this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2023
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I'm in my 30s so I should be used to this by now, but this shit is getting so stressful guys. I have no savings, my checking account is drained every month with rent, and if there's ever a serious emergency I have no safety net, I'm legitimately fucked. I'm one unplanned expense away from absolute ruin. Those in the same boat as me, how do you deal with this?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You may have resources available to you that you're not even aware of.

How's your credit? My credit card is basically my emergency fund - it's not the best plan but it's way better than getting surprised and having to take an emergency loan. If you're currently spending about as much as you make, you can build your credit by putting things on the card and paying it back from your bank account and slowly extend that limit or eventually open up a second account - just don't fall into the trap of spending more than you make, or you'll wake up one day exactly where you are now but with debt.

Are you using social services? Only something like a third of people who qualify for food stamps in America actually use them, depending on the state/country you're in you could be a couple government forms away from getting a few hundred for groceries every month, and if you put in the effort to use it that's as good as money in your account. There's also stuff like food banks - the one I volunteer at doesn't do anything to verify the identities or qualifications of whoever comes by, you'll just get handed a box or a couple bags with cereal and canned goods and shit.

Is it possible to upgrade your employment situation? Search for jobs even if you already have one - you're not on the hook until you sign the piece of paper, and you don't owe your current workplace a two weeks' notice either so tell them your availability is "immediate". A lot of technical jobs especially are willing to train and just want someone with a clean background who will show up on time, and depending on your already-existing education/certifications you might be able to do contract work using a site like field nation to get gigs.