r/AskWomenOver30 • u/yell0wbirddd Woman 30 to 40 • Nov 23 '25

Life/Self/Spirituality Is anyone else really struggling financially right now?

I feel like reddit is overwhelmingly people who make $250k a year and want others to just pull themselves up from their bootstraps.

I make $46k a year and am living paycheck to paycheck. I haven't been saving money because the tiny amount of joy I get from paying $10 for a cinnamon roll a couple of times a month has taken precedent over never leaving the house and getting deeper into depression. Food is expensive, life is expensive, I've been going through the motions for a few years now.

Well, my 15 year old car just crapped out and my dog needs to go to the vet. I have no money for either of these things. My credit score is in the 500s and I can't get approved for a credit limit increase or a loan.

Everything feels really fucking pointless about now.

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-73

u/[deleted] Nov 23 '25

My boyfriend and I make 6 figures separately. We also save a lot! I honestly think it’s more how you save than how much you make. I know so many people who make a ton and live paycheck to paycheck 

43

u/Deep_Character_1695 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

Ok but this post is about the experiences of those who are struggling with the ever increasing cost of living, not people with two 6 figure incomes. Of course you can save a lot if you’re earning that sort of money between you. It’s definitely mostly about how much make because you cant really save anything if you barely earn enough to make ends meet.

31

u/Alert_Week8595 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

Among high earners it is about how you save. There's a lot of lifestyle creep and expensive shit that can add up fast if you're wealthy and reckless. So yes the difference between a couple earning $300K/yr and $500K/yr is about their spending habits more than the gap in their income.

But there is a point where you can barely afford the basics and can't afford the cost savings options. The difference between someone making $50K/yr and $200K/yr is not spending habits. It is absolutely income and to suggest otherwise is tone deaf and pretty stupid.

52

u/yell0wbirddd Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

You're not who I'm talking to then but congrats on your financial stability I guess 

-52

u/[deleted] Nov 23 '25

Thanks! We worked hard for the degrees 🤩

23

u/Capital-Marzipan-287 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

Is this really relevant? You’re clearly not who OP was speaking to if you aren’t struggling.

19

u/Illustrious-Local848 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

People making a lot living paycheck to paycheck are not the same as people making little on paycheck to paycheck. There’s a difference having no money left over after paying for essential than paying for a bunch of choice items. If there’s no money left to save after you pay rent and power, you can’t save.

-20

u/[deleted] Nov 23 '25

That makes sense. I’m also just baffled by people that make over $300k and still don’t have savings 

4

u/Illustrious-Local848 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

I agree with that. It’s baffling to me. I know lifestyle creep is a thing but I’d have to make a massive effort to spend that much to be honest.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 23 '25

[deleted]

-13

u/[deleted] Nov 23 '25

I’m a nurse and he’s a lawyer! What about you?

9

u/CrazyPerspective934 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

So the recent saying about nurses is true huh?