Can you realistically afford rent and a car on full-time minimum wage?

[Sugar100]

I make 1200 ish every 2 weeks but with overtime I could make 1500 ish.

studio rent $1000

car payment $380

insurance $230

phone bill $60

I would have only 300/400 a month free to go out for fun to a restraunt or event , or shopping which is pricey, a new pair of jeans can be $50 easily and an event $50 every weekend , so I would have per month $0 to save.

if I fix my old car I would pay monthly $400 including insurance so $200 less in monthly payments. But then would have bad credit and new car towed away

[MrOracle]

Minimum wage jobs are not and never were intended or expected to be a "living wage" - meaning enough money to live on your own. They are ENTRY LEVEL jobs for people who have no or limited specialized skills., and it is expected that in addition to working the job, you will be working to develop more specialized skills so that you can get a better, higher paying job.

I left home at 19, while I was in college, and working full time at not much more than minimum wage. I had to move in to a tiny 2-bedroom apartment with two other guys because none of us made enough money to live alone. That's NORMAL. What's NOT normal is to expect that you can live on your own on a minimum wage job.

If a person (outside some unusual circumstances) is older than 21 and still making minimum wage, then they are either developmentally challenged or they are lazy and unmotivated and have not been working on your own time to develop more valuable skills. There are immigrants who come to the US with 6th grade educations and don't speak the language and are making more than minimum wage within a year because they are motivated to improve their situation, so they bust their asses to move up the ladder.

The reason your grandparents and every prior generation was able to survive is because they paired up and supported each other. They didn't have crazy unrealistic expectations because no one could afford that insanity except the wealthy. The idea that you should be able to live on your own and support yourself from the beginning of your working career is pure propaganda, created by Feminists who want to push Marxism and destroy relationships between men and women.

[Shrimpenjoyer]

Older than 21? How detached from current reality can you be?
You can hardly get a non-minimum wage nowadays without years of experience.
A 21 year old has only been an adult for three years.
Plus most of them were in college or still are during that time period

[supercutebutt]

@MrOracle Lol. "Marxism." Give me a break. People are struggling because of MAGA fascism. It's all inane tariffs and criminal wars these days. Inflation out of control and unaffordable health care, all because of dirty "conservatives." Plus, fascists run corporations and pay their buddies, the "executives," sinfully high salaries to do nothing while real workers get fucked up the ass. You need to invest your crumbs in the stock market to thrive like CuteButt. Don't hate, emulate. :)

[MrOracle]

People in "MAGA" states are doing pretty well, actually. Taxes are far lower, meaning people keep a lot more of what they earn, and jobs are plentiful.

The disasters are in the Blue states. Those states are collapsing right before our eyes, and they are still trying to raise taxes so they can spend more, even as the wealthy pack up their businesses and move to Red states.

There are no riots and no burning down local businesses and attacking ICE in Red states, just lower crime, a higher standard of living, and much happier people.

The disparity is growing and growing rapidly. Socialism destroys everything. It cannot compete with capitalism, and over the next 5 years, you are going to see that lesson played out so loudly that you won't be able to deny it.

[supercutebutt]

All bullshit. Nice try, though. :)

You moan about disparity. But Trump is president and Republicans literally control everything. And things suck more than ever. You are in a cult.

[NathanDavis]

you don't need 50 dollar new jeans...

you don't need to eat at restaurants...

your "fun" money doesn't need to be higher than your bills either

realistically... you're not trying to afford, you're trying to live above your current means

[Sugar100]

So I can’t go out for fun ever again? I didn’t mean every weekend go to restaunt. I haven’t gone out for fun in 2 years. I have no Jeans. I have zero pairs. $50 for fun isn’t higher than my bills

[NathanDavis]

"400 free to go out for fun"

400 is a lot when you're short on money

jeans can be still good from a thrift store... and it will cost a lot less than 50 bucks

[LazerBean]

Based on those numbers, yes and very easily. Get rid of the new car that you can't afford, stick with an old car. Don't buy $50 jeans. Don't spend 200 or $300 on entertainment every month. Eat simple, cheap meals.

