I was trying to shitpost but I got too close to the mark. He apparently has a quote for $1k
So, the valve that's specifically designed to be replaced easily failed and it's going to cost $1k?
I hope the plumber knows Phil is dented and gets a fat payout for like an hour of work.
A phrase I've heard about electricians goes something like "It costs $10 for a replacement electrical part, and $90 for the knowledge of how to install it". I'm sure I've got that somewhat wrong but it really is the knowledge you're paying for when you hire handymen.
If the plumber is smart, he'll tell Phil that the part(s) needed to fix the problem are no longer produced and pad the bill with a bunch of costs to cover having to reacquire something that probably costs less than a buck or two at Home Depot. Phil, being Phil, wouldn't even question it because he simply doesn't want to be bothered with the problem anymore
and is so anti-social he'll do it just to talk to the plumber less.
As already said, he's lying about all of it. His bankruptcy showed that he has no bank accounts or retirement accounts. There was no savings then. The bank leaks show that he's not saving anything now either.
Yeah, as it stands Phil's actual legitimate costs are "manageable" in that he's only making minimum payments on anything he can. He's literally blown more money on long-term deferred debts as opposed to more
up front and being done with it, simply to have more cash in hand
now to do sweaty man gacha and perpetual home delivery of food.
If something TRULY comes along to fuck up the delicate and deteriorating balance that is the Gout Finances, like say Jasper develops some serious medical problems that needs attention from the vet, Phil is going to be perpetually clenching his ass into the next dimension as he worries about having enough money to even make single gacha pulls over keeping the cat (which he doesn't even give a damn about) healthy.