CKD4, Upside down mortgage, paying too much for roof over my head

[KarenInWA]

I just wanted to know what you guys would do.  I live alone, have a well paying job and good health benefits.  My gfr is currently around 20, I may be listed very soon.  My mortgage is currently at $149k.  With 1st, 2nd, taxes and dues, my monthly outgo for my 936 sq ft condo will be just under $1500 starting Jan 1st.  Units in my complex are currently on the market for $92k-$125k.  I made a mistake when I bought this thing 6 yrs ago.  I now wish I rented a similar sized place for a lot less $$.  My only other debt is a car loan, which, strangely enough, I've never been upside down on.  My main goal is to keep my job as my kidneys fail.  I am hoping to go on nxstage when that time comes, and I am lucky to have support that will help me make that happen. (thank you, Wallyz!)  Or, maybe I will be lucky and some kind, healthy person in my life will offer to donate and I won't have to go on D. Either way, my mortgage is a huge burden, and I don't know what to do.  Help!!!  I have 2 sinking ships in my life - my home and my kidneys!!  Isn't one enough???

KarenInWA

[Deanne]

You and I aren't that much different, except that my mortgage isn't upside down. I live alone, have a well-paying job and good benefits, too. My GFR is also around 20% (20 - 25, I'll find out next week). I'm hoping for a pre-emptive transplant, but will need to go on the list (no donors in sight).

Are you thinking you'll have to quit working when your kidneys fail, or is the problem that you're struggling right now to make the mortgage payments?

My plan is to keep working and I'm trying to put everything I can into paying down my mortgage as fast as possible. Even though I'm not upside down, I want to put myself into a situation where I can refinance to lower my payments if necessary (ie, if I can only work part time or have to go on disability). It's a balancing act and I don't know if I'm doing it right. I want the mortgage paid down, but I also feel like I need to beef up my 401K, I need to save for a replacement vehicle (don't want a car loan), and of course I have remodeling projects for the house. If I can't get a pre-emptive transplant, I'm hoping for PD to minimize the impact on my work life. It's hard to plan without a crystal ball!