Becoming Her Biggest Advocate: This SaverLife Member Isn’t Letting Rent Hold Her Back
Images by Jacque Manaugh Photography
SaverLife member Amy’s strategy for paying rent is twofold: advocate for yourself and build in flexibility. As a renter who lives on her own, she’s learned that housing is a need that she can’t afford to go without. She’ll do whatever it takes to keep a roof over her head — even if that means putting off other bills in order to cover her rent payment.
Read on to learn how Amy prioritizes her housing and balances the rest of her financial obligations with it, while still strategizing for the future.
Navigating a new phase
Amy is a born-and-raised Texan who lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her two cats. When she’s not watching movies or researching random topics on her phone, Amy likes to spend time with her mother who lives three miles down the road.
Amy recently lost her husband, and she’s still grappling with the grief. While she misses him constantly, she’s learning how to live on her own and take care of herself: a reality that she's slowly coming to appreciate. “I’ve never lived by myself before. I always had a parent, roommate, child, or a husband. I really like it, even if it can be stressful,” she says. Amy’s two children live in Washington and Arkansas, and she tries to visit them whenever she can. She’s proud of their success, and eager to support them as they navigate their own career and family journeys.
Housing security takes a strong advocate
When Amy thinks about housing, she has mixed feelings. On one hand, the stress of paying rent can be overwhelming. But on the other hand, she’s grateful just to have a roof over her head. Amy used to be unhoused, and the experience left her committed to doing whatever it takes to keep her home.
Amy’ biggest concern for her apartment is whether or not her property management company will increase her rent in the coming years. She doesn’t have a strong desire to relocate to another place, particularly because her husband passed away in their home and she feels a connection to him. But she’s already asked the management company not to increase her rent once, and she’s not sure that they’ll listen to her a second time. Even so, she plans to keep asking if the topic comes up.
That’s a major lesson that Amy’s carried with her through life: no matter the situation, you have to keep advocating for yourself. She explains, “many folks in my situation don’t think they can advocate for themselves. Because they have a property management company instead of a landlord, they think they won’t be able to negotiate with them. But I had to try, and it ended up working out for me.”
Amy also aims to reduce the chance of her property management company increasing her rent by keeping in good standing with them and paying on time and in full. When there’s a possibility that she won’t have enough money to cover her apartment, she’ll also seek out additional housing resources to assist her with paying. However, Amy acknowledges that it can be difficult to find a service organization that will provide cash support quickly and easily. “Oftentimes you have to get an eviction notice in order for them to help you,” she describes. “And by that point, you’ve got late fees, and they don’t usually pay for late fees, too. It’s just a big thing.”
Balancing necessary expenses against rent
To ensure that she can cover her rent every month, Amy keeps her other expenses in check and often has to juggle her bills: paying some partially and putting others off until a later date. While she admits this isn’t an ideal budgeting strategy, it seems to work for now. She adds: “I just pay what’s most pressing at the time. Whatever bill is closest to being cut off, that’s what gets paid.” Amy will also supplement her income by participating in online surveys, medical studies, and mystery shopping opportunities. “I’m always on the lookout for legitimate money-making opportunities,” she describes. “I’m not getting rich on any one thing, but altogether it seems to work.”
Amy acknowledges that she doesn’t have too many financial obligations right now besides rent, utilities, internet, and her phone. But there’s enough inconsistency that Amy still feels like she has to scramble whenever it’s time to pay her bills. If necessary, she’ll also rely on local services to help cover necessary costs. She knows she can reach out to a church in her area that offers utility assistance one time per year. “I haven’t had to use it this year, but I know it’s there. It makes a difference mentally to know that you have that backup,” Amy says.
In case of emergencies, Amy also keeps a credit card on hand. She doesn’t want to carry a balance over into the next pay period, so she’ll only buy what she can afford to pay off at the end of the month. But she appreciates the flexibility her credit card offers when unplanned expenses arise. “I never had a credit card until a few years ago,” she adds. “It’s actually helped because even though I pay it off at the end of the month, it gives me a little bit more breathing room knowing it’s there.”
By the time Amy’s bills are due, she’s planned, scrimped, and saved to make sure she can cover everything. She feels instant relief when it’s all paid up, but she’s also left with lingering frustration for the financial incentives that companies offer to pay on time and in full. “I can’t do autopay on my phone bill and save $20 a month, because I don’t know if I’m going to have that money every time,” she describes. “Or if I pay my electric bill late, they’re going to charge me an extra $8. It’s continuous: you stay poor because all of these programs aren’t designed for you.”
A neutral look toward the future
When Amy thinks about her current housing situation and financial health, she feels neutral. She’s come a long way from the realities she faced when unhoused: a major success in her book. But looking ahead, Amy is still uncertain. The future — and its many financial obligations — feels unpredictable, even with her budgeting system that’s in place now. Will she be able to afford rent as it increases over time? Will her disability checks continue to cover her necessary expenses? These are the questions that Amy finds herself constantly returning to.
However, she combats these worries by focusing on her little wins: keeping her credit card paid off, paying her rent in full, and saving money to visit her daughter. “For me to be at this place right now is actually a better place for me,” she adds. “It's not where I want to be, but it's better.” Amy also looks forward to the housing opportunities she’ll encounter as she ages. She’s excited to take advantage of senior living arrangements that offer even more affordable housing options. Plus, she’ll be able to spend more time socializing with other people: an experience that she’s been missing while living alone.
She concludes: “I don’t have a negative view of my future, but I don’t have a positive view either. It’s just kind of: wait and see.”
(We extend out gratitude to Melville Charitable Trust for their generous philanthropic support, which has made it possible for this important story to be shared.)