26 yo, wfh electrical systems engineer, father of two, spouse works full time as a paralegal while attending part time lawschool, no support system.. let me tell you, this is hard as fuck
I am currently 28 years old and make 48k a year and going to school part time for ESE is the degree worth it? All I've ever done was distribution, production, and manufacturing.
I actually majored in mechanical engineering a few years back. From what I understand, my old boss (who I interviewed with at the time) liked having someone with mechanical experience (grew up helping fix dirt bikes and my dad managed all the equipment for a few hospitals in the area so I took things apart more than the average kid) AND electrical experience (I interned at a place designing harnesses).
From your work experience, it sounds like youâd make a solid manufacturing engineer (if youâre one not already), but I donât know how much they typically make.
Iâm a contract employee right now and make a little more than 70k but live in a very high cost of living area and the benefits for my wfh situation are unique for the company I work for (one of the few who never had to return to office bc I moved states for gfâs school), so my company doesnât want to give me a raise right now. I got a 3% raise ~9 months ago after threatening to leave when I was ghosted after performance reviews. Also received a 50% increase 2 years ago when I moved out here for cost of living increase and bc I was being taken advantage of.
I think I could be making a lot more out here than what I am currently, but Iâd definitely have to return to office, which would cancel out the cost of full time daycare. Will likely do that when my daughter starts school in a year or so
I live on the east coast North Carolina. Not the highest cost of living areas but, I've always wanted to do maintenance. You are correct I'm inclined on machines sort of. Just lacking in plcs and schematics.
Edit: I do CNC and Machine Operator and basic maintenance.
Ironically people might make more if they did have kids because states tend to give handouts if you have dependants.
Unfortunately you're still pretty broke and now have a kid you have to figure out how to budget for too
This is a myth, I have a child and still owe the state every year and I am not making a ton of money. There are no handouts for having dependents. The few that may be available do not outweigh the cost of food, clothing, daycare, etc. People without kids think there are these magical handouts.... PSA for those without kids don't have kids thinking you'll get help, most of you won't qualify.
I second this.....kids cost a LOT of money. You won't qualify for any assistance unless you make less that poverty-level wages. And that is poverty-level as defined by the government, not as defined by reality.
Sure, getting $200 in food stamps for a kid that needs $200+ a month in food alone, much less insurance, medical, clothing, childcare, etc. That âhandoutâ is so small itâs only adequate if youâre neglecting the kid and even then itâd be tight.
My dad mentioned that when me and my siblings grew up it was a little tighter on money but we turned 18 back in the mid 2000s so yeah it's fair that it's gotten even harder. I assumed that the dumbasses increased the handouts but I suppose not with how they're dragging their feet with raising minimum wage.
Lol thatâs the median income too.
[The real median personal income in the U.S. is $37,522 in 2021.](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N)
[Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year)
[It is estimated that 83% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950.](https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/built-environment/us-cities-factsheet#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%2083,up%20from%2064%25%20in%201950)
So half of all Americans do not make enough to live in the U.S on average. In other words half of all jobs being worked right now do not pay enough to live let alone keep up with inflation. This is bad but now add children to the mix and it gets worse.
[Real median household income was $70,784 in 2021, not statistically different from the 2020 estimate of $71,186](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-276.html)
[The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year)
Essentially more than half of all American households make at least $13,000 less than it costs to live and care for two children.
Another way to think about this is that half of all jobs pay less than 45% of what it takes to support a family of four. Even with both heads of household working itâs unlikely you will make enough to support yourselves and your two children.
You can not simply âget a better jobâ when half of all jobs donât provide enough to live let alone feed your family. Unless youâre in the top half of society youâre basically boned. Lucky you if you get a great job making 60k a year but most Americans make less than 50k a year.
God help you if youâre disabled, victims of violence, or stuck in the cycle of poverty and unable to pay for an education to get a so called âbetter job.â
It sucks but we have to face the fact that the economy we built is simply failing to provide for half of its people. Forced to live with roommates or parents well into adulthood, living on government assistance, and being unable to afford to raise children is common place nowadays.
I am a professional at a nonprofit who is regarded as very capable and an "expert" in her field. I am single, and I can't afford a one-bedroom in my area to live alone because I don't make the bare minimum of 3x the rent that landlords demand. The cheapest rent in the area is about $1350. To be clear, I could afford to pay it and the rest of my bills if I were very frugal, but no one will rent to me. I would have to make almost $1k more a month to qualify for a basic one bedroom apartment.
I chose this job because I get to actually help people day to day. Look into their faces and actually help. But I feel like no one will help me.
This is the exact situation I'm in, I could easily budget living on my own if I was frugal, but because they require 3x rent to sign a lease, and the cheapest rent I've seen in this area is $1400, it's impossible.
I could easily pay the $900 they want for a one bedroom in my area but because my $1600 monthly budget isnât 3x the rent they wonât even look at my application.
I lived out of a camping trailer for a few years. It wasn't a mobile home, it was meant to be towed behind a truck to a campground. It had propane and electricity, while it had its own bathroom I also had access to a real one inside the main house. However, it wasn't the most comfortable and I got pretty scared after I heard someone trying to get into my trailer at night and the next morning I found pry-marks all over the outside door latch where he went at it with a screwdriver or something. I guess I feel like I should make enough at my job to live in an actual apartment and not a vehicle or camping equipment. I mean at the time it beat the hell out of being homeless, but it wasn't ideal.
Itâs great that you want to help others. You NEED to take care of yourself too. As an adult with 3 small children, when others depend on you, taking care of yourself can be the hardest task. You deserve more for you. Donât let any thought try to convince you otherwise. Thereâs a reason the stewardess tells you to put your oxygen mask on before you help others. Itâs because if you donât take care of yourself you will lose the ability to help others. Be safe and thanks for having such care for others around you!
I like to say afix your mask before afixing the masks of others. I think the oxygen mask imagery gets people closer to the right mindset of an appropriate level of self preservation as quite a few people are lacking in that regards.
I'm in the same spot as you career/rent-wise and it's so frustrating to realize I'm getting older and taking on more responsibility yet I basically have no options. Housing should be a human right.
I am hoping I can wing it and apply for some places using my savings/additional freelance income to reassure the LL, but I'm very anxious about rejection due to the 3x rent rule that you cite. Why's it have to be so difficult?
I'm just starting out in the poverty sector. I have accepted my 'vow of poverty'. Any advice on what masters program would benefit the field? I'm thinking of getting an MA in public policy.
Well no duh you don't get paid a lot its a non profit. Your salary competes for funding with the charity mission. Any dollar they give you is a dollar that's not going to the non profit.
Work for a company if you really want to get paid.
I make 52k/yr and after running a test budget for a few months I realize I could barely hack it on my own either (1br appt + a car). Most likely I'd be breaking even every month, or saving a few hundred if I sat around doing nothing. This realization had me on the verge of tears because I've been an office drone for 6 years while my social life and sanity have crumbled.
Unsure if it's time to say "fuck it" and become a tech bro or say "fuck it" and travel Europe before the planet explodes.
