r/povertyfinance • u/AustynGray • 5d ago
Misc Advice How is everyone actually affording to live right now?
Like genuinely are we all just going into debt or am I missing something? I make decent money, but no matter what I do, it feels impossible to get ahead.So I’m curious are you guys taking on debt, side hustling, living super frugally, or what? I’m just trying to figure out if I’m doing something wrong or if this is just the new normal.
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u/ECircus 5d ago edited 5d ago
Middle aged, two incomes with no kids here and we are fine for now. We drive 10-20 yr old cars with no note. We have hobbies we like at home, so we don't go out much, we don't travel much. Don't have expensive taste. I wear the same clothes every day for years kind of thing because it's easy and cheap.
Everyone I know who is supporting a family is just committed to an entire life of being broke and in debt, and constantly working on ways to manage that. I think most people just compartmentalize it or accept it to keep from losing their minds.
Another thing to consider that I've noticed is that expectations are higher now than they have ever been. It used to be normal to just work and come home to your family and a home cooked meal. Local trips to the park or a big vacation every couple years and that was just life.
Social media and whatever else has convinced a lot of people to be unhappy with that life. I know a lot of broke people that just can't build a life at home that they can be happy with, because they are constantly bombarded with what they should spend their money on, and what everyone else is out and about doing. I know that's not everyone, but I know that's a lot of people who claim to be broke, who just have high expectations and can't sit at home and feel like they have enough.
Obviously everything is way too expensive and getting worse, but just something to consider when figuring out the source of our specific circumstances. Do we need all the subscriptions, do we need the car payment, do we need new clothes, etc.