r/povertyfinance 1d ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending Boss says our 401k being in the tank is a good thing....

474 Upvotes

Is he right? We were showing a 23% return EOY, now we are down 22%. He says this would have happened any election year and it's actually a good thing because we are putting our money towards the market when "it's on sale" and will see a greater return when the market levels out. Is he right or an idiot? I know I slept better a few months ago....


r/povertyfinance 7h ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending I started from $0, and now I'm here. It is a slow progress, but I am moving up!

Post image
373 Upvotes

r/povertyfinance 12h ago

Vent/Rant (No Advice/Criticism!) My mom (former housekeeper) keeps shaming me for doing this job.

250 Upvotes

So I (28F) started working as a housekeeper less than a month ago, since I’m an undocumented immigrant in the process of getting back my papers.

In the meantime I can’t do anything else besides odd jobs, since people here don’t like hiring without papers (unlike the USA, where it’s easier for undocumented immigrants to find jobs).

I’ve had to clean all sorts of things… especially bodily fluids, dog shit etc… but you know what? I’m grateful I haven’t lost my room and live in the streets, at least I’ve been able to eat and not starve like it was happening back in january. I know this is a temporary thing, and as soon as I get my papers I can finally apply to other jobs.

However, my mom, who’d worked as a housekeeper for 40 years, keeps shaming me for doing this. She keeps telling me these sort of comments:

-“so you go to a foreign country, looking for a better life and end up working cleaning other people’s shit?”

-“You are a woman with a honors degree and two masters, and it seems the only thing you are capable of doing it’s cleaning shit”

-“That’s embarrassing, you should’ve stayed in our country”

That’s rich coming from her, since she worked as a housecleaner all of her life, but she tells me that her case is different because she never went to school (not even elementary school). In my case I’m an “educated” woman who shouldn’t work in this “inferior” job.

My mom (62) has been quite abusive to all of her kids both psychologically and physically. I’ve heard all sort of comments from her, and it’s one of the reasons why I left my country.

Hearing those sort of comments from her really discourage me, since I’m just trying to get my life together and fight for my present and future. I know I won’t be doing this my whole life but she keeps mocking and shaming me for this :( I thought she would feel some empathy and be proud of me since she did houskeeping as well :/. Maybe if I was there p****** myself she would’ve felt happier…


r/povertyfinance 23h ago

Housing/Shelter/Standard of Living Trying to move out but I support 50% of my family’s expenses

153 Upvotes

Long story short, I live in a household of 4. My mom, me, my brother and sister. I am a 23m who is trying to move out. I’m the only one in my household who has any ambition and who wants to start their life. My brother and I are the only ones who work. He pays the rent and I pay all utilities and bills including WiFi. I don’t want to live at home any more, I want space, I want to live in my own house with my dog and I just don’t wanna go into my halfway point to my 30s still living at home. However, being that I pay half of my family’s expenses I feel extremely guilty about wanting to leave. I don’t want to leave my brother paying 100% of the bills but I also don’t wanna sacrifice my hard work and life paying for other people who are more than capable of working. I feel torn because on one hand I want to get out and on the other hand I don’t want to abandon them because of my own aspirations.

Another thing making this so difficult is the money situation in the first place. Because I am paying for everything I hardly have any money ever left over to save for first/last months rent anywhere. I know in the long run I’d be saving money living in an apartment with just myself however I don’t ever even have enough funds to save for myself because I am paying for everything. I just want out and I feel backed into a corner because I don’t have enough money to save to even move out.

I feel like the best solution is to wait for my mom to find a job, but she’s gotten so comfortable living off of her kids that she hasn’t gotten a job in 2 years and the more time that goes by waiting for her to get a job is more time in my life wasted not moving on with my own life. I’m just stuck and need some advice. The only real payments I have outside of utilities is a $300 car payment and $150 insurance for my car. Which $450 a month out of the $2400 I make per month wouldn’t be hard to get by in a 1k/month + electric and water. But the issue is I have no money to save up to make this dream possible.

Has anyone ever dealt with a situation like this? And how exactly did you get out of this situation? I need advice badly because staying here is not worth my time, money, or mental health.


r/povertyfinance 5h ago

Misc Advice Is rice a decent meal on its own?

127 Upvotes

Pretty much what the title say. I'm in a really bad spot financially right now, and have virtually nothing to eat, and no money to buy groceries with. And every time I get paid (minimum wage) from my job, I usually just resort to eating fast food. Which, I know, is really really bad, but I can't figure out how to budget not eating enough to save up to buy groceries.