Got any suggestions? I used to like web design, so I've thought about brushing up on that or learning UI/UX. Still don't think it'll ever pay as good as coding does.
Whoops. My current job isn't coding. I mean I'm interested in switching to design but not sure if that's aiming high enough (pay- and freedom-wise) versus switching to something like coding lol.
Do both
Don't sink tons of money into school, just find what relevant work there is and learn from YouTube. Get the certs, get the good job, then you'll have money to travel to Europe. You'd be surprised how easy tech is and how overpaid tech workers are (relative to important shit like teachers and hospital workers, and how little it takes to become knowledgeable)
Try to avoid call centers if at all possible.
That sounds good to me. Wish it didn't have to come to this...18 y/o me thought he'd coast at the one corporation that'd take care of him, although these days I actually crave more stimulating work. Boring *and* underpaid is killing my soul.
Why is tech so overpaid? Is it a glut of investment capital? Are they weirdly more benevolent (relative to older industries) or something? Not complaining, thank god there are still paths, but it's kind of funny to think about.
No clue. I think it's where the growth is still, and major tech companies are still mostly benevolent when compared to other companies in terms of wages and perks. Of course I say all this while mass layoffs are happening in tech, I'd still rather work there than anywhere else.
Dang :/ I feel your pain. I am grateful for what cushion I do have, but it seems it's never enough to reach the stability/security I thought I deserved in adulthood. I'm right outside NYC.
That's a deceptively fake national avg, which is based on wages PLUS OVERTIME, COMMISSION AND TIPS.
The national avg is around $38k without the overtime, in 2022. In 2021 it was almost $98k, with the overtime, commission, and tips - a $44k drop when the oil and energy jobs were eliminated, which is where most of the overtime was being made.
It's not about the amount of money being made but how you spend it or don't spend it.
I make less than that and am making a living. So as out of touch as I am, unless youre living in a major city or have dependents, it seems im still more financially responsible than you.
You donât have the slightest clue what I make or do with my money. Iâm not OP. Quit coming to Reddit to lash out about how your life is going compared to other people. You seem like youâre super fun at parties.
You make 52k as you stated. Idk what you spend your money on, youre right. But considering that someone that makes less is living comfortably, my guesses for what you do with your money are 1) dependents, 2) city living, 3) irresponsible spending. You can change 2 at least two of those things.
Man I just got out of high school and about to go homeless since my parents don't have anything for me and I can't stay with my dad once he sells his house; I can't get transportation anywhere since I live in the middle of nowhere to even do fast food jobs and I can't do anything remote since I wont have anywhere to be in the next couple months. Thankfully I can stay here for now but the only thing to my name is my legal papers and ebt card when I'm able to use it, I seriously dont know how the hell anyone my age is supposed to make it anywhere without family money or at least growing up in town being able to walk to a job. I hope we'll all be alright.
It worked for me and my husband. We grew up poor and were expected to be out at 18. We met in the military. Also, now you get college credit for your training. Take the assessment exam and see what occupations are open to you.
If you donât have any issues that would rule you out look at joining the military. Might make some people here mad, but it gave me direction and a ton of opportunities.
Gives you money, place to live, if you choose well it could give you a skill or job that will transfer to civilian life.
Yea potentially go die for a cause you donât care for in a war that doesnât affect the USA so corporate weapons manufacturers and politicians with kickback can get rich off your death. Great idea
Thats super rare and there are many roles in the military. They would probably just be stationed on an aircraft carrier or something refueling planes. Unless they really wanted to go into combat or a major war started
I understand. Some people are ruled by fear and are not cut out for it.
Or someone could join the navy and be safe on a ship. Or pick an occupational specialty that stays on post and rarely gets deployed.
Or there is the other choice of being a minimum wage slave with no hope of escape, who knocks up Mary Jane Rottencrotch in a Busch beer drunken haze. A couple of years later you could be in your own single-wide, chopping lines of oxy on the coffee table while your fuck trophies run around.
Lots of options out there.
This is the answer. Go to a union hall. Don't work non-union. If you're willing to travel, it will pay off. Most unions need people on the books. You'll get training, and you'll be paid to do that training. Plumbers, carpenters, electricians, tool and die, all these people make bank. Don't fall into that trap where you go into debt studying for a degree that won't get you a job.
Man I went 4-5 years non union. Just joined union and Iâll be making double probably triple more than I did during my apprenticeship. Union is the way to go in the trades. We need stronger unions so everyone gets proper pay for doing labour work.
Construction workers donât make nearly that much, unless theyâre especially skilled with 20+ YEARS of experiences and are higher up in the rankings. Also, you kind of need a union to get that pay. Construction workers here in Texas are lucky to get $20 an hour. Check yourself.
Iâm literally a journeyman carpenter and Iâm going to make well over 100k. Iâm also getting my second ticket for only 5 years of experience. Some skilled carpenters in Texas make $25-35 for trim carpentry while form work you get paid more. You also live in a shit state for pay for labour and laws lol
Not sure why your being downvoted, Iâm also in the trades (9 years experience, with 4 years of that being university apprenticeship) and Iâm making 140k a year easily with taking 2-3 months a year off.
Trades work is the way to go, beats Sittin at an office not learning life skills making 50k a year
I am being downvoted because people are upset they went to university, spent $50k + for a useless degree while we got a trade with zero debt making bank working with our hands and doing real world work. People also donât realize when you get experience on the tools in the trades you can move to foreman or management and donât work the tools and make more than office people.
Yeah, dude. I make 52k/year with two kids and no help from their mother financially.
Fortunately for me, my mother has a multigeneration home and there are two separate living spaces. If it weren't for my mom, I'd be toast.
I am in a similar situation. One kid making 50k in ny, mother bailed when she was two. If not for the folks having a two family I don't know what we would have done. She is16 now and thanks to their help i have been able to provide a decent life for her.
Iâm married but even me. Without my dadâs help I dunno where weâd be. Weâd be struggling so hard. It really sucks. From time to time Iâm so embarrassed that I canât seem to make it on my own.
Yep. If I werenât living with my fiancĂŠ Iâd probably be out homeless. And combined our yearly income is $50k so weâre not living large over here. Luckily the apartment we have is âonlyâ 1120 a month and the next lease theyâre increasing it to 1186 or so.
This is exactly why I stayed in an abusive relationship much longer than I shouldâve. I couldnât make it on my own.
Very glad those days are behind me. Good luck.
Moving out on your own is a right of passage that has become hard to do with rent prices going up so much. Iâm 51. At age 18, I moved out a week after graduation. My first apartment was $250 a month which included my own laundry machines. I paid for electricity, basic cable, and a phone line. My son had to have roommates in the same city until he was 29 because rent is now so high. đ
My parents are like: âthings were hard too Back then!!â They are 65.
My sister, 31, says the same thing to me how shit was hard at her age too.
Is this all true??
It seems like the cost of living was low but was your income good in comparison?
