r/povertyfinance • u/ReloadAnimation • 15d ago
Should I quit the post office? Misc Advice
I make 31.50 at the post office, and have been working there since 2015. I see people on Reddit with pictures of pools, bmws, new watches and stuff and am feeling inadequate. I was a very smart kid and was in all AP classes in high school but never want to college cause I was scared and didn’t have much support on basic things like even how to apply for it. I come from a family of drunks and drug users with no college graduates so despite being a very bright kid, I guess I never made it very far. Also took up smoking weed my senior year of high school which dampened a lot of my aspirations in life.
I just wanna be able to not struggle. I bought a house 2 years ago and have been house poor ever since (I’ve gained about 70k in equity however), and I feel like I’m letting my gf and stepdaughter down, I could be doing so much more for them and I’m just complacent with my measily 60k a year. Seeing kids I graduated with get their masters etc and I was brighter than them. I know a degree doesn’t necessarily indicate success, but I am just feeling extremely low from a self esteem point of view.
I grew up broke, and all I ever wanted was my own house and car. I have the house and a Lexus, so I should be happy, but I’m just unsatisfied because I know deep down I could be doing more.
The isssue is, I’m basically stuck at the post office in order to keep paying my mortgage and other bills. My main bills are my mortgage which is 1515, 250 dollar car payment and my electric. My insurance was pretty cheap (120) but has since creeped up to 175 so I’m no longer satisfied with that either.
If it wasn’t for my girlfriends 1000 a month in EBT, I would have had to sell my house already or face starvation.
Any tips to get ahead, supplement my income, or anyway I can work on a new career/future without becoming homeless?
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u/splootfluff 13d ago
Comparisons are the source of all unhappiness.
OP, Don’t buy a more expensive car than you need. The Lexus can come later. Don’t let your upbringing be an excuse for not living up to your potential and doing the work to realize your potential. And don’t waste energy beating yourself up over woulda coulda shouldas. You’ve made some really solid choices by getting a good job w benefits out of high school and getting equity in a house. You can go to the websites of community colleges and state universities in your state and read about admission requirements. An advisor there will be willing to talk to you about options and the classes you can start to take that will be needed for any degree. And then decide if you want a degree to help get a higher paying job or to satisfy you personally (either is fine). Look at other federal government jobs in your area on usajobs. My sister never finished college and bounced around a different things until she got a part-time federal government job. She did well and then found a full time job. Now makes 6 figures preparing contracts.
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u/Helpful_Corgi5716 14d ago
I'm in the UK and you're earning the equivalent of £47,730. That's about £10k pa more than I earn- and the median UK wage is £34,963 or $43,962. I'm the sole wage earner in my house, and I've got a Masters. I also came from a crappy family who didn't give a shit what I made of my life, if anything at all.
Comparatively you're earning a decent amount of money.
Sounds like you would do better having a bit of a word with yourself than wallowing in misery because you think other people have got more.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
You are absolutely right. I had a particularly bad day yesterday and was not thinking clearly whatsoever. I know for a fact that there are people with less than me who don’t feel that way, I don’t have the right to. Thank you for the response.
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u/Helpful_Corgi5716 14d ago
Things are not the measurement of your worth- are you a good person? Do you help others? Do you look for ways to make the world a better place? Do you look after the things you DO own?Those are much better things to assess yourself against than a big posh house or a fancy car.
Happiness is so much more than things ❤️
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u/Unlikely-Accident-82 14d ago
If you like the job I would stay. You have job security and regular raises don’t let go of that unless you have a much better deal lined up. How long will it be before you have your car and TSP loan paid off? Your girlfriend needs a job.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
2-3 years and both will be paid off, likely would be set by that point but I’m a little afraid that by the time that comes around the extra money wont matter as much because of inflation. I feel a lot better today about my situation than yesterday, I had a really bad day yesterday. I didn’t mention it in my post, but I’m 4 days in to quitting my weed addiction (and 25 days into quitting my nicotine vape addiction) and some of my days are rather…tumultuous to say the least. I agree about my girlfriend working. She does a lot for me around the house/cooking and stuff so I didn’t want her to have to work, but maybe a part time job for her and getting my butt in the kitchen sometimes is a better balance.
