hi 🙂 this is my first time using Reddit so forgive me if I mess it up please
I’m 19 (almost 20) and I live primarily alone. I moved out of my parents house at 18 (not by choice) and I’m trying to stay afloat financially, but Im kinda failing and I’m really overwhelmed right now.
I make around 2k/month, and these are my biggest expenses:
My portion of rent: $520
Car payment: $425
Car insurance: $430 (this was the cheapest I could find)
After bills/utilities/phone/gas/pet expenses, I have around $300/month for food and everything else. I also don’t have health insurance.
A few days ago I fell when I was practicing on my longboard (I’m trying to learn so I can skate to work and save on gas money) and I injured my shoulder. It’s gotten worse since the accident and it’s getting hard to use my arm even at all. I called urgent care and they said that it would be a minimum of $200 to even be seen, which I genuinely can’t afford without losing my food money. That’s not including any tests run by the doctors, also.
I also already have other health conditions I’ve been forced to ignore, since I can’t afford health insurance. Because of that, it’s hard for me to get a second job while still managing my home and being able to be with my pets.
I guess, overall I’m asking this:
What can I like, do?
If anyone who reads this has been in a similar spot, what did you do?
Are there any major options/resources I may not know about to sort of help pull me out of this cycle?
I know everyone is sort of screwed right now, but I’m just honestly really scared. I’m kind of on my own through all of this and I just really need some advice
To anyone who took the time to read this, thank you. I appreciate you all 🙂
19, trying to stay afloat financially, advice appreciated please
byu/si-air inpersonalfinance
Posted by si-air
3 Comments
Sell the car. 100%.
That car and car insurance are insane at a $2k per month income and they’re killing you. After you sell it buy a Much cheaper one.
yeah, the shoulder is the first thing i’d deal with. don’t just hope it fixes itself.
call urgent care and ask what the cash price is, or if they do payment plans. also check community clinics/medicaid if you haven’t already.
and honestly… the car is eating you alive. $425 payment plus $430 insurance on $2k/month is just too much. i’d be looking for any way to lower that before trying to “budget harder.”
you’re not failing. you’re just living with almost no room for anything to go wrong.
There are a lot of government programs available to help people in your situation. They are temporary, but it might be exactly what you need to get financial stability. Check your state government’s website, and also your county government’s website.
Short-term: get the shoulder checked; get free food at local foodbank through the United Way, or food pantry programs at churches; you are eligible for food stamps (which is called SNAP, supplemental nutrition assistance program, in some parts of the country), TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) which pays partial housing and utilities costs), Section 8 and public housing (programs that allow you to choose your own place and the government helps you pay part of it)
Long-term: get a job with more benefits (government jobs in my county offer free public transit, subsidized health insurance monthly premiums, retirement plans)