Anyone else struggled financially month to month but got out of it?

[Bushido8000]

Hey there!

So my wife and I (I'm 25, she's 21) live in Florida and work jobs that pay just over minimum wage. We really struggle from paycheck to paycheck, don't really have enough money to do a whole lot more than buy essentials every month (gas, car bill, rent, utilities) and sometimes we have barely enough money for even the essentials.

My question is this, how does one transition from that to someone who is able to buy a house and have kids? Who is more or less financially stable and doesn't work all day and night for 7 days a week?

We do try to save as much money as we can in a savings account but it just feels like things are going so slow financially. We are very wise with our money but it just feels like there's not as much money coming in for us as some other people in their mid-20s - early-30s.

Has anyone else been in this situation and come up out of it? If so, how did you do it?

P.S. I am in no way complaining. I know God has us and we enjoy life to the fullest It is just wise to seek knowledge from someone who may have been there and done that.

 

[blue_ladybug]

Several years ago, I had times when I could barely even afford to buy groceries, after all the other things were paid for: rent, electric, phone, etc etc.. Some months I have maybe $20 left to tide me over until the next month. But each and every time, God provides and has provided for me..

 

[Tinkerbell725]

Sometimes life is hard but sometimes when it rains it pours when it comes to blessings. It helps to save for the hard times. Until God opens a new door praise Him in the hallway.

 

[wisebeardman]

Sorry, not much you can do. this is the NEW America. the peasants scrape by. Ain't it wonderful? Now get back to work the master don't like the peasants complaining.

ie. get used to it, this is the new America. welcome to the third world.

 

[jogoldie]

My dear brother........these times your in right now.......the struggle....is what makes some
of the best times.....it is the climb we remember fondly when we look back......you and your
wife are making memories....times you tell your children about....make the best of these times....
God has His Plan for you.....don't miss today looking forward to to marrow....I thank God for those
times.......and you will too........one day .......peace ......jo

 

[posthuman]

we scrimped and saved and worked hard and trusted and waited.
always living below our means, never above them, doing everything to stay out of debt, saving whatever we could.

we work hard and live frugally. after about 8 years we had enough saved for a down payment on a house. God found a place for us, literally. it needed a lot of work, and we took home-improvement loans and did all that we could ourselves or with help of friends and family. eventually God led us to another place, and we were able to sell that house at a profit.

it took work, patience, and a lot of trust. don't forget to thank Him and acknowledge Him in everything you do! and never let covetousness cause you to spend more money than you have. you simply cannot save money while you are in debt, so don't get into it in the first place. if you're in debt, do everything you can to get out of it as fast as you can! money spent on debt interest payments is wasted. keep working hard and looking for something better - and keep trusting and waiting!

i'm still "poor" but stable & not destitute. i find that the more i try to use God's blessings to bless others, the more He blesses me with - good strategy i think.

 

[NewEagle]

Bushido8000 - After praying and asking the Lord for His help, my husband and I were able to get out of debt, but the Lord gave my husband a plan. We give all the glory to the Lord however because He made a way where there seemed to be no way.

Below are some of the things we did to get out of debt:

1. Pray. [I know. Captain Obvious here, but I had to list it cos it is true.]
2. Tithe.
3. Make a budget. Stick to it.
4. On a sheet of paper (or on the computer) list all spending categories and record what you spend daily.
5. Categories can include: Food, rent, phone(s), electric bill, water/sewage bill, gasoline, car insurance, medical insurance (if you have it), dental, clothes, Christmas gifts, auto repair, credit card payment and any other categories you may have.
6. Do not buy fast food and stop all eating out.
7. Forget going to movies for the time being.
8. No Netflix.
9. Some might say drop your internet provider, but if you are looking for a job, you will need your computer. Post your resume on monster.com, and careerbuilder.com. Learn how to use both of those websites to find a better job.
10. KEEP ALL RECEIPTS in case you need to return your purchase.
11. Shop at the Dollar Store!
12. Look up Extreme Couponing. Learn how to do it. My daughter has three kids and a husband plus she works about 8 hours a day. She REGULARLY has a grocery bill of approx. $220 a week but only pays about $20 because she knows how to follow the extreme couponing tips.
13. Here's just one website that explains how to extreme coupon: My Coupon Expert — Publix Deals Freebies Grocery Store Deals Coupon Matchups
14. If you need more info on how to extreme coupon, just CC email me.
15. If you have cable, disconnect it. You do not need it to live.
16. You can buy a broadcast TV antenna for about $15 at Walmart, which can receive as many as 25 channels depending on your location.
17. Plan your car trips. If you can do two or three things along the same route, do them.
18. Eliminate any spending that is not absolutely necessary.
19. You can save money and time by spending one or two days a month making several crock pot meals, dividing them up into smaller portions and freezing for later use.
20. If you don't already, make your own lunch and take it to work.
21. Don't buy soda, drink water.
22. Investigate other car insurance companies as well as other phone companies. Sometimes you can find cheaper plans.
23. Really think how you spend your money, and ask yourself ''Do I need this to live?'' before making any purchase.

Hope that helps. God Bless!

 

[Tinkerbell725]

Stop or minimize the use of the plastic money. Before you buy anything, ask 4 questions first...if the answer is yes to all questions then proceed but still with caution...but if there is a single no, then forget about it.

1. Do you like it?
2. Do you need it?
3. Do you have the money to pay for it?
4. Is your decision to buy it in accordance to God's will. Does it honor God or just for the sake of vanity?

 

[Trailblazer]

It is not a good idea to compare yourself to what others may seem to have.
Be thankful that you are wise with your money. For so many are spending foolishly with credit cards that come back to bite them.
Never charge more then you can pay off monthly. 0% interest that way. Start building credit smartly for buying a house one day. Take your time, relax and seek out better paying lines of work. explore lots of job options. then let the Holy Spirit guide you in your decisions making process for what you need to do.

In a nutshell. Start building good credit. Seek out better paying jobs.