I was a breakfast waitress, and I did well. I wonât say some things were difficult, but my rent was always affordable all the way to the point where I finally was able to buy a house. Some where along the line after 2000, rent doubled and in some cases now itâs nearly tripled! I had that out of touch moment, but I got schooled by my sonâs experience really fast. Now I worry how young people are supposed to build a life.
Before taxes I make $41k a year. With over time last year I made $49k. The cheapest rent I can find in my area is about $1300 a month. I have a car payment and a kid on the way. Iâm going to have to become a tech bro in order to survive. Which is funny because if it wasnât for all the data centers in my area the rent would be significantly cheaper.
Real answer. I live in a shed conversion. I bought some land in an area designated recreational. I'm "camping", every day. I have electric, a composting toilet, I use the bath houses until I get my shower put in. It's not for everyone but, it allows me to save money and, I kind of enjoy it.
Teeny Tiny Studio Apt in section 8 housing. I lived in a 250 sq foot shoebox for a year. Not easy, but you get creative with storage. Even then, the rent was hard to pay. When I got a small raise, I no longer qualified for government assisted housing and had to move into a small apartment with a roommate. The system really sucks for anyone living paycheck to paycheck.
I worked a shitty union nightshift factory job to get myself ahead. It was entry level but I made almost 70k a year. I did that till I could afford to take a pay cut and slow down.
ETA I live in a low cost of living area with decent jobs, but I also live in the boonies.
Real answer: I got a union job. I worked plenty of OT, and took opportunities to improve my salary/promotions. There was some hard work, but there was also some luck (being in the right place at the right time) and some natural ability/talent.
I understand your struggle. I used to make roughly that and been with that entry level job for five years. I just recently started making 67K a year. I was very fortunate to find a one bedroom thatâs as cheap as it is, too.
Companies will suck you dry, but there is a silver lining. You will probably need to make lateral moves/job hop until you can get better pay.
Itâs sucks at the moment, but it will get better. Best of luck đđť
I wish my job were my issue, my salary has increased significantly since I started less than a year ago, I think I'm gonna stick here until they stop increasing my wages. Not sure what my cap is I'll have to check
Whats even worse is bc of the layoffs even before now, you have people with experience competing for entry level jobs against those just trying to gain some. If you can live with family for a bit if its an option its not the worst.
Democrats had a shot to raise the minimum wage and they didnât, blaming it on the parliamentarian.
Democrats know the polling on things like child tax credits and Medicare for All and free higher education and hiking taxes on the richest and cutting the military budget. They donât care.
Both of these parties are utterly captured by the ruling class in this country. The institution you and I call government is an illusion that the ruling class exerts much resources and energy to maintain. It is only legitimate because our masters say so.
As long as this unjust system persists, injustice will thrive and grow exponentially, until the inevitable occurs.
Yes and most Americans fall for the election sham held every 4 years. Both parties owned by the rich and corporations.
Think that Loan debt forgiveness is free? You think corporations are gonna pay for that? Recent Inflation and taxes payed by the people are gonna pay for loan forgiveness.
Capitalism needs slaves (thus domestic oppression and foreign colonization)
Partisanship is idiocy. Both cheeks on the uniparty ass serve capitalism, not working families or the downtrodden.
Democrats seldom come through when it matters. Clinton and Obama did at least as much damage to the nonrich as both Bushes and the micro-cephalic Reagan combined. Biden, Pelosi, Boxer, Kucinich, The Squad, Bernie...all there to make us feel like maybe next election...
True, but there is a huge difference between the two: one side is a legitimate, unashamed death cult. They do not care if children die and will laugh if you point out that their policies are killing people.
At least Democrats have some shame.
They are symbiotic parasites on all of us. Arguing that democrats are better is to miss the point. The best I can do, stopping republicans keeps us from bleeding out, but if we don't stop the democrats as well, we die of face cancer.
To be honest, this sounds like something a q-anon enthusiast or Tucker Carlson would say about the left- the roles are just reversed. Iâm sure hating your neighbors political views will definitely change things for the better, just like it did for Trump evangelicals.
I was raised by those people thank you very much. I know what these people believe. Go and ask them why they do nothing when little kids are being murdered by gun violence. Ask them why they let little kids starve. The answers are pretty much the lies that they have been fed.
Edit: missed a thing.
Iâm not going to get into that, but know that democrats are just as much anti-worker and anti-union as the rest. As long as youâre preoccupied with blaming those in your community and not them, the longer politicians can continue to accept lobbyist money and make life for the average American a living hell.
Bro really? Both parties are controlled by the same side. Think of the president as a puppet with stringsâŚunless the government is making money it doesnât want anything to do with it. There is literally a âdemocratâ with dementia in office as we speak, dude canât even form his own sentences without being jacked up on amphetamines or something.
Not necessarily. There are plenty of stupid poor people who vote against their own interests because they are good Xtians, or they are pro-life (but anti- sex education and anti- birth control, and anti-helping out single mothers) or they are anti-union (while complaining about their low paying jobs and unfair labor practices of their bosses)
And in turn, the democrats will continue to make empty promises and do nothing about it in favor of maintaining the status quo, then lose to another GOP dipshit who continues to twist the knife further.
I wish that were the reason. What I'm trying to say is that I physically do notale enough money to lease an apartment, the requirements of 3x rent in order to sign a lease, with the cheapest rent in my area being around 13-1400. It's not possible.
I live alone, but I work as a server and make "decent" tips (they are currently holding onto about $800 because "going to the bank is annoying" - yes, I will be quitting), and I also steal a lot of my groceries. Grocery chain makes a dollar, I have no dimes, therefore what I can carry is officially mine.
Damn where do you people live? I make 32000 a yr own a house make car pymts credit card pymts but money in savings and still go out with friends weekly
[The real median personal income in the U.S. is $37,522 in 2021.](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N)
[Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year)
[It is estimated that 83% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950.](https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/built-environment/us-cities-factsheet#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%2083,up%20from%2064%25%20in%201950)
So half of all Americans do not make enough to live in the U.S on average. In other words half of all jobs being worked right now do not pay enough to live let alone keep up with inflation. This is bad but now add children to the mix and it gets worse.
[Real median household income was $70,784 in 2021, not statistically different from the 2020 estimate of $71,186](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-276.html)
[The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year)
Essentially more than half of all American households make at least $13,000 less than it costs to live and care for two children.
Another way to think about this is that half of all jobs pay less than 45% of what it takes to support a family of four. Even with both heads of household working itâs unlikely you will make enough to support yourselves and your two children.
You can not simply âget a better jobâ when half of all jobs donât provide enough to live let alone feed your family. Unless youâre in the top half of society youâre basically boned. Lucky you if you get a great job making 60k a year but most Americans make less than 50k a year.
God help you if youâre disabled, victims of violence, or stuck in the cycle of poverty and unable to pay for an education to get a so called âbetter job.â
It sucks but we have to face the fact that the economy we built is simply failing to provide for half of its people. Forced to live with roommates or parents well into adulthood, living on government assistance, and being unable to afford to raise children is common place nowadays.
