I’m a week late on rent due, I only paid half, I had to call all my credit card companies and utilities to tell them what’s going on. And now my check engine light turned on because the bastard is misfiring. My wife lost her dad which fucked us both up due to missing a ton of work, and I don’t know what to do. I’m tired of asking my family for help, the for bank is only available while I’m working, I work 2 jobs. My wife is working too and we’re even took in a person to live in our spare room.
How in the world do people survive in this world when they don’t even have time to be happy? I use upside for gas and shopping I’m enrolled in every stores rewards program, I make my own cleaning supplies to save money and cook from scratch. What else could I do to save money? Also with the looming government shutdown I’m going to be furloughed for however long that is. Also what are some apps you guys use to help save money? I guess this is a lot of questions.
Sounds like you’re doing everything you can. It sucks that you’re going through this; I hope the situation improves and you don’t get furloughed.
I’m guessing that if you could get to all your jobs without the car, you would have already done so? Saving on gas and insurance can help, but depending on where you live that might not be realistic.
You could try contacting local food banks and see if they ever make accommodations for people who are working during operating hours. They might not but there’s no harm in asking.
Right now you’re in a serious hole from missing work for a family emergency. I don’t have much advice for getting back onto steady ground aside from being super crazy frugal and working extra hours in the short term (which is fucking exhausting mentally and emotionally and physically). Do you have any long term plans for having more breathing room years from now? If your steady state is “one car repair or illness away from defaulting on payments” then that’s a hard path. Do you or your wife have prospects for better paying jobs in the future? Are there training or educational opportunities that could help? Are there cheaper places you could live (smaller, worse neighborhood?) to save money while working towards better job prospects? Living on not enough money in crappy circumstances sucks but it is definitely more bearable if you know it’s temporary and you’re making progress towards something better.
Good luck.
Honestly the job I’m in is better than pretty much Anthony else including benefits. The only job that would pay better would be sales but i know I wouldn’t last. The big issue is my wife needs a vehicle for her job. I will ask the food bank about accommodations.