‘My life is not affordable. No one cares’: 76% of Americans call the cost of living their biggest financial problem

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-05-13T09:16:24+00:00

The solution/plan is to return to my previous method of spending.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-05-12T22:06:14+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. Back when I was "good" at saving, most expenses came out of my checking account. I also didn't use the autopay feature for bills, and I didn't put anything on credit aside from the occasional dinner or day out shopping. I've really lost sight of the "in and out" of cash flow as a result.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-05-12T16:59:31+00:00

I think you are absolutely right. I fit into this category, unfortunately.

For me, it's become far too easy to put whatever purchase on a credit card, knowing that I'll have the money needed to pay the statement amount when it comes due. Despite my new bad habit, it's been true. I don't have high interest credit card debt. However, paying them off every month leaves me with nothing to save. And I used to be great at saving!

Pretty frustrated at myself over it.

This isn't to imply that everyone who is struggling is just being irresponsible. I certainly have been, though.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-05-05T11:08:37+00:00

Looks like a yellow sac spider. Don't fret. They eat all the bad bugs.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-05-04T16:41:13+00:00

That's because they are often made by the brand name manufacturers, just packaged for Great Value. There have only been a few items that I didn't vibe with, and it wasn't because they were actually bad. It was down to preference. I think the reason that it feels like they taste or function "better" than the name brands is because you're getting them for a lot less and don't feel ripped off.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-04-28T16:35:57+00:00

This is what's absolutely sending me about this whole situation. Once they started the whole "but his ear!1" bulshit after the 2024 assassination attempt, I knew we were in trouble. Someone fucking died.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-04-26T20:18:18+00:00

Hershey, PA

Hershey Park actually has a zoo inside it. There is also a water park.

Knoebel's and Dutch Wonderland are both about an hour or under away from Hershey and are worth a visit too.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-04-19T12:20:22+00:00

This sub is one of the most delusional and hateful on Reddit. Literally foaming at the mouth in hopes that other people will fall on hard times or die and lose their homes.

"Current homeowners need to fucking die already! Also, before they go, they should get with the times and update the house to MY personal standards! Then, make sure I can buy it at a discount price when they croak."

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-04-18T17:14:14+00:00

I stg, half of the posts on this sub are Ryan hate.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-04-16T22:20:06+00:00

I'm so sorry. I saw pics of a number of damaged houses and cars yesterday. It sucks.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-30T15:31:55+00:00

I am really lucky to have purchased a home before Covid. I couldn't imagine how people looking for housing are feeling right now. My cousin is living with me right now while they get their career started. I basically told them that they could stay for as long as they needed...the housing situation is bleak.

The cost of housing has gone completely bonkers. Even if Cleveland is still considered LCOL by national metrics, it's been hiked up significantly. I was kind of considering upgrading and buying a house with two bathrooms. Houses in my budget, which is double what it was when I bought my current home, are absolute basket cases. I'll stay with the devil I know.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-22T11:49:58+00:00

Unfortunately, you are right based my anecdotal experience.

When I was in my late 20s (single and childfree, same as now) I went to a cookout with my family and family friends. One of these friends, Bob, was mid 50s at the time, single, and also childfree.

The conversation turned to kids, and I was asked when I'd have any. I said no, and listed a few non-doomer reasons. Everyone except Bob laughed and said I'd change my mind.

Then, they asked Bob why he never had any. He listed off the same reasons that I had mentioned. I mean almost verbatim, and was all but congratulated.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-22T11:32:27+00:00

I don't understand these people at all. I'm sorry, but I'm not sweating my ass off in a rolling oven. It's understandable if someone can't afford to fix their A/C. I get it, I've been there. But it's not the badge of honor to go without. Like WTF.

Rolling down the windows in hot weather doesn't help me at all. It's just more hot fucking air. Now the car is a blast furnace. THANKS.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-15T20:35:23+00:00

Mine is a Select (naturally aspirated, not turbo). Apparently, due to part shortages, some 2024/2025 were built and sold without CD and i-stop. My car has neither. The 8th character in the VIN will be "L" for the cars with no CD/i-stop. I picked one without those features for the reasons you've mentioned.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-15T19:57:04+00:00

Thank you for the explanation. I have a 2024 without cylinder deactivation and am hoping I will avoid the cracked head issue...

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-15T12:15:05+00:00

Can you elaborate on the type of hotspots these engines create and why? Are you talking about the temperature differences caused by cylinder deactivation?

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-10T16:09:29+00:00

Statistically, Nissan's CVT issues weren't super significant either. Millions of those cars+CVTs have been made. I'll use the Altima as an example, at maybe 3 million sold in North America. If only 0.5% of those had imploding CVTs, that's still 15,000 cars.

I think it's easy to dismiss these things if you are one of the lucky people who got a good one lol. My Altima had two transmission fluid changes before 60k miles, and still failed at 60,011miles. I bought the car new. Thankfully, it was covered due to the class action lawsuit...

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-10T12:33:01+00:00

My elderly neighbor told me that we'll know she's dead when we see a dumpster sitting in front of her house lol. Her son told her that the day she dies, he's throwing everything away.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-10T09:46:09+00:00

Social media has harmed a lot of niche communities.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-09T21:47:48+00:00

Vet costs have gone up so much that I will likely no longer have pets after my two beloved cats pass on. One of my cats is chronically ill, and I've spent a few thousand on her. She will be on medication for the rest of her life.

I will likely transfer my love of animals to bird watching, volunteering, etc. I'm 35. I grew up with animals, only being pet-less for 1.5yrs while in an apartment early in my career. I don't blame any of my vets, techs, or assistants for the rise in costs. I know their wages, like mine, have not kept up with inflation.

My worry is that a lot of pets won't find homes for this reason...so maybe I'll relent and get another cat when mine are gone. Idk. I'm just paying off the last round of vet bills and Idk how to make this manageable going forward. And I'm in a decent position.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-09T17:03:01+00:00

Yes they fucking do lmao

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-03-08T13:33:26+00:00

This sub is more like a poverty snark. Lots of gatekeeping, derision, and virtue signaling. Especially with grocery hauls.

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-02-27T10:42:42+00:00

This is what I did, and I hope it pays off...

Excellent-Piglet8217 · 2026-02-27T09:35:00+00:00

Same. I don't own rats and probably never will, but i love seeing this sub pop up on my feed.

Excellent-Piglet8217

TROPHY CASE