[Sugar100]

I don’t own a lot of clothes I own very very little I’m a minimalist. Cheap pair of pants won’t last me and get pilling easily. That’s y I like to buy more expensive clothes that’s good quality.

Yes I do need go out weekly for fun my life can’t be just work. But to go out it’s $50 a weekend at least to spend for an event , movie or meal.

[Ariesman81]

Married vs. unmarried summed up perfectly

[LazerBean]

You don't have to own cheaply made clothing, thrift nice clothing. There's plenty of fun things that you can go out and do that don't cost $50 a weekend. Or just do whatever you want and stay poor I guess lol

[Abbycado]

How would you have a new car towed away if you fix the old one or am I missing something here?

[Sugar100]

If I fix the old one I won’t be able afford pay the new car.

[Abbycado]

But the old one is $200 less a month. What’s to debate?

[Sugar100]

I don’t want bad credit and my new car repossessed. That’s the debate

[Abbycado]

How would you get bad credit from something you own?

[Abbycado]

Wait. I just read that you already have a new car. Why the fuck are you asking the question or is your brain just smoothed over?

[InknKink]

Live comfortably on minimum wage... nope.

Get roommates. Ditch the car. Live frugal. Spend all your extra time developing employable skill sets.

There is no good reason that a motivated and healthy individual could not make considerably more than minimum wage after 1-3 years of effort.

[CherryLove007]

solid help

[slatyb]

Do you need separate internet service or can hot-spot your phone? Can you find a less expensive car? We leased a loaded Honda CR-V in 2020 for less. Have you shopped for car insurance? How is your driving record? We pay about $70/month for the CR-V.

How old is the new car? What is it's current market value?

[AviatorTom]

Minimum wage was never intended to be a living wage. Its sole purpose is to make sure employers don't take advantage of employees. Minimum wage should encourage workers to improve themselves into higher-paying jobs.

[NicholasofAustralia]

I feel for people when circumstances outside their control dictate their trajectory 👀😋 aka Blame unequal capitalism - it's why I usually vote Leftie parties ⬅️

[Anonymous]

You are not meant to be able to afford those things with minimum wage. Minimum wage is for teenagers just starting out. From there you're supposed to get an education and develop job experience and skills to advance your career and earn enough to support yourself.

[ohsheeT]

You have to shop around for insurance that way to much you paying for your car twice

[Sugar100]

It’s cuz I got my license late til 27

[ohsheeT]

I would be calling every Insurance Company even if it is in a different city to get cheaper insurance it's killing you and then the money that you say you're going to use to go shopping sorry it's not going to happen you're going to need food you need to pay your power your garbage your water you'll be on a tightrope like I said if anything buy a motorhome a van that you can make into a home for now get it paid off and then put money away to buy a real house to get a real house

[Sugar100]

For studios I don’t pay water garbage no bills

[Sugar100]

I plan buy a house and save when I start working in the hospital. I plan start school this year I finish in 2 years

[Sugar100]

Or one year

[ohsheeT]

3 or 4 years. Well that's good because you'll probably make devil the money and if you become a nurse you can get a job anywhere at any time

[Nikki1989]

On a minimum wage in the USA, it is very unlikely. In this country, you could do so, but it would be a struggle.

[Agape93]

Nope. In my state, the low end rent is 1200. After taxes you might take home 1500 to 2000. Then you gotta factor in shit like food, bills etc.

[888theGreat]

Min wage jobs are for starters so they can build a good record to move up. They were never meant to be for life. However , with the shit for brains Trump economy , they end up being a career job.

[douride2]

So with all that how will you pay for food? What will you eat?

[Sugar100]

I spend $100 on food a wk , so that’s how I will eat

[douride2]

A $100 doesn't buy much does it.

[Anonymous]

Lol I could've moved out years ago

Sigh - it is what it is 🤭🙄😋

[HollyK21]

Do you already have the new car?

[Sugar100]

Yes I do

[HollyK21]

What made you get a new car rather than fix your old one?

