Yes, I do have a full-time job, and I even enjoy it, but it doesn’t pay enough to survive in this hellscape of a world we live in. I lack the college degree required to get almost any decent-paying job (plus my last job hunt took MONTHS to get a lead), I don’t have the skills or originality to become an online content creator, nor the artistry or patience to create and sell trinkets on Etsy (plus, that would require an initial investment which I simply do not have). Should I set up a GoFundMe? OnlyFans? I wouldn’t really be offering anything except a charity basket/collection plate so that feels dishonest at best. Idk, I’m quite literally having a breakdown because I’m probably going to lose my car soon, and then my job, and then my apartment, and then my life. Any help at all would be appreciated. Thank you
Not going to disagree with the tough world out there, I’m just going to suggest / ask a few things that are at least somewhat in your realm of control that might help.
Giving you enough context to actually answer your question without giving up TOO much private info, in order:
Cubicle job where I make just under $20/hour (min. wage for my state is $15)
As for family/friends, I’ve reached out a little bit, yes. But I don’t like doing it too much, regardless of how difficult my life becomes. Maybe it’s pride, maybe it’s empathy, idk. Either way, I just can’t. In short, I’ve gotten SOME help, but I won’t get much more
As for cost of living, I live in the American Midwest and split rent in a decent apartment in a relatively-safe neighborhood with one other person (hopefully 3 total in the next couple months)
And that’s about all I’m willing to give up online
Edit: I copy-pasted from a very similar response, so I had to adjust it to fit YOUR questions
As someone mentioned, write down every single purchase you make, no matter how small. You’ll see a place to cut. Check all of your subscriptions - phone, Internet, everything, to look for a cheaper option. It’s easier to get a job when you have one. Always be on the lookout for things you could do instead of or in addition to your regular job. Maybe find something for weekends that offers a good benefit or discount - gym, grocery, something that will earn you money and reduce an expense. My son did a two day class to get certified for vehicle inspections - tons of jobs. If you don’t work Monday-Friday you could get on a school district sub list - you can say yes or no when they call you.
What kind of vehicle inspections? Is he a mechanic or are these inspections something most people could easily be doing after a 2 day course?
He’s now a mechanic, but
thatbecoming an inspector was his entry to car work. Do you get your car inspected every year or two? It’s that - windshield wipers, horn, tires, drive it and see if it brakes in the allotted space, plug it into the smog check machine. If you can tolerate working outdoors (in an open garage) and you’re ok working with your hands it’s not a bad gig. I think he started at $12/hr plus a dollar for each inspection he did, plus a little commission if someone bought windshield wipers, a new gas cap, stuff like that. Here, the people who work M-F fight to be off Saturday/Sunday, so they’re always looking for weekend help. I think the two day class was about $50 and the license to be an inspector is $25/yr.Edit for grammar/clarification.
You live in Illnois? (Its the only midwest state with a min wage even approaching 15 dollars an hour) Try finding a job outside Chicago, preferably some sort of trade. Youll get your feet under you.
I appreciate your candor and caution.
Without knowing your age, it’s hard to give good advice, but if you’re young, then I’d suggest asking Mom and/ dad if you can go back home while you acquire more marketable skills. Then, unfortunately, you will likely need to move to an area with opportunity. Living in a small town, or a town without a variety of booming industries seriously limits your options.
Thanks. Sitting down and conducting a frank and realistic budget are essential. Why they don’t teach this in schools in the US is beyond me.
Teaching financial literacy to Americans would cause irreparable harm to American lending institutions.
People who care about money don’t become teachers.
You remember the Miracle Worker, right? Did any person finish High School without hearing the name Anne Sullivan?
I don’t think it’s a vast conspiracy, it is just a matter of values. You don’t spend your teen years working at an aftercare program, then six years of higher ed, then at least 5 years hopping from district to district, and finally get a job that pays about half what you should get for a master’s degree to teach kids to make a spreadsheet of their expenses. You do it to teach kids the joy of reading/music/art/math, to reach the kids that the system gave up on, and to nurture brilliance.
You don’t have to tell me. My parents were teachers.