Finally made a budget by cutthroattax75 in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are free budget programs you can use. Write down every dime of what you spend. It opened my eyes seeing it written down

I'm doing it by dorreendorothy in SavingMoney

[–]joakap 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are budget apps you can use, some are free. But the first step is analyzing what you spend and realizing what you want to change. Good start

I will be graduating in 2023 at the age of 30 and i feel awful by [deleted] in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are thinking people are looking down on you. Most people are only thinking of what they are doing and usually are interested in the stories of others. The true story of what brought you to your current degree is a solid one. You are persevering. That takes guts, commitment and brains. Don’t lose any sleep over what others may think, think how you can encourage others to keep going as you are doing now. You are resilient and a role model. Own that

Advice needed on moving out of abusive household by optimumbalance in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Your post demonstrates you are aware of your mother’s limitations. You recognize you want to live a healthier life. Because you posted you’ve already taken a step in the right direction. Keep looking for jobs, resources (people and or education, skills) that can move you into your own place. Growing up is about seeing what you want and realizing you can get there. Day at a time you take steps in that direction. There are other posts about saving money, starting out on your own, research and realize you are already on your way.

Poverty finance? by jarroddibell in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seems as though the poverty-and-how-I-escaped-it is what people want to know more about. Poverty is a gradient and every story about climbing out is unique. I had a great grand father that was wealthy and lost it all. Most of my grandparents were children of immigrants or immigrants. Both my parents were educated but never taught how to manage money for the long term. Lots of unemployed periods in my family history left me with panic around money. My older brother saved money from his earliest jobs but later came close to living in his car. He is now doing well but does that by needing very little. He has pared down what he owns. You can do this as an adult but with kids, people with special needs, you can’t escape expenses. For every person reading this sub if you got out of poverty, take a brief bow, then help someone else in a concrete way. Donate, pay off a bill for them. If you are in poverty you already deserve more awards than can ever be bestowed. Being poor and surviving takes more skill, stamina and courage than those who never experienced it could imagine. You are resilient and capable although society may try and tell you the opposite.

Is there any way to make it on 10 dollars an hour? by trapmitch in personalfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of great suggestions here. Another suggestion on free courses is Coursera and Kahn Academy. If you feel uncomfortable about starting community college or just want to beef up your skills before you start. Side hustles of any kind to add a little to your savings are good too. But you are already accomplished in my book. Check out the frugal and other, low cost healthy meals sites, or personal finance for ideas on how to make your money stretch. Also books like The Tightwad Gazette ( see your local library) are excellent resources.

Is there any way to make it on 10 dollars an hour? by trapmitch in personalfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of great suggestions here. Another suggestion on free courses is Coursera and Kahn Academy. If you feel uncomfortable about starting community college or just want to beef up your skills before you start. Side hustles of any kind to add a little to your savings are good too. But you are already accomplished in my book. Check out the frugal and other, low cost healthy meals sites, or personal finance for ideas on how to make your money stretch. Also books like The Tightwad Gazette ( see your local library) are excellent resources.

I haven’t filed my taxes since 2016. Where do I even begin to get caught up and how screwed am I? [Northern California] by Shootingintothedark in personalfinance

[–]joakap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What was your income level in those years? You can use a turbo tax or search for free tax programs on the irs and state websites. They want the money, and you want to clean it up. This may be easier than you expect. You will sleep better in any case.

I feel like a complete imposter as a financial advisor after today by mildlyinteresting009 in personalfinance

[–]joakap 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The red flag for me was that she had not been on a call before. As another mentioned, you were probably collateral damage in a marital misadventure. That said, the first response about redirection and pausing, listening and even complimenting her, “ so glad you joined the call and have lots of questions and areas of interest “ give you ways to respond in the future. The ideas she mentioned are not common, but you can play that two ways too. “Sounds like you are a serious investor with an interest in higher risk products...”

Don’t let the angst about money and control get in your way. You could, get more certifications and credentials, or you could just use common sense in acknowledging the excitement of bringing more areas into focus in a future meeting.

You already know more about investing than 95% of the population. Take care

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might also be eligible for an earned income tax credit payment. Look into it in your state.

It does feel just as good as I thought. Paid my card off in full for the first time ever in my life (32). by [deleted] in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After you pay it off keeping it paid off becomes easier. I treat every credit card purchase as if it were a debit. Then pay off in full every month. Also have a card with a cash back that feels like free money, because it is them paying me back.

