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Not sure what to do...

I work as many hours as I can so that I can still get my son to and from school and make all his meals and keep up with household chores. I have some inherited health issues that require testing and check-ups and maintenance. I don't have anything frivolous and my bills, while only necessity, keep going up despite not providing more. I have a loan out on my house because I had to do mold remediation in the crawlspace, needed a new roof and had to cut down some trees close to the house. I have to feed my son, my dog and I. There are necessities I have to buy monthly.

I usually end up with $100 to last two weeks. $60 of that goes to gas (I have a very fuel efficient car), so that's $40 for two weeks of necessities.

I don't have any family to help and the government is taking away my son's insurance, hopefully not mine too as I have long term health issues. I can't work a regular job and most don't even offer benefits anyway.

I don't know what else to do... There's no fat to trim...

Is this America now?

I used to work even less hours and could make it fine. But suddenly, within the past 6/7 months, I'm falling into poverty and there's no way out, no help.

I'm confused, how is someone supposed to make it?

My car and house are paid off. I went to college. I did everything responsibly and reasonably. Unfortunately my parents died young and I have no support or room to improve things.

I'm doing my absolute best but it's not enough.

Is this the American dream?
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being · 36-40, F
I can see somehow your renovations in the house paying off in the future. But regarding the present moment, it's not a happy situation to find yourself into really.

MhmmMake some pumpkin soup... It's usually cheap and hearty. It's not any solution but could make you smile...:)
being · 36-40, F
@ScreamingFox I need to make it soon! It's pumpkin season...🎃
being · 36-40, F
@ScreamingFox moving though 🤗 I'll think of you now when I'll make it.
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@being a little bit of comfort in this world. Who knows, maybe we'll share some one day.
Being a single parent without help is a huge struggle. I work weird, exhausting hours just to be able to work around my daughters schedule ( and her sitter)

Thankfully I've worked at my job enough years i have benefits. Which otherwise, I wouldn't make it. Those working at McDonald's probably make more than I do.
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@Bexsy it's like sacrificing yourself for the minimum. There should be help, I don't understand why it's believed everyone has the same opportunity. My biggest issue is I can't work regular hours. That eliminates a lot of opportunity, but what can I do? What can we do? We have to put our kids first.
@ScreamingFox understand completely :/
exchrist · 36-40
It is what America has become. I maintain forced retirement age (69 years old), especially in political office, would fix most of the country and world’s problems.
Regardless some advice. It doesn’t seem you can be any more efficient. How old is your son? Perhaps he can work part time. Seriously though self sufficiency might hurt short term it might be hard but long term it will get easier. 1) gardening to reduce food cost. 2) Take public transportation when/if possible driving is expensive. 3) renewable energy on your house 4) I have digital antenna at home which provides 35 channels. If you have cable cutting that might save. Another option if you have a landline is dial up it is slower but it’s cheap. Or rely on your cellphones WiFi capability to reduce internet tv phone cost. In my area one provider does all three. But even so antenna is free
SlippingAway · 46-50, F
It's so tough right now, I am struggling too to pay for food. I don't have a little one at home though so I know that makes it so much tougher. I know it's hard, but can you get some food from a local food bank to help you get through at the end of the month? Unfortunately I do feel like this is America right now because so many are struggling and so many people are choosing to just stay blind to that. I am so fucking pissed that they are taking Medicaid away from children and the people who need it the most. Are you able to get State insurance for your son? Here it's very cheap or free if you can qualify. I am trying to get creative, but I am at a point where I may no longer be able to pay for my medical insurance any more. I hate our system here.
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SlippingAway · 46-50, F
@ScreamingFox Yes it's quite sickening they say they are pro life but that only means in uterus, what about the children who need health care and food they don't care. I hope you find some relief with this soon.
eyeno · M
Think most of us are feeling the (((crunch))).
So I just pray and leave it in His hands, so much is out of our control.

I've prayed for you, I and all who are in need.
(prayer done).