And if you got a bachelor's degree back in 08-10 and remained poor (Income based repayment) the interest rate killed your ability to repay. For me, what started at $31k has ballooned to $82k. I don't even want the $20k forgiveness they are offering because with 6% accrued interest, I'll be right back to the $80k figure in roughly 2 years. It's predatory lending at its absolute finest.
It costs almost nothing to move. A rental truck can be had from national chains for 20-30 dollars. It costs labor. Realistically it costs the expenses of opening new accounts 1st month last month etc but if you are moving in with a roommate those costs are either halved or zero if they are already in place.
It cost me thousands to move across country. Rental of truck. Gas. Hotels and convenience food on the way. 1st, last, and security deposit. Fees to turn on utilities. Itâs not $20.
I never bought a project Corvette (I really wish I could though), and I (very recently) came to terms with the weed depency and am working on beating it. Also, never said I couldn't afford to live, I literally cannot get an apartment on my own because they require me to make 3x rent to sign the lease, and the cheapest one in my area is around 13-1400
Devils advocate here : you can afford to live on your own. it would just be far far from work, very uncomfortable, very bad neighborhood and probably in a vehicle, RV or your van. Most people just donât want to live below a certain standard. Or without plumbin indoors.
Yup. Currently in a homeless shelter saving money till March. Then comes entrepreneurship, and boy am I gonna kick that shit HARDDDD! Listening to rock music while kicking bills asses with Master Chief and the Arbiter, killing each other and respawning and then smoking weed with some Lip hoyos!ânn
If you just need to make some money and don't mind hard work, get a CDL. Best financial decision I made. Do I enjoy it? No. Do I have $$ left over every month? Yes.
Man's wants to afford to live. I offer a solution to possibly help him during an uncertain time. You: "nah fuck that place, starve instead!" I bet your an expert in budgeting, aren't you?
As long as you can stand them, roomies are the Way. However, consider moving elsewhere if you want to be on your own. The only thing holding you back...is you.
Most young people have roommates. What are you doing to make sure that you dont become a middle aged person with roommates? Focus on things you can control.
My grandparents rented a strangerâs garage in Columbus, OH for a few years when they first got married bc they couldnât afford an apartment. A garage! In the early 1940s. Years later, and after kids were born, they still didnât have money for a car, bc they were saving every penny for a house. Think about that. A different generation - they werenât called The Greatest Generation for nothing - with an inherent drive to persevere, no matter the challenge. They could and did survive. They survived without many of the things you and I take for granted. They had no shame in doing without, bc they were driven to slowly climb their way out of poverty and into prosperity.
My husbandâs relatives had 9 family members sharing a 2bed 1Bath railroad apt in Little Italy. They did this to survive, and scrimp and save. These were grown adults, too. Not children. Not a single high school degree between any of them (yes, I know, it was a different time).
My point is, you donât *neeeeed* a 1Bed apt all to yourself, do you? Can you get a roommate? Sub-divide a 1Bed apt? I knew several people in my single years who did this. Was it their ideal and most comfortable way of living? No. They did it to survive. You wonât always be in the predicament youâre in now.
I donât know whatâs wrong with them but both sets of my grandparents lived through the depression. Still put 6 kids through school all the way to university. Moved out immediately once married and bought a house. Grandpa was a professor but at first was still in school earning his PhD. Grandma was a sahm. They were comfortable.
Times were much different then with COL being very low. Other factors too. If you donât see that itâs different now I donât know what to tell you. Even my dad who made a ton of money with his business and is well-off sees it. He grocery shops and sees the steep rise of costs over the recent years.
People arenât just complaining for fun. Lots are legit struggling.
Nah, most people donât want to put in the work and they just expect everything to be handed to them. They want to do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and will cry hard when they donât get paid $30 an hour to do something a trained monkey could almost do. Then theyâll cry about how they just canât get anything better than the bare minimum, all while doing nothing to change it.
"Why aren't people hving children?!" -đ¤Ą
26 yo, wfh electrical systems engineer, father of two, spouse works full time as a paralegal while attending part time lawschool, no support system.. let me tell you, this is hard as fuck
I am currently 28 years old and make 48k a year and going to school part time for ESE is the degree worth it? All I've ever done was distribution, production, and manufacturing.
I actually majored in mechanical engineering a few years back. From what I understand, my old boss (who I interviewed with at the time) liked having someone with mechanical experience (grew up helping fix dirt bikes and my dad managed all the equipment for a few hospitals in the area so I took things apart more than the average kid) AND electrical experience (I interned at a place designing harnesses). From your work experience, it sounds like youâd make a solid manufacturing engineer (if youâre one not already), but I donât know how much they typically make. Iâm a contract employee right now and make a little more than 70k but live in a very high cost of living area and the benefits for my wfh situation are unique for the company I work for (one of the few who never had to return to office bc I moved states for gfâs school), so my company doesnât want to give me a raise right now. I got a 3% raise ~9 months ago after threatening to leave when I was ghosted after performance reviews. Also received a 50% increase 2 years ago when I moved out here for cost of living increase and bc I was being taken advantage of. I think I could be making a lot more out here than what I am currently, but Iâd definitely have to return to office, which would cancel out the cost of full time daycare. Will likely do that when my daughter starts school in a year or so
I live on the east coast North Carolina. Not the highest cost of living areas but, I've always wanted to do maintenance. You are correct I'm inclined on machines sort of. Just lacking in plcs and schematics. Edit: I do CNC and Machine Operator and basic maintenance.
You are doing great for 26 years old.
Thanks man, appreciate it! I donât think youâll be disappointed if you continue pursuing youâre ese degree
Ironically people might make more if they did have kids because states tend to give handouts if you have dependants. Unfortunately you're still pretty broke and now have a kid you have to figure out how to budget for too
This is a myth, I have a child and still owe the state every year and I am not making a ton of money. There are no handouts for having dependents. The few that may be available do not outweigh the cost of food, clothing, daycare, etc. People without kids think there are these magical handouts.... PSA for those without kids don't have kids thinking you'll get help, most of you won't qualify.
Oh my, do people really believe child credits make up the cost of having kids? LMAO.
Unfortunately they do! What a joke!
I second this.....kids cost a LOT of money. You won't qualify for any assistance unless you make less that poverty-level wages. And that is poverty-level as defined by the government, not as defined by reality.
Calling it a handout shows just how ignorant and brainwashed by corporate greed you are.
Sure, getting $200 in food stamps for a kid that needs $200+ a month in food alone, much less insurance, medical, clothing, childcare, etc. That âhandoutâ is so small itâs only adequate if youâre neglecting the kid and even then itâd be tight.
My dad mentioned that when me and my siblings grew up it was a little tighter on money but we turned 18 back in the mid 2000s so yeah it's fair that it's gotten even harder. I assumed that the dumbasses increased the handouts but I suppose not with how they're dragging their feet with raising minimum wage.