[Sugar100]

My old one was broken and I had use $1000 for deposit to get a new car. It was $1000 as well to fix the old car but it was breaking down every month too many issues

[HollyK21]

Well, having your new car towed and bad insurance, on top of the old car breaking down each month doesn’t sound like a good trade off. Sure you’d be saving $200 a month but you’d put that right back into fixing the car anyway so no extra savings. I don't know if you’ve ever lived on your own and had to be responsible for every single thing that goes into daily/monthly needs, but I guarantee it will never always be exact to the $300-$400 you’re calculating to have leftover. Obviously I hope you break even or have a little extra than even that, but shit happens all the time, like your old car breaking down.

[Sugar100]

Well I’m getting the old car fixed. And pray it don’t have any more issues for a few months at least. The two issues it’s getting fixed r big issues but everything else is new replaced like the battery and tires brand new.

[Sugar100]

Yes I’ve lived on my own when I was 23

[Sugar100]

But that time I had that old car but during that time the car was newer and no issues obviously.

[HollyK21]

I don’t understand, why would you get the old car fixed when you have a new one? Why not just sell it?

[Sugar100]

I don't know how to do that to sell it. I heard u need pay leftover money if u try to sell it and I have no money to pay. I’m moving to a studio and it’ll be $200 cheaper to have my old car than keep the new car. My bill will be $200 less. I won’t be able afford the new car payment and my rent

[HollyK21]

You should call and ask about how that process goes in your area and really consider that route. You’re thinking you’ll save 200 but that car was already becoming a money pit. It’s unwise to worsen your credit, tow the new car, just to keep the old. You only pray it won’t give you any issues since you got the new engine but there’s no guarantee. It’s a big big risk Sugar.

[Sugar100]

But the new car is old, it was 120,00 miles and everything is old slowly going to need be replaced & the old car has 200,000 miles most parts of it fixed.

[Sugar100]

I finish paying it off in one year and rest of this year. One year and half more to replace it for a newer different car less miles

[HollyK21]

I just don’t think that’s wise now that you already have the car. Everything you’re saying now are things you should’ve thought about before deciding on a new car. If you did think about these things already and ultimately decided it’d be easier to get a new car, then you should stick by your choice.

I understand 100% that you’re very ready to leave your mom’s home, but don’t make bad future choices just because you’re eager to leave already. If you choose to sell the new car then of course I hope it works out and doesn’t put damage on your credit. I also hope the old car won’t face any issues. But the car isn’t getting any newer, and if it’s breaking down monthly then I don't know why it would be less issues.

[Sugar100]

The old car back then in that time was breaking down monthly but I don't know how the car would be if I fixed it rn. I can’t tell the future.

If I pay rent and my new car I won’t hav much money leftover to save or anything. But I need to move. I’m tired driving 3 hours a day to work. I like my job no I won’t t quit. I hate my mom’s far city. She doesn’t own a house it’s a tiny senior apt no ac not have my own room
. I’m tired depressed of that senior home.

I want finally have my own life driving home from work 10 min , free time to go to school, learn to cook, go out 20 min away to the city for fun , at moms far city there’s nothing to do on my days off everything closed super early.

[Sugar100]

I’m tired falling asleep in random cities after work cuz I can’t stay awake and drive back home

[Sugar100]

I had get the new car cuz I was scared I had no way go to work as my old car was broken and I had drive the freeway daily for a year with the new car so the old car wouldn’t of lasted. With the new car I have driven to far places to meet boys and deliver food for a second job once. So the car has helped me

[Sugar100]

I shud be finished paying it in one year and half more. So then I can replace it for a car I want , newer less miles.

[HollyK21]

I hear your frustration, I would be tired of all that too if I were you and I understand you’ve become impatient. But do what makes sense. You think this life right now is hard, it would be 10x harder if you’re faced with more issues. You are right, we can’t see into the future, but you already have experiences with that old car that tells you what you will expect. It would be one thing if the car never had problems, but you say it’s issues almost monthly.

Then you say you hope it stays in good condition at least for a few more months, but historically it’s been breaking down and having problems, so you really can’t count on that being much different. I think when you move out of your moms, you want it to be for a good, or at least a long time. So put yourself in a position not to go back and live with her once you’re gone. I think you would be devastated to return after finally leaving.

