Does anyone else feel like this? I'm 33 years old am I'm no where near where I thought I would be in my life. I never necessarily thought I would be rich, but I also never thought I would be broke all the time. You know, putting off bills, borrowing money from in-laws, taking out the ridiculous payday loans that charge crazy interest rates. I just look at other people my age and it always seems like money and opportunities fall in their laps while I struggle for every penny. Their are so many thing I would like to buy for my wife and kids that I just can't afford. My wife and I are basically living paycheck to paycheck with absolutely no savings. We both make about $43,000.00 a year but have absolutely nothing to show for it. We bought our current house with an ARM mortgage and I'm terrified we won't be able to refinance before it adjusts. If it does go up significantly, we will definately add the foreclosure statistics. I'm wondering if that's why I spend so much time filling out sweepstakes and buying lottery tickets, trying to makeup my financial shortcomings to my family. I don't need to be rich, I'm just tired of being worried all the time about our finances. Is anyone else out there feeling like this, or am I one of those "whiners" the politicians are talking about? Thanks for letting me vent guys.
Am I pathetic?
- Thread starter gerardp
- Start date
Well if you quit buying lottery tickets you would have a little more money there. Keep entering FREE contest and save your money for bills and groceries.
Look for other money drains such as fast food, cokes, shopping for things you don't need ect. You'd be suprised how much the little things ad up.
Look for other money drains such as fast food, cokes, shopping for things you don't need ect. You'd be suprised how much the little things ad up.
tharedhead
New member
Although I've never had a mortgage, one think I keep reading is that it is very important to talk to your lender before you end up with serious problems. Apparently, lenders are supposed to be cutting some really good deals now to keep people in their houses. At least that is what it says in the press. :scratch:
:sunny: Well first of all, you aren't pathetic. Your situation sounds like alot of young married couples these days. I see this more and more with younger couples. They want too much too fast. Thinking that they can start off with everything that mom and dad worked years to acquire. I call it the spoiled generation. There are several things you can do that will help. First off NO MORE PAYDAY LOANS. Get a couple of little notebooks. You and you wife need to write down everything that you are spending money on. My guess is that you will find alot of things that are unnecessary. Decide together what things you can give up or exchange for something less costly. Turn costly outings into lowcost/no cost outings. You don't have to spend a fortune on kids to have fun. A picnic in the park where they help make the lunch, playing catch, fishing, board games, etc. They just want to spend time with dear ole dad. STOP making unnecessary purchases, lunches (pack a lunch) Starbucks (bring coffee from home) car detailing (let the kids help you wash the car at home) etc.
Include you wife and kids if they aren't babies. Everyone can help. Instead of seeing how much you can spend in a week, see how much you can save. It's a great way to bring your family together all working towards a goal.
You can do it! Let us know how you are doing.
Include you wife and kids if they aren't babies. Everyone can help. Instead of seeing how much you can spend in a week, see how much you can save. It's a great way to bring your family together all working towards a goal.
You can do it! Let us know how you are doing.
Sounds like you got a lot of advice here so I will just tell you that you are not alone. I have been where you are and now I am ok but I could loose it all at any time. DH is now in a position where he could loose his job. I have learned to just trust God and he will see you through. That doesn't mean we just sit there and expect God to magicly fix things. He expects us to do our part. But still sometimes we just have to let go of the worrying and believe that he is in control no matter what and he has a plan for our life. Also all of the stuff we have is just that stuff and we could loose it all in a heartbeat. If you have faith practice it and remember this too shall pass. I know you were just venting so good for you. It's going to get better. When we get to know God and read his word he finds a way to teach us what we need to get through tough times. I will say a prayer for you and your family.
3mnkids1
New member
you are not pathetic.. :nono: A lot of folks are living paycheck to paycheck these days. The economy sucks and everything is going up except wages.
I know that those payday loans seem like a good idea but they arent.. you will never, ever get caught up doing that. pay the last one off and then dont do it again.. If it means having a week where you are broke thats what you are going to have to do.. One week.. It wont be so bad. Those things should be illegal.. They are basically legalized loan sharking in my opinion.
No more lottery tickets either. :laughing: usually when you do win it doesnt come close to covering what you have spent.
lots of people think they cant save anything but you can.. maybe not alot but something. when my husband deposits his paycheck he gets 20 dollars in rolled quarters. we have a big can we put them in every week.. Its not much but over a year it adds up.. we also put all our change it in.
pam's idea about writing everything down is a great idea.. you will be surprised how much you are spending without realizing it.. 5 dollars here and there add up over a month.
I hope things get better for you really soon..
I know that those payday loans seem like a good idea but they arent.. you will never, ever get caught up doing that. pay the last one off and then dont do it again.. If it means having a week where you are broke thats what you are going to have to do.. One week.. It wont be so bad. Those things should be illegal.. They are basically legalized loan sharking in my opinion.
No more lottery tickets either. :laughing: usually when you do win it doesnt come close to covering what you have spent.
lots of people think they cant save anything but you can.. maybe not alot but something. when my husband deposits his paycheck he gets 20 dollars in rolled quarters. we have a big can we put them in every week.. Its not much but over a year it adds up.. we also put all our change it in.
pam's idea about writing everything down is a great idea.. you will be surprised how much you are spending without realizing it.. 5 dollars here and there add up over a month.
I hope things get better for you really soon..