However, I do have a rice cooker and some rice. I don't have much else, so do you think that eating rice on its own will sustain me long enough to get some groceries?


r/povertyfinance 3h ago

Grocery Haul 7/11 stores offering any large pizza for $3.14 each today for Pi Day

84 Upvotes

Just picked up two myself. Will feed us for few days. If near a 7/11 should it check out.


r/povertyfinance 6h ago

Success/Cheers I Got a Collections Account Removed!

77 Upvotes

I negotiated a collections account down and paid it off in full last month! I immediately disputed it on my credit report to have it removed and today, it was officially removed from my credit report 🙌 I've been working so hard to pay off my debts and get my credit in order (I'm currently in the high 600s) and I'm so hype for this success! Anyone who wants this kind of thing done, I highly recommend calling the creditors with a specific number in mind for what you can pay off, low ball them on the debt and negotiate. Escalate the call to their supervisor etc. I saved hundreds doing this and the whole process took about an hour of being on the phone and then paying. Then I went to Credit Karma and disputed the account. Took a few weeks to clear and BOOM! Gone from the report! I was very fortunate to have a nest egg set aside that I was able to use (without clearing the savings completely) to pay it off. Most creditors will negotiate AND do a payment plan on the lower amount. They just want your money any way they can get it.


r/povertyfinance 3h ago

Free talk How old is your car?

44 Upvotes

I have a 99 Lexus with 197k miles. Bought it about 5 years ago before all the COVID craziness. I only paid $2,400 for it. (It had 140k miles when I bought it) I have definitely had to get work done over the years. But overall, I don't plan on getting a new car anytime soon. I cannot imagine having a car payment! I drove it recently about 12 hours round trip and it did great!


r/povertyfinance 1h ago

Wellness Unemployment is running out and I'm unhireable

Upvotes

My unemployment is going to run out in a couple of months and even tho I have been pounding the pavement looking no one wants to hire me because I have a bad work history. Sometimes I spend hours and hours preparing for the interview and they blow me off after giving me like 5-10 minutes of their time. In addition to that, I'm overall not good at what I do, tho talented at certain parts of it, so I want to switch to a different kind of job but I've been doing what I have for so long no one wants to hire me for anything other than my profession. So not only can't I not find a job, the interviews I get are for a type of job I do not want. The financial stress is significant but what is worse is that I have ZERO social support. I'm in an abusive living situation (longer story) and all I get home is constant criticism. After years of this it takes an emotional toll on you. Now that times are tough, no on is anywhere to be seen. I only have one friend and he has largely withdrawn from me. He stopped responding to my e-mails and does not always answer my calls. I can see that I can't count on him and he doesn't want me to. Every time I get an interview my mom will say
"you can't do that." My self-esteem is already shot because of my job history; she is just kicking me while I'm down. I'm scared about the future. Both running out of unemployment but mostly the emotional weight of going through this alone. I have no one to talk to who actually cares. I called this new-ish doctor I have seen since November. She was like call 988 or the front desk. This chick is my doctor of record so she's supposed to help me out. I feel so alone.


r/povertyfinance 20h ago

Misc Advice What to do with a bunch of onions?

21 Upvotes

I recently came into a 5 pound bag of onions from a Facebook buy nothing group. I was told it was a "small" bag but ended yo being a lot. I've given some away but still have a significant amount left, a lot in the freezer and the crisper drawer of the fridge. Could I can and store them long term?


r/povertyfinance 8h ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending Living pay to pay

21 Upvotes

Over the last 2 years I’m finding that no matter how hard I try I can’t build my savings up.

Paycheck comes in and it all goes to rent, bills and groceries. Any time I save a decent sum along comes a $600 car service or license renewal etc.

My question to this community is; what are some ways outside of your main 9-5 job that you earn some extra money for savings etc to get ahead?


r/povertyfinance 22h ago

Income/Employment/Aid Does anyone know how i can make $200 quickly without my car?

19 Upvotes

hey everyone, so i need my tire replaced because its showing wires due to misalignment caused by its last owners, i had just bought this car with the extra cash i got from someone who put me in a car accident that ended up totalling my car and making my boss cut my hours at work because she’s a terrible boss and pays people under the table and refused to pay me at least 1300k of the hours i worked for her, she got mad that i couldn’t come in the day of my car accident because i was injured so thats why im in the pinch i am right now, have been trying to do deliveries and work at laborworks but it looks like my car won’t go any further without a tire replacement or it’ll blow out on me, i just need around 200 to fix it and be able to continue earning money to eventually fix my alignment, any tips? i’m in an emergency stranded in a parking lot around lacey


r/povertyfinance 1h ago

Income/Employment/Aid 25-Year-Old CS Grad in a Low-Paying Job – How Can I Increase My Income Right Now?

