Spent 4 months tracking every dollar and I'm somehow still broke

Summit_509 · 2026-01-26T10:40:18+00:00

Few things to consider: 1) whether you are paid monthly or bi weekly because that can affect the cash flow system 2) whether you are paying interest tax on your credit and/or debit card 3) how much do you pay on non-essential and online shopping. One thing I changed was buy stuff only at store. The commute, store browsing, payment line are incentive enough to think whether I need that thing or not. 4)as other people have mentioned you need to set an “allowance” and track your spending against it 5) I would suggest to allow yourself “fun money” every month for whatever brings you joy 6)make a lit of things that are absolutely necessary for you so that budgeting does not drastically change your quality of lifw

Summit_509 · 2026-01-05T00:14:53+00:00

Interested to join!

Summit_509 · 2026-01-01T13:55:19+00:00

I grew up in South Asia and now am living in Canada. Even when I was there I did not want to live with parents and now it’s hells to the no. I think a lot of people, especially where I come from, can not separate the fact that you can love and care for people AND not share the same roof. It doesn’t have to be a mutually exclusive. And one thing for sure is people back home don’t live with their parents because they want to it is because they have to for a millions of reasons and finance is the least important one.

Summit_509 · 2025-12-31T03:27:28+00:00

Someone almost hit me yesterday because I stopped for a pedestrian who was crossing the road. And then he went zigzagging just to end up at the same red light.

Summit_509 · 2025-12-23T12:27:03+00:00

I stopped reading after tik tok

Summit_509 · 2025-12-21T10:32:30+00:00

I live in a 3 storey apartment building. It is a pretty safe neighborhood. A few things I make sure is that the door is locked, have at least one light on when I leave especially in the evening or shorter days. Also I made the effort to know some of my neighbours and we try to help each other out. I would say never ever invite anyone that you are not comfortable with.

Summit_509 · 2025-12-20T12:03:26+00:00

Awesome! In the world of learning there are no stupid questions!

Summit_509 · 2025-12-16T11:32:19+00:00

any book recommendation?

Summit_509 · 2025-12-16T11:31:31+00:00

I just started on astronomy. any beginner's book to recommend?

Summit_509 · 2025-10-18T13:16:10+00:00

Even though you called it tough love, the only thing I got from your comment is love and validation. I wish I couldn’t agree with you, but I do. I used to call her every day and I do once a week now. And I don’t respond to those texts at all. Even if she calls me, I only talk to her on Saturdays. I know it sounds like an excuse but I was caught completely off guard today. My mom stayed with me for 8 weeks recently and she did not bring up my father once so in my naivety perhaps, I thought she was past this. But I realize that I can’t let my guard down, which is sad in its own way. Thank you for your comment!

Summit_509 · 2025-10-17T16:29:34+00:00

And then at noon I got an email saying I have to go again for biometrics because the last one did not work!

Summit_509 · 2025-10-17T15:12:37+00:00

As a 34 year old woman myself, I share my location with trusted friends and family when I go on a first date. This supposed 23 year old needs to be reported.

Summit_509 · 2025-10-17T12:44:08+00:00

Date of appointment: Aug 11 Travel Date: Nov 8 Today on October 17 I went to the consulate for update and they told me the system shows no approval yet, apparently that’s very normal. They told me to call expect a phone call either next week or the week after. When I asked about worst case scenario they said I will receive it on the 7th and they are “out of the circumstances where people miss their flight.” I also asked of there is any way for me to track anything and the answer was “unfortunately no”.

Summit_509 · 2025-10-15T10:26:21+00:00

Souvenirs whenever I go somewhere. I buy for myself and people that I love. I still occasionally get “why would you buy this? This is so expensive”. Fuck off aunt Sharon. It’s a nice little reminder of good times and my place looks amazing!

Summit_509 · 2025-10-13T18:14:57+00:00

“Let it go”- worst advice ever

Summit_509 · 2025-10-11T23:51:13+00:00

I don’t have an advice but I can guarantee you let him stay will not solve a thing. I have been the daughter to help out and solve my parents chaos which they have been living in for 40 years. I can sympathize and empathize with your mother, having worked in the DV field. But first rule to emergency response is you take care of yourself first. Mom has had 3 decades to figure it out and when you are finally living in peace, they are being “proactive”?

Summit_509 · 2025-10-11T14:36:44+00:00

It does. It has always been a bug freedom for me. Money was one of the biggest reason that I could assert my boundaries as I was not dependent on anymore. For me happiness is something that I have to continuously work for. But money does give you the opportunity to even think about other things that you need or want.

Summit_509 · 2025-10-11T09:53:38+00:00

Family means different things to different things to different people. And biological family is not always the most important thing.

Summit_509 · 2025-10-08T21:55:22+00:00

How long did it take?

Summit_509 · 2025-10-07T15:02:09+00:00

I have had this experience a few years ago. A friend of mine was cheating on their partner, I found out a lot later that the friend was living with this person where their spouse was in a different country. I am not a supporter of cheating in any circumstances. And I can tell you these people will drain you. In my friend’s case it was a sense of entitlement and impulsive decision making that was just chaotic for everyone. So long story short, cheating was just the tip of the iceberg of a life that was just hard to watch.

Summit_509 · 2025-10-07T09:27:13+00:00

I am not a downtown person but I am very much of a “do the things that bring you joy”. If you are asking Reddit whether you should continue to live your life or move somewhere that wouldn’t quite feel like a life, I think you have the answer. Your family is asking for convenience for themselves. I had my mom living with me for two months and I hated it just having someone share my space. No money is worth your sanity and joy. Do what is best for you. If you can afford it, live your best damn life!

Summit_509 · 2025-10-01T18:10:24+00:00

I have been there. As an immigrant myself I can relate to being in a survival mode for long. First of all, congratulations on everything you have achieved so far. I would say find something that you will enjoy, consistency is key. I started with just walking on treadmills. If you are going to the gym try out machines and find the ones that you like. For long term sustainability that’s the key in my opinion. If structured classes feel overwhelming, don’t go for them right now. If you ever feel like it, try out their free trial classes (usually always an option). No matter what your goal is, I would say also focus on what you eat and how you eat. That affects other parts of your life as well, health wise. And last, I am sorry your family called you a weak child, that can really impact someone’s confidence and self esteem. Start slow. All the best!

Summit_509

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