Nope , you are not pathetic just in the same situation as alot of us nowadays. My husband and I only make about 23,000 a year and wonder sometimes how we make it. This living paycheck to paycheck is really starting to get old. I have been married now for almost 21 years and we have struggled the whole time so I am now ready to live the better side of life and when I get there , I will bring you along. Its not fair that the minute you think you have an extra buck, something always comes up, unfortunately it is gas lately. Just keep up the sweeping and something good will brighten your day and all the SA members help brighten it too, they are the most awesome bunch of people ever. Throwing some good luck your way. :sunny:
lidarkside
Active member
I'd seriously think of getting a financial advisor. If I'm understanding you right, you have a total household income of about $86,000 per year? Wow! If so, and you're still living paycheck to paycheck, you seriously need an advisor to show you how to spend and how not to spend.
Also, when you do need to buy something such as groceries, make sure you only shop the sales and use coupons on everything there is that has a coupon for it.
Also, when you do need to buy something such as groceries, make sure you only shop the sales and use coupons on everything there is that has a coupon for it.
Thanks for everybody who responded. It actually made me feel better reading your comments and suggestions. I know 80,000 a year sounds like alot, but when we subtract mortgage, car notes, homeowners insurance(which is criminaly high since hurricane Katrina), student loans, etc. etc. it just seems to disappear. I'm confident things will get better and we are making changes. Sometimes I just get the feeling that the world isn't right. You have horrible people making millions and descent people struggling to do the right thing.
Thanks Again.
Thanks Again.
mechurchlady
New member
Living by faith in Jesus above. That is lyrics from a song I love. My pastor and his wife taught me that there is I NEED and I WANT. I want an ECV and a van but those are I WANT as I do not need those things. I want a new home in Florida where everything worked and I could take a real shower but that is I WANT as I get by fine with the dump I live in. I WANT to go places and do things. I WANT dinner that I did not cook. I WANT a new bed.
What do you WANT and what do you NEED?
Even the person who mucks out stables, the janitor, and the garbage collector is of value. It is how you do your job, how you raise your family, how you treat your neighbors and family, and how you are in your hobbies, clubs, online and in church. My father was never rich but he was the best dad, husband, church member, club member, and was a journeyman machinist. He was there for friends and neighbors like taking in their trash can or doing the lawn for a sick neighbor. He loaned stuff to the church though they kept it. He gave food to the hungry and helped people financially. He died in debt but he was much loved and had touched many lives.
So should be your testimony.
Hugs
Laurie
What do you WANT and what do you NEED?
Even the person who mucks out stables, the janitor, and the garbage collector is of value. It is how you do your job, how you raise your family, how you treat your neighbors and family, and how you are in your hobbies, clubs, online and in church. My father was never rich but he was the best dad, husband, church member, club member, and was a journeyman machinist. He was there for friends and neighbors like taking in their trash can or doing the lawn for a sick neighbor. He loaned stuff to the church though they kept it. He gave food to the hungry and helped people financially. He died in debt but he was much loved and had touched many lives.
So should be your testimony.
Hugs
Laurie
victoria99
New member
Unfortunately, the economy isn't that great. Watching the news and listening to all the people in foreclosure which is 1 in 6. That doesn't account for the people who are still out there who still haven't filled backruptcy. Gas and Food Prices hitting all time highes.
I'm 37, and am in a similar situation. I don't have credit people calling or haven't had any call in the past but in may happen to me too. I can't work because I care for someone 24/7. I use to have a really great job making almost $60,000 a year, plus my husband owned his own business. Then one day, he couldn't get along w/ his business partner after 7 years of business ownership and simply signed over the business (yeah, great move)
Then my father passed and my mom got ill. I then had to move away from my husband and care for my mom. I'm definately in a pinch but I really can't do much about it. Life will have other curves in it I'm sure. I just hold my head up and go on. I'm close to $30,000 in debt and we have two homes - which have been on the market and we can't sell. There is no more coladoral in them either. I can't claim bankrupcy either - I'm not allowed cauz' I'm a conservator. Talk about fun stuff! he he :crazytongue:
I look at it this way.............I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and heat and electricity. Even if I scrap by...........I have the love of my family, which in my eyes makes me happy!
Take Care and Things Will Change For The Better! :sunny:
I'm 37, and am in a similar situation. I don't have credit people calling or haven't had any call in the past but in may happen to me too. I can't work because I care for someone 24/7. I use to have a really great job making almost $60,000 a year, plus my husband owned his own business. Then one day, he couldn't get along w/ his business partner after 7 years of business ownership and simply signed over the business (yeah, great move)
Then my father passed and my mom got ill. I then had to move away from my husband and care for my mom. I'm definately in a pinch but I really can't do much about it. Life will have other curves in it I'm sure. I just hold my head up and go on. I'm close to $30,000 in debt and we have two homes - which have been on the market and we can't sell. There is no more coladoral in them either. I can't claim bankrupcy either - I'm not allowed cauz' I'm a conservator. Talk about fun stuff! he he :crazytongue:I look at it this way.............I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and heat and electricity. Even if I scrap by...........I have the love of my family, which in my eyes makes me happy!
Take Care and Things Will Change For The Better! :sunny:
victoria99
New member
JUST REMEMBER your OWN WORDS! You have a family that is happy and healthy. All those "items" in life aren't that important. It's who you are inside and how you treat your family that really matters the most.
When I worked in the Corporate World - people act different and material things are what seem to be important. I met several people being a Sales Rep. and there is definately a popularity/material game going on. I always say "take your shoes off, walk in the grass, and be true to who you really are"! I know..... silly saying - but it's what makes me happy!!! :sunny:
When I worked in the Corporate World - people act different and material things are what seem to be important. I met several people being a Sales Rep. and there is definately a popularity/material game going on. I always say "take your shoes off, walk in the grass, and be true to who you really are"! I know..... silly saying - but it's what makes me happy!!! :sunny: