Question

I see a lot of you having wonderful success stories about paying off all your debt, or buying houses with cash, being able to save large amounts a week or month, etc. But my question is how many of you are doing all of this with low income? I make about 15, 000 a year (after taxes? ) work 45-50 hours a week, and have looked for second jobs or a different job that makes more money, sometimes it's hard to be positive and not envy all of you  

Answer 1

I focus on the advice of fellow savers rather than their numbers etc. I meal plan, do the budget etc and just try to be better by the advice that is given in each persons testimony. I read all the comments of a post that resonates with my situation and I am genuinely happy for everyone and I let that motivate me to one day post my victories. Until then I’m a sponge to all the debt free advice. I know my turn will come.  

Answer 2

Im having a hard time doing any off these thing i only made 14000 last year n this year won’t be nothing close to this bc my job id cutting hrs real bad I work about 20 a week by the most im unable to pay my debt w the little bit i make  

Answer 3

Look for more income. Better jobs, a side hustle, etc. People with big success stories usually sacrificed and worked a lot to make things happen.  

Answer 4

Increase your income.  

Comments

@haymaker30 I’ve been looking for better paying jobs but unfortunately there’s just not much out there at the moment

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@ful1 I've been looking for over a year for a 2nd job and or switching jobs with no luck! It's so frustrating. I even have my masters degree and am a single mom

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Have you read the post with peoples' side hustle suggestions? That's a great resource! Otherwise I have learned to say "NO" to people when they ask me to do things and suggest free things instead. Changing your habits it's the best way, especially with meal prepping and eating out your pantry/freezer too! What's your accommodation like? Could you move into a smaller/cheaper place? Could you find a budget friendly older car? I live in a basement apartment and drive a 2004 Honda civic.  

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Babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, grocery shopping, uber/lyft.  

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Where do you work? For $15, 080 before taxes you are earning $7. 25 an hour minimum wage. Can you work for Starbucks or Dunkin? Yes, it might be minimum wage there but most let you take tips. n

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@ful1 I understand.  

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@ful1 have you gone to employment agencies? They have the direct line to who is hiring and are motivated to get you a job because that’s how they get paid! It’s great if you temp first because it’s like trying on a company to be sure they fit before you make a commitment.  

Answer 5

You have to find ways to increase your income. I’m still paying off debt slowly but the income from my Etsy shop has helped me make extra payments

Answer 6

We have a low income and for months I didn’t have any left over for extra debt payments. I cut so many things and am I crazy person when it comes to the budget. I say no ALL the time, my family hates me. Our journey will be longer, but I’m making it work  just have to make the most out of your journey!  

Answer 7

Is it possible to reduce/eliminate expenses? The easy ones are things like Netflix or prime can go. Auto insurance can sometimes be renegotiated, utilities sometimes have assistance programs that either cover a portion of tour bill or change your charge tier for a period of time etc. I assume you have ALL of your expenses down and recurring on paper or in digital at this point, so you have a visual of what they are.  

Answer 8

I make between 3000-6000 a month. Single mom. 6 kids.  

Comments

@ful1 hustle my butt off

Answer 9

Get a side hustle!  

Answer 10

You have to find ways to increase income and/or decrease expenses. That’s the only way to do it.  

Answer 11

Stay at home mom here. My husband is a machinist and we make okay money. Not amazing, but not the lowest of lows either. We pay child support on two of our 3 kiddos though and that makes things difficult. I babysit as much as I can and clean a house every week for extra cash.  

Answer 12

Get a side hustle to up your income. My husband works full time and we both have a side hustle.  

Answer 13

I’m assuming your part time? Is there any way you can get full time? Honestly, that would be a struggle regardless of how much you cut. But in not sure where your from and how afford ame it is there.  

Comments

I'm actually full time and work 45-50 hours a week

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Actually, if you are working 45-50 hours a week your pay before taxes is $16, 965. Unless you are saying you make $15k take home, you are being paid less than minimum wage.  

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@ful1 oh wow! What is minimum wage where you are?  