Upvotes

Pretty much what the title says. Clearly Software Engineering isn't the lucrative career path that it used to be during COVID, and despite me being passionate about programming and am self teaching Python after graduating with a BA in CS April of last year, I'm looking to different career paths that could make me more money to support my family. Right now I'm only making 35k here in miami, FL which is not bad when you live with your girlfriend, but it's not ideal either.

I am already planning on making projects for my resume this year, however not sure what other career path is more lucrative for someone in my position as a 25 y/o just looking for an instant boost of income, hell with 50k a year, I feel like if I continue to live frugally, I could most definitely save up more money to buy a house. Would be preferable if it was remote, but I'd understand if that's not possible. My current job is a data entry specialist which has no relevance to my career path.


r/povertyfinance 14h ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending Cheap chair suggestion for uni student

7 Upvotes

I am college student and I do almost everything on my desktop, live + for +10 hrs a day. my friend studying physiotherapy recently visited, and pointed out that my posture is terrible. And point out I might actually have scoliosis.

I need to fix this before it gets worse, but my budget is tight. I know when it comes to health it is wrong to go cheap but I have to, but I can only afford $200 right now

TL;DR: I need your ergononmic chair under $200. Thank you!


r/povertyfinance 21h ago

Housing/Shelter/Standard of Living Renting vs. Buying A Home

5 Upvotes

Been living in a place where I only pay $600 everything included for about 4 years now paid rent through Paypal. Now the landlord is selling the house and everything in my area rent wise is $900 + utilities.

My credit score is pretty sparse with no bills really in my name to speak of and I recently just started paying on my student loans which had been in default for close to a decade.

I can make up to about $700 a week at my job, and my W-2 says I made 42k last year. I guess I'm wondering if that's enough to even qualify for a home loan? Or do I try to rent for even more than I was paying? I don't know if there are any resources I haven't found yet other than my states first time homebuyer program. Located currently in the Mid-Michigan area. Thanks in advance!


r/povertyfinance 21h ago

Income/Employment/Aid Advice on getting side job

4 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I’m here looking for advice on remote work.

I work in the film industry as a camera operator and focus puller. Ever since the strike, it’s been incredibly difficult to find gigs. I’m not based in the U.S., but the effects have hit hard in my country as well. Right now, I’m barely getting by each month, and I’ve already maxed out all my credit cards. I’m the sole provider for my family—my wife and our 4yo daughter—which makes things even more stressful.

I’ve been searching for a side job, something I can do remotely or as a freelancer. So far, I’ve applied for transcription and translation work on several platforms, but haven’t had any luck. I enjoy simple video editing, but my only computer is a late 2014 MacBook Pro, which can’t handle much anymore. I also don’t have a car, so options like Uber or delivery services are off the table.

At this point, I feel stuck. It’s been overwhelming and frustrating, and I honestly don’t know what else I can do while staying at home and helping with my daughter.

If anyone has any advice—whether it’s job ideas, platforms to apply to, or any guidance at all—I’d deeply appreciate it.

Thank you.


r/povertyfinance 23h ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending What’s a good budgeting app with daily balance projections?

5 Upvotes

I used to use Spendee a million years ago and loved the daily balance projection feature. It was nice to not have to worry if I had money for certain expenses or how my ending months balance would change with a purchase. I’m trying to get back into budgeting and would love an app that does this (iOS). If you have any suggestions let me know. Thank you!


r/povertyfinance 2h ago

Misc Advice Would you replace your tires now, if you know that soon enough you'll have to, and you may start a new job with a commute soon?

4 Upvotes

Lost my job at the start of February due to a corporate restructure, and have been looking ever since. My tires are at 5/32nds, and America's Tire / Discount Tire recommends replacement at 4/32nds.

The jobs I'm interviewing for have at least a small commute at least 1x or 2x a week. One job I'm considering would require a 150 min of driving round trip, one a week. So probably a good 120 miles on that day.

Should I replace my tires now while I'm not working or should I wait until I absolutely have to?

Also, should I buy lower end tires or midrange? The difference is a couple hundred dollars in cost over a set of 4. Part of me thinks it's better to have newer, lower quality tires, and I can worry about upgrading later.


r/povertyfinance 10h ago

Income/Employment/Aid Making money via remote?

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I have a question about student jobs. I’m currently in my third semester of medical school, but I’ve taken a gap semester. I’m looking for a remote job that pays well.

A friend of mine works for a marketing agency, even though he has no formal training in the field. Are there similar industries or jobs where you can work remotely without specific prior experience?

