More developments, nothing exciting.

We have Rocky back due to friends roommate being a butt head. We were able to find a Motel 6 that accepts pets and I don't think they charged extra for him. Nice big windows for him to watch the Jack in the Box traffic across the parking lot. Various homeless people and unsavory types wandering through downstairs (we're on the top 3rd floor of the building). Looking for someone that could foster him again because when we have to check out and in again it's about a 4 hour gap that we're in our car driving around.
Still not the best neighborhood and it bothers me to say the least. Jon says it reminds him of living in Harlem, I don't want him to relive a dangerous time in his life I want him to be able to putter around relaxed and have a man cave.
At least I got him to stop watching the news for a few days, that was causing him as much emotional trouble as anything else. He was able to file for unemployment but nothing has hit his account as yet. No sign that he would be getting the extra $600 that other people are getting since his claim is for prior to the shutdown, we can only hope though because I will definitely put my foot down and have him sock away that $600 for our plans.

I am formulating a 5 year plan to get a house of our own. First trick, getting a cheap to 0 cost place to live right now, then buying a plot of land that could hold a 1300 sq ft home. Cheap land near a civilized area in Washington preferably.

I am reminded of a high school boyfriend who's parents had a 'cabin' at Clear Lake. They went up there every other weekend to work on it driving up from San Jose.When I was there some of the walls still weren't painted, the floor was unfinished, that sort of thing. His mom was a real estate agent and dad worked at General Electric (this was back in the 70's) so they had good income.

An alternative is to figure out how to get the money to buy a mobile home and work on the improvements ourselves.

I have been researching the costs for getting house plans and all that entails for a 'stick' house. Depending on details it could cost about $250-500k.

Our dream home would be a 3br/2ba, maybe a porch on, at most, a 1/4 acre. I've been researching land prices and CA is out of the question. Oregon is still a little costly and WA has the weather we like and land that will fit our current budget.

Could downsize to a 2 br with a shed or garage, will not buy a condo/townhouse. I refuse to essentially live in an apartment that I pay a mortgage and HOA fees on. My house, my rules (some HOA are better than others I will admit but in general... no).

Tiny house/motor home is also not an option as it is way too small. The point of having an actual home big enough is to not have stuff in storage we have to pay for.

I have an entire section on  my pinterest board for house plans and interior/general design ideas. The one design I've kind of settled on would cost about $1000 just for complete plans. Materials cost list is separate and can't get that unless you guy the pack of plans.

I've looked at house kit companies but without the money to put down for one it's useless to ask questions about price. Same with 'modular' or mobile homes. Out of our league unless we buy an older one that likely needs some work.

The reason I chose a 5 year plan is in four years we will both be 65 and can officially collect SS income. It seems so far away and my previous times being homeless have only lasted two, maybe three years.

We are both handy with tools and stuff so getting a basic house to let us do the finishing touches is my ultimate plan.

The other day Jon mentioned that in a dream he was helping to paint my 'She Cave' and said I had chosen a light lavender color for an accent wall with a window in it. We were walking through Lowes across the street and I saw their paint chips, pulled him over and pulled a lavender sample out. 'Is this the color you saw?' Turns out, it was exactly the color so I kept it and that is the seed of the idea I am building on.

Been busy at work so I'm getting tired. If anyone has ideas about how to go about this just let me know. 'Save money' you say? How? We're living in hotels right now with minimal amenities so we're buying food out all the time other than some muffins and small snacks, water and soda.

I have money in my PayPal account that is our nest egg a friend is helping to fund. When I got my $1200 from the government I put $600 there and then spent almost that much on getting our current room. 

So don't lecture me on budgeting and saving money, we are fully aware of how to do that and are doing our best.

Okay weirdo seems to be harrassing a car ordering food at JitB.. need to keep an eye out on that.

SD out.