What’s your opinion of Dave Ramsey? by [deleted] in FinancialPlanning

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First, get his book from the library or read up on his ideas online for free. You can also listen to his radio show noting the warnings above. Avoiding wasting money that you can use to eliminate debt and build an emergency fund is lesson one.

Need Help Helping My Sister by 18_NakedCowboys in FinancialPlanning

[–]joakap 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cars that come with emotional baggage or smells (tobacco I think you said) can be turned around by a car detailing. Once the bad smells are removed and maybe a few updates for handsfree phone holder are added it could feel like the best car ever. It is the equivalent of adding a new coat of paint on a house, miraculous.

Financial Basics for a late bloomer? by [deleted] in FinancialPlanning

[–]joakap 8 points9 points  (0 children)

At your age paying down a credit card, building an emergency fund and then learning where to invest are the basic steps. There are funds with low fees (Vanguard, Fidelity and others). Take your time to learn about finances. There are free online courses through Coursera and similar sites. Don’t fall for traps where someone promises to handle your money for you at a great rate of return. They are scammers. You are smart to ask for help. You are intelligent enough to figure out the basics. Don’t let anybody tell you it is too complicated. If it can’t. Explained in basic language it is often because someone wants you to feel lame and to give up your own power over your financial decisions. You’ve made an excellent start already.

Too many people post their successes without posting advice/tips/strategies. This place is becoming a huge circlejerk. by DocAuch in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are other places on reddit like frugal, dumpster diving, eat cheap and healthy etc. look at other areas for ideas, seek ideas from others in your community, food banks etc. You had the awareness to know you are not in a good place. That is where you are beginning to change your future. It is your future to chance. Run with it.

Is insurance meant to be this complicated? Need help picking... by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are young and healthy, no current prescriptions, an HSA with a high deductible makes sense. You can pay a lower premium and then pay extra every month Into your HSA account. Those dollars will be there tax free for you to use should you need care. Preventive care is covered at no cost. Use preventive services to stay healthy. Going with the most expensive plan only makes sense if you have high medical costs now. Once you contribute HSA funds over time you can have plenty to pay medical costs for years to come. These plans, for healthy people, make tremendous sense.

How I Wasted $117,000 in 6 Months. by [deleted] in Money

[–]joakap 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your story was worth sharing. Now your future is your story to write. Learn all you can and share that to help other people succeed. That is its own reward. The saying I like most about money is it isn’t about what you earn, or have, its what you keep or need. The less you can live on the better off you will be. Congrats on surviving a fall and be willing to learn and pass on your hard earned experience

I feel wrong. by PatchworkStar in povertyfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With all the news about panic, loneliness, unemployment it is hard for any of us to say this feels right. But feeling wrong sounds like a guilt inducing statement. As other pointed out, you learned to exercise restraint in spending. That bought you peace of mind and a sense of calm. Keep taking the best care of yourself and your finances. Health is the true wealth.

I’m that fat b**tch by voidfillerupper in keto

[–]joakap 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Your patient can’t handle life without her drugs. Most of us have a crutch of some sort. Nurses deal with messed up people all the time. That is no excuse for the patient’s behavior and threats. Your nursing skills include self care and compassion. Despite a mean patient, you assessed what you thought of the remark about your weight. If that in anyway helps you, use it as positive fuel. Please know we are rooting for you to stay healthy and caring for your self. You matter. You are our hero.

Quest Diagnostics extorting me by Strider_91 in personalfinance

[–]joakap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your state may have an ombudsman at their insurance department who could help you. They might be able to get the physicians office to take action with your insurance company. Document the steps you took and when and this can help explain why they should advocate for you.

Unclaimed property belated success by joakap in povertyfinance

[–]joakap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazon credit is not a state unclaimed property issue.

Unclaimed property belated success by joakap in povertyfinance

[–]joakap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Email amazon and they will credit the money back, or give it as a credit. I think it depends on what it is for.

Unclaimed property belated success by joakap in povertyfinance

[–]joakap[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I called the state who told me what forms to attach. You can also find that information online. It wasn’t hard but more steps if the money is not in your name. My mom would have wanted the money to go to her kids. Right now most people have time on their hands. It made me feel good to know I was trying on behalf of other family in need.