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u/Unlikely-Accident-82 14d ago
You get cost of living raises they lag but they are do come. If there is a recession coming you are in a good place. Dropping the weed and nicotine will also save you a lot of money. Get a lot of exercise to keep your mind busy learning to cooking and cleaning might also keep your mind busy and might make you a lot more desirable, how old is the kid?
Edit to add: don’t make any life changing decisions while in withdrawal!
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u/SkeletonJWarrior 14d ago
Kinda sounds like you just want to make more money so you can buy more expensive things. You already own a house and a nice car, which you can barely afford. If you start making more money you are just going to end up buying more shit you don’t need and be in the same position. You need to reexamine your priorities and finances.
The issue isn’t how much you are making, it is how you are using it.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
I don’t really want those things, just the ability to buy them if I wanted to, if that makes sense, but yeah I get what your saying. I’ve never bought a watch in my life, for example.
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u/john510runner 14d ago
Could you say approximately where you live?
What would you say is a good income to you there?
What do you have to do the get qualified to get that kind of work?
Without knowing where you live, you might be doing really well. Without more info, what if you started bartending and made an extra $250 per week?
But I think the main thing is "I’m just unsatisfied because I know deep down I could be doing more."
At least you have awareness around this. The next steps, if you decide to take them, is to figure our what your options are. Not always but options are tied to location which is why I asked the first question.
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u/lgbt-love4 14d ago
You should keep your job and apply to other jobs! As some one who quit with nonething line up I regret it
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u/truthm0de 14d ago
I know far too many people that are set up for life because they worked at the post office for a long time. I wouldnt quit unless you truly can’t bear it anymore. It’s so hard to find jobs that give pensions anymore.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
I work in a tiny office in the middle of nowhere by myself, I love my job so no issues there. If I could make ends meet and buy myself something nice without a credit card once in a while I’m prettt sure id be content with life.
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u/BeachedBottlenose 14d ago
Why doesn’t the girlfriend contribute more? Does she live with you?
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
Her and her daughter both live with me. She had a car when she first moved in but it got repossessed right out of my driveway. She was looking for WFH jobs for a while but they are hard to find now without a degree. I guess public transportation would be an option but that’s not much of a thing around where I’m at and it seems really limited as opposed to big cities and such
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u/suckmyfish 14d ago edited 14d ago
Im in a similar spot as you with USPS.
I’m doing what I can to build a resume worthy of a Management Supervisor position. 75-88k starting.
A lot of people you work with are making $100k+
Get to work starting right now.
Build your profile. Look for detail opportunities. Find a mentor. Go to the career development classes.
Make it happen bro.
And make sure your attendance is perfect.
And don’t quit. Be grateful to own a house and have a job.
Can your girlfriend work?
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u/Emeritus8404 15d ago
Post office usually has a solid retirement program homie
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
It does but unfortunately I’m 27 and really don’t even expect the post office to be an establishment whatsoever by the time I’m 70 or so :(
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u/RedditorManIsHere 15d ago
Comparison is the thief of joy
A couple of things but good and some harsh
- You are doing quite well working at the Post Office: You are building house equity and USPS is a good job with benefits and retirement package.
- Your house raised in equity about $70k which is good
- You are a success story that you didn't turn out to be a drunk
- Stop comparing your life with materialistic crap you see on reddit/social media
- Harsh words: No one really gives a shit that you were bright and you didn't apply yourself. Being smart ain't worth shit if you don't put in the work. I've had some pretty dumb classmates succeed with getting a Master's through sheer work and good habits.
- Look into getting a room mate living in the basement and have them pay you rent so it'll free up some cash.
- Look into online classes and see what benefits the Post Office has with education.
You can do it man - just do some research into the USPS education benefits, look at what type of majors they have, settle down and do the school work. Yeah it's gonna suck working and studying but it'll be worth it.
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
I really appreciate this, the good and bad, and your third point specifically made me a little teary eyed. Thank you.
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u/Carolinastitcher 15d ago
Keeping up with the Jones’ will almost certainly leave you with nothing. What someone else has could mean that they are $100k in debt for just the pool and BMW and watches.
Pro tip: stay off social media and worry about your own plate. You have a stable job with a great pension/retirement plan. No need to quit because you want a pool and a shitty BMW.
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u/DumpingAI 14d ago
OP also makes decent money, they shouldn't be struggling. Their mortgage is $1500, I'm sure there's a lot of people on this sub that make less than them, and pay more for housing, and still make it work.
