The Problem with Leases
At least in the United States, we live to sign contracts. From our mobile phones to our mortgages to car and school payments, we are a society built on promises. Throughout my life I have never missed a payment of anything, ever. It’s just not cool to break promises. I have, however, never once in my life finished out the terms of a single lease.
For the most part, not finishing a lease has cost me. How much is debatable given that leaving the lease early probably opened up my schedule to experience some of the most exciting adventures of my life. It is difficult to put a value on those experiences.
Whether it was a lease on an apartment, an office space or even a cell phone, I don’t remember a single lease agreement that I have ever completed to the end. In college, I managed to drop out of school to escape the bindings of my apartment lease. In Milwaukee I sold my loft before I had the chance to finish the 30 year term of my mortgage. In Los Angeles I got out of two different apartment leases by finding another tenant and the other time by actually firing myself so the job-loss clause would kick in. Back in Milwaukee I escaped another lease by convincing my landlord that she could find a better paying tenant if I left early given the summer season. I also abandoned my office space lease in Milwaukee by signing a new one in Los Angeles. I cannot remember a single lease that I have allowed to come to maturity.
Surely any self-respecting shrink would say that I have commitment issues. That is probably the easiest way to look at my vagabond nature. I prefer to believe that I just get fucking bored and need to move on. Right now, even “living” in Los Angeles I find myself at the airport or on a road trip at least once a week. I obviously don’t have commitment issues with Los Angles, so what gives?
This is not one of my usual rant articles. More of a thinking-out-loud situation. As advice to any potential friends who I attempt to enter into a lease agreement with, this is your fair warning. I will always play by the rules but will most likely never, ever let a lease come to maturity. On the other hand, rent will always be paid on time and usually early. It’s a bitter/sweet situation.
2 Comments
I loved this posting Mr. Jeff. I too was very vagabond in my 20′s, and moved eight times in 10 years while living in Chicago. My wandering time-horizon has increased with age. Now I feel that every five years its time to change something!
Great post. This does not seem to change much as you get older, but it changes DRASTICALLY when you get married. It seems most women do not view change as the breath of fresh air and the spice of life that guys think it is. lol. They are usually very security driven, and change does not seem secure to a lot of them. lol.
So, when you go to get married, make sure you find a woman who is good with it. (Good luck) :p
Take care,
JB