11_MohanReddy Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 Seeking Advice on My Next Steps for a Better Future Hello, Expats. I would appreciate your thoughts on my best next step to improve my life. Here’s my situation: I’m 41 years old, on an H1B visa (GC EB2), working in a big company in Texas, earning $140K per year. My wife is on an H4 visa, and we have two kids—one in 6th grade (also on H4) and another in kindergarten (a U.S. citizen). We bought a home in 2023 with a 7.5% interest rate, intending to refinance when rates dropped. However, even after two years, rates haven’t improved, and we’re stuck paying a huge amount in interest, taxes, and fees, with very little going toward the principal. We used up all our savings for the purchase and ongoing maintenance, and I’m realizing that our monthly mortgage payments are about $2,500 more than renting in the same area. This situation is driving me crazy. Every month, I’m cashing out stocks, savings, and even taking 401K loans just to cover the mortgage. Our total mortgage balance is $430K, but with taxes, fees, and maintenance, we’re paying $5,300 to $5,500 per month just for home-related expenses. On top of that, we spent $50K–$60K on furniture, upgrades, and interior improvements. Now, I feel financially drained. To make matters worse, our home's value has dropped 5–10% since we bought it. I’d love to downsize and move to a more manageable situation, but selling the house now would leave us with huge debt, which feels overwhelming. Beyond finances, I’m also feeling job insecurity due to the AI revolution, visa uncertainties, and general industry shifts. At home, things are also challenging—my middle schooler is going through a tough phase, and overall stress levels are high. Even though I earn $140K, and my wife contributes $20K–$30K from her side hustle, we still have a negative cash flow every month. We’re thinking ten times before even buying a small toy for our kids—so you can imagine about how tight things are. I’ve also distanced myself from relatives because they assume we’re well-settled, but in reality, I feel like I’m living at the cost of my health, stress, and constant financial pressure. My wife doesn’t have a degree but is trying to improve her skills—though I doubt she’ll be able to contribute significantly more than she does now. If you want to troll me, go ahead—I probably deserve it. But I’d really appreciate your best advice from anyone who has been through a similar situation or has insights on what I should do next. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manadonga Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 Ikkada 250k vastuntene emi migalatam ledu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11_MohanReddy Posted January 31 Author Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 5:56 PM, manadonga said: Ikkada 250k vastuntene emi migalatam ledu Expand Same problem? @Sonu_Patel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARYA Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 $50K–$60K on furniture, upgrades, and interior improvements - wow! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefferson1 Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 wrong step vesadu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VictoryTDP Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:01 PM, ARYA said: $50K–$60K on furniture, upgrades, and interior improvements - wow! Expand Kummadu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycontr Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:04 PM, jefferson1 said: wrong step vesadu Expand most of the recent buyers are like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARYA Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:05 PM, VictoryTDP said: Kummadu Expand 60k for furniture ante ekkada compromise kaledu ani @psycopk antunde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefferson1 Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:06 PM, psycontr said: most of the recent buyers are like this. Expand seems like most people are doing a show off bro young couples . no job security. Visa issue. expensive cars i have seen one house warming video, the house furniture looks like it was bought from pottern barn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11_MohanReddy Posted January 31 Author Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:01 PM, ARYA said: $50K–$60K on furniture, upgrades, and interior improvements - wow! Expand How to do home tour vlogs without it ani @psycopk asking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARYA Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:12 PM, 11_MohanReddy said: How to do home tour vlogs without it ani @psycopk asking Expand home tours chesinaka maccu gallu vacchi kannam veste adi kuda vlog chestaru 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalsa456 Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:12 PM, 11_MohanReddy said: How to do home tour vlogs without it ani @psycopk asking Expand Oka 2 months aagu tataha istadu annitiki answer ..eh1b eh4 ef1 ki red hot rods ready avutunnai 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycopk Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigmatic Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 recent gaa 5.9 varaku taggindi rate. miss ayyinattu vunnadu refinancing ki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion123 Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 6:15 PM, Jalsa456 said: Oka 2 months aagu tataha istadu annitiki answer ..eh1b eh4 ef1 ki red hot rods ready avutunnai Expand dont worry ... all PD will be current soon .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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