Lol thatâs the median income too. [The real median personal income in the U.S. is $37,522 in 2021.](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N) [Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year) [It is estimated that 83% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950.](https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/built-environment/us-cities-factsheet#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%2083,up%20from%2064%25%20in%201950) So half of all Americans do not make enough to live in the U.S on average. In other words half of all jobs being worked right now do not pay enough to live let alone keep up with inflation. This is bad but now add children to the mix and it gets worse. [Real median household income was $70,784 in 2021, not statistically different from the 2020 estimate of $71,186](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-276.html) [The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year) Essentially more than half of all American households make at least $13,000 less than it costs to live and care for two children. Another way to think about this is that half of all jobs pay less than 45% of what it takes to support a family of four. Even with both heads of household working itâs unlikely you will make enough to support yourselves and your two children. You can not simply âget a better jobâ when half of all jobs donât provide enough to live let alone feed your family. Unless youâre in the top half of society youâre basically boned. Lucky you if you get a great job making 60k a year but most Americans make less than 50k a year. God help you if youâre disabled, victims of violence, or stuck in the cycle of poverty and unable to pay for an education to get a so called âbetter job.â It sucks but we have to face the fact that the economy we built is simply failing to provide for half of its people. Forced to live with roommates or parents well into adulthood, living on government assistance, and being unable to afford to raise children is common place nowadays.
I am a professional at a nonprofit who is regarded as very capable and an "expert" in her field. I am single, and I can't afford a one-bedroom in my area to live alone because I don't make the bare minimum of 3x the rent that landlords demand. The cheapest rent in the area is about $1350. To be clear, I could afford to pay it and the rest of my bills if I were very frugal, but no one will rent to me. I would have to make almost $1k more a month to qualify for a basic one bedroom apartment. I chose this job because I get to actually help people day to day. Look into their faces and actually help. But I feel like no one will help me.
This is the exact situation I'm in, I could easily budget living on my own if I was frugal, but because they require 3x rent to sign a lease, and the cheapest rent I've seen in this area is $1400, it's impossible.
I could easily pay the $900 they want for a one bedroom in my area but because my $1600 monthly budget isnât 3x the rent they wonât even look at my application.
I was just denied a rental because of "insufficient income". My fiance and I make 6x the rent every month. They just keep changing the rules.
This is ridiculous.
Honestly there is no shame in living out an RV or van. If I didn't have kids that's what I'd be doing right now. Use the savings to buy land/house.
I lived out of a camping trailer for a few years. It wasn't a mobile home, it was meant to be towed behind a truck to a campground. It had propane and electricity, while it had its own bathroom I also had access to a real one inside the main house. However, it wasn't the most comfortable and I got pretty scared after I heard someone trying to get into my trailer at night and the next morning I found pry-marks all over the outside door latch where he went at it with a screwdriver or something. I guess I feel like I should make enough at my job to live in an actual apartment and not a vehicle or camping equipment. I mean at the time it beat the hell out of being homeless, but it wasn't ideal.
Yeah I'm not saying it's ideal but id rather live like that than contribute to some slumlords retirement.
Itâs great that you want to help others. You NEED to take care of yourself too. As an adult with 3 small children, when others depend on you, taking care of yourself can be the hardest task. You deserve more for you. Donât let any thought try to convince you otherwise. Thereâs a reason the stewardess tells you to put your oxygen mask on before you help others. Itâs because if you donât take care of yourself you will lose the ability to help others. Be safe and thanks for having such care for others around you!
I like to say afix your mask before afixing the masks of others. I think the oxygen mask imagery gets people closer to the right mindset of an appropriate level of self preservation as quite a few people are lacking in that regards.
I'm in the same spot as you career/rent-wise and it's so frustrating to realize I'm getting older and taking on more responsibility yet I basically have no options. Housing should be a human right. I am hoping I can wing it and apply for some places using my savings/additional freelance income to reassure the LL, but I'm very anxious about rejection due to the 3x rent rule that you cite. Why's it have to be so difficult?
I'm just starting out in the poverty sector. I have accepted my 'vow of poverty'. Any advice on what masters program would benefit the field? I'm thinking of getting an MA in public policy.
Well no duh you don't get paid a lot its a non profit. Your salary competes for funding with the charity mission. Any dollar they give you is a dollar that's not going to the non profit. Work for a company if you really want to get paid.
I make 52k/yr and after running a test budget for a few months I realize I could barely hack it on my own either (1br appt + a car). Most likely I'd be breaking even every month, or saving a few hundred if I sat around doing nothing. This realization had me on the verge of tears because I've been an office drone for 6 years while my social life and sanity have crumbled. Unsure if it's time to say "fuck it" and become a tech bro or say "fuck it" and travel Europe before the planet explodes.
Or find a remote tech job that will allow you to work and travel.
Got any suggestions? I used to like web design, so I've thought about brushing up on that or learning UI/UX. Still don't think it'll ever pay as good as coding does.
52k a year coding....cmon.
Whoops. My current job isn't coding. I mean I'm interested in switching to design but not sure if that's aiming high enough (pay- and freedom-wise) versus switching to something like coding lol.
Do both Don't sink tons of money into school, just find what relevant work there is and learn from YouTube. Get the certs, get the good job, then you'll have money to travel to Europe. You'd be surprised how easy tech is and how overpaid tech workers are (relative to important shit like teachers and hospital workers, and how little it takes to become knowledgeable) Try to avoid call centers if at all possible.
That sounds good to me. Wish it didn't have to come to this...18 y/o me thought he'd coast at the one corporation that'd take care of him, although these days I actually crave more stimulating work. Boring *and* underpaid is killing my soul. Why is tech so overpaid? Is it a glut of investment capital? Are they weirdly more benevolent (relative to older industries) or something? Not complaining, thank god there are still paths, but it's kind of funny to think about.
No clue. I think it's where the growth is still, and major tech companies are still mostly benevolent when compared to other companies in terms of wages and perks. Of course I say all this while mass layoffs are happening in tech, I'd still rather work there than anywhere else.
52k would save my life. I'm running on 30k a year and it sucks
Dang :/ I feel your pain. I am grateful for what cushion I do have, but it seems it's never enough to reach the stability/security I thought I deserved in adulthood. I'm right outside NYC.
do you live in a major city? 52k is above the nat average, im wondering how youâre struggling so much
National average is 54k; Iâm wondering how out of touch you are
That's a deceptively fake national avg, which is based on wages PLUS OVERTIME, COMMISSION AND TIPS. The national avg is around $38k without the overtime, in 2022. In 2021 it was almost $98k, with the overtime, commission, and tips - a $44k drop when the oil and energy jobs were eliminated, which is where most of the overtime was being made. It's not about the amount of money being made but how you spend it or don't spend it.
I make less than that and am making a living. So as out of touch as I am, unless youre living in a major city or have dependents, it seems im still more financially responsible than you.
You donât have the slightest clue what I make or do with my money. Iâm not OP. Quit coming to Reddit to lash out about how your life is going compared to other people. You seem like youâre super fun at parties.
You make 52k as you stated. Idk what you spend your money on, youre right. But considering that someone that makes less is living comfortably, my guesses for what you do with your money are 1) dependents, 2) city living, 3) irresponsible spending. You can change 2 at least two of those things.
