Problems

 I knew that there were problems with this house, but I thought they were more cosmetic. It looks like there are also structural problems.

There's an awful smell coming from the kitchen sink. It smells like clothes that have been washed but not dried properly. The first time I smelled it, I thought a washcloth had been left in the sink, but I cleared the sink out, and there was nothing that would make that smell. Recently, I've been able to keep the sink clear, but the smell keeps coming. I think there is a problem with the plumbing, not the water coming into the house, but the wastewater. The smell is stronger after running the washing machine. Is there a broken or cracked pipe?  Is there a blockage somewhere that isn't allowing the water to run out freely?  

Then there are problems in the two bedrooms. The floor feels very spongy in both bedrooms. I know that in the room David is in, something was spilled on the floor and left to soak in, and there's a large stain. That might account for that, but the room I'm using the floor was clean, just dusty, no stains at all.  But there are a few places where the floor feels very spongy! A bit worrying!

There are cracks in the foundation that are getting bigger. I noticed them last year, but since then we've had two small earthquakes. The cracks are longer, but I have no idea how deep they are.

The biggest problem, the one that has broken me and made me cry, is the toilet tank.  Somebody came today because the tank is giving off an awful smell. I thought that we would just call a vacuum car to clean out the tank. The guy said that there are two tanks, and one is leaking fluid. Even if it gets emptied, we would have to call every four days to get it emptied again! He suggested that we get the main sewage, which is better, but would cost about £8,000. 

We just don't have that kind of money. Also, would it be worth investing so much in a house that might not be standing for very much longer?

I'm being as frugal as possible. We don't eat out or order in, and I don't need to run heating or air conditioners at the moment. We shop at discount stores. Fruit is now a luxury, so I only buy bananas. Our meals are carb-heavy because that is cheap, except rice!  I don't buy clothes for myself; the last thing I bought was over two years ago. I've only been to the hairdresser's once in the last two years. My one treat is Hulu streaming service, and I might cancel that this month! Next month is Hannah's birthday, but there's no money to do anything for her.

I know that by living here, we aren't paying rent, but we aren't making money either. My income is now just over £100 a month, and all of that goes to paying insurance. 

I've looked at teaching online but the good companies ask for a degree or a teaching qualification, which I don't have. The one site that has different level of teachers don't need English teachers!

I want to print some flyers to post, but we don't have money for that!

I've looked into different funding sites, like GoFundMe, but they don't operate in Japan. In Japan, funding sites are for people who need money to start a business!

I'm trying to be grateful, to be positive, but when I see David looking so worried because he can't make enough money for everything it breaks my heart.

Christopher lost his job. It's just too far to walk, almost one hour each way.  Then a full day of heavy work, he kept getting sick.

So I have no idea what to do. Where to save money. We are trying to clear out the garden, but it's hard work. There are so many trees with deep roots and a lot of ornamental stones that need to be moved. Digging them up is almost impossible. I think in a few years time we can grow and sell some vegetables but we need money now!

No cute photos today!