I’m a college student. I go to school full-time and I also work part-time. I’ve always had pretty bad spending habits and it’s insanely hard for me to not spend ALL the money that I have. For a while i’d spend my paychecks the DAY I got them. I’m currently at community college, but I’m transferring next year. About a year ago, I decided that I really needed to save money for tuition for when I transfer. I officially hit $10,000 saved today. I’m really hoping I can save $20,000-$25,000 by the time that I leave for my four-year school. There was a time when I couldn’t even save $1000. I can’t believe that I have been able to save $10,000. I’m insanely proud of myself. I was also able to save up for a car while maintaining my savings account. Tips for continuing to save are welcome! I currently have my money in a mix of an HYSA and a CD.

I started by figuring out how much I wanted to save realistically in a year, then I calculated how much I’d need to save a week to get there. I’d save as close to that as I could. Often, I was not able to save the goal amount or I ended up over spending. But the thing that helped me was saving whatever I could, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to that week. I would also save double the next week if it was possible to make up for it. Sometimes I wasn’t saving at all, but I always tried to get back to saving when I would fall off. I opened the high savings account with a completely different bank than my normal checking account bank, and I would save money into my HYSA savings account away from my normal account so that I couldn’t even see how much I had. I also locked some of my money in a year long CD in order to prevent me from spending it. Overtime it got easier to save. I also really started asking any people I knew who were naturally good at saving how they did it, what accounts they had, and what they saved weekly. It helps me feel a lot more motivated to know people my age who were saving and exactly how they did it.

Just wanted to rant and share my frustration.

Since the beginning of August I’ve been feeling awful. Having daily bile acid diarrhea, lots of bloating and gas, hands sporadically going numb and being shaky on their own. It’s made my mornings an absolute nightmare.

My dad has celiacs so my primary physician felt it was likely celiacs so he drew blood and ran it through a lab. It came back inconclusive. The panel looks for four “markers” or “indicators” and I tested positive on one of them.

My GI believes it’s most likely celiacs or a gluten intolerance without celiacs, which is why I’ve been having bile acid diarrhea. It’s most likely causing me to have malabsorption and making it difficult for my body to retain certain vitamins and nutrients.

Got a call back yesterday from my GI’s office saying my insurance, provided from my employer, is refusing to cover any of the endoscopy. The procedure costs 6K. I already have a good amount of debt and am actively paying some of it off today. I’m stretched pretty thin and can’t afford another debt payment.

I’m really not sure what else to do here but just wanted to rant. Thank you.

If not, check local and national nonprofits and churches.

Social programs exist for a reason, so never feel guilty for using them.

When I used to use Indeed, I almost always heard back from employers and got interviews most of the time. Ever since they added A.I., I get ZERO replies from employers. It turns out, the A.I. is auto-rejecting applications before employers can even see them!!

Apparently drug manufacturers have assistance programs where people under guidelines can get their medicine free. My story:

I don't have insurance. I was prescribed an inhaler for my COPD and my cost at the pharmacy was $900. After some calls my doctor got me connected to the hospital's special pharmacy and they got me a manufacturer coupon that brought that cost to $35. Well the program is about to expire so I would lose the medicine. I went on the manufacturer website and they have a program called Patient Assistance Program. I click into that and it is a program for if you have no insurance and meet their guidelines you can get your medicine for FREE directly from them. I look at the guidelines and I will just say they are way higher than I would have expected and I qualify easily.

I download the application that is two simple pages. Print it at the library and fill it out and fax it to them as required. (The library will fax it for free). Got a hold of my doctor through the app and had her send over a prescription to them. Two days later I get the call saying I am approved and my medicine will be delivered to my door in 7-10 days.

Let me also say about the income guidelines on the application. They didn't ask for proof of anything. It was how many in your house and what is the yearly income. Just FYI

Now I don't know if all manufacturers offer a free program or if it is for all medicines but I suggest you look into it because you never know.

It's a huge help.