LavidaRaq · F
Do you have any hobbies? So many people are turning to Etsy and TikTok with their hobbies and making money. I’m sorry you have to go through this hugs
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@LavidaRaq i don't even time for hobbies lol but maybe I need to look deeper into how people are making money on social media because any little bit would help.
LavidaRaq · F
@ScreamingFox we, like how I added myself? We need to open a book van with coffee and do events, 😊
ChiefJustWalks · 26-30
Shits not easy. Prices of everything keep going up but the amount we get paid goes up so much slower. I was soo broke when I first found out I was gonna be a dad & I've been broke ever since. My kid's mom lost her job when she found out she was pregnant so I immediately started paying her rent. Things were good for a while until I went to jail & then we struggled more. I'm really grateful she was able to stay afloat without me, she's an amazing woman. But I know it wasn't easy & I still always feel bad for causing that stress & losing my ability to be there. I felt beyond useless.

My struggles are largely my own fault. People tell me not to be too hard on myself & that I'm doing great but I can't help but feel so behind everybody in life. It's just so hard to build up to that typical cliche "american dream" of having a home in a nice neighborhood where your kids could play outside freely these days. Sometimes I see people who have all that & I just wonder how they got there or if they had any help. Because it's not as easy as it's often made out to be. I just keep telling myself one step at a time. One day I'll get there & I'll feel even happier about it because I'll know how much work it took & all the years put into it
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@ChiefJustWalks not everyone has the same opportunity for whatever reason. I do think privilege gets passed down a lot and shouldn't be the standard we all should strive for.

The expectations are what is wrong. Even moreso right now as prices climb.

It's not you. It's not me. It's not the working people. It's a system that caters to wealth. It's wrong.
ChiefJustWalks · 26-30
@ScreamingFox yeah I used to get mad at expectations because I felt like I could never live up to them. I still don't really like them much. But yeah I'd agree with you. It's annoying how wealth seems like it's always about money or what we own. I'm not saying we should all remain stagnant but I feel like as long as we have the things that matter most to us, we can be okay
exchrist · 36-40
I was collecting returnable cans on my way to and from work as well as while at work to supplement my food budget. 5¢ a can. It added up to about 20$ a week usually
Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F
I think having a "side hustle" is the only way to have extra money, or enough money, if you aren't in the top income bracket.
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@Notsimilarreally I gotta figure something out. My son is old enough he could help me now, or I'll drag him along.
Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F
@ScreamingFox I thought it was on this post but maybe it was another, but @Younameit was talking about buying and re selling on eBay. That's a great idea. I have a friend who owned a vintage shop in SF, and they had to close because of outrageous rent prices but he sells the stuff on eBay now and has done really well. It can be time consuming, but at least it's mostly from home, and your kiddo could totally be very involved in almost every step of that process!
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@Notsimilarreally sweet thank you for the idea. It's something I could even start small on. Even a little bit here and there to keep us going for awhile.
I hope and pray that in time things get better for you and so many going through the same things.

You’re not alone 🫂 🌹 🙏🏼
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@ThreeLittleBirds I know many people are in way worse shape than I am. It's scary times.
val70 · 51-55
Being on here and posting is already a first step. The next one is yours. Plenty of good advice on offer here. Gave some already before. Do take care!
All I know is surviving looked easier in the 90s.
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@MyMonstersAreReal my son was born in 2014 and I stayed home with him for a year. On one income with a mortgage, it was tight, but totally doable. I can't imagine what many people are going through.
Livingwell · 61-69, M
Julien · 36-40, M
Fishing …saves money because therapy is expensive
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@Julien you must not have been sodomized as a little girl
Julien · 36-40, M
@ScreamingFox omfg. This is not the post I thought I relying too.
I though I was replying to a post about passions and hobby
So sorry
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
Sadly it seems to be the American dream for so many people. :(
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@ChipmunkErnie American nightmare
this is the american lie.. 💔 you are an amazing woman and mother. 🫂
ScreamingFox · 41-45, F
@deathfairy I think it's a lie constructed by people who benefit from the hardship of others.

 
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