Answer 14

I make a decent living, but I find it a REAL GOOD month when I’ve been able to save $200. Lol. Sometimes it can be discouraging seeing all the “I paid this off” posts and the “I saved this much” posts but you have to remember all of our journeys are different and we just have to focus on our own. I do agree with the side hustle comments if you have time for that. If not, just know you’re plan and your unique journey and be proud that you have a plan. We are also all at different times of our journeys too which is also a big factor. Keep budgeting and do what you can to save, you’ll get there!  

Answer 15

My husband has a good job but I have a side hustle to help pay debt off quicker. I recommend side hustle.  

Comments

@wahoo20688 curious what’s your side hustle? I’ve thought about that to help pay things off quicker/save more but I’m at a loss what I could do

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@unemployment I’m a Director with Mary Kay. I used to be an accounting manager for an oilfield company and decided to no longer work for a corporation.  

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@unemployment whatever side hustle you decide just make sure you can control your hours and how much your worth. I’m cheering you on.  

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Thank you Nikki! I’ve tried something similar and it just doesn’t go over well in my area. I actually used to work in billing for an oilfield office. I quit when I had my first baby though.  

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@unemployment . I understand on this type of side hustle but do you have a hobby that you could put to use and make money? Like photography or crafts? Glad you were able to take time off for baby.  

Answer 16

Side hustle and volunteer for extra hours. Meal prep, use employee freebies and benefits. Downsize. Trust me I know it’s hard but where there is a will there is a way.  

Answer 17

Side hustles are amazing! Work as little or as much as you want, on your own time, wherever you are!  

Answer 18

I was in your shoes about 5 years ago. It is a very discouraging place to be. I had to leave pages/groups like this for awhile because I was so disheartening. I made my goal during this time to just not rack up debt. I was never bitter or resentful of other people’s success but I just found it to be completely unrelatable. I was seeing people pay off more debt in 5 months than what our annual income was and I just couldn’t even relate to anything I was reading so I had to step away. At the time I was a SAHM with 3 kids and my husband made about 45K a year. We were making things work but barely. It’s hard to believe it sometimes but your time will come. Things will improve! Now our kids are older so I can work full time. Me and my husband both added a part-time job. I still find some people’s circumstances to be totally different than mine but I can at least do some of the things that others can do. Really the only way our lot in life improved was biding our time and now that we can adding income. It is essential. You can only cut so much fat. I hope this doesn’t come off nasty but saying you can’t add income is simply not true. Pick a job you don’t need to be hired for - Uber, instacart, grub hub. If you have a car, you have a job  

Answer 19

I am a single mom of 2 teens. Last year I paid off my jeep (2k), sold my home in IL and moved us to TN. With the profit from my home sale (not a lot because house market sucks in IL) I rented here [TN] for 8 months and just moved into the home I bought using my home profits from sale of IL home. I found a job here to start then looked for a better paying job that I am in now. It can be done. I have saved, and watched pennies and feel like i can finally breathe a little. My only debt now is my new home and as soon as my new budget is all worked out (March will be first full month in new home) I will be able to better focus on more goals. We have gotten rid of cable, Hulu (noone watched it), and i only do grocery delivery/pickup now to stay out of the stores!  

Answer 20

I literally felt this way for months. I grossed 13, 000 for the year of 2019. I decided to do what a few women reccomended. Career change! I applied to jobs i knew paid more than i currently do and just winged it. Bought an interview outfit at goodwill (and got half off! ) Went into the interview right after boosted myself up in the mirror. I start next monday! Ill finally have more income, plus all of the benefits! Ive never had a job like this before. Its possible! Best of luck ❤

Answer 21

I’m currently going through job training so I can make more than I did previously. Best decision I made.  

Answer 22

We are considered low income for where we live (California/Bay area). We paid off most of our debt last month. We have moved in with my in-laws, cut everything that wasn't necessary, and put every last penny to debt we could. However last month we also got our tax return and a dividend from my husband's job.  

Comments

@nitrate47 I’m low income for my area too.  

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@haymaker30 combined my husband and I make about 4. 5k net, but can't afford even rent on a 1 bedroom here, even after cutting our expenses.  

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@nitrate47 woah

Answer 23

So I stalked your profile, it doesn’t even look like you are making your states minimum wage? Plus overtime- unless your quote is after taxes? With 5 hours of over time weekly you should be pulling in nearly 5k a year in just overtime?  

