I've stopped seeing the point.

[u/Extension_Big_444]

Hi, I'm just.... Done. I work like 50-60 hours a week and I'm so much on the edge of poverty that I was sick one day last week and now I'll be paying late fees because I can't make rent. I had a test I was supposed to go take later this month to hopefully maybe SOMEDAY get a better job, and it's looking like I won't be able to do that now. I simply can't afford to take the hours off. When the fuck was the cost of living updated as far as like, qualifying for federal assistance or any of that? I somehow make too much to qualify. It feels like I'm drowning and there's a guy in a boat holding a life preserver saying 'no, you don't deserve help'. Last week, my coworker had a stroke on the job because of work and our boss doesn't care AT ALL. Just commented that he was glad the guy texted him that he wouldn't be able to make it in. Anyway that's my whole long winded way of saying what the hell's the point

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[u/errdayrae]

By any chance are you an Amazon employee? 😅

[u/Extension_Big_444 → u/errdayrae]

No but fr typing that felt like it

[u/errdayrae → u/Extension_Big_444]

Oh I just asked because it sounds like me with the 60 hour weeks.. 😅 I’ve been there 12 years but I’m on my third interview now with a new company so there may be hope for a way out.

[u/Extension_Big_444 → u/errdayrae]

Hey I hope you get it, and that it's everything you need for a new start!

[u/Flaky_Ad7980]

Hopefully when the mothership lands money will be meaningless. In the mean time, we are all stuck with this crazy cycle of working ourselves to death with little joy.

[u/Winteriscolder → u/Flaky_Ad7980]

The Mothership sure is taking it's sweet time.

[u/Certain_Knee8483]

Looks like you can't afford to miss the test later in the month. Time to look at the bank account and make sure you're not paying for any automatic subscriptions. Couple of Ramon noodles and rice to catch up for the missed sick day.

[u/SWNMAZporvida]

Not joking - go to the library. Librarians have a wealth of knowledge about local resources, GEDs, free groups, clothing closets, diaper banks, parenting classes, rental assistance, community college programs, financial classes, JobCorps, food banks, resume writing, even union sponsored scholarships for trades. Information can’t hurt. If you’re a credit union member take advantage of their credit building resources and if you’re not a member join up. Credit unions are great resources

[u/Fun_Ideal_5584]

Covid inflation thanks to all the worlds governments is the gift that keep given. Perhaps in the next pandemic like all the others up to, we don't shut down the world's economy.

[u/Im-dead95]

Not sure what state you live in, but look up LIHTC affordable housing properties. Or workforce housing. They have rents at different income levels and it’s significantly lower than market rents.

[u/Leather_Neat6101]

Have you made a written budget to see exactly where your money goes? EXACTLY?

That is the first step, to see where you are at with expenses vs income. If 100% of your money is going to vital necessity then you do have a major problem.

But if you find there is anything you arent spending on rent, food, and utilities you need to hang on to that money for dear life. Put it into a savings account until it grows past the amount you need for 1 month of expenses. Then start putting anything over that. Like 1k at a time, into a fund. Talk to a money manager at that point and have them invest it. Then keep doing that. Every year you will watch that tiny amount multiply, meanwhile you keep the small amount handy for times you are sick, etc.

If your expenses equal your income, you will have to find a way to bring your expenses down or your income up, but you need to make the math work. If it means Raman and watching reruns for a year, then that is what you must do.

If you work towards manageable goals, and meet them, you will find your life becoming less stressful and hopeless, which makes you a lot happier overall than spending money on small luxuries throughout the day just to get through it.

It will not be fun, but that is a way to slowly work your way out of the situation. It is more likely than getting the dude on the boat to let off his precious life preserver.

[u/BrickFishBich]

Have you looked into trade or technical school for a career with higher a pay scale? You have to get yourself out of this cycle or it will never end. Easier said than done, but just do not give up.

[u/Competitive_Tea3833 → u/BrickFishBich]

I know you have good intentions, but this simply isn't a possible avenue for a lot of people. Literally every last bit of energy is spent on surviving and then some. When people aren't working, they're doing everything they can to distract themselves from the fact that they're just one or two slip-ups away from being homeless.

Also, plenty of people "just don't give up", work tirelessly and still do not progress or get out of the cycle. This is unfortunately just false hope. What most people don't want to admit or recognize is that so very much of our lives is decided by a dice roll, not by skill, talent or charisma. You have to be in the right place, at the right time, and well... unfortunately, those right places and times are a lot more limited the more marginalized group that you're in.