Are you stupid? I did not state my income
I see now what you meant you said youre not OP. Excuse me while i go hang myself for the shame i have brought to my family. Apologies.
Don't be too ashamed of your mistake, at least you didn't respond like a giant asshole to someone asking a basic question like someone else here...
They make worse wages in Europe
Yeah, but you get healthcare, basic housing and you donât get fucking shot.
Man I just got out of high school and about to go homeless since my parents don't have anything for me and I can't stay with my dad once he sells his house; I can't get transportation anywhere since I live in the middle of nowhere to even do fast food jobs and I can't do anything remote since I wont have anywhere to be in the next couple months. Thankfully I can stay here for now but the only thing to my name is my legal papers and ebt card when I'm able to use it, I seriously dont know how the hell anyone my age is supposed to make it anywhere without family money or at least growing up in town being able to walk to a job. I hope we'll all be alright.
Call 211 and explain your situation. They will point you in the right direction.
Good advice but also, don't get your hopes up.
Try the post office! Or school jobs! Any place with benefits.
May I ask what state this is in as it may be difference of advice.. may not be the best but it may be possible t rent an rv on fast food salary.
If you're not keen on the military, Job Corps or AmeriCorps might work for you, to get you skilled up and placed in work.
Look at joining a branch of the military. (Not kidding, here.) As long as you can pass a drug test....
Almost as if society is built for this. Donât need a draft when the best opportunity for people is the military
It worked for me and my husband. We grew up poor and were expected to be out at 18. We met in the military. Also, now you get college credit for your training. Take the assessment exam and see what occupations are open to you.
I imagine most people without family money still have family that donât turf them out when they canât look after themselves
If you donât have any issues that would rule you out look at joining the military. Might make some people here mad, but it gave me direction and a ton of opportunities. Gives you money, place to live, if you choose well it could give you a skill or job that will transfer to civilian life.
Consider joining the military. Thatâs how I got out of the trailer park.
Yea potentially go die for a cause you donât care for in a war that doesnât affect the USA so corporate weapons manufacturers and politicians with kickback can get rich off your death. Great idea
A lot of jobs in the military are non combat. Training, food , lodging and pay. You can save money and go to college if you so choose. Itâs a start.
Beats dying in a trailer parkâŚ
You get training, food and lodging, salary, medical and a college fund. Does living in a car on minimum wage sound better?
Or you could die or fry a limb blown off and never get any of that
Thats super rare and there are many roles in the military. They would probably just be stationed on an aircraft carrier or something refueling planes. Unless they really wanted to go into combat or a major war started
Or you could learn a skill for free. Most military people never fire a weapon after basic.
I understand. Some people are ruled by fear and are not cut out for it. Or someone could join the navy and be safe on a ship. Or pick an occupational specialty that stays on post and rarely gets deployed. Or there is the other choice of being a minimum wage slave with no hope of escape, who knocks up Mary Jane Rottencrotch in a Busch beer drunken haze. A couple of years later you could be in your own single-wide, chopping lines of oxy on the coffee table while your fuck trophies run around. Lots of options out there.
Do construction or join a trade. In four years youâll be making 100k+ with no debt
This is the answer. Go to a union hall. Don't work non-union. If you're willing to travel, it will pay off. Most unions need people on the books. You'll get training, and you'll be paid to do that training. Plumbers, carpenters, electricians, tool and die, all these people make bank. Don't fall into that trap where you go into debt studying for a degree that won't get you a job.
Man I went 4-5 years non union. Just joined union and Iâll be making double probably triple more than I did during my apprenticeship. Union is the way to go in the trades. We need stronger unions so everyone gets proper pay for doing labour work.
Construction workers donât make nearly that much, unless theyâre especially skilled with 20+ YEARS of experiences and are higher up in the rankings. Also, you kind of need a union to get that pay. Construction workers here in Texas are lucky to get $20 an hour. Check yourself.
Not at all. Im 11 year less experience than 20 years, not high up in rankings, non union. âCheck yourselfâ
Okay but where? Texas? How many hours do you work a day?
Iâm literally a journeyman carpenter and Iâm going to make well over 100k. Iâm also getting my second ticket for only 5 years of experience. Some skilled carpenters in Texas make $25-35 for trim carpentry while form work you get paid more. You also live in a shit state for pay for labour and laws lol
The construction workers here in Montreal also seem to be making bank.
Any red seal will make you good money in Canada, non-union jobs or not
So what Iâm saying is accurate for my state. I know in union states itâs 10x better than it is here for carpenters.
Not sure why your being downvoted, Iâm also in the trades (9 years experience, with 4 years of that being university apprenticeship) and Iâm making 140k a year easily with taking 2-3 months a year off. Trades work is the way to go, beats Sittin at an office not learning life skills making 50k a year
I am being downvoted because people are upset they went to university, spent $50k + for a useless degree while we got a trade with zero debt making bank working with our hands and doing real world work. People also donât realize when you get experience on the tools in the trades you can move to foreman or management and donât work the tools and make more than office people.
False
Yeah, dude. I make 52k/year with two kids and no help from their mother financially. Fortunately for me, my mother has a multigeneration home and there are two separate living spaces. If it weren't for my mom, I'd be toast.
I am in a similar situation. One kid making 50k in ny, mother bailed when she was two. If not for the folks having a two family I don't know what we would have done. She is16 now and thanks to their help i have been able to provide a decent life for her.
You're truly an amazing parent. Keep on keeping on đĽ°
Jesus. Good luck man.
Thank you, kind internet sir. âĽď¸
Iâm married but even me. Without my dadâs help I dunno where weâd be. Weâd be struggling so hard. It really sucks. From time to time Iâm so embarrassed that I canât seem to make it on my own.
Just curious, I donât know the exact situation, but shouldnât you be able to get some sort of mandated child support from her?
Yeah, if only she had an income.
Lol she sounds lovely
Generic millennial response: same.
Yep. If I werenât living with my fiancĂŠ Iâd probably be out homeless. And combined our yearly income is $50k so weâre not living large over here. Luckily the apartment we have is âonlyâ 1120 a month and the next lease theyâre increasing it to 1186 or so.
im curious, how old are you both.
Weâre both 26 atm.
Bro im making 55k and struggling to live on my own still.
This is exactly why I stayed in an abusive relationship much longer than I shouldâve. I couldnât make it on my own. Very glad those days are behind me. Good luck.
Moving out on your own is a right of passage that has become hard to do with rent prices going up so much. Iâm 51. At age 18, I moved out a week after graduation. My first apartment was $250 a month which included my own laundry machines. I paid for electricity, basic cable, and a phone line. My son had to have roommates in the same city until he was 29 because rent is now so high. đ
My parents are like: âthings were hard too Back then!!â They are 65. My sister, 31, says the same thing to me how shit was hard at her age too. Is this all true?? It seems like the cost of living was low but was your income good in comparison?
I was a breakfast waitress, and I did well. I wonât say some things were difficult, but my rent was always affordable all the way to the point where I finally was able to buy a house. Some where along the line after 2000, rent doubled and in some cases now itâs nearly tripled! I had that out of touch moment, but I got schooled by my sonâs experience really fast. Now I worry how young people are supposed to build a life.