Comments

@chromolithography10 she is. $12 is over her state min. (I looked too after wondering if it might be my home state, and it is). It’s also not a cheap area to live in (ski resorts all around).  

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@unemployment Martel shes not, the typical work year is 2080 hours x 12 she’d earn almost $25k before taxes not including overtime. I highly doubt she’s paying 10k in taxes with 2 kids and a hubby. We don’t pay 10k a year in taxes and make significantly more.  

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@chromolithography10 yeah, but I think her numbers are incorrect. 2020 min wage there is just under $11. She may be quoting her take home after taxes.  

Answer 24

You make just over $6/hr? :O :( Is this normal in the states?  

Comments

@mistymisunderstand that’s not even minimum wage here. Minimum wage is 7. 25

Answer 25

I'm low income too and just starting

Answer 26

I am lower income. I did a no-buy 2019 to take control of my finances. It is amazing how much money dribbles through our fingers every month! A take out coffee here, a snack there, a new top I didn't really need, makeup that I may or may not even use. These little "treats" suck the life out of us financially. I learned the difference between need and want and came to understand my habits and how I sabotaged myself financially. I was able to claw back $350-400 a month that was getting spend on wants, not needs! That was HUGE!  

Answer 27

It definitely isn’t always easy. Mine is slower. I make $30k working on paying off cc debt and paying cash to replace my car. But I pay attention to just myself, really. The budget really has helped me put all kinds of small amounts away. I was looking at my savings acct where my sinking funds are. Just started in January and have 600. That’s half of what one person saved in one month. But it’s AMAZING for me. And freeing just the same.  

Comments

@immolation549 yeeessss!  

Answer 28

Ideas: shop for shipt, babysit, get a cricut and sell things, sell on mecari/poshmark, waitress, bartend - a lot of options available if you can make it work!  

Answer 29

Even our part time tellers start at $15 per hour where I work. It's time for a career change.  

Answer 30

All I know is I would be willing to bet most people doing this do not make enough money to save these huge amounts. Most of us are happy to save even a hundred here and there. Maybe even less. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Just do the best you can do.  

Answer 31

I would definitely find another job. if you’re only making $15000 a year and working that much you are SERIOUSLY under paid. Like not even minimum wage under paid.  

Answer 32

Budget Each paycheck. Start there and save what you can even if you start with saving $1. 00 each paycheck. You have to start somewhere.  

Answer 33

I understand your frustration. The main thing to remember is everyone has a different situation. My focus is learning to spend less and save what is left over. I like looking back at the early Budget Mom videos.  

Answer 34

Yeah i feel this. I’m a single mom of two and I struggle financially. It’s so hard. Just trying to take baby steps and work towards one goal at a time and not get discouraged. It doesn’t matter how fast you pay it off. All that matters is that you’re trying and you’re making a difference. I know how hard it is to stay positive. It would be so much easier with another income or if I made more. But at least I’m doing the best I can. That’s all you can do too! You can do it ☺️

Answer 35

You need to get a job that pays more than minimum wage

Answer 36

Career change. I worked at Costco in college (10 years ago) and was making 22$ an hour saying “welcome to Costco! ”

Answer 37

Average millionaire has 7 different streams of income. You may not side hustle to a millionaire but you could increase your income.  

Answer 38

If you're a supervisor I would look for another job. I work at a casino as a supervisor and I make over $22 an hr.  

Answer 39

Just remember, those who are announcing they are debt free or bought a house etc., they didn’t start their journey today or yesterday or just last week or last month. they started their story a long time ago and you’re just reading the ending of their chapter.  

Answer 40

10 years ago I was a single mom of two. I couldn’t afford anything more than my state helped rent of $450 (it was a blessing). I’ll never forget the hurt it brought me to not be able to get my daughters a single gift for Christmas or any decorations for the apartment (not even 99 cent store stuff)! The last 10 years have been hard as heck and humbling. As of last month I am credit card debt free with one more to go for my husband and this coming May we will be closing on a house. I spent many nights in tears and will always be able to feel the moments when my heart felt like it couldn’t take it anymore. I’ll never forget the anxiety and how scared I was that I had 3 days to pay rent or I’d be out of a place for my babies to sleep safely, I’ve spent nights in the dark bc I couldn’t pay my electric bill. I share all this to say you’re not alone and it’s not the end. There is always room for growth. Just keep moving forward. It’ll take sacrifice but there will be a day when you’ll back and be like holy crap look at what I did! You got this! Keep on going one tiny step at at a time!  

