Cost of living crisis

By hiddenplainly - 24/02/2017 10:00 - United States

Today, I did my budget. I have a good job, make decent money, and work full time, but without including any flexible spending items like groceries, I make $32 less than my bills each month. FML
I agree, your life sucks 6 279
You deserved it 1 233
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Top comments

604 11

So, basically you're living the modern American Dream.

89 2
PineapplePizza 15

Maybe you need to move. The place you're living may be too expensive. Or, if it's an option, get a room/house mate to help with bills.

81 2

Comments

PineapplePizza 15

Maybe you need to move. The place you're living may be too expensive. Or, if it's an option, get a room/house mate to help with bills.

81 2
yes31601 16

Might be time to reconsider where you live, OP

7 0
TabooSushi 24

Sounds like it may be time to move to a less expensive town, or perhaps look into lowering your bills somehow. Electricity especially gets away from people, we don't realize how much we actually use on a daily basis, especially during winter and summer when heaters and air conditioners are used most often.

16 0
604 11

So, basically you're living the modern American Dream.

89 2
Snufkinn 16

Yeah maybe you need to reassess your fixed expenses each month. You're obviously not able to live within your means in your current location/lifestyle. As others have said maybe you need to change location or downgrade your living arrangements, and changing utility providers is also a good way to cut monthly costs. Reevaluating whether you need any subscriptions you have (Spotify/Amazon/Netflix) etc too can save a lot.

33 1
TheHarvardian 25

Same. The worst part is that mine is definitely where I'm living, since car insurance is the highest in the state in this city, but I can't move until August or I'll have to pay a ton of money to break my lease.

11 0
Colon_Man 17

How much are your car payments? That's usually the one that gets people.

8 1
AzrielB 8

Get a housemate, or six.

11 0
fabulousfiasco 12

Either you don't really have a job that pays a decent wage, or you are spending frivolously. What are some "extras" that you regularly indulge in? Starbucks, manicures, cigarettes, eating out, etc? Or are you spending more than your fair share of rent?

7 9
GhostFox 33

Those are all "flexible spending items" which OP didn't include in the math. In other words, other bills like insurance, rent, and electricity are being included, not food and luxury items/services.

12 0
LadyAthena 20

Your rent and or mortgage shouldn't ever be more than half your monthly income. If it is you're in the wrong place for your money.

5 1
krgoks 10

Some professionals (e.g. Dave Ramsey - look into him BTW) suggest spending no more than a week's pay on rent/mortgage. If you need to cut back further: -Cut the cable and go to Netflix and/or Hulu and add in HBONow, etc. (watch sports out with friends) -Sell your car and get something that costs about what you make in less than two days -Pick up a side gig (Uber and Lyft isn't always a good choice) and pay off bills I too make too much money to be broke. I moved and saved 1/2 of my rent/mortgage. I cut the cable and now pay my neighbor to use his wifi and save $100/month. I decided not to get a new car and went with a used tiny car saving me another $200/month in gas and loans. I picked up a side job and worked my butt off for just 4 months, which gave me enough money to pay off the first credit card.

9 1
LadyAthena 20

Yeah dude I'm 29 and own my own home I don't think I need your advice. At 7.25 an hour he probably needs a roommate (or 2 or 4). The pooling of resources makes the burden easier in all involved.

0 0
clair_brodie 35

There is rarely any places anymore in which that is even a possibility. Where I live you can't even get a studio without paying $900. The only way to not have your rent be half your income would be if you are making more than $11 an hour. but no, you can live on 7.25 and no one needs a raise....

5 1
MisstressNicole 20

I want always taught the rent/mortgage should be no more then 1/3 of what you make. I currently live in a three person household with 1 working wage. We have all the luxuries (cable, internet, cell phones) and a car payment. It can be done quite easily. My husband is not in a high paying position. I have friends who make more than my husband and don't understand how we can afford the things we can afford. Firstly, we make. budget and stick to it and secondly we don't try to live within someone else's means. we know what we have and we make it work for us.

0 0
MisstressNicole 20

I want always taught the rent/mortgage should be no more then 1/3 of what you make. I currently live in a three person household with 1 working wage. We have all the luxuries (cable, internet, cell phones) and a car payment. It can be done quite easily. My husband is not in a high paying position. I have friends who make more than my husband and don't understand how we can afford the things we can afford. Firstly, we make. budget and stick to it and secondly we don't try to live within someone else's means. we know what we have and we make it work for us.

0 0
MisstressNicole 20

I want always taught the rent/mortgage should be no more then 1/3 of what you make. I currently live in a three person household with 1 working wage. We have all the luxuries (cable, internet, cell phones) and a car payment. It can be done quite easily. My husband is not in a high paying position. I have friends who make more than my husband and don't understand how we can afford the things we can afford. Firstly, we make. budget and stick to it and secondly we don't try to live within someone else's means. we know what we have and we make it work for us.

0 0
MisstressNicole 20

I want always taught the rent/mortgage should be no more then 1/3 of what you make. I currently live in a three person household with 1 working wage. We have all the luxuries (cable, internet, cell phones) and a car payment. It can be done quite easily. My husband is not in a high paying position. I have friends who make more than my husband and don't understand how we can afford the things we can afford. Firstly, we make. budget and stick to it and secondly we don't try to live within someone else's means. we know what we have and we make it work for us.

0 0