A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Golden Girls

Posted: Aug 2, 2014

Okay, so like so many others, VR is going to destroy my financial future. Thankfully, I can take early retirement soon, though that wouldn't have been my first choice. But...here's what I wonder. Just like the Golden Girls (Rue McLanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White) pooled their resources, why can't some of US do that? I mean, it would be a sacrifice for sure (I enjoy living alone)...but wouldn't it be wise? I have a lovely home but live in a rural area where there's not that much to do. Are you a burned out MT who just wants a respite for a few years? Split expenses, lower expectations, save some $$$, get fit, read 100 books, learn to cook, lower your stress. When you've built up a little nest egg, move on. We'll both have benefitted...and maybe enjoyed each other's company for a while. It's not always easy for people to get along, but if you agree on the ground rules up front, why couldn't it work? Desperate times call for creative solutions. Am I WAY too naive?

;

Not a bad idea - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
That's not a bad idea, but I think you need the kind of personality that doesn't mind co-habitating. I would rather work three jobs, or whatever's necessary, than to ever have roommates again. I had roommates in junior college, but never ever again after that! I love living alone, but I'm an exception as I don't ever get lonely.

Golden Girls - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
In thinking about this realistically, I would have to be a little less obsessive about cleanliness...I can't stand noise...and I can't stand the heat, so summers are challenging for me. Also, can't be around smoking (quit 20 years ago and now am unable to be around cigs at all). The benefits would be enormous, though, I think. It would be cool to find another MT, I think.

Umm... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I think you should consider that MTs tend to be loners and can be difficult personalities. That is why many get into MT to begin with. You already know that you are a private person, so what happens when you bring in another private person who is also a PITA?

Maybe if you went for a nurse or social worker it would be better.

Response - from OP

[ In Reply To ..]
This is a REALLY good point. We MTs are an odd breed perhaps. I was visiting my elderly mom this afternoon and quoted your "difficult personalities" comment and she laughed out loud. I guess I have a heart for the predicament of MTs in this high-tech era, maybe more so than other allied healthcare people. Food for thought, though.

When I first moved out on my own I lived in various - roommate situations, and - s/msg

[ In Reply To ..]
although some were pretty decent, I also had some that were the roommates from h*11. My last roommate situation was SO TOXIC that I swore I would rather live in a studio the size of a broom closet, or in a sketchy part of town, or even in my CAR, than ever have to reside with witches like that ever again.

My sisters and I seriously considered it after our - mother died and left us her huge house. (sm)

[ In Reply To ..]
However, it soon became obvious that we would probably kill each other if we had to live together, based on the bickering, side-taking and infighting that began occurring simply with trying to make decisions on what parts of that old house to redo, and what parts to leave the same. The other problem was the house was unfortunately in a location that none of us wanted to live in. We're spread all over the country, and each of us loves our respective towns enough to prefer being poor in a place we loved, than live a more financially secure life in this town. We finally decided to sell the house and split what we got for it 5 ways, so we can each take our money and take our chances where we are, rather than trying to make a go of all living together.

OP - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I couldn't live with my siblings, either. Too much history. It would be easier to share space with a stranger, IMO.

I may be interested... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
These may be stupid questions to some, but they are important to me. I've been a city girl all my life. I'm in my late 50s and live in the Southwest, but would consider relocating. What part of the country are you in? Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast or Southwest or ?? How rural are you? Are there a lot of snakes or other reptiles or big spiders or other critters? How far is the nearest major city? Are you liberal or conservative? Would I have my own bathroom? What would be the cost? Thank you for answering. If you cannot be specific, I completely understand.

Great questions - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Sent you an email with answers.

Thank you. I emailed you back. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Just wanted to let you know in case you have auto spam. :-)

Can't find your email - ?

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I have a new laptop that does funny things with email...can't find your response. Can you send it again?

Sure, I'll send it in about 5 minutes. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Please let me know if you receive it or not.

Got your message. - Resent it just now.

[ In Reply To ..]
I hope it goes through. :-)

I heard a term on the news for something like this... - L&L

[ In Reply To ..]
Roomer boomers.

When I started working as an MT in 1972, my supervisor was an older woman who shared living arrangements with another woman. I always thought that was a great situation since we old ladies always outlast the men in our lives.

I would like to see a web site, like airbnb, for people looking to combine household expenses and companionship. I expect at this point when I die, I will only be found when I start to smell really bad because there is no one else around.

Another question to bring up is PETS. - KayTee

[ In Reply To ..]
I wouldn't go anywhere without my two cats, but I also wouldn't want them locked up just in my bedroom, or being bullied by other resident cats, or a dog.

I Think of that often - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
I was thinking not 20 minutes ago that I would love to find someone to share expenses with. I have no children, and life gets pretty lonely. Of course, as you said, there would have to be ground rules. I have an apartment now, and my landlord gives me affordable rent. Still, my financial future is in need of serious help! Speaking of the Golden Girls . . . my favorite show. I'm watching it now.

Forgot to say . . - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
I would be interested in knowing more. What part of the country, etc. I am a nonsmoker who also requires a 100% smoke-free environment. Thanks!