Answer 41

So I don't think anyone is buying houses cash. besides Miko because of her multimillion dollar business. thanks to everyone here btw lol . please don't compare yourself with anyone! Everyone has different incomes, budgets, debts, situations. what I would recommend is definetly switching jobs! Working 50 hours for $15k a year? that's crazy anywhere!  

Answer 42

You need a new job, ASAP! Working that many hours and only coming home with that? You’re being used and abused girl!  

Answer 43

I know it’s hard. I make good money at my full time job, work per diem, have a 1099 I do from home, and sell things, but I’m in a crapload of debt from a combo of not great decisions and massive school debt so I could advance to the job I have now. So in essence, most of my money flies away to interest/debt every month, but I’m working on that! We’re all on our own journey, try to stay positive and do what you can. I just dream of a day when I can afford just one job. lol

Answer 44

‍♀️ we have low income. Yea the light at the end of the tunnel is real dim. Lol

Answer 45

New job you could work at McDonalds and get paid more that that.  

Answer 46

Where in Vermont do you live? My mom owns a company that is almost always hiring and would pay you A LOT more than that. Send me a message girl.  

Comments

I'm in st albans! messaging you!  

Answer 47

I have the feels for this so much! There is no way I can save enough to buy a house with cash especially considering my student loan debt and the low income I have.  

Answer 48

Do you have a Costco in your area?  

Comments

I do! just applied to a few positions there!  

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@ful1 yay that’s good! I work there! Very good company to work for with amazing benefits  you can top out making around $25 an hr! Make sure to call and check on your application so they know you’re interested! Starting pay is now at $15 an hr and you get paid time and a half to work Sundays!  

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What do you do there?!  

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@ful1 I’m a cashier. You will usually start out as an assistant. Cashiers make an extra $1 than assistants

Answer 49

I was living in homeless shelters, got a section 8 apartment, and was receiving cash assistance. I cried a lot. I took my tax refund the following year and signed up for a Certified Nurse's Aide course. I just grossed 44k after 10 years. I'm so proud of my journey. I appreciate so much more. I'm currently work 2 CNA jobs 60-70 hours a week. A better question is what sacrifices are these people making.  

Comments

How were you able to arrange to go to school while on Section 8 or did you have to give that up?  

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60-70 hrs per wk is a lot. You have a lot of stamina

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@discompose the nurse's aide program is a certification class. The section 8 only cares about your income. Once I started making decent money, the section 8 went away. I managed to get an apartment manager job which gave me free rent while doing the CNA job. Doing this with a young child was so hard, but having her see me cry prior to this was worse.  

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@lettie cheers to you, I have a similar story just studied something else. The question really must be what sacrifices were they willing to make ❤️

Answer 50

Every one has a unique situation. It's hard not to compare and feel a bit down. However, remember you are exactly where God needs you to be. Don't lose Faith.  

Answer 51

From what you said about your tax return, look at the first income number on your W-2, the number before you calculate your AGI.  

Answer 52

Don’t compare your chapter one to someone’s chapter 103. You will get there but the first thing is to start where YOU can.  

Answer 53

Confused. VT is basically $11 minimum wage. 40 hour is $23k with 10 hours OT that’s an additional $8500 equaling $ 31500k taxes aren’t 50%? Even at 20% tax rate thats over $25k take home. Which I understand is still very hard. There are SO many more jobs our there that pay much more and many are more flexible than you would imagine this day & age. Ask & look you will be very surprised. Don’t keep yourself at a minimum wage job - you’ve already shared you are a hard worker by the amount of hours you work. Now, get paid what you deserve as a hourly rate . Best of luck . You can do it!  

Answer 54

Girl you can make more $ than that by babysitting, cleaning houses, being a petsitter/dog walker. There are apps that connect you with these gigs, or sites like care. com You could easily make more than that as an ebay seller too!  

Answer 55

Stick with it! As long as you ALWAYS remember to spend less than you make, you will be ahead of most folks. I was in a desperate situation years ago. It is possible. It is determination that will get you through! Don’t look at others. Look at what YOU can do! ❤️