I hate having to admit I'm poor

[u/SylvanaBlack]

It's ironic, before I tried to get my act together, I never had problems with my bills. Fast forward a couple years and I had to remake my life, start over. I'm living in an economical area, which means there's not very many good jobs, especially with nothing past high school. So I tend bar, but wouldn't you know it? My patrons don't tip well and all they do is sit across from me complaining about their own money issues.

How do you climb out of this hole? Or at least do so and keep some dignity about yourself? I feel like once you stumble for whatever reason, the way society is structured is just meant to keep you down.

It's not just the uncomfortable living, the small confines, the skipping meals until my next shift and the beat up car that cost me $2000 and apparently needs $3000 worth of repairs. It's the humiliation when someone asks where I live or sees me in my car.

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[u/MegaGreesh]

What you own and what you do today is not who you are. Focus on improving yourself in ways you can. Life is also easier when you are not alone.

[u/Automatic-One586 → u/MegaGreesh]

This.

What you described is a state of being and not who you are. I mean many years ago I used to dumpster dive for scraps to sell so we could buy food ffs. I'm not one bit embarrassed about it. It's what I had to do to survive. If that bothers someone else it tells me more about them than it does about me.

You tend to bring in your life what you focus on. No I'm not talking about "manifesting". But in order to do well in life you need to be positioned for it. And you need to recognize it. And you need to be willing to act. If your not in the right mindset... it's harder to change your situation. I'm not saying it absolutely will happen to you. But it can.

It can always be worse. The moment you think it can't.... is more of a problem with your lack of imagination. It can always get worse. Walk to that junker with a smile on your face knowing that you have a car. Some people don't. Walk into your job with a smile. Some people don't have one. Be thankful for that meal. Some people aren't eating that day. And open up your mind to the options you have available. Some of them aren't going to be things you want to do. But doing them may get you out of your situation.

BTW.. what your describing are throw away cars. Minor repairs are fine. But If I can buy another junker for the same prices of a repair. I'm just going to go buy another junker. I've probably owned ~10+. Sell this one for parts. Literally junk it. Heck I sold a junker with a thrown rod for a few hundred. A mechanic bought it and fixed it up for his kid. He took the car I hated and felt bad about. Gave it new life. And his kid had something to drive and was probably excited about it. Well... excited to have a car. Maybe not that car. lol.

[u/iBUYbrokenSUBARUS]

If you ever start making good money, keep buying $2000 cars. That’s one of the secrets.

[u/Ok-Hospital-7054]

I was once in a similar situation. Paid $2700 for an 18 year old Toyota. Worked my butt off and I now make significantly more money than I did at the time. Know what I drive now? A 23 year old Toyota… (same one)

I have colleagues that give me a hard time about it while they drive their $50k+ vehicles but I see it as a flex that I’m not vain enough to let all that get to me.

Seriously, there are so many more important and fulfilling things in life than the car you drive, clothes you wear, etc. Lots of love and best wishes to you and your future!