A nice job and a social rental home. Glenda Brekelmans (35) from Oosterhout doesn’t seem to be having a bad time. But now that everything is getting more expensive, it’s getting harder and harder for her. “I can barely get by now. I’m glad I managed to save 50 to 100 euros. But buying a house as a single person is not an option. I’m really worried about my future.”
Glenda is single and works as a travel consultant. “I work for a company that arranges travel for non-profit organizations. You are puzzling all day to arrange the best trip.” She works in Den Bosch and lives in an apartment in Oosterhout.
“I live in an apartment. But I would really like a house where you live more peacefully. No more hassle with upstairs and downstairs neighbors. But there’s nothing else in it,” she says. “I can get a mortgage of 140,000 euros. You don’t buy anything for that. And another rental home is 150 to 250 euros per month more expensive.”
“It’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet.”
Glenda feels she can’t go anywhere and that makes it difficult for her. “I don’t want to appear pathetic. But still, what is the perspective for me? I am quite stressed from that at times.” He mainly feels that Glenda is not building anything with renting. “If you can buy something, you also build up something for your old age. And so I worry if I’ll make it when I retire.”
Now Glenda saves about fifty to one hundred euros a month. “That’s not enough to ever buy a house. And now that everything is getting more expensive, it’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet. Since this month I have a new energy tariff. Now the stress really kicks in,” says Glenda. Her monthly amount has gone from 70 to 160 euros. “That is already 90 euros more.”
So she tries to economize on many things. “But how far will you go in that? Are you getting rid of the car? Are you canceling your sports subscription? For example, I try to turn off as many electrical appliances as possible. I have a scented thing that runs on electricity. I don’t turn that on anymore.”
“I feel forgotten by the government.”
“You feel really sad and shit about it sometimes,” Glenda continues. “But despite it being difficult, I try to stay positive. Quitting is no option. But is it fun? No. The uncertainty and lack of clarity cost a lot of energy and cause stress. It scares me for the short and long term. I hope that more attention will be paid to people who are alone with a middle and low income. I feel forgotten by the government.”
Are you also stuck in the housing market and do you want to share your story with us? Are you unable to find something or are you no longer able to pay your housing costs? Then send an email to [email protected].