EDIT: Wow! I feel like this is the most active I've been on Reddit lately! Thank you you everyone that commented and provided suggestions! I really appreciate the help! After reading all the comments and advice here's what I've decided to do for now: 1. Keeping the storage unit I need to keep it for now, but I will be downsizing from what I have into something much more affordable. 2. Keeping Regal Unlimited I need something fun to do and that's what I like. Not buying concessions and bringing my own snacks will help in the long run. 3. Use food pantries Definitely going to keep this up since it's really helping right now. And I know how to make food stretch, so I'm good there. 4. Use local services to get help with finding full time work I don't have a lot of opportunities for full time work in my area that will be able to accommodate my health issues, so I'll see what I can use for help to find work. I know I'm not making enough, but it's what I have, so I'm going to make it work. 5. Use Facebook Marketplace and a yard sale to sell what I don't want When I'm ready to get things out, I'll make use of these options to sell what I no longer want to keep. It won't be a lot of money in the long run, but it will help with getting rid of what I know I won't use. I’m starting a new part time job at a used bookstore this week. If I’m doing my math correctly I’ll have just over $800/month to use towards bills, gas, and groceries. I won’t have to drive far for work, so I’m not too worried about gas. I have its o can get discounts at 7-11 and Sheetz on my gas, so that will help. I only really go to the library, the movies (I have Regal Unlimited for my entertainment), and I carpool to my chorus practice with other members each week. Now that my health issues aren’t getting better, I’ll be able to get outside and walk more, so I won’t need a gym for exercise. I go to the food bank, Sharp Shopper, Aldi, and Target for...

Hi, looking for input on our budget and current financial situation. We are hopeful to have a kid soon and would like to maximize everything that we can prior to the child and after, and want to see where we are sitting. My husband (29) and I (27) live in Nebraska. Sorry for the length 🙃 but thanks in advance. I grew up in a family with no concept of budget, so I’m self taught and am certainly open to any critiques, advice, etc. to better ourselves and be set up for success when we bring a child into the world! Income, post tax: $9,566.00 $2,700.00 me $3,000.00 husband $3,866.00 other income Expenses as budgeted: $5,528.00 Mortgage: $1,920.00 Car payment: $501.00 Car insurance (three vehicles): $335.00 Phone: $160.00 Grocery: $700.00 Gasoline: $500.00 Gas bill: $100.00 (varies but never above) Electric: $175.00 (varies but never above) Water: $50.00 Trash: $25.00 Subscriptions: $70 (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Kindle, Spotify, Blink, etc.) Prescriptions: $30.00 Cat Expense: $90.00 (often less as we buy things in bulk) Union Dues: $47.00 Dates/Lunch Out: $350.00 Misc/“Fun Money”: $350.00 Personal Care:$75.00 (haircuts, products, etc.) WiFi: $50.00 Income total: $9,566.00 Expense total: $5,528.00 Surplus: $4,038.00 $500.00 his Roth $500.00 my roth $900.00 kid fund (HYSA) $120.00 life insurance ~ $1,400.00 split however we see fit between a primary savings and secondary. ~$600.00 as a buffer or unfortunately something we over spend with 😬 Currently: $5,900.00 in primary (in CU) $3,200.00 in secondary/sinking funds (always varies) (in CU) $40,000.00 in Emergency Fund (in HYSA) $5,400.00 in primary savings (in HYSA) $3,270.00 in a “kid fund” (in HYSA) *All HYSA, is the same account just mentally placed in buckets* $36,267.00 in our Roths (combined) We also both have retirement at our jobs, I have a 401k with $28,000.00 and he has two pensions one with $9,300.00 and the other unknown at present but minimal. Primary savings serves as a vacation/down payment etc. fund; secondary serves as a “sinking fund” for planned/known expenses (vet bills, car maintenance, yearly subscriptions/memberships, gift funds etc.) The only debt we have is our mortgage and one car payment. Post kid: Income: $9,200.00 will go down slightly from our current income for various technical reasons Projected Expense: $7,500.00 (including daycare, diapers/wipes/formula, clothing etc.) Surplus: $1,700.00 Proposed movement: $250.00 his Roth $250.00 my Roth $100.00 529 $120.00 Life Insurance $980.00 split between primary/secondary accordingly Give me all the thoughts, tips, tricks, etc.

I live with a severe case of dyscalculia which has always made finances difficult to understand. I also have terrible health and so my employment history has been inconsistent & I do not have any money to my name. My current account, including savings, is a whomping 300 dollars. I recently got an okay-paying job with super flexible shifts available. I feel optimistic that this is the ONE job I might be able to realistically hold down given my poor health & weird hours. I will also be starting school back up on August to start getting my PhD in Psychology. I currently live with my mother, rent free, but I can’t imagine having no money or savings like this anymore. I just can’t. I didn’t think I would even live this long due to my physical health and mental health, if I am being honest. But I have started to feel more optimistic about both lately which could be a fluke but I need to start making better financial choices. I desperately want to make this job work, at least while I get my PhD. I also know I need to improve my credit. Years of moving from apartment to apartment basically destroyed what was once perfect credit. So, any advice on this moving forward would be amazing. I am oblivious to the world of credit. Should I merely get a credit card with my bank, or is it worth more to get a credit card from something like Chase? Or a store I frequent? I especially need one right now because it has been years since I have had to dress business casual at a job and I don’t have clothes for the new job - my first credit use will go to buying an appropriate wardrobe. I am not a big spender in general. I am used to living in poverty and being reliant on my family, unfortunately. But I would like to change that. Even if I can’t ever live on my own, I would love to at least be financially independent in some capacity. Any advice is deeply welcome. Thank you ahead of time.