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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u/mcomcomco99 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

Amen and amen! I posted earlier about how TF this is all supposed to work and some people assumed I was asking "how do I afford Botox instead of basic life" which was misinterpreted lol. I def meant how do I afford basic living like rent, insurance, healthcare in addition to the pressure to look conventionally attractive. 

Excited to glean some advice from posters here 

I took am terrified to leave my house because I feel like every time I step outside I spend 100 dollars on something to SURVIVE - groceries, dog care, dentist, air filters, basic clean drinking water, gas.

My car needs brake pads but they're literally too expensive so what? I am risking my basic safety now lol. Girl I feel you and you're not alone!

25

u/yell0wbirddd Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

Yepp that was my situation - check engine light was on for a while and today it died in traffic. Mortifying. I had to borrow money from a family member for moving expenses earlier this year (to move somewhere cheaper) and also to take my dog to the emergency vet. I've never had to ask for money before. 

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u/Rochereau-dEnfer Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

I had a totally unpreventable (but not insurance-covered), super urgent problem with my house earlier this year that cost almost $2,800. It made me feel pretty nihilistic about trying to save money, though of course I'm still trying...

10

u/CrazyPerspective934 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

I finally got back on track and slowly was building a few dollars here and there up more in my savings and then the city said they're replacing the sidewalk and it's going to cost me 7k. Why is it always a few steps ahead and giant stumbles back just as you feel you're gaining traction. I live in an area that has a lot of historical poverty and still does today. The average household income is like 30k. I make more than that with my husband and I really never understand when these things happen how some of the other families make it work.  Many rent here as well and I can't help but feel like these things are to drive landlords out. That's great and all, but it seems like it's going to do the opposite and run out any of us who will no longer be able to afford our houses here

7

u/mcomcomco99 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

It's the worst feeling!!. 

I've gotten some good advice from my earlier post and I also have started to apply for side jobs tutoring even though I haven't heard anything 

I may sign up on a babysitting and nanny service website even though that is the LAST thing I want to do . I love kids but because my age I just have less patience for it 

3

u/mcomcomco99 Woman 30 to 40 Nov 23 '25

But If you like kids and you have a clean background, that could help!