Hello everyone since I am broke broke what are some tips that made life a bit easier it could be anything such as hygiene tips,hobbies,cleaning ,cooking anything that makes life easier and saves money
Honestly I don't even know why I'm posting this. I've been sitting in here for two hours, staring at the stupid piece of paper I was just given. My hands were shaking when I first read it. They're not now but that's only because I think my brain went numb. I am a 34 yr old single mother in Tulsa. I work at a distribution warehouse M-Sat, 6am-2:30pm. I take home about 1850 dollars a month, after taxes. My rent is 975 dollars a month. That use to be affordable. That use to leave room to breathe. Then February happened. My daughter Mara got a respiratory infection that turned into something else, and missed 11 days of school. I had to stay home from work with her for 6 of those days because they don't allow children with fevers at her school and she is only 8 years old, she can't be left home alone. I used up all the sick time I had accumulated since October and they docked the rest of it from my check. I took home 1190 dollars that month, paid rent, her medicine, and bought groceries. I did not pay the electric bill. The electric bill rolled over into March. In March there was also car maintenance that I couldn't afford to put off because if I don't have the car, I can't go to work, and if I don't go to work I have nothing. I paid half the electric bill, I paid my rent late, and was charged a late fee. I told myself I would catch up in April. This morning before I even had my coffee, the landlord handed me this notice. Apparently paying rent late twice in three months constitutes grounds for a 30-day notice in my lease. I re-read the lease I signed two years ago, and the landlord is correct. I did not read the lease carefully enough when I signed it. I have been a tenant in this apartment for two years and I've never had a noise complaint. I haven't done any damage. I painted Mara's room myself, and touched up the baseboards in the hallway without being asked. I guess none of that matters because none of it is in the lease. I don't really have family that I can call. My mom passed away in 2021 and my dad has been in assisted living for the past year, diagnosed with early onset dementia. My sister lives in Arizona and has four kids, and I wouldn't want to burden her, she's got enough going on. Mara's dad has been out of the picture for 6 years now, and I learned a long time ago not to depend on that avenue for anything. I have already started looking at available rental assistance in Tulsa. I found a reference for the Community Action Project of Tulsa County and I plan to call them first thing Monday. I also saw a reference to an Oklahoma 211 line that supposedly refers people to local emergency resources. I've never called one before, but I plan to. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, does anyone have a situation like mine where they were just behind on rent for one bad turn in their life, where they had been a reliable tenant for years. Did calling the landlord directly actually work? Were you able to negotiate an extension through legal aid? I'm not asking for someone to tell me it's going to be okay. I just want to know what actually made a difference for those who were in a situation like mine. Mara has no idea about any of this. She is in the other room, playing on the tablet, and this morning she asked if we could plant tomatoes on the balcony like we did last summer. I told her yes. I am going to figure out how to make that yes a reality.
I know poverty is not just about money it affects time energy and daily choices too. Sometimes big solutions feel far away so I wanted to share a few small practical things that can make day to day life a bit easier.
One thing that helps is planning simple meals around what is already at home before buying anything new. It reduces waste and saves money without needing complicated budgeting systems.
Another helpful habit is checking local community resources like food support centers or skill programs. Many people do not use them just because they are not aware they exist.
Also breaking problems into very small steps makes them less overwhelming. Instead of trying to fix everything at once focus on one area like food transport or job search at a time.
Most importantly small progress still counts even if it feels slow. Stability usually comes from small consistent actions rather than big sudden changes.
There’s a place to donate at my local library for people in need, but I’ve noticed it’s often stocked with stuff like cheap ramen.
I want to know what people are actually in need of, something nutritious maybe that you never find in donation centers.
I don’t make much money, but I do make enough to help stock up at least some and I’d like to do so regularly.
Hey everyone,
Hopefully this is being posted in the right section. If not, my apologies & feel free to just delete.
My question:
I know the saying "beggars can't be choosers" and I'm not trying to be THAT person. I do have to ask though...
Can I bring my own phone? I'd have to pay it off first, but is it an option, if I were to? (OR buy a paid off one on Marketplace lol)
I'm home a good bit. If I used wifi, it would offset the low data, I'm guessing..?
If I weren't able to pay my current phone off; just how 'bad' are the phones, exactly?
