Because I have nowhere else to ask these questions:
So it may be no shocker to most that I am in a bit of financial trouble.
First things first, I make actually more an hour than last year, but our overtime was gutted and the tax laws in place starting in 2013 combined have made my paychecks really crappy. On a 40 hour work week, I'm seeing about $80 less per paycheck every two weeks, which does hurt. And let's not even talk about the overtime I'm no longer getting.
So basically, I have a fuckton of student loan debt. I also have a vehicle loan. I pay rent, utilities, internet, a phone bill, insurance, and one department store credit card with a fairly low (comparatively) balance. I can give actual numbers if anyone is truly interested/is an accountant.
This month I am looking at taking home about $1320 with expenses around $1840. Part of this is from being so behind on things, my insurance is actually up for cancellation if I don't get caught up, I paid them $150 to keep them going for now but I'm in trouble if I don't come up with about $600 by mid-June. My usual expenses (not counting food and gas) are usually about $1600, so I still come up short. Unfortunately at this point there is no way for me to not live beyond my means.
Things I have considered:
Things I have done:
I have decent credit (for now) but I don't think I can take out a loan and I will not apply for a credit card that will help me in the short-term but hurt me in the long run. (Like, I could pay my rent on it this month, but I'm gonna be paying on it month after month and that's just another expense.)
Basically, I'm in a bind and I am not sure what I can do at this point. If I were to lose my apartment, I have nowhere to go but the streets. Every billing company I can work with, I've already called and worked with and I won't be able to get any more extensions. So the option becomes to not pay something and see what happens or come up with the money.
I do anticipate getting Chapter 33 GI Bill benefits but I have no idea when, as my status is still processing. When that hits, it will fix everything, but I have to assume that I won't get it by the end of the month.
I also am starting the new job soonish but I won't see paychecks from that for at least a few weeks out.
I am not looking for handouts. If anyone knows a way I can make some extra cash that I haven't considered, I'd like to hear it. The second job is still an option but I need to figure out what my schedule is going to be and catch my stride with school before I can try to make commitments elsewhere.
So guys, advice?
So it may be no shocker to most that I am in a bit of financial trouble.
First things first, I make actually more an hour than last year, but our overtime was gutted and the tax laws in place starting in 2013 combined have made my paychecks really crappy. On a 40 hour work week, I'm seeing about $80 less per paycheck every two weeks, which does hurt. And let's not even talk about the overtime I'm no longer getting.
So basically, I have a fuckton of student loan debt. I also have a vehicle loan. I pay rent, utilities, internet, a phone bill, insurance, and one department store credit card with a fairly low (comparatively) balance. I can give actual numbers if anyone is truly interested/is an accountant.
This month I am looking at taking home about $1320 with expenses around $1840. Part of this is from being so behind on things, my insurance is actually up for cancellation if I don't get caught up, I paid them $150 to keep them going for now but I'm in trouble if I don't come up with about $600 by mid-June. My usual expenses (not counting food and gas) are usually about $1600, so I still come up short. Unfortunately at this point there is no way for me to not live beyond my means.
Things I have considered:
- Selling the truck. However, I owe more than I would get and the transit system here is not good.
- Prostitution. I am only partially kidding.
- Second job - I've tried this, however, I'm not terribly flexible right now with my work schedule in constant flux.
- Calling my dad and bumming but I don't think he has it.
- Pawning some things, but I don't have anything I can sell. Let me rephrase, I don't have anything I can sell that will make me enough money and that I am willing to give up.
- I crochet and I could sell some afghans I make, but it's summer, Florida, not really gonna work.
- Re-enlisting. Though I may go National Guard or something.
Things I have done:
- Called the student loan company. I am starting school today, but because some of my loans are private, I can't defer them. This pissed me off.
- Set up an extension with the auto loan company, basically I paid 1/3 payment last month and 2/3 this month, next month I'm back to full.
- Changed the due date on my internet bill. I am taking online courses so I can't turn off the internet.
- Lowered my cell phone plan. This saved me like 6 bucks.
- Taken out a $300 employee advance that will get deducted (interest and fee free) from my paycheck over 6 pay periods.
I have decent credit (for now) but I don't think I can take out a loan and I will not apply for a credit card that will help me in the short-term but hurt me in the long run. (Like, I could pay my rent on it this month, but I'm gonna be paying on it month after month and that's just another expense.)
Basically, I'm in a bind and I am not sure what I can do at this point. If I were to lose my apartment, I have nowhere to go but the streets. Every billing company I can work with, I've already called and worked with and I won't be able to get any more extensions. So the option becomes to not pay something and see what happens or come up with the money.
I do anticipate getting Chapter 33 GI Bill benefits but I have no idea when, as my status is still processing. When that hits, it will fix everything, but I have to assume that I won't get it by the end of the month.
I also am starting the new job soonish but I won't see paychecks from that for at least a few weeks out.
I am not looking for handouts. If anyone knows a way I can make some extra cash that I haven't considered, I'd like to hear it. The second job is still an option but I need to figure out what my schedule is going to be and catch my stride with school before I can try to make commitments elsewhere.
So guys, advice?
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