"Roughing it"POSTED APR 22, 2011

This month has seen the greatest transformation in my living arrangements in six years. 2005 was the year I stopped living with either of my parents and began doing the roommate thing. 2011 is the year that that ended, and now I have the place all to myself... until I move into a one-bedroom apartment anyway.

Minor detail... the bills aren't split anymore and I have to make some cuts to stay afloat. The first cut: Cable TV. If you're a regular visitor to this website you know I'm not afraid of using an antenna (for local stations or for Texas!), but of course cable is not only common but considered essential by many people, including my departing roommate. I had the benefit of growing up without cable and have no fear of rabbit ears, but it'll still be a transition. For thirteen years I've lived with A/B switches on my TVs: "A" will still have a half-dozen off-air stations, but "B" will be empty.

Then I look at what Comcast was charging for "B" and immediately feel better. I mean... Come on!

The second cut might've gotten a shrug and a good luck up in New York, but the thought of going through a Florida summer with no air conditioning is earning me some funny stares. While I reserve the right to use it when I'm working on my book (since being hot/sweaty can be distracting), TV-watching, sleeping, and general lounging around the condo will be supported only by fans. Not several fans at once. Not one fan set on high 24/7. Just enough to keep the air moving. I've already slept through a few hot nights this way and it's not so bad.

Shower length, refridgerator and dryer use are also being curtailed to keep the bill down. Just three and a half more years until the student loans are paid and I can keep ice cream in the house again!

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