Currently I've got T-Mobile, 3 lines (1 free), and wifi. But the bill is just so much. It's realistic, but I can't keep up. I'm trying to see what I should do in this case and what other options I have.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read!
Been here on Reddit less than a day and already so many of you guys have helped me,i feel so grateful and fulfilled by everyone out there thank you so much
I am(31F/NB) determined to find a way to date that works for me, even if it's not ideal or what I deserve, because human connection is so, so incredibly important. I'm curious if others have just tried loose dating, friends with benefits, stopped altogether, etc. and what tips/methods have worked for them?
Context: I've had a rough go of it for about 6-7 years now both financially and relationally, including romantically. I'll admit there have definitely been things that I have learned along the way and worked on, yet I'm also aware that I've genuinely just gotten an unlucky streak of job and partner stuff.
I've struggled dating due to being poor since 2018, but especially the last few years where it has been more of interest as I get older.
Biggest challenges:
- past of sexual trauma, so FWB is hard for me as I need to feel safe and that requires more intimate relationship building and that often is a slippery slope with FWB even with good boundaries
- I also have a medical condition that makes intimacy a bit harder at times, so that adds another layer towards compatibility
- I thank gosh live alone, but since I'm poor, I don't run my AC much if at all, meaning we have to hope their place is suitable since most public places cost money and most 3rd spaces are hot 80% of the year where I live (this also means homes are typically entered earlier in the relationship as opposed to pacing at own leisure)
- I live in a small town and grew up here, so that limits the dating pool even more and makes for 'messing up' as I explore the world of dating even more risky
- I'm queer and gender non-conforming but very white woman passing initially, so it's always a thing to mentally prepare folks that I don't shave or trust when they say it's fine
- survival mode makes it hard to be present or have the capacity to try in the first place or maintain momentum.
- I can be creative with dates, not take judgement personally, etc. but I understand folks with more money not wanting to always pay and getting tired of it, which oftentimes makes you incompatible. Also, it often takes time and energy to be thoughtful and proactive for free stuff, which is often limited when you're poor and working multiple jobs. Also, this overlaps with loved ones in general. If you're needing to get new jobs almost every year due to toxic work environments or unstable employment, you can never plan in advance and often can't ask off for birthday, weddings, holidays, etc.
- very, very introverted and barely have time for friends and family let alone the trial and error of a new person
- my brother took his life two years ago, and much of my life prior to that point was navigating the tricky line of supporting & keeping a distance from him, potentially adopting his kids, and balancing my dysfunctional family dynamic (esp since I couldn't fully support myself). It may not be my fault, but that is a big topic/part of one's life when dating that you don't really want to glaze over or go too long without disclosing as part of the relationship they're investing in.
- ^^because of this, I still struggle with codependency. I attend support groups every week. Have been in therapy since I was a teen. I do the work and likely will the rest of my life. I'm not lazy, it's just the cards I've been dealt and I'm taking responsibility the best way I can, but healing often needs others/relationships to take place. You can only solo journal or research so much.
People always suggest, "Take time for yourself until you get more stable," or, "The right person won't care." I have even heard from folks with more money state it's more of 'why' someone is poor, recognizing it may be struggles of someone who has worked hard but just has a rough go of things or has medical/personal challenges that make it difficult for them to advance or make more money - all being no big deal. Although said with good intentions, it's exhausting when it's been ongoing for years and it is understandable that people get tired of it. Also, it is much more likely to be a big deal either initially or eventually if it's been ongoing(which it has been + cumulative, which is also often the case since poverty is part of a system that is meant to keep you poor.) It is objectively not the most compatible situation for most, and I try my best to not get depressed about it. I know I'm a great person and 'deserve love' just like everyone else.
If you just have kind words, that's great. If you also have tips that have helped you navigate dating, please share. Whether it's being upfront when dating about what you can offer and what you want(while still figuring it our and knowing it may change), or finding acceptance with the one-off connections, relating to others in similar situations, etc. I'd love anything that helps.
(UT) I’m new to this and nervous. My local food bank requires proof of income and proof of address. Do I just show up with a paystub and bill and that’s it? What happens when I’m approved to utilize the food bank? Do I bring bags?
I was poor for a long time. Who knows, I might be poor again in the future, but right now, at this moment, I have a good job.