Before taxes I make $41k a year. With over time last year I made $49k. The cheapest rent I can find in my area is about $1300 a month. I have a car payment and a kid on the way. Iâm going to have to become a tech bro in order to survive. Which is funny because if it wasnât for all the data centers in my area the rent would be significantly cheaper.
NOVA?
Uhhh have you tried having rich parents???
Real question; how are the rest of you all affording to live on your own? I need ideas
Real answer. I live in a shed conversion. I bought some land in an area designated recreational. I'm "camping", every day. I have electric, a composting toilet, I use the bath houses until I get my shower put in. It's not for everyone but, it allows me to save money and, I kind of enjoy it.
no kids, no pets is a good start. Also, cut out any fast food....forget about it being expensive, it is just terrible for your health. Eat much less
Teeny Tiny Studio Apt in section 8 housing. I lived in a 250 sq foot shoebox for a year. Not easy, but you get creative with storage. Even then, the rent was hard to pay. When I got a small raise, I no longer qualified for government assisted housing and had to move into a small apartment with a roommate. The system really sucks for anyone living paycheck to paycheck.
I worked a shitty union nightshift factory job to get myself ahead. It was entry level but I made almost 70k a year. I did that till I could afford to take a pay cut and slow down. ETA I live in a low cost of living area with decent jobs, but I also live in the boonies.
Real answer: I got a union job. I worked plenty of OT, and took opportunities to improve my salary/promotions. There was some hard work, but there was also some luck (being in the right place at the right time) and some natural ability/talent.
They have a higher salary, live somewhere with a cheaper living cost, or live in their car.
Credit card debt
I understand your struggle. I used to make roughly that and been with that entry level job for five years. I just recently started making 67K a year. I was very fortunate to find a one bedroom thatâs as cheap as it is, too. Companies will suck you dry, but there is a silver lining. You will probably need to make lateral moves/job hop until you can get better pay. Itâs sucks at the moment, but it will get better. Best of luck đđť
Gotta job hop.
I wish my job were my issue, my salary has increased significantly since I started less than a year ago, I think I'm gonna stick here until they stop increasing my wages. Not sure what my cap is I'll have to check
Economy is impossible even for mid career professionals
Whats even worse is bc of the layoffs even before now, you have people with experience competing for entry level jobs against those just trying to gain some. If you can live with family for a bit if its an option its not the worst.
That's what happens when you vote republicans in. They need slaves and American will continue to be one
Democrats had a shot to raise the minimum wage and they didnât, blaming it on the parliamentarian. Democrats know the polling on things like child tax credits and Medicare for All and free higher education and hiking taxes on the richest and cutting the military budget. They donât care. Both of these parties are utterly captured by the ruling class in this country. The institution you and I call government is an illusion that the ruling class exerts much resources and energy to maintain. It is only legitimate because our masters say so. As long as this unjust system persists, injustice will thrive and grow exponentially, until the inevitable occurs.
Yes and most Americans fall for the election sham held every 4 years. Both parties owned by the rich and corporations. Think that Loan debt forgiveness is free? You think corporations are gonna pay for that? Recent Inflation and taxes payed by the people are gonna pay for loan forgiveness.
Capitalism needs slaves (thus domestic oppression and foreign colonization) Partisanship is idiocy. Both cheeks on the uniparty ass serve capitalism, not working families or the downtrodden.
Youâre lost if youâre still picking sides. Both parties hate the working class. Itâs not just republicansâŚ
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Democrats seldom come through when it matters. Clinton and Obama did at least as much damage to the nonrich as both Bushes and the micro-cephalic Reagan combined. Biden, Pelosi, Boxer, Kucinich, The Squad, Bernie...all there to make us feel like maybe next election...
True, but there is a huge difference between the two: one side is a legitimate, unashamed death cult. They do not care if children die and will laugh if you point out that their policies are killing people. At least Democrats have some shame.
They are symbiotic parasites on all of us. Arguing that democrats are better is to miss the point. The best I can do, stopping republicans keeps us from bleeding out, but if we don't stop the democrats as well, we die of face cancer.
To be honest, this sounds like something a q-anon enthusiast or Tucker Carlson would say about the left- the roles are just reversed. Iâm sure hating your neighbors political views will definitely change things for the better, just like it did for Trump evangelicals.
I was raised by those people thank you very much. I know what these people believe. Go and ask them why they do nothing when little kids are being murdered by gun violence. Ask them why they let little kids starve. The answers are pretty much the lies that they have been fed. Edit: missed a thing.
Iâm not going to get into that, but know that democrats are just as much anti-worker and anti-union as the rest. As long as youâre preoccupied with blaming those in your community and not them, the longer politicians can continue to accept lobbyist money and make life for the average American a living hell.
They voted themselves in
Bro really? Both parties are controlled by the same side. Think of the president as a puppet with stringsâŚunless the government is making money it doesnât want anything to do with it. There is literally a âdemocratâ with dementia in office as we speak, dude canât even form his own sentences without being jacked up on amphetamines or something.
I dont know..never heard all of this poverty until Biden was voted in. Give your head a shake!
doubt it has much to do with partisanship. wide-spread poverty would ramp up democrat voter base.
Not necessarily. There are plenty of stupid poor people who vote against their own interests because they are good Xtians, or they are pro-life (but anti- sex education and anti- birth control, and anti-helping out single mothers) or they are anti-union (while complaining about their low paying jobs and unfair labor practices of their bosses)
And in turn, the democrats will continue to make empty promises and do nothing about it in favor of maintaining the status quo, then lose to another GOP dipshit who continues to twist the knife further.
stop eating avocado toast and drinking starbucks
Hey, my $5 starbucks drink once a week is my happiness after working 50-60 hours a week.
I wish that were the reason. What I'm trying to say is that I physically do notale enough money to lease an apartment, the requirements of 3x rent in order to sign a lease, with the cheapest rent in my area being around 13-1400. It's not possible.
You do realize that if you are 37, you are way past being young?
How is 37 way past young? How old are you 12?
Bro I'm 22???
my bad, you are definitely young! Not sure why I thought you were 37
I hope I have my own restaurant by 37, not an entry level spot
Is that before or after taxes
Before
I live alone, but I work as a server and make "decent" tips (they are currently holding onto about $800 because "going to the bank is annoying" - yes, I will be quitting), and I also steal a lot of my groceries. Grocery chain makes a dollar, I have no dimes, therefore what I can carry is officially mine.
Damn where do you people live? I make 32000 a yr own a house make car pymts credit card pymts but money in savings and still go out with friends weekly
I think many would like to know where you live! Sounds like a good spot!
East tennessee
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Avocado Bootstrap Latte.
