 inch deep trench? I guess they used direct earth burial wire, usually really dark dark grey. Make a diagram showing exactly where it is buried to keep with your important house papers too. Take a photo too.

Those were some great guys!

I had a little one inch trench that supplied power to a travel trailer for twenty years.