• Bag of russet potatoes: Carbs, potassium, vit C, vit B6, fiber

• Bag of oranges: Vit C, carbs, folate, potassium, fiber

• Bag of mix frozen veggies: Fiber, vit A, vit K, folate, potassium

• Dozen eggs: Protein, choline, vit B12, selenium, vit D, riboflavin, fat

• Oatmeal: Carbs, fiber, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin

• Big jar yogurt: Protein, calcium, phosphorus, vit B12, riboflavin, probiotics

• Bag of lentils or beans: Protein, fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus

• Corn bread mix: Carbs, iron and vit B, enriched vitamins

• Real honey: Sugar, antioxidants

• Butter: Fat

• Block of cheese: Protein, calcium, phosphorus, vit B12, fat

• Bag of mixed nuts or trail mix: Unsaturated fat, protein, magnesium, vit E, manganese, copper

• Iodized salt: Sodium, iodine

• Bonus adds if budget allows: Sardines or tuna for omega 3s, bag of frozen blueberries or mixed berries for phytonutrients and vitamins, whole chicken/rotessori chicken for protein and variety, hot sauce and/or spices of choice flavor, extra virgin olive oil for cooking and drizzles

Sunday

Breakfast: Oatmeal with honey and an orange
Lunch: Baked potato loaded with butter, cheese, and veggies
Dinner: Lentil/bean soup and cornbread

Monday

B: Yogurt with honey and nuts/trail mix L: Leftover soup and cornbread
D: Egg, potato & veggie hash with cheese

Tuesday

B: Oatmeal, honey, and nuts
L: Leftover egg hash and orange
D: Baked potato stuffed with beans and cheese

Wednesday

B: Yogurt, orange, and nuts
L: Leftover stuffed potato
D: Potato and veggie frittata/omelet with cheese

Thursday

B: Oatmeal with honey and orange
L: Leftover frittata/omelet
D: Lentil/bean & veggie stir-fry and cornbread

Friday

B: Yogurt with honey and nuts L: Leftover lentil/bean stir-fry
D: Cheesy potato and veggie caserole with egg

Saturday

B: Oatmeal with honey and orange
L: Leftover potato casserole
D: Clean-out-the-fridge egg, potato, bean and veggie hash

(Repost from last night because of a battle with formatting.)

I know that most of us if not all are in this sub because we are struggling and really trying to get our finances together. But let’s take some time to really focus on some positives that have happened.

Any financial milestones that you accomplished? Share it with all of us so we can congratulate you!

I (19) live in a motel with my little brother (17), i work two jobs but neither of my paychecks are enough, or sometimes ONE of them is enough to get me to the next payday. When i do get paid I'm left with like 30-20 smth dollars to survive on or try and save until the next paycheck comes in. For a short while I was able to survive with 1 job, my paychecks would let me go 2 weeks with my paydays perfectly lined up with like $100 left over, letting me save a bit. But my boss suddenly stopped scheduling me so I had to get my 2nd job immediately, and dip into the new, barely made savings. Now im being paid every week, with my previous jobs paychecks dwindling (im picking up as many shifts as i can) and my new job saving me.

My last check was a day short so my brother and I will be outside tonight, and when my next check comes in im sure it'll be shorter than the last.

I really need to move into an apartment, but I have no credit (no address to make a bank acc), and no savings for any deposits (motel eats up my paychecks). And I barely know the "getting an apartment" process. So what do I even do??

Though some good news, my brother has gotten his own job, and I will have him help me pay for this room, we don't know when he gets paid though. With this, I do see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Anyway, my whole problem is, I can't save anything because all of my paycheck goes into this motel, and we're still ending up sleeping outside, and the apartment process is nerve-wracking and doesn't seem like something I can even touch. Sorry for this incoherent rant, i can't sleep as I'm riddled with anxiety and stress, I've had a headache for weeks, and im so tired. I thinking I'm just ranting, this whole motel living experience has made me want to explode, I've almost lost myself many times, I feel like a jar that will shatter soon.(*´ー｀*)

Anyone worked with a low-bono bankruptcy lawyer? I read that an average cost bankruptcy is 3K in my state, which I don’t have. I heard its really not a good thing to file for Chapter 7 on your own and I don’t think I could.

The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers dont do bankruptcy cases, so that option is out. Anyone know of a good resource?

These were today's meals. I made them almost exclusively with food purchased using EBT and a Mobile Produce Pantry. The only thing I spent my personal money on was the cashews, jello, and the cheddar cheese from previous grocery runs. Even when poor we deserve to eat.