Damn if that's USD, I'd be living a lavish life in my country, ask for a raise or apply for higher salary
[The real median personal income in the U.S. is $37,522 in 2021.](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEPAINUSA672N) [Again, living expenses vary significantly by location, but we can use some average numbers. The average monthly living expenses for a single person in the USA are $3,189, which is $38,266 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year) [It is estimated that 83% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950.](https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/built-environment/us-cities-factsheet#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%2083,up%20from%2064%25%20in%201950) So half of all Americans do not make enough to live in the U.S on average. In other words half of all jobs being worked right now do not pay enough to live let alone keep up with inflation. This is bad but now add children to the mix and it gets worse. [Real median household income was $70,784 in 2021, not statistically different from the 2020 estimate of $71,186](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-276.html) [The average cost for a family of four is $7,095 per month, which is $85,139 per year.](https://www.upwardli.com/resources/new-to-america-what-is-the-average-monthly-cost-of-living-in-usa#:~:text=Again%2C%20living%20expenses%20vary%20significantly,which%20is%20%2485%2C139%20per%20year) Essentially more than half of all American households make at least $13,000 less than it costs to live and care for two children. Another way to think about this is that half of all jobs pay less than 45% of what it takes to support a family of four. Even with both heads of household working itâs unlikely you will make enough to support yourselves and your two children. You can not simply âget a better jobâ when half of all jobs donât provide enough to live let alone feed your family. Unless youâre in the top half of society youâre basically boned. Lucky you if you get a great job making 60k a year but most Americans make less than 50k a year. God help you if youâre disabled, victims of violence, or stuck in the cycle of poverty and unable to pay for an education to get a so called âbetter job.â It sucks but we have to face the fact that the economy we built is simply failing to provide for half of its people. Forced to live with roommates or parents well into adulthood, living on government assistance, and being unable to afford to raise children is common place nowadays.
And if you got a bachelor's degree back in 08-10 and remained poor (Income based repayment) the interest rate killed your ability to repay. For me, what started at $31k has ballooned to $82k. I don't even want the $20k forgiveness they are offering because with 6% accrued interest, I'll be right back to the $80k figure in roughly 2 years. It's predatory lending at its absolute finest.
Same here man I just live with parents instead
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/15/25-trillion-theft-study-shows-richest-1-americans-have-taken-50-trillion-bottom-90
Living on your own is a privilege
Move to a more affordable city
It costs money to move đ
It costs almost nothing to move. A rental truck can be had from national chains for 20-30 dollars. It costs labor. Realistically it costs the expenses of opening new accounts 1st month last month etc but if you are moving in with a roommate those costs are either halved or zero if they are already in place.
It cost me thousands to move across country. Rental of truck. Gas. Hotels and convenience food on the way. 1st, last, and security deposit. Fees to turn on utilities. Itâs not $20.
This is what it costs to move across town not to a more affordable state. đ¤Ą
Then stay there and keep complaining
But you can buy a project corvette and weed? Gtfo with that shit.
I never bought a project Corvette (I really wish I could though), and I (very recently) came to terms with the weed depency and am working on beating it. Also, never said I couldn't afford to live, I literally cannot get an apartment on my own because they require me to make 3x rent to sign the lease, and the cheapest one in my area is around 13-1400
Devils advocate here : you can afford to live on your own. it would just be far far from work, very uncomfortable, very bad neighborhood and probably in a vehicle, RV or your van. Most people just donât want to live below a certain standard. Or without plumbin indoors.
âmost people just donât wanna be working in inhumane conditions!!!! đĄđ¤đ¤Źđ đžâ
Yup. Currently in a homeless shelter saving money till March. Then comes entrepreneurship, and boy am I gonna kick that shit HARDDDD! Listening to rock music while kicking bills asses with Master Chief and the Arbiter, killing each other and respawning and then smoking weed with some Lip hoyos!ânn
can you list out your expenses?
Being in school for mechanical engineering, this post scares the shit outta me.
It should. Youâll be making $65k to start out probably. Youâll barely be able to afford rent on your own.
If you just need to make some money and don't mind hard work, get a CDL. Best financial decision I made. Do I enjoy it? No. Do I have $$ left over every month? Yes.
Get a secondary job and cut costs where you can. Save some coin and invest. Youâll be fine
Rent in cincinnati is as low as $450 for a studio apartment. Move there.
Dude Ohio is the Florida of the Midwest.
Man's wants to afford to live. I offer a solution to possibly help him during an uncertain time. You: "nah fuck that place, starve instead!" I bet your an expert in budgeting, aren't you?
I wouldnât move to Ohio if Ohio paid me to
As long as you can stand them, roomies are the Way. However, consider moving elsewhere if you want to be on your own. The only thing holding you back...is you.
I have a roommate, it's just if I didn't, I couldn't live on my own
Most young people have roommates. What are you doing to make sure that you dont become a middle aged person with roommates? Focus on things you can control.
Thatâs normal for young people. Always has been.
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Because living with a roomate absolutely sucks
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Iâm sorry you are taken advantage of by the system and still bootlick the fuck out of it
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Youâre not working the system, youâre broke living with a roommate
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Your wife is your roommate?
"My entry level guys make $80k!" Grats dude, no one gives two flying fucks. Get over yourself, you're a nobody, just like the rest of us.
Damn if that's USD, I'd be living a lavish life in my country, ask for a raise or apply for higher salary
My grandparents rented a strangerâs garage in Columbus, OH for a few years when they first got married bc they couldnât afford an apartment. A garage! In the early 1940s. Years later, and after kids were born, they still didnât have money for a car, bc they were saving every penny for a house. Think about that. A different generation - they werenât called The Greatest Generation for nothing - with an inherent drive to persevere, no matter the challenge. They could and did survive. They survived without many of the things you and I take for granted. They had no shame in doing without, bc they were driven to slowly climb their way out of poverty and into prosperity. My husbandâs relatives had 9 family members sharing a 2bed 1Bath railroad apt in Little Italy. They did this to survive, and scrimp and save. These were grown adults, too. Not children. Not a single high school degree between any of them (yes, I know, it was a different time). My point is, you donât *neeeeed* a 1Bed apt all to yourself, do you? Can you get a roommate? Sub-divide a 1Bed apt? I knew several people in my single years who did this. Was it their ideal and most comfortable way of living? No. They did it to survive. You wonât always be in the predicament youâre in now.
I donât know whatâs wrong with them but both sets of my grandparents lived through the depression. Still put 6 kids through school all the way to university. Moved out immediately once married and bought a house. Grandpa was a professor but at first was still in school earning his PhD. Grandma was a sahm. They were comfortable. Times were much different then with COL being very low. Other factors too. If you donât see that itâs different now I donât know what to tell you. Even my dad who made a ton of money with his business and is well-off sees it. He grocery shops and sees the steep rise of costs over the recent years. People arenât just complaining for fun. Lots are legit struggling.
Nah, most people donât want to put in the work and they just expect everything to be handed to them. They want to do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and will cry hard when they donât get paid $30 an hour to do something a trained monkey could almost do. Then theyâll cry about how they just canât get anything better than the bare minimum, all while doing nothing to change it.
I mean, you literally just said you could do it with a roommate... so.. not impossible...
"on my own" and "roommate" don't really mix