I think that over time, New Orleans is going to be better for you than rural Mississippi or even small-city Mississippi. Besides the availability of cultural stuff, better facilities, jobs, public transportation, etc., in my experience it's just easier to be low-income in a city than out in the middle of nowhere. Plus there's more to do! Also I think it'll be good for your kids growing up to spend regular time in the city.

Can you tell why the pliers don't work? Is it that the plastics thing is fitting in to a few spots in the metal plate behind it, or that it turns that whole internal white plastic thing and not just the metal knob inside? Either way, in your shoes I would not pay $43 for a knob. Would one of those grippy rubber jar openers make the knob easier to turn? If the dryer eventually becomes inoperable, I'd guess a small dehumidifier is cheaper than replacing the whole unit (until you can manage to sell your set or trade it), and then hang drying should work okay.

Yes! Especially because there are definitely people who think giving cash is rude (impersonal, etc) - and honestly cash is the absolute easiest thing for me to do. If I knew all teachers were fine with cash I'd skip shopping for them altogether and everything would be so much easier. I mean really, how is asking for cash ruder than asking for candles? They both cost money! The candle just costs money *and* time. You wanna save me the time, I'm even happier.

Oooh I do love this

Which in this case is probably preferable to more candy

Wow! That's the absolute best news, well done! You're on the way up 🙂 Having your own place and a way to pay for it is the best feeling.

I just don't buy their fundraiser unless I want the thing. Whether they buy someone else's fundraiser is irrelevant to me.

To be clear: NONE of this applies to a relationship with a kid. That's a whole different thing.

I only disengage if I don't want to develop the relationship further with the person. I don't care how they interpret the disengagement, I just want to reduce contact. If I want the relationship to develop, it means I have enough basic trust to be vulnerable; as a rule in these situations I'm super vulnerable and open. It saves time, if it's a relationship I value.

Being vulnerable (or rather, acknowledging your vulnerability) is a display of strength, if the people you're being vulnerable with aren't abusive. So with my friend whom I trust, being open and vulnerable says "I trust my position in this relationship and my own value enough to risk your potentially negative response to my vulnerability." With a relative I don't trust, being vulnerable is unhelpful - the mask protects both of us, because I know they'll use it to hurt me instead of hear me every time. I don't ever think people "need a taste of their medicine." If they're treating me or someone I love badly, I feel no inclination to treat them badly in response to teach them anything or to have revenge - I just disengage. If a relationship has devolved into power plays, it's not good for me to continue that dynamic (and it's not a dynamic that interests me).

That would be great if they cover water/sewer/trash! That saves you $70ish a month right there.

I guarantee the landlord doesn't care about your Dad, or his questions, or who pays the deposit. It's just a job for them; they just want to rent the unit to someone who will pay the rent and not cook drugs in the kitchen, kwim? Don't be embarrassed; the landlord doesn't care and won't remember.

Sure, I get that. Option one comes with some serious annoyance. Either that rules it out for you and you're down to option 2 or 4, or it's just something you decide to put up with for now and get therapy for later. If you do option 1, I'd definitely try to pin him down on how long he'd pay for the extended stay. I wouldn't want you to get stuck there with no paycheck yet and him unwilling to pay for it, etc.

Realistically, it looks like your options are: 1. Stay at extended stay hotel for a month or two, if your dad is willing to pay for it. 2. Stay with your friend for a month or two (or your dad) and make the drive. 3. Sell the w/d and just be okay with going to a laundromat once a week if you end up in a unit without w/d. This may mean you can get out of the extend stay or your friend's house a couple weeks sooner. 4. Any other possibilities here? There are some fairly extreme options, like living in your car or a shelter for the first few weeks, except for the weekends when you have the kids.

What does your dad think you should do? What is he willing to help with financially? Would he help keep your car running if you agree to stay at your friend's for another month or so, until you have enough saved to move?

If he's willing to rent you a motel for 2 weeks until you get a paycheck, don't turn that down. With a first paycheck and your w/d money, you might just be able to squeak out a place to rent in mid December. Could the cat stay with your friend for a couple of weeks until you get an apartment?

How much do you think you can get for the w/d? Is there anything for rent less than $900 with a smaller deposit, or a deposit you can pay over a few months?

Walmart has foam ones in a box that are great

I don't think it's the end of the world if you can't make this library job work but I do think it's a really good option for you and I'd hate to see you miss out on it or give it up because of the issue with paying a deposit.

Pm me too

I agree with hjffkj, I think you accidentally clicked on a scam or maybe legit resale site

It looks to me like those tickets are like $30, they're just sold out mostly

They're all so shockingly white.

Per the bolded: it's not that I think you're wrong. I'm sure this is more persuasive I just don't understand a equal relationship in which you have to persuade the other person to let you choose to not go on a vacation you hate. Can't you just...not go? You don't need to persuade anyone. You're an entire adult. You can just say "I don't want to do this; I don't enjoy it." - and then not do it, because you don't enjoy it.

If it's about the kids, that's fine! He can take the kids. He surely doesn't need you to take care of them for a few days.