low income

[loulizlee]

My husband and I have a pretty comfortable life on Social Security and small retirements from past employment.  We don't have a lot, but we enjoy what we have and don't overspend. 

[lacdog47]

 I can't agree with you more. I think everyone should go cheap. Everytime a person buys something, they wish the price was cheaper. Maybe if america would of not raised prices on everything, maybe we wouldn't be in this broke mess.

[sherryinutah]

I would be considered low income; however, I don't have young children to support so I'm able to live within my budget.

I like keeping things simple where I'm able to manage what I have.  

[laine39]

No, I am not low income. I have no small children and live quite comfortably on my income and weekly alimony.

[premar16]

right now me and my sister are both disabled mines physical heres is mental I spend my days taking care of her.We live off of disabilty and whatever I make online

[demaina]

I'm not officially on my own but I'm hoping to get a job and move out soon (scary idea), but just started looking for a job.  I've saved probably 90% of the money I've earned all my life and try very hard not to spend the rest of stuff that I don't need.  I need to upgrade my computer system since it's 6 years old and can barely handle the software I need to run and be comfortable with for my job.  After weight my options, I decided to join the world of online earning to help cover the cost of the $2000 machine I plan to build.  I have enough to cover it with what I earned from my summer job, but don't want to throw all that money into this when I may need it in the future. 

I can't speak for everyone cause my situation is different, but most of the problem is that people dig themselves a hole by buying some things they want.  While there is nothing wrong with that, some don't have the money to buy what they want.  My cousin barely had $60 at the end of the month after paying off bills and such and he chose to buy a desk.  Not a bag buy, but it was $300.  A few months later he was unhappy that he didn't have some extra money to get pop or something else to drink. 

I see this a lot with my friends where they don't save, spend tons of money on food and drinking, and then can't afford anything.  Obviously this isn't everyone issue, but it seems to crop up more than other issues.

[springsgardner]

I also use FC to get more income. I just started doing Pampered Chef.

Another thing I do is regularly shop around for the best prices for regular bills like trash pick up, internet, phone, cell phone, etc. I just slashed a whole bunch on these bills by making a few calls and searching the net (another way to get paid on FC)

[lovekittytam]

I agree, times are hard for everyone. Everyone except for the rich. I have been looking for a job since May and still nothing.

[springsgardner]

I agree, times are hard for everyone. Everyone except for the rich. I have been looking for a job since May and still nothing.

If your unemployment ran out, maybe a pizza delivery job, home show company (pampered chef, tupperwear, creative memories, cutco, etc), or a temp job  could float you if you worked one of those jobs part time in the evenings while you spend the day "working" to find the job of your dreams. I hope you find one soon. My dh and I were laid off over 10 times in about 8 years. Some of our previous employers' companies failed (no longer exist). We did eventually find a job that my dh celebrated his 10th anniversary with recently- they gave him a 16 megapixal camera as a present.

[diala84]

Sometimes it is hardest when your pay stays the same but your needs start costing more. Prices of everything goes up over time even if at one point your income could buy you a decent life where all your needs are met all it takes is the prices increasing and it is difficult to even pay for your needs with the same income. We have to do our best with what we have and make sure we plan for the future as best we can.

[plennis]

  Times are tough.  It is hard to hear some people say if you are having a tough time get another job.  I worked for the same company as  CFO for 30 years, they decide to sell, the new company does not want to take on  the salaries and benefits of the long time employees, so we are all out of work.  (Thanks Mr. Romney).  Because of being over 55 other companies do not want to hire you, you won't stay that long.  Or they feel they can get a younger person for 1/2 the money.   Probably all true, I am now working about 6 different part time jobs and it only comes to about 1/2 of my former salary.  I also now have no benefits.  Some of us did everything right and we are still in big trouble.  I have also had several jobs that pay well, but only want you to train their younger people, then let you go.  I still have kids in college and we sure do not want to strap them with outrageous college debt.    We are  getting by, but barely.  So it is real easy to say go get another job, but not always  the easy thing to do.  I am tired of the lack of empathy and compassion from a lot of people who basically were not effected by the downturn in the economy.  With so many out of work, there are lines for pizza deliver jobs, and temporary jobs.
                                   

[Flackle]

Flackle, you've got some great ideas! But everyone does have a different outlook, not just about material things. For example, my parents never had much money, but they raised a large family with no government assistance. So even though my father lived paycheck to paycheck, his well-fed and taken care of family is more important to him than money and security. He certainly had his priorities straight as far as wants versus needs. We always had the basic necessities, but not a lot of extras. Even as kids almost any toys we had were gifts from relatives or friends. I thing it was good to be brought up rather austerely. It gave us a good appreciation of the really necessary things in life, and taught us to be frugal.

Having a large family without financial security? What would have happened if he lost his job, car, house, and the rest of his possessions? He wouldn't have been able to take care of you then. I consider financial security a NEED in today's economy (its really difficult to go out in the woods and find food/drink able water now a days so having money/resources saved is necessary for survival.) and to raise a family without financial security is hazardous, irresponsible, and risky. I'm really glad it worked out though. If anyone is thinking of doing this (especially now that having a job is extremely risky and its very possible to get fired with little notice) they really need to rethink their priorities. I'm not saying don't have a family (a family is a wonderful thing.) It just make sense to be secure FIRST and then regardless of what happens you are prepared to take on the responsibility of having a family. This isn't just some outlook on life, it's common sense.

[CHANEYLAKEGIRL]

I have a full time job, a part time job and 2 small at home businesses. So, yes I know times are tough, but its my responsibility to take care of my bills, so off to work I go.

[Joeycru]

We have a low income right now but both me and my wife have new jobs that will give us twice the income we have had. So we are feeling a lot better about our finances now. We won't have to worry every month so much now.

[BATISTAGIRL663]

single mom of two kids and i just bearly scrap by from month to month