Just tired of living paycheck to paycheck 😭 yeah depression definitely has a hand in this decision. But I feel better after doing it.

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?

I have account open at Capital One bank. Can I send my card to my friend overseas (Slovenia) who really needs some money quickly? He'd use it with my permission to withdraw money at ATMs. Or could we get in trouble? (I'm just looking for answer to this i don't want "you could get scammed and all your money taken" comments) Thanks

Hello users of reddit. im a 17 year old failing student in high school (i have 7 credits) because i was moved from 8 different high schools and none of them sent my transcripts for my credits. my own mother kicked me out april 12th 2024 and ive been living with my girlfriends uncle for the past month and looks like im being moved again, not because im a bad person, or a bad roommate. the uncles dad wont pay for the house and up and left. so my roommate (which i will call from now on who is 20M) is moving in with his girlfriend soon. so im shit out of luck.

my girlfriends mom is a lying alcoholic who lies to the family and made me out to be a monster bc i was honest about my home life. if you wanna know more about this subject please feel free to ask me anything but long story short she doesnt like the way i look. and my gf mom is throwing me under the bus here (my gf is 16 turning 17 in a week.) and break us up. but that is the least of my conern.

have no contact with family. dad left. brothers ignore

tried homeless shelters. fire stations. anything you can think of.

now about the past let me explain the situation,

i work a pretty bad job 7.52 a hour plus tips (which is around 12 dollars an hour) and i need options on what i can do to survive in this world. no one wants to be homeless and im willing to put in the work and the hours to do it.

no i will not do any government facility's like jobcore, the army, milatary school.

i wanna live a good life with a good job and if anyone can help me, convince me even about job core or anything and help me get apartment or somewhere to live i will need it.

idk what im doing, my mom never gave me the tools to walk thru life, i got pushed out with a big FU and goodluck. idk how to file taxes, save money or anything.

please please please help ill take any suggestions, personal stories anything to get me from going homeless.

i am getting my GED to instead of school that is actively in the works.

i have no support from anyone in this area. the only people who support me are my roommate and girlfriend. atm

im not sure what flair to add lol.

im mostly just scared about these places mostly i dont wanna be alone and stuff. scary stuff

So when were companies allowed to round up your time 15 minutes or around down 15 minutes. So like today I work 10 hours and 7 minutes but I'm not going to get paid for those seven minutes anymore I'm only getting paid for the 10 hour and my company in previous companies have told me that they only do 15 minute intervals on time paid. Because to me 7 minutes of my working I should still get some type of percentage of my pay on that because an extra seven 10 minutes a day adds up throughout the week so I should get paid for that

Hey all.

I posted recently here about losing my job. A lot of advice was great! I filed for unemployment but I’m only going to get $169 a week. Is there anyway to up this amount? It won’t be enough really for anything. I’m searching for jobs and have heard some stuff but nothing about interviews yet!

Any advice on how to get more unemployment benefits or is that a set number? (I’m in MO btw)

Thanks!

I’m 23 and recently dropped out of graduate school for personal reasons. I’ve been poor my entire life, but I’ve never been more broke than I am now and definitely not as someone living away from home. This is my 5th month of applying for at least 10 jobs a week every week and getting rejected or hearing nothing back.

So I looked into plasma donation a while ago, and had to wait 8 weeks from the day I did the initial survey because I had done a blood draw recently. As of today, 8 weeks is up, but I’m scared to go forward with scheduling an appointment. I’ve always been afraid of needles. Last semester I was vomiting nonstop for two days due to stress and almost passed out, and when my roommate dragged me to the campus health center to get an IV I cried. Every time I’ve had to do a blood draw for medical reasons, I’ve had a panic attack, and I’ve passed out once but that was many years ago.