However, some things I do have engendered some comments from new friends or even my own introspection.
Even though I now own a quality laptop and have a TV, I still watch videos mostly on my phone, in my bed, and it's still the same free sites. I just got used to watching free videos on my phone, and I still do it.
I still cook all the time and I still buy whatever is on sale from grocery stores. I think I got "used to" the fun of the challenge of everything being Iron Chef. I do not avoid invitations to go out anymore because I can afford it, so I do get to eat at restaurants too. Yesterday I ate a baked potato because I had the end of a butter stick and some green onions going bad, as well as a dried up knob of cheddar. Everyone I know would throw this out, and I could afford to throw this out, but I didn't.
I just purchased shoes for $24 because "it was a good deal" even though I didn't need to. The shoes are of much lower quality than the people I work with, and they don't understand why I am pleased with "getting a good deal". Why would I voluntarily buy budget shoes when I don't need to?
When gas prices shot up, I reflexively planned a bunch of hobby events that don't require me to use my car. Night in, cycling around the neighborhood, playing video games, and I stopped using it except for work, which was my usual move when gas was too hot.
What do you still do from more impoverished times
26, F. Illinois.
I’m looking for advice or at least some peace of mind because I’m extremely overwhelmed right now.
The last six months of my life have been a nonstop series of unfortunate events. I was part of a mass layoff and my termination date was suddenly moved up from the fall to just a week ago. In the winter I lost both my brother and my grandpa, and I put money I absolutely didn’t have toward funeral expenses.
Then I was T-boned and the car I had just bought - the one I put my entire savings into - was totaled. I’ve been relying on rideshare just to get around. Side note… I only spent all my savings on a newer car because my entire adult life I’ve owned lemons. I grew up poor and paid for college out of pocket, so cheap cars were all I could afford, and they constantly broke down. I finally tried to do something “right”… and then the accident happened.
My credit is bad (around 590). When I was 18, I didn’t know what I was doing and took out high‑interest loans to deal with car issues and life expenses, and sometimes couldn’t keep up. Since then, I’ve never really been able to get ahead. I’ve also been exhausted and flagged as unreliable by ALL of the income‑advance apps like Dave and Earnin. I don’t have a cosigner.
Now I’m $1,000 behind on April rent. On the 17th of each month (today) we get 5 day notices before the termination is filed. I emailed my property manager to ask if she would accept a partial payment - she said absolutely not. I then asked if I could pay the full amount on the 29th, when I receive my next severance payment. She replied saying my account will be sent to attorneys on April 21st, and that even if I pay on the 29th, I’d also have to pay attorney fees before she could pull it back. She said the fees start at $444.25.
I don’t know how accurate that is, but what I do know is that I absolutely cannot afford an eviction. My credit is already ruined, I don’t need an eviction record. And, court fees would destroy me.
My lease ends August 29th, and they already told me I’m not allowed to renew because I had a breast mass removed and a friend stayed with me for over two weeks to help care for me - apparently that counts as a lease violation.
I have no way to get this $1,000 before the 21st. I can’t do Instacart or DoorDash without a car. I can’t get a loan because of my credit and no cosigner. I can’t use money‑fronting apps. I don’t have family or friends I can borrow from. I feel completely trapped.
If anyone knows anything - whether this attorney fee timeline sounds right, or if there’s anything I can do to prevent an eviction, or even just reassurance - I’d really appreciate it. I’m genuinely scared and don’t know what my next step is.
Stressed out because I have to pay at least half the electric by the 27th or else they'll shut my lights off and I have nowhere else to go with my 2 kids. Trying to juggle that on top of whatever my kids need between now and then, plus groceries and it's all solely dependent on whatever money I make. Their father hasn't been in the picture in 6+ months and it's got me on edge
I’ve been trying to fix my budgeting habits and noticed a few patterns that helped me stop overspending. One thing that helped was tracking my paycheck in categories instead of trying to control everything at once.
I’m drowning in debt I have $25,000 in student loans, $18,000 in other debts and I’m not sure what to do or how to make it to tomorrow
A sizeable box of free food is available at Kroger located at 9610 North Kings Highway Myrtle Beach, SC 29572. Anyone interested in more information can send me a DM.