Another Update

 It's now the summer of 2024, and my girlfriend and I have moved to another new place!  This one is in Woodinville.  I was really hoping our previous place in Bothell would be our last place we rent before buying a place.  Still, unfortunately, my situation is not currently optimal for qualifying for a mortgage (more on that later).  We really like our new place.  It's a bit closer to her work, although she's not getting home much sooner because she takes side streets the whole way rather than a freeway for a good chunk of it.  But it has a few smart features (thermostat, lock, fireplace) and indoor hallways, meaning you need a key fob just to get into the building.  We have an elevator we can take since we're on the 3rd floor.  It's certainly unique and has its charm.

Unfortunately, rent around the area continues to go up.  Our lease expired at our old place just recently, and the new lease would've been almost as much as the one we got at our new place.  We figured with that amount my girlfriend will save on gas, that it's worth it in the long run.  But with my two "jobs", it's not enough to cover my portion of rent (plus utilities, food, gas, internet, phones, etc.), so I'm eating into my savings every month.  

Fortunately (in a way), I did receive an inheritance check from my uncle who passed away a year or two ago.  He didn't have any kids, and he only wanted his (known) nieces and nephews to have it.  It's certainly a sizable amount, and I'm due to receive a second, smaller check soon since they had to make sure they had enough to cover his debts, taxes, legal fees, etc.  But I know I cannot live off of these forever, nor should I attempt to do so.  I'd like to save as much of this as possible to put towards a down payment on a home someday.

Now as for my job situation, it's not particularly ideal, although it could be worse.  I'm still working contract/1099 for my boss (who I used to work full-time for).  Business has had its ebbs and flows.  Some months (I'm paid monthly) I make a decent amount, some months, I don't make much.  But the important question is if I'm ever going to return to full-time.  At my old position, it's looking unlikely.  We're just not busy enough.  Rates would have to drop fairly significantly.  My boss did offer me an administrative-type position, which would've been close to full-time, but I had to turn it down because it was way outside my comfort zone.  As I've detailed before, I suffer from anxiety, and most jobs are too much for me and my anxiety to handle.  

As for my other job, I'm still doing it.  I thought about maybe quitting and getting a new part-time after we moved, but the commute is not much further.  I would seriously consider taking a full-time position with them if I was ever offered or saw one.  I do check from time to time, but never see anything within my skill set.  We did have some supervisors leave within the past month or so, so I know they're looking for replacements, and I wonder if they're looking to promote from within.  I'd seriously consider it, despite the awful hours (2am to 11am, I think).  

Last time we moved, I got a job a few months later.  I wonder if the same thing will happen this time.  I know, it won't just magically happen, I have to actually actively look.  I mean I technically have two jobs, but even combined they are not enough to cover bills.  I'd have to be busy with my mortgages and work 3-4 days at Amazon, and the combination of those two would wear me out (trust me).  What I need is a full-time, 40 hr/week job.  It's just there aren't many out there that I can get.  But I know these next few months I'll give it my all to find one I like.