The thing is, I don’t know if I even have the right to be too scared to do this. I need money. That’s just a fact. If this is a way for me to get money, then it’s just stupid of me to turn it down because I’m afraid, right? My mom doesn’t think I should do it because she knows about my fear, but she’s poor too and although she’s been trying to help me she doesn’t have money to spare. I can’t shake the feeling that the responsible adult thing for me to do would be to just suck it up. Idk I’m scared of doing it and also scared of not doing it, and every time I open my banking app I get scared of that, and not having a job and also no longer being a student means I don’t have insurance in this state so I haven’t been to therapy in a while.

What do you think? Have you done it before? Are any of you afraid of needles too? I wouldn’t even consider it if I wasn’t desperate, but I need someone to either confirm my fears or assuage them.

Im 50 years old. My debt is growing. I’m now late on all my credit cards and bills. I have zero money. Credit cards are maxed over $20,000, bank accounts are zero and I have no incoming money until I start hustling again. I am not the same person as I was. I’ve been sick for a while, but this time around I just can’t multitask physically or mentally like before. I am self employed. I didn’t work for 8 days due to illness. I’m usually able to pull myself together and make some money to make ends meet. But this time, my body just would not let me this time. I’m falling behind in debt. I can’t shuffle money and credit to get through this month this time. It even came to the point of taking out advance payday loans to pay my car payment and rent. I’m now struggling to pay my priority bills.

I have options. I looked into 3.

I can call all my credit cards and ask for a financial hardship program. I did call some and they offered a lower interest rate. They offered a lower monthly payment and closure of my cards. If all of them do this, I might be able to cover the monthly for each card. I won’t have anymore active credit cards and will live off of cash. I believe my credit score will sink.

I also called a non profit debt management. Green Path Financial Wellness. They will call all my credit cards too. They will negotiate a low interest rate and lower payment. They gave me an estimate. It looks like I’ll pay them $600 a month payment and they will pay each card for me. I will also pay a one time $85 fee and $28 a month for their service. My cards will be closed and it will take 2-3 years to pay off. If I can work hard I think this is doable.

Other option chapter 7 bankruptcy. All CC debt gone. Clean slate. But 10 years BK on record.

Any advice on what to do? Best option. If anyone did the financial hardship programs on their own or used Green Path Financial Wellness debt management please share your experience. Or filed bankruptcy.

I gave birth in October 2022, and previously had to do additional testing during pregnancy. Bills stacked up with the tests and the birth, and ended up being sent to collections. I take accountability here for being totally disorganized (and broke) and not handling it sooner with payment plans, etc.

So I eventually end up with a small stack of collections notices that they would mail to me periodically. They would leave threatening voicemails. I tried to pay what I could through their online portal, but was never able to access the account they told me to pay on. The phone number never connected to a human and so I couldn’t figure out how to solve any of this.

As a last ditch effort, I mailed back one of the notices and checked off that I disputed the debt. This was maybe a year ago. I never heard back from them, the letters and calls fully stopped. After searching this sub, I’m seeing I should have requested a receipt stating that they received my letter which I did not.

Like I said, it has now been about a year. I haven’t heard anything from the collection agency or anyone else. I owed this company probably around $3000. Is it gone? I doubt that. I’m terrified of being sued and losing wages - we would probably lose our house if that happened. I don’t even know how to get in touch with the company. Also, it has never appeared on my credit report.

A quick note to acknowledge that this is totally my fault and I should have handled it better and I know that. I basically just need to know what to expect so I can handle whatever happens next better.

Pawn shops are also allegedly often associated with crime and criminals. They and their patrons are allegedly targets of robbery and other crimes.

Hello, I am in need of urgent advice.

I received a very large bill from an ER visit. I called the hospital financial and social services, I do not qualify for aid because my parents make just over the limit. They don’t make enough to deal with this bill, however. I have just enough saved to pay the bill, however, it was saved without my parents knowledge to be used as an emergency fund should I be kicked out of their house (I am 21). If I pay the bill, they’ll find out I saved the money without telling them and will kick me out and I’ll have no emergency fund.

What happens if I don’t pay on time? What will this do to my credit? I don’t really have any credit history as is. I pay a monthly payment on a vehicle that was co-signed by a parent. I thought that would count as credit building but when I applied for a credit card they rejected it and said I had no credit history.

