I have 1,400 dollars to my name, car-less, in-between jobs and staying at my boyfriend’s place. I need some financial guidance.
Context ::
I’ve been saving up for a car for the past 6 months. My boyfriend (21) has been saving for an apartment for 5 months just before we started dating. His mom has taken 300 dollars from him in “rent” each month to help us stay on track, and plans on giving us the money when we figure out where we wanna move.
We have discussed him paying for the apartment for a few months, since after I buy a car and pay for insurance and etc. I would probably need to save again to help pay for the apartment. Cars are expensive. My boyfriend offered for me to buy his old car off of him (1,000$), but he’s going back on it because he doesn’t think it would be a net gain. His old car has a bad oil leak and I would have to pay 700$ to get it fixed.
About two months ago I had a hospital trip that now has me paying 150-200$ monthly, which I’ve been doing with my credit card to build some credit.
I’m not too concerned about a job, since I live in a small town and everyone is hiring, but more so on **what I should do with my money when I get one**!!!
I also got kicked out last night because of an argument me and my mom had. I don’t feel comfortable going back and asking for advice, and they don’t give good advice anyways. So parental advice is off the table.
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I guess what I’m asking is how should I go about this when I do get a job? How do I balance all these things and stay on top of everything else? How can I finance the hospital bills, a shitty car, apartment rent, etc. without failing?
I feel so lost and utterly alone in this situation, although I know I’m not the only one.
I have 1,400 dollars to my name, car-less, in-between jobs and staying at my boyfriend’s place
byu/Western_Influence_92 inpersonalfinance
Posted by Western_Influence_92
7 Comments
Cars are a money pit. Avoid it – public transport. Uber. Bike. Live where you don’t need a car.
You need to get a job immediately. That should be your first priority.
With this situation, I feel like getting a job should be your first priority. If your job requires a car, then maybe get one at that point, but what do you even need a car for without a job?
First things first, the job(s). Get that job. Always have money in your account to cover the cc bills and set up autopay in case you forget to pay. If you can increase your income more than what the average rate is in your town that would be of great help, so this means getting a better job or working 2 jobs.
From there you will have open doors for various opportunities. Right now, those doors are closed and shut tight UNTIL you get income flowing in. Utilize public transport as much as you can or see if anyone you know can offer rides.
>what I should do with my money when I get one
Follow the flowchart here to build up a savings safety net and pay off debt:
https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/commontopics/
>About two months ago I had a hospital trip that now has me paying 150-200$ monthly, which I’ve been doing with my credit card to build some credit.
Putting this on a CC does not help build credit, and if you’re carrying a CC balance it’s only hurting you.
If you’re struggling to pay, talk to the hospital about hardship programs.
>How do I balance all these things and stay on top of everything else?
Prioritize
1. Keeping a roof over your head and food on your table.
2. Having what you need to perform your job and keep earning money (i.e., transportation). If you can get by with public transit, then do so for now even if it’s inconvenient.
3. Everything else
At face value, this seems like more of a long term life situation than a short term financial crisis.
It would seem you and your boyfriend are in similar situations which doesn’t really help. Sometimes compounds it sometimes teamwork to escape it.
Ultimately if you want more, staying in this small town which sounds to be lower income with limited options seems like the main thing that will hold you down.
You don’t have kids etc holding you down. Get out there, do more, be more. You can do it.
Imma be so real rn. Your priorities are beyond fucked.
You’re in between jobs, car-less, have (at a minimum) $200 in obligations with only 1,400 to your name? Yet have the audacity to say, “I’m not too concerned about a job…” ??? WTF?
You only have 7 months AT BEST, without even factoring the cost of just existing, before you have $0. GET A JOB.
You worrying about how you are going to manage your money doesn’t matter if you have no income stream.
Also, a car is better than no car. Who cares if it’s a beater. If it gets you from A to B, then it’s ok.