This is depression era stuff...

[Bread and Circus]

My wife's great grandmother did this during the Great Depression:

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/24/eveningnews/main4686030.shtml?source=related_story

Keeping Homes By Taking In Boarders
CBS Evening News: Struggling To Pay Mortgages, Families Filling Spare Rooms With Renters

(CBS) Heather Townsend and Marlene Mazzi sound like mother and daughter when they talk about what's for dinner on any given evening. But they met just three months ago when Heather started renting a room in Marlene's house.

Is she surprised by how much things have changed?

"Oh, yeah," Marlene said.

Her husband can't find carpentry work. She lost her business due to the economy. Faced with losing their home, they posted an online ad looking for a boarder, CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy reports.

Unable to afford L.A.'s high rents on her slumping sales job salary, Townsend now pays Marlene Mazzi $750 a month for a bedroom and a bathroom.

"I pay her $200 extra dollars and she makes all my dinners," Townsend said.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. wow. million dollar home owners bringing boarders.

From the article:

With a record one-in-10 mortgage holders now behind on their payments, even some who live in million-dollar homes open their doors to strangers.

"It's like a bed and breakfast without the breakfast," said Rick Lautenbacher, who charges $390 per week for a room in his $2 million Venice Beach home. He needs help with the mortgage as he struggles to sell in a down market.

[GoesTo11]

2. The arrangement actually sounds good

More connection in their lives. Even if the finances are tough.

[mia]

3. This is the best way to make ends meet.

I live near several universities and hospitals. Graduate students and medical students on rotation make the best housemates.

[progressivebydesign]

4. Oh how I love the media. Wow.. No one has EVER had ROOMMATES before..

wow.. must be the Depression or something!!!!

[madrchsod]

5. my grandparents always had renters since the 30`s

they rented out one room in their home until the late 60`s.