I think it is a great idea! - I have often thought about

[ In Reply To ..]
something like this. We could have MT roommates all over the country. It would have to be screened carefully, of course, but I think it would be a wonderful idea. Who's creative with making a website? And a name for it?

Maybe a little too naive... - Check state laws

[ In Reply To ..]
Check your state laws carefully. You should probably seek advice from a lawyer, too.

Once someone is living in your home, it may be next to impossible to remove them. There was a recent airbnb scam in which two men claimed rights over someone's Las Vegas condo. Just prior to that, there was a nanny, in California who refused to move out after the family tried to evict her.

OP here - response

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I saw a movie some 10 years ago about someone who shared their home and then couldn't get rid of the "guest," who had taken on substantial legal rights even after a short period of time.

Keep the comments coming... I don't know if this is a possibility, but it's interesting to consider.

I'm getting divorced and we're selling the house - - Tiring MT

[ In Reply To ..]
This is a situation I would also be interested in. I hadn't even considered it, even though both of my grown children are looking for roommates (we're all still living together). I'm in the northeast, and with twin grandsons on the way wouldn't want to relocate very far. Also nonsmoker. An interesting possibility!

Don't like the "move on" part of it - Otherwise great idea

[ In Reply To ..]
Moving and relocating is a huge job with lots of things to consider. I like the idea of sharing expenses, but at what point would I want to "move on" at this stage of my life? Go where? The "little nest egg" would be used up rapidly with moving and paying out an even higher cost of living and rent at that point. I do love the idea in many ways. I have thought of this same thing for a long time.

OP here - response

[ In Reply To ..]
GREAT input. In the Golden Girls analogy, they never planned to "move on." So this could potentially be a permanent arrangement...hmmm...I hadn't considered that. As the homeowner in this scenario, I would have tax advantages that my roomie wouldn't have (as did Blanche Devereaux). It might take a very long friendship indeed to make this kind of commitment, but I appreciate what you're saying about the nest egg not being a substantial help in this day and age. Also, if you've become involved in this community, you may be invested in it and want to retire here.

Truth is, my thoughts were a little along these lines: When I see MTs whose pay has been cut and they're about to lose everything, I think...well, just come on over and catch your breath. You can still work, but your earning power has been halved. If you could just take some of the pressure off...get some exercise, read some good books, eat some popcorn, laugh a little, and get back some joy instead of drowning in this forsaken profession, then maybe you'd find a whole different path to take.

Maybe we ought to invest in a great big rambling home and turn it into an MT retirement paradise. I'm talking a home big enough for -- I don't know -- 10 MTs? How fun would THAT be? Any takers? And...and maybe we'd be the envy of everyone else, even after the demise of MT as we oldtimers remember it. There's WAY too much isolation in this world.

My aunts always lived like this - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Actually, many of them owned homes at various locations. They would travel together and stay at one house or another. In the winter they would stay at the home of the southern-most aunt. In the summer, they would come up north and enjoy the outdoors. When they needed health care they would go to the apartment of the aunt who lived in a large city with good medical care. They would travel to Europe together and have a grand time. It was a little bit of a family joke about how they would drive up and one of them always had the belt of their coat or purse strap hanging out the car door. An old friend and I often talked about growing old together and hitting each other with our canes. Unfortuneately she has passed on already and I miss her every day. I think having a roomie could be a wonderful arrangement

I was thinking about posting about this - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Just this week. My son moved in while going through a divorce but now he has moved out and I'm even more lonely than I was. I have a 2-bedroom house, internet access, inexpensive to live, 19 months till I turn 60 and can draw on my late husband's social security survivor benefit. I have cats, live in southwest central Ohio...

Be careful! - Ayn

[ In Reply To ..]
While I think this is a perfectly good solution for many - and not a new idea by any means - I would caution you to be very careful & selective in how you go about this and who you choose. Personally, I would not go on a national chatroom inviting strangers into such an arrangement. IMO, you need to narrow your search down to people you already know (family & friends) and those in your immediate area/community. Advertise locally and by word of mouth through reliable sources. Do background checks, get references, draw up a contract (especially if you own the home and are just seeking renters/roommates). You need to protect yourself physical and financially from would-be thieves, scam artists, rapists, etc.

There are many, many things to consider when taking on a roommate or roommates. All involved need to fully understand and agree upon all rules.

Good Luck! I think in the right situation this would be a great solution - but you need to approach it sensibly and safely.

Thank you, Ayn, I appreciate your concern - and I will be careful- nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

not so scary - L&L

[ In Reply To ..]
I have always lived in college towns. As a student I rented rooms in houses. Sometimes it can be very advantageous renting to a student. My best friend has been sharing a duplex with a grad student for the last 3 years.

You could also list with airbnb.com. When I retire I plan to spend a couple of years going around the country staying at airbnb locations. Cjecking the reviews is a must.

If you want something more permanent, you should look at a landlord-tenant lease arrangement to protect yourself.

I still thing a website would be great. If you just want MTs, maybe the moderator on this site could set up another forum for MTs looking for roommates.

A house inspector told me a year ago that seniors - are doubling up all over the place

[ In Reply To ..]
all over the place to survive on social security.

If that is true, should have worked more jobs - Like I did, SS has paid off

[ In Reply To ..]
Really great for me and have retirement check every month from last in house job. Could do on my own if I had to.

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