[HollyK21]

Your new car may not be new but at least it’s reliable. With this car, you may face some random inconvenience like a flat tire, but that’s much better than more repairs for the old car. I know you’d like to have more money monthly and I don’t blame you, but I think money being a bit tight comes with the territory as you adjust to living on your own. I actually think having fun in the city, shopping, dinner outings and stuff should be low on your priority list for the first few months as you adjust.

[Sugar100]

I haven’t gone out to a restraunt or for fun for 2 years. Ever since I moved to moms far senior apt I can’t save money , I put daily gas , I have no free time to do hobbies or rest or cook as I need drive far to work in the freeway.

[Sugar100]

I spend a wk $200 on gas that’s $800 . So that’s my studio rent. So I’m not just paying for the new car $600 . I’m paying $800 on gas.

[Sugar100]

If I rent my studio I’ll have to pay 1k rent but my gas will be only $50 a wk.

[HollyK21]

It won’t always be this way. You’re going to school, soon you’ll have a new job and hopefully more money to put towards having fun. What you’re dealing with now are sacrifices a lot of adults make when they’re doing school and work full time. I had a friend in college who was literally homeless living out of their car the last 2 years of school. But they have a great job and life now.

[Sugar100]

School don’t start til the end of the year. I’m worried as I wanted move end April but I won’t be able have deposit by end April as my bills are all pilling up end April. My hair is fading and reallly ugly I have to pay $100 to dye it this week, it’s a horrible orange blonde, it’s my moms bday soon and she doesn’t want cheap gifts, so it’ll be $150 for her gifts and cake and flowers, then I need pay $60 for application fee for one studio, I need pay $50 for credit card fee as I’m getting a credit card for emergency

[Sugar100]

I want cry as I wanted move out this month. I won’t have enough savings end of the month.

[Sugar100]

And oil change as I drive the freeway daily it needs an oil change monthly!!! Instead of every few months. 🙁

[HollyK21]

I’ll be honest sugar, it sounds like moving out would be a huge financial burden right now, but you can’t really allow yourself to see or accept that because you’re so ready to move. Don’t get me wrong, you have every right to want your independence and I know traveling plus living with your mom is really expensive and draining. But it just doesn’t seem like you’re being realistic about how much it’ll all cost. You have calculated how much this or that costs but it may not be exact all the time. All you have to fall back on are 300-400 dollars a month and if you had to use any of that for emergencies it could put you in a financial hole. If you must keep your old car then that’s your choice, I just think it’s a huge gamble that you quite literally can’t afford to have happen at any point until you have your new job.

[Sugar100]

I’d rather pay $800 for rent than $800 in gas to moms far city senior apt.

[HollyK21]

I thought rent was 1k? Plus additional monthly expenses, it would be quite a bit more than what you spend on gas. You don’t agree with a single thing I’m saying? Or do you sort of agree but you just don’t want to hear it because you’re ready to move at all costs?

[Sugar100]

Yes but I’m saying isn’t it the same thing of paying $800 a month on gas to moms far city and paying rent 800-1k a month? the difference is I won’t be almost crashing per day tired unable to drive back home or sleeping in a random city. I’m tired of the long drives. I have no life. Instead of driving the freeway, I can use the time to go to school, rest more, cook. Live 10 min away from job.

[Sugar100]

I can’t take it anymore. U don’t seem to understand

[HollyK21]

I genuinely do understand, I’m just saying to do what makes financial sense for you right now. I get that you’re ready to move and ultimately it’s your choice. Just hoping it works out.

[Sugar100]

I’m ready to stop driving 3 hours a day just to go home. I cannot handle the long drives. I’m tired of sleeping in the car. I want arrive 10 min to my house and rest after work. Not drive 2 hours and not able to drive back home and almost crash and sleep in a random city in the hot sun

[HollyK21]

We can’t always get what we want when we want it Sugar. In your case I think you’ve just lost patience entirely and because of that you’re not making rational decisions. But it’s your choice.

[exitseven]

No way. Not where I live.

[Staximus]

Not around here

[Anonymous]

Not im my crappy country.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Your gonna need another job or a second job

[Kingofkings1992]

Welcome to the real world. It's shit.

[Jmmmfi4]

Definitely not

[fish5505_87]

lol, no!

[In_Trance]

No you can't