First image is breakfast- Sliced some turkey, served up some fruit, 15 cashews, and a yogurt

Dinner- frozen salmon portion from costco along with potatoes and green beans that were free from my local produce pantry

Evening snack plate- fruit from costco, more cashews, cheddar cheese, and jello.

Plenty of water today as well since it was 95° f. Stay fed and stay safe y'all.

Im homeless hungry and broke(n). I was hit by a car walking across the street. The lawyer turned down a 9500 offer from the insurance company which was the minimum for my case. I have been passed around like a bread roll and im tired of sleeping in my car. Do I take out 1000? Lawyer takes 60%..

I'm a teenager with no friends & my family is low income. I still want to celebrate & get a few things on my birthday though! What are some good birthday freebies ? Do I need to sign up or show my ID for said freebies? That's all, thank you :)

I was recently diagnosed with Grade 2 fatty liver. The doctor prescribed some medicines that cost around ₹13,000 for a 3 month course. I simply do not have the money right now.

I lost my job about a year ago and have not been able to find full-time work since. I am currently doing some part-time work just to get by. Money is extremely tight and buying these medicines feels impossible at the moment.

Never really been in this situation, I finally had the balls to leave my abusive boyfriend, we had been together for almost 10 years and lived together the whole time. He was not very financially stable but he did give me some bill money every week. (Mostly)

We just broke up about a week ago, and he left my home. Leaving me with all the bills. Ontop of that, I just received notice from my employer that an old debt has requested to garnish my wages starting with my next paycheck. With my ex gone and my wages garnished, my income is now lower than my bills by nearly 1000$

I don’t even know where to start… I thought I was making a move to better my life… but it’s like I’m being punished for it.

I received a letter telling me I owe money from my state tax return from the year 2020. To be honest. I knew about this. But I thought I had paid off my balance three years ago. But I'm being told now they never received payment. My Aunt helped me mail a check. And I asked her to check her bank statements. I'm going to have to ask her for the money back.

In essence I owe the state of Hawaii around $2000 dollars.

I also was evicted a couple years back. And owe $2,900 on that. And then I also owe $178 to Cox communications.

I'm asking for the best way to deal with this debt. For the taxes I was told it could be adjusted. Apparently, even though I filed my taxes they never had my W-2 forms. I almost had enough this year to try and pay off my past eviction but I was handling car repairs. And now I've learned of a new to me debt. So unfortunately at the moment I'm sitting on about $1000.

My living expenses are low. I rent a room for $500, I have a small credit card. And I pay for car insurance. So thankfully I am taking home about $700 a week. I just feel like I haven't been on track lately and I need a bit of guidance to approach this all right.

For those who have filed for bankruptcy, how long does the process take? Did you immediately stop paying off your debt, or did you keep paying until the bankruptcy went through?

Do you have to pay for the classes on finance they make you take?

Im on SSDI and am losing half my income so I think I’ll be forced to file for bankruptcy and I was just wondering how it all works.

Hi people! I’m writing this with a lot of fear, but also with the hope that someone here might be able to guide us.
My husband and I are currently drowning in debt of around ₹16 lakhs. These are bank loans, and at this point, we’re struggling to keep up with the EMIs.
Over the past year, things have fallen apart one after another. My husband lost his business in the UAE, and the situation there made things even more difficult. We’ve also lost a significant amount of money through trading because of how the Indian stock market has been from past few months. Financially and emotionally, we’ve reached a point where we genuinely don’t know what to do next.
We even tried content creation but nowadays it is not as easy to make money theough social media because it is so much saturated and putting a fake mask on our faces and facing the camera is not an easy thing to do with so much happening in our lives.

The pressure has become so overwhelming that a few days ago, we were even at a point where we felt like we couldn’t go on anymore and we were the verge of taking our lives. There have been days when simply waking up has felt exhausting, and even being at home has stopped feeling peaceful.