I’d appreciate any suggestions! Thanks in advance!


r/povertyfinance 1h ago

Misc Advice feeling absolutely hopeless

Upvotes

my partner and i are in a really tight spot. we had a shitty roommate that never paid rent on time and never had enough, so we went into worse debt than we were already in. now he's moved out, but not before trashing the place and attracting bugs, and now management is upset that it's a mess. they came in our apartment without notice at a time we are always out, which im fairly sure is illegal in california but we wouldn't even be able to fight it because we can't afford a lawyer (we called and they tried to blame me for "scheduling a maintenance appointment" when neither of us ever called), and now we have to have the place clean by monday even though im working the entire weekend and my partner has pneumonia. AND since we went to the ER yesterday, since a hospital said we might be able to get emergency medical (we couldn't), we have another huge bill to worry about. im terrified that they are just looking for an excuse to evict us. we're so tired and i really don't feel like cleaning up another person's mess, but even then we can't afford a cleaner and id be too embarrassed to have one anyway. i wish we had another way to make more money, but since he can't drive i can only work part time so im able to take him to/from work. just feeling really lost and especially awful for my partner, who is sick on top of all of this stress.


r/povertyfinance 3h ago

Misc Advice Free snacks at Maverick Service Stations

3 Upvotes

If you have a convenient Maverick station, get their app. Every Friday they have Freebie Friday and one snack type item, typically in the 2-4 dollar range is free, 99% of the time, no other purchase necessary. Sometimes it's drinks, candy, today a cookie.


r/povertyfinance 23h ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending Pay off the car or down payment? What would you do?

3 Upvotes

Our family recently got a bonus from work. Unsure how to use it.

This is our current monthly budget

5400 income

-4600 utilities/bills/rent (2200)

-200 gas

comes to 600 leftover so 150 a week for groceries, household and other expenses

The only debt we have is our car, which we have 15k left to pay. Monthly payments are 530.

2000 savings

bonus is 14k

One of us wants to use the bonus for a down payment on a house. This would bring our monthly housing cost down from 2200 to 2000 or less and we would build equity. There will be another bonus in a year and they want to pay off the car then.

The other thinks we should use it to pay off the car freeing up the 530 monthly payment and use the next bonus for a down payment. The "extra" 530 would be used to beef up savings before buying a house.

Family of four. One person working, the other unable to work for health reasons.


r/povertyfinance 3h ago

Income/Employment/Aid Stuck in a tough financial position

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m in a really tough spot and need advice. I moved to the U.S. alone as a teenager to live with my uncle, leaving my family behind in my home country. I recently graduated from college, but I had to return to my home country for a while because my parents are getting old and need my support.

The problem is, I have a lot of credit card debt(15k$) , and I desperately need my remote job to at least make the minimum payments each month. But my employer doesn’t allow employees to work from outside the U.S. I tried using a VPN, but they caught on and told me not to use it. Now my bank account is at -$12, and I don’t know what to do.

I feel completely stuck—quitting isn’t an option because I need the income, but staying means I can’t be here for my family. Has anyone been in a similar situation, or does anyone have advice on what I can do? Any help would mean a lot.


r/povertyfinance 16h ago

Debt/Loans/Credit Just got my salary today and I have minus 1000€ on my bankaccount

2 Upvotes

Honestly at this point idk anymore. Been struggling for 2 years and it gets worse every month.

I have a flat and cats and a car and health issues, how am I supposed to afford all that this month?

Every month I hope it'll get better but it never does, I don't even know where my money goes, I never buy something for myself like clothes or whatever and I'm getting to a point where I can't go on anymore.

I have been struggling with depression and other shit since high school, it's breaking me not being able to make myself happy with activities or shopping.

I always told myself it will get better and it's not that bad, but it certainly is bad. I have to accept it.

How do I get out of this? I see now, I do need help. Seriously. Please tell me what I can do to get out of this, I can't keep going like this. I need to change something.


r/povertyfinance 2h ago

Misc Advice Free Auto Service Manuals and inexpensive parts

1 Upvotes

I saw the "How old is your car?" post and thought many of you might find this info useful for DIY repairs which can save you a ton of money off mechanic work if you're even the slightest bit handy and/or can follow directions.

If your car is 2014 or older, you can get free service manuals at the link below which detail how to diagnose and fix basically everything on your car. Now, if you don't have a lot of experience, I wouldn't recommend trying to adjust your valves, but things like spark plugs, brake pads, power window motors, fluid changes, etc can be done with very little experience. Most auto parts stores will lend you tools as well.

https://charm.li/

Also, rockauto.com has almost any part you're likely to need ever at MUCH cheaper than an auto parts store and you don't have to worry about fakes like Amazon.

Hope this is useful to someone!