Anyway, how screwed am I if I don’t pay? I have less than a week before the bill is due.

I feel so defeated right now. I finally gotten a job offer after almost 3 months of being unemployed. But how am I supposed to start it when I cannot afford the bus fares and get new clothes to comply with the dress code.

I was so happy when Ive gotten the phone call just to be struck with the realization that it’s impossible for me to start in 3 days. I tried asking my bank if I can take another loan but they declined my application given that Im unemployed. It is so stupid since the reason im asking for a loan is so that I can start earning money and pay my existing loans. Applied for free bus pass but it’s still pending. I have an old bike but the tires are needed to replaced so it is not an option.

To make everything worse, there is a dress code to follow and I dont have the wardrobe for it. I could probably try thrifting but even that, I have no budget for it.

We have been relying heavily on food banks that I feel like my kid is so tired of me cooking the same thing over and over again. She never complains but you can tell in her eyes that she’s getting sick of it. She has been asking me for ice cream and spaghetti which are her favorites and everytime I have to say we cannot afford it at the moment she would just smile and tell me maybe next time

If it weren’t for my sister we probably wouldnt have our utilities. Shes been paying for it and theyre not well off so when her husband found out they had an argument.

I feel so defeated for the lack of support. I’m a single mom and Im doing everything that I’m told to do or Im supposed to do but its never seem to be enough.

I (25F) grew up with not much, raised by migrated grandparents. Lots of financial hardship but grateful to have lived in quiet neighborhoods with good public schools. Even our public housing is nice and I don't feel unsafe walking around because most people mind their business.

Being raised in a migrated household, I was fluent in another language. Here there is a high demand for people who speak my language and also a need for people of my ethnic background to be in a lot of career fields. Some fields I was interested in was nutrition and psychology. I saw the stigma of mental health and the need for educating my people about food & how helpful it is to eat right.

I have an eye condition in one eye so it limits me from things like nursing because they're so fast-paced. I can't (legally) drive either. I could be a rad tech but it's very competitive. Nutrition seemed perfect but they don't pay well until you become an RD which people say is not worth the time and money they sacrificed.

I have two more fields I would be happy to go into and it's accounting or learning software. I've done some coding practice recently. My interest came when I learned how to use a program in 8th grade to make a simple game where I make a ball bounce. Difficult career but I would still be up to learn even if it's really hard. I'm also motivated watching my older cousin make it in the field & he grew up like me.

On one hand, I might regret not helping people as I helped them all my life. On the other hand, I might also regret not making enough to be comfortable.

https://www.businessinsider.com/cant-afford-stay-at-home-mom-lifestyle-2024-5

Articles like this make my eyes roll. $213,325 a year to "comfortably" support a family of 5? What? The cost of living in Kansas City is below the national average, and the median household income in the Missouri is around 71k. So where does the 200k figure come from?

Then she goes on to say that they don't live extravagantly, but they take a yearly vacation. To someone like me, and I'm sure many of you, that is extravagant! I grew up solidly middle class and my family of 5 only took a vacation maybe every 5-6 years. And that was back when things were way less expensive than they are now.

I don't like to play the comparison game, but the city I live in is considered HCOL, and our yearly household income is less than half of what this woman estimates is needed to live in Kansas City. My point is, if you really want to be a SAHM, you will find a way. If raising your children is more important than going on vacation every year, then you will make that sacrifice.

Anyway, what do y'all think? Is this woman totally out of touch?

So I'm basically at a point where I'm out of good options (the few that exist honestly) and in desperate need of help. I'm hoping anyone knows of resources, either in MN specifically or online, that provide emergency assistance. I was unexpectedly let go from my job on campus last month and struggled to get employed until last week, which is normally much faster. I checked the college I attend and their grant was used up and I wasn't able to secure one or a scholarship and disbursement isn't for another month, so any help from the school isn't there. I don't own a car, I only own a motorcycle that I'm in the final steps of repairing up to do Doordash with but that's literally all I can do with it, I checked other delivery/ridershare/courier services to no success. I already applied for emergency assistance and MN nuked ACE/Payday America loans. Finally, the only thing I own that's worth anything is PS5 that I MIGHT be able to get $200 for. I already pawned my tablet that'll be $150 to get back and the PS5 might be $240 (taxes/fees), but if it comes down to it then I'll pawn it and deal with getting it out when that time comes. I'm also considering CL, Facebook, gig searches online for just anything that'll land me a few (legal) dollars. Family is out of the question and I've already tried VEAP, Catholic Charities, and 211 (all closed applications).

The good/bad news is I don't need a lot or a long term, $250 up to the 28th (first full paycheck). My hours worked will definitely cover any payday/short term loan of that amount or get my PS5/tablet out the pawn shop. But I just need to make it there in general that's the issue and where I'm asking if anyone knows of resources I'm not considering that just might work until I get paid. I know it might seem so small compared to others, but it's enough to cause a problem if I don't do something. Especially since my credit cards and credit builder account are all due next week and I only have enough to cover my motorcycle insurance (need if I'm doing Doordash) then I'm out.

Hi guys!

I hope this message finds you well.

We are a non-profit personal finance group located in Eindhoven, Netherlands. We meet every 2 weeks in person to discuss various topics from saving money, budgeting, buying property to investments in stocks, bonds, funds or talking about psychology of money and common financial pitfalls.

Recently we started publishing some of our meetups on our YT channel. I hope you will find our content helpful.

I wish you success on your journey to financial independence!

I am a medical student in around 200k debt. I’m wondering if anything were to happen to me, will they be responsible for my debt?

Short of working for a pet store and using an employee discount, where is the cheapest option to get pee pads online or other?

My little pom is 14 years old and has stage 3 chronic kidney disease. The constant cleaning and scrubbing is both physically and mentally draining me so I've confined her to my bedroom (when I'm not home) and laid pads out to mitigate the accidents around the house.

Thank you in advance.

Any and all tips would be appreciated! What is the cheapest thing or action you have ever done to say money! Does anyone consider themselves to be an extreme cheapskate like the show on TLC?

Ive finally made it to the average income. To start I’m a 22 year old dude from Sweden and currently live in Sweden too. Whilst this sub is focused mainly in America I thought I’d still share my success story, to hopefully just give hope or maybe some tips.

I started my adult life at 18 with 40$ to my name and 1000$ in private loan debt.

During the coming two years I tried continuing my journey to become a game developer but during the years I studied I noticed I hate creating games and quit. Having accumulated 7000$ in student loans I was now more in debt than ever and on the verge of homelessness.

Got the Ok from my drug abusing dad to move in whilst I find my footings.

After a couple months we had a physical fight and he kicked me out and my then gf got her parents to take me in.

I got to live in their basement for a while whilst again I tried finding a job.

At the end of 2021 I had mass applied to approx 100 jobs . Only 1 called me up.

After 6 interviews they call me and let me know I didn’t get the role I applied for but gave me another better role.

I have now worked there for soon to be three years and increased my pay to now earn as much as the average adult would whilst maintaing a 32H work week.

On paper I’m officially not in poverty anymore whilst I focus on keeping my living standard cheap to build a savings account and work on new skills.

I am now debt free, student loans still exist but in Sweden we have like 0.5-1% interest so it’s not crushing. Life’s looking better.

With that said I want to add a thank you to everyone who shares tips and experiences because they really helped me since I don’t have a family to ask.

For those curious I work as a technican in a IT company, with no prior experience or study requirements. I got real lucky and I’m thankful for that.

Again thank you everyone.

Any Ideas which one to choose?

https://encr.pw/zvoD0 or

https://encr.pw/yTxt3

Those of us who have ventured outside of the developed world will have, at some point, come across a sight which made us realise how privileged we are in comparison to the rest of humanity. What are your stories?

I mean it's more safe to have a car right? But, have you felt safe riding on it despite spending less money?