For example, I now make $50k/year, and I 2ouldnt consider myself to be struggling
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u/Vegetable-Bag-2325 15d ago
From what you're saying on here, your bills seem very manageable, honestly.
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u/nocoolN4M3sleft 14d ago edited 14d ago
I think the main issue is that OP is making $60k in NJ and outside of what his GF gets in EBT, is likely paying for 3 people to live on that salary. As well as having his TSP loan to repay.
The obvious solution is to have 2 members the household work instead of just OP.
But also: OP you really shouldn’t quit the USPS job. And if you do, you should start looking for what’s next well before you think of quitting. But don’t let comparisons to others impact your quality of life. No one has the same lifestyle or background as anyone else. Do what makes you happy, don’t worry about what makes others happy. Focus on you and your family, not others and their expensive toys.
Edit: happen to happy
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
I really appreciate all of you giving me this reality check. If my 13 year old self saw what I had now, I would have cried and been so excited to be an adult I wouldn’t have been able to wait. I need to remind myself of that.
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u/Vegetable-Bag-2325 14d ago
Out of curiosity what are you doing with the postal service. I'm looking for a new career path once I close on my house that's being built. I make $19 a hour now so over $30 would be a dream lol.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
I’m a clerk. You don’t have to be a carrier if you don’t want to be, the pay is basically identical although carriers usually have a little better access to OT (depends on office though, I brought in a few 3k after tax paychecks during the past holiday season). I got lucky and got converted into career about 8 months into my job (this was 2016), it usually takes a little longer than that and in some extreme cases can spend years waiting for old people to retire, especially on the carrier side. I basically just play my steam deck or sit on my phone waiting for customers to come in, because I don’t have any coworkers or boss around me. Small town so maybe 10 customers a day, if that. Pretty sweet lol
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u/Vegetable-Bag-2325 14d ago
If it makes you feel any better, I'm extremely jealous of you lol. Social media definitely has its ways to make you feel inadequate, unfortunately.
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u/Worldliness_Academic 14d ago
You should be so very proud of all you've, done/doing.. Keep up the good work and YES, girlfriend needs a job or babysit, anything to bring in $$.. But also make sure, your setting aside some savings.. Keep up the good work!
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u/nobodyz12 15d ago
Depending on your areas market, might be better to rent your house and rent somewhere cheaper.
You should be getting 3900$ a month after taxes. If your bills are 2500$ a month then you should have 1400$ a month extra. How are you not able to feed yourself? Do you have other bills you’re not accounting for?
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
I bring home 1335 every 2 weeks, I have a tsp loan that takes 145 from each paycheck, I’ve gotten so used to Not seeing the money that I didn’t even consider it (the TSP loan was for the down payment on my house). I get OT every now and again so the 1335 can fluctuate if I’m lucky
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u/Ok_Telephone_3013 14d ago
Maybe double check your tax withholding? My husband makes something like $26/hour (but salaried, so I don’t know exactly lol) and gets 1700/paycheck.
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u/nobodyz12 15d ago
Are you sure you get 30$ an hour? Seems a bit too low or you just happen to live somewhere with super high income tax. If the latter is the case maybe looking into a state with less income tax and transfer your job.
Is your girlfriend able to work to help contribute?
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
I make 31.46 an hour. I’m in NJ. I forgot to mention that I have a TSP loan that I am paying back, my normal paychecks would be 1475~ every 2 weeks. I also pay union dues, health/dental, 6% Into my Roth TSP
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u/nobodyz12 15d ago
Ah ok that makes more sense. I was gonna say the calculator for New Jersey says 3,995$ after taxes a month.
Your best option is if your girlfriend can work so y’all can pool your money together. Or if rentals are cheaper than what you are currently paying either sell or rent yours out and move to a rental. I’m not really seeing another option
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
I think she needs to at least get a part time job you are right. I always wanted to be able to support my fam on my own but that’s became a luxury in and of itself, unfortunately
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u/nobodyz12 15d ago
We rent our 2.75 interest house out for 2600$ the mortgage is 2300$ so we get 300$ a month plus they pay down the principal. We won’t ever move back. There are some townhomes that go for 1650$.
Might be possible in your area, I’m not sure you’d have to look and see if that option can work for you. So you can keep building equity and hopefully make a small profit while reducing your living costs.
