I'm tired of being broke!

[alphadore]

can we get some more details? Your income and your expenses? Then only will you be able to get some good suggestions from the members.

[alphadore]

Having the drive to get out of current state is the first major step.

I could not agree more!

[photo]

One thing that really helps is being around like-minded people. If you have friends who tend to concentrate their social lives around expensive events, then it's easier to feel like you're being left out or are being denied pleasures that others experience.

[Krazykat]

get a part time job if you can and sock away the money. Without knowing the situation, that's all I can suggest. If you can find something you like doing for side income, that will make it easier. I write and it helps.

[jasminhatcher]

I think you should definitely think about the company you're keeping, their unnecessary spending habits, and how its affecting you. When I was young I was broke all the time and so were my friends, but we always had a great time without spending too much.

[alex499]

I was in a similar situation last year but eventually i overcame it. All i can say is start savings and start making some action plan and set time frame. And yes who knows how your friends are getting money from.

[Nika]

Stop comparing yourself to other people. They may earn more. They may have parents who send them money every month. They may have inherited money when a grandparent died. Or they may be up to their eyeballs in debt and you just don't know it.

Or it may be none of the above!

Responsibility in financial matters can give a huge boost to income.

You and your friend can have exact same income, but if your friend has no debt and waited to get stuff until she could afford it, she would now:
1) have no debt payments
2) pay no interest (if you don't have to pay 29% interest, you get 29% more. that is a lot!)
3) get very low interest for things that she does finance, like a house or a car.
4) never have any bank fees, late fees, etc...

How much extra money do all those things combined add to her disposable income? It can be quite a lot. And I would not call it "unfair".

So if your co-worker is eating out and not struggling, no need to assume that it is because her parents supports her, or her husband manages a hedge fund, or that she must be more in debt than you.

[definesavings]

You have to get the right attitude. The "I don't think it's fair" is just part of life. When you say its embarrassing because your credit card will be rejected thats a sign that you need to address your spending habits. Really credit cards should only be used in emergency or if you can pay it off. You shouldn't normally use your credit card for stuff that you cannot afford. The first step to get right financially is setting down and drawing up a budget. It may be a hard road but I tackle it now or you'll be more stressed later in life.

[Ramose]

There are two ways to cut debt; make more or spend less. Really it all comes down to financial discipline.

[FionaEmm]

Get another job to increase income, or start reading this forum for ideas/suggestions on budgeting your current situation.



"Life isn't fair. It's how you deal with it that matters." One of the best things my dad taught me at a young age. As for your friends, either they work harder for what they want or they're in debt more than you know. As others have said, don't compare yourself to your friends.



That goes back to budgeting or breaking down your current financial situation and developing a plan.



Three options I can think of, lottery, bankruptcy or work on it one day at a time.

I apologize for sounding condescending, and you may just be venting. But it's difficult to hear others complain about expecting certain entitlements in life and not taking responsibilities for their actions.

You are right, you do sound condescending!I moved out when I was 16 because I had to so while my friends were going to school and doing normal things I was breaking my back working to pay bills. I missed out on my childhood and I am now 22 and still up to my eye balls in debt,watching people who are on benefits get handed 3 bedroom houses with brand new kitchens and bathrooms and I can't even afford to change a light bulb. The country is completely backwards, helping people who in my opinion do not deserve it and leaving the rest of us to drown in debt. So I am someone who has no social life or anything to pay for debt that I will never get rid of and it infuriates me when people like you have this whole "as well, tough" attitude - it's people like you who prevent our country from turning around and helping people who actually need it.

[Petunia 100]

You are right, you do sound condescending!I moved out when I was 16 because I had to so while my friends were going to school and doing normal things I was breaking my back working to pay bills. I missed out on my childhood and I am now 22 and still up to my eye balls in debt,watching people who are on benefits get handed 3 bedroom houses with brand new kitchens and bathrooms and I can't even afford to change a light bulb. The country is completely backwards, helping people who in my opinion do not deserve it and leaving the rest of us to drown in debt. So I am someone who has no social life or anything to pay for debt that I will never get rid of and it infuriates me when people like you have this whole "as well, tough" attitude - it's people like you who prevent our country from turning around and helping people who actually need it.

What sort of help would you like for the taxpayers to give you?

I think you CAN get rid of your debt. I think you CAN make of your life whatever you would like to make of it. What are your goals? Make a plan to get there, and work it.

[Baby_nurse]

You are right, you do sound condescending!I moved out when I was 16 because I had to so while my friends were going to school and doing normal things I was breaking my back working to pay bills. I missed out on my childhood and I am now 22 and still up to my eye balls in debt,watching people who are on benefits get handed 3 bedroom houses with brand new kitchens and bathrooms and I can't even afford to change a light bulb. The country is completely backwards, helping people who in my opinion do not deserve it and leaving the rest of us to drown in debt. So I am someone who has no social life or anything to pay for debt that I will never get rid of and it infuriates me when people like you have this whole "as well, tough" attitude - it's people like you who prevent our country from turning around and helping people who actually need it.

Why exactly do you think you deserve to be bailed out of the mistakes that you made? What make you more deserving than the next guy?

[EarlyRetirementJoy]

You are right, you do sound condescending!I moved out when I was 16 because I had to so while my friends were going to school and doing normal things I was breaking my back working to pay bills. I missed out on my childhood and I am now 22 and still up to my eye balls in debt,watching people who are on benefits get handed 3 bedroom houses with brand new kitchens and bathrooms and I can't even afford to change a light bulb. The country is completely backwards, helping people who in my opinion do not deserve it and leaving the rest of us to drown in debt. So I am someone who has no social life or anything to pay for debt that I will never get rid of and it infuriates me when people like you have this whole "as well, tough" attitude - it's people like you who prevent our country from turning around and helping people who actually need it.

So sorry, but you are barking up the wrong tree with this response. My story - self supporting at age 17. Got a full time entry level job on my own, which covered my rent on a room in someone else's house, plus car payment, insurance, groceries and a few bucks left over. Started attending college at night at a local Jr. College. Got my AA, top of my class FYI, and moved onto a local four year university, again part time. Worked my tail off and graduated at the top of my class once again, got three job offers as a result, and eventually made it to the 'lucrative' salary level. No one helped me, but more importantly, no one stopped me.

Public assistance = about $1,200 a month for one person, in my state, or $14,400 a year. Some life.