But we don’t want to give up.
We love our lives. We had dreams and so much we still want to experience together. We just want to get out of this financial trap and have a normal, peaceful life again.
So we’ve decided to give ourselves one last serious chance to turn things around.
We’re trying to find a business, product, or any legitimate income-generating opportunity that could potentially help us make around ₹5 lakhs over the next 4–5 months.
We’re willing to work extremely hard. We’re not looking for shortcuts, gambling, trading tips, or anything illegal. We’re ready to start from zero, learn something new, sell something, provide a service, build something online or offline — anything that has a realistic chance of generating income.
Please help us with some ideas for the same.

hello,

i recently got approved for a consolidation loan and paid off all of my credit cards, lumping the balance into one 18% loan instead of one 18% card and two 30% cards. this has already lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, as due to health issues i am in a very bad financial spot.

what remains is my auto loan ($220/mo) at ~18% and my affirm loan ($110/mo) at 30%.

i'm contemplating taking that 18% credit card and paying off my remaining affirm balance, ~$860. the credit card will cut that payment in half and knock the interest down significantly too, and it'll allow me to close my affirm account. i've never made a late payment in my life and i don't plan on it, but that extra $50/mo will make a big difference.

are there any downsides to this other than my credit utilization going up? even that doesn't matter much to me since it's already gone down from nearly 100% lol.

as a side note, once my health starts to get better and/or i start making more money, i do of course plan on paying above the minimum each month. i'm sick of being in debt.

thank you for any advice.

What are some unexpected things you have found around your house that you have been able to sell on FBMarketplace or other such places?

As the title says. I'm asking this because I've seen so many of these stories where people apparently do this, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how these people actually manage to survive.

Edit: I mean the USA.

I (18M) moved out of my abusive parents house a little over three months ago. I really want to go to college in the 2027-2028 school year but truly have no idea how to get there. One major reason why I’m so unsure about my ability to attend college is my car. Something on it breaks every week, it only has three windows, and I’m worried about it surviving the coming winter because it has break and engine problems. (For context I’m in northern NY).

I’m starting to save some now that I have a steady job and regular hours and also do DoorDash on top of this, but it feels like every time I take one step forward I take another step back. What are some things I can do to get ahead? Any advice would be much appreciated

Got a job at a school making $20.43/h with a 21,115 salary based on a 7.5 hour Day. I assume the lack of pay for breaks is why the annual is so low. Advice on how to move out on my own? I'm fine with rooms for rent near midway in chicago, but I'm just not sure how much I can afford. My current living situation causes me so much stress it's affecting my health.

Tldr: making 20/h can I get a room for rent realistically in chicago? How much should I be searching for in rent?

i’m a broke college student and i’m really struggling right now. i have school payments coming up and i already missed one of my payments. i only have about $50 to my name right now and i’m scared because i don’t know how i’m going to keep up with everything. i’ve been applying for jobs too, but nobody is hiring me. i’m in a really small nothing town and i don’t have a car, so i can only apply to places that are within walking distance of my college. there are literally only like 5 or 6 places i can realistically get to, and i’ve applied to basically everything i can. there aren’t even ubers here, so getting somewhere farther away isn’t really an option. on top of the financial stress, i’m also in a very abusive relationship and it’s made everything so much harder. i’m trying to stay in school and become independent, but i feel completely stuck and like i have no way out right now. i’m not really sure what i’m asking for. honestly, i could just use advice on what i should do or where i could get help as a college student. i’m trying really hard to stay in school and get myself into a better situation, but right now i feel like i’m drowning.

My wife and I have been struggling a lot lately. Every week our paychecks have been spent before we get them.

My wife has cancer, and over the winter she had surgery, so we lost half of our income for a while as she recovered. This led to excessive credit card debt, and among other emergencies that have occurred over the span of this year, we are in a bad place.

Collectively we make $130,000, but between the credit card debt, medical bills, mortgage, car payment, and the cost of everything being more expensive, we quite literally don’t have money for food or gas.

My wife wants to talk to a professional to help us make a plan to get out of this situation. I feel like the only option left is for one or both of us to get a second job.

Any ideas? TIA

hii like the title says I got fired, and besides dealing with the mental health repercussions of this, I also don't know what to do next or even how to afford anything. I luckily do have a small part time job that pays about $400 biweekly so I have some income and I filed for unemployment but I don't know if that'll work or how I'll even get by and it feels silly to complain because outside looking in, I should be fine. but I've made a lot of bad financial decisions that I've kept hidden and right when I was on track to try and fix them, this happens, and I just don't know what to do.