11 50 pm pdt   [ mortgage woman ]

Matthew just called and woke me from my sleep on the couch, and although I told him I was now awake, he quickly scurried off the phone instructing me to go back to sleep. I think I'll just write today's entry first.

My goal is to be moved up to the bay area by the beginning of next year, and firmly entrenched in a new, high-paying job. Yes, I want to make some money. I will even do something I don't love if they pay me an obscene amount.

The main reason for this newfound financial obsession: I want to buy a house. I spent the evening discussing it with my dad. I have a savings account just large enough to encompass the down payment (generally 20% of the purchase price). I am willing to become a woman with a mortgage.

Don't get me wrong. I don't have a house picked out yet. In fact, I don't yet have a job that would allow me to make monthly payments. And I know that buying a house is infinitely linked to getting married, but alough Matthew and I will be celebrating our three year anniversary in less than twenty day, we certainly aren't at that stage yet. In fact, he's quite nervous about buying a house with me.

I came up with a creative solution that I think will allay his fears. I suggested that I (as opposed to we) buy a house and then he can "pay me rent" such that he's helping me with the monthly payments without feeling obligated to stick around and without any messy co-ownership issues if we should split up.

I said, "I think this is a good creative solution." His reply was, "It is creative." He later claimed he hadn't purposely skipped the word good when I teased him as such. I considered it monumental that we were able to discuss the subject at length without him saying he was exceptionally uncomfortable and cutting the conversation short.

My conversation with my father was likewise inspiring. He said that buying a home in the next few years was a good idea, and he supported my using my only savings as a down payment. I was pleased as punch.

In other financial news, my goal to myself by the end of the the year is to start a Roth Ira. I will probably apply online with Vanguard. I'll need some help selecting the type of fund to invest in, but that shouldn't take too long.

The above entry is my contribution to On Display's second round robin. The entry before was by Di; the entry after will be by Maddie.

[ 3 years of diaring... ]

three years ago today: I had to take a walk because the negative energy was so great in the apartment.

two years ago today: Though it is a holiday, I had to come into work.

one year ago today: He wasn't actually looking me up and down; he was more moving his eyes up and down as a sign language to tell me he was interesting.