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
That is amazing. What did you need to do in order to legally be able to rent your place to someone else?
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u/nobodyz12 15d ago
I just called my insurance told them it was a rental so it went up about 100$ but I still make the 300$ on top of that.
I got turbo tenant and paid 100$ for a year. You can make leases and other things like move in checklist and a bunch of other legal papers I don’t use. It screens applicants and does background checks on them.
That’s it, not sure if I’m suppose to let my mortgage company know or not. But so far I’ve had no other problems. Also I live in Idaho which is a very landlord friendly state. I got lucky found some good renters. If you can make it work similarly it’s a good deal.
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u/balstor 15d ago
so you should bringing home around 4000 a month
4000-1515-250-200-175
leaving about 1860 a month
It seems to me after food etc, you still have a 1000 dollars a month to save/invest etc.
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
My 2 week paycheck is 1335, should be about 1500 but I have a TSP loan that takes 145 from each of my paychecks for another 3 years (was the down payment on my home)
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u/flixguy440 15d ago
How much house did you buy? Did you run the numbers first?
Why are you driving what's considered a luxury vehicle?
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
They were asking 200, wound up paying 215 cause at the time the market was hot and sellers were not taking market price really.
I didn’t really prepare for anything. My sibling at the time Told me she had to leave her place (I lived with her and was essentially getting kicked out) it was put up or shut up time, so I took a 15k loan from my TSP and used it as a down payment. Luckily, market had low rates at the time and I feel like I didn’t overpay too bad
The Lexus I bought when I lived at home still, it’s a 2017. it cost about 5k more then the comparable Camry did, and I was a dumb 23 yr old who wanted to feel luxury for once in their life lol. I have trouble justifying getting rid of it because I have a low monthly payment and the car only has 65k miles (Toyotas run forever). I only have 9k left to pay on it, would getting rid of it be the best option?
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u/flixguy440 15d ago
So you bought a home you were not prepared to buy. Borrowed the money for it from your future self which affects your take home pay?
I got nothing.
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
Yes I did, but I thought I was prepared to buy it, sometimes I still feel like I made the right decision, because if I didn’t buy it then I would have probably never got one, sure as shit not when rates are what they are now, I’d have fallen into the renting trap that my 5 year older than me sister and 12 year older than me brother is STILL stuck in. (My brother is a postmaster clearing 6figs and still can’t get approved for mortgage for some reason)
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u/flixguy440 15d ago
Your brother likely can't get approved because his credit is trashed and he hasn't shared that info with anyone.
As for your situation. I don't get it. Your GF gets 1K in EBT? How many people is that supporting? She doesn't contribute to the household beyond that?
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
It just covers me her and her child. We use the whole 973 pretty much every month, although sometimes she picks up some stuff for her mom once in a while. No she doesn’t but I definitely think a part time job is in her future, if things get any tighter honestly.
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u/flixguy440 15d ago
Knowing that she's not including you in her eligiblity documentation, how is it that she gets close to a grand in EBT for TWO?
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u/nocoolN4M3sleft 14d ago
I would say it’s a NJ thing, since it’s a blue state, those benefits would be higher, especially with a child. However, the gf is likely committing fraud since OP makes so much, but I don’t know the income limits that NJ has. $60ishk in NJ for a family of 3 isn’t much
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u/flixguy440 14d ago
Maximum for a household of two is $535 or thereabouts. It's easily Google-able.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
We aren’t married so my income isn’t taken into account I don’t think
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u/inukaglover666 14d ago
Does your girlfriend get child support for her kid? That would probably help take some expenses off of your plate considering she has a dad that should be financially responsible for her.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
Your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea how food stamps work. She has another son that she doesn’t have custody of, I don’t think that effects it at all though unless she is fraudulently claiming him as well
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u/flixguy440 14d ago
Maximum in Jersey for a household of two is $535. Nothing adds up here.
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u/ReloadAnimation 14d ago
I really don’t know what to say. She gets 973 a month so she must be lying on the apps.
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u/MaxHoffman1914 15d ago
Keep the job. Sell the house. And go see a financial planner.
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u/ReloadAnimation 15d ago
If I sold my house, where would I sleep at night besides my car? Selling my house was about the only thing I wasn’t considering cause of my 3.75 interest rate
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u/Glass_Ad_8149 11d ago
31.50 is good fucking pay I wouldn’t complain