At some point people have to start taking responsibility for the financial chaos they are in, you can’t always blame the government for not being able to pay your rent on time. It’s time for Americans to stop spending money they don’t have.Omg, Lola, I can't believe you said this. While this may be true for some, this is certainly not a norm. Many people cannot pay their rent or mortgage because they have been laid off and what jobs are available don't pay the bills. We're certain to lose our home by spring at this point because there are NO jobs. People are losing their homes left and right here in MI and are heading out to Texas, Nevada and heaven knows where else to find work. My cousin, a simple guy whose family lives in the Rogers City area of MI, a guy who is a hard working man, industrious in a way I don't see often, is in Nevada working and sending home money. The only reason he can get away with this is because his children are grown. No, clearly, we're not all lazy slobs that charge fur coats and ipods and whine when there's nothing left for food and rent.
Lola, you seem to not get it. Maybe you've never been in a tight position or you've just got lucky. Do you have a credit card? If you do and things change, what are you going to do? Do you have a car payment of any kind? What are you going to do when you can't find work and you've lost your job? What about rent? Are you supporting yourself or is someone helping you? What if that stops in either situations?
For example...Divorce did me in. I had no control over that. I was a stay at home mom and had no schooling or much experience in the working world. Sure, I've had these little dead end jobs just to keep me from getting bored when my ex and I didn't have kids...but that's about it. I was a pioneer and was discouraged working since that wasn't "my place". My "nothing" jobs won't support me and 2 children.
Sure, tell me to get a job, are you going to come down here and watch my 2 children which cost $400. per week? Daycare around here is anywhere from $160-$200 per child depending the age. I'm ok at the moment but in a few weeks I will be tight again. I did have a job about a week ago but my dumb a** boss screwed up an important program for me (something I could not control). This is where the government is so sh*tty...I applied using my "emergency" approval for that job 2 months ago and got on the childcare program. I only had to pay $69 a month...big difference from $1,200 a month. Now because my boss screwed up things the government won't even look at the assistance. I have to reapply and wait 30 day but before I can reapply I have to get a job...but I have to have a babysitter in order to get a job...see the link that is difficult to break? I have plans on breaking that link but it's not going to happen over night.
I basically have nothing. I have a small 2 bedroom apt for me and my two kids...I have one pair of jeans...a few shirts...but I do make sure food is on the table, elec is on and a roof over our heads. My kids and I don't eat pizza or eat out much...maybe once a year, 2 times if we're lucky.
I just got my paid and once I pay my rent/elec./DSL so I can continue college/car payment...I have a little over $100 for food for the next 2 weeks. Even though I don't have credit cards anymore...I still have to move things around in order to make sure my electric doesn't get turned off or I get kicked out for late rent.
Take a break from school (sure you can save money there) and establish a rainy day fund.
Priest
You can't just take a break...the "break" you get is maybe 3 months...6 months in between degrees and then financial aid or loans stop. Once that stops it's hard to get the loans/aids/ect. started back again.