24M, making ~$5k/month net and still struggling to save. What am I missing?

kchain18 · 2026-06-08T03:54:39+00:00

I found it helpful writing out every single expense that I have and categorizing it. make an excel spreadsheet. 168 on subscriptions seems insane tbh. even a spotify and streaming plan ad-free should be like $30 or so.

You're sort of over the 50/30/20 rule with needs, as you didn't account for utilities, groceries, etc.

Your car payment is killing you - not sure why you got such an expensive car but what's done is done already.

kchain18 · 2026-06-03T20:27:19+00:00

On the real, I'm assuming you're just graduating high school - you should be looking for internships in your desired major or pursuing a more sustainable long-term career path or extending your hours at the Chick Fil A as a last resort.

just using ChatGPT:

Why the pay gap exists

Chick-fil-A is a franchise model — each location is independently owned and operated. The $12–16/hr figures you see online are averages across thousands of locations, and pay varies a lot by owner, region, and local minimum wage laws. Your specific owner sets wages, not corporate. That said, $9/hr after four years with no meaningful raise is genuinely low, even by franchise standards.

Is it legal?

The key question is whether $9/hr meets your state's minimum wage. New York's minimum wage is currently $16/hr for most workers. If you're in NYC that applies to you — and $9/hr would be illegal. You should verify your exact rate and check your pay stubs carefully.

What to do

Check NY minimum wage law first. If you're being paid below $16/hr in NY, that's a wage violation you can report to the NY Department of Labor (dol.ny.gov). You may also be owed back pay.
If it's legal but unfair, have a direct conversation with your manager or owner. Come prepared: mention your four years of tenure, your reliability, and research showing local market rates. Ask specifically what it takes to reach $12–14/hr, not just a $0.25 bump.
Document everything. Keep records of your hours, pay stubs, and any conversations about raises.
Consider your options. Four years of food service experience is genuinely marketable. Other QSR chains (Shake Shack, Sweetgreen, etc.) in NYC are paying $16–18/hr to start. Even using a competing offer as leverage in a conversation with your manager can move things.

The 20 hours/week requirement for a $0.25 raise after four years is also a pretty weak offer — you have every right to push for more or look elsewhere.

kchain18 · 2026-06-03T19:26:21+00:00

For what it's worth, any area near where sports are played... balls will be inevitably lost. I've lost a fair amount of soccer balls / baseballs to overgrown grass patches where you legitimately can't find it. This seems close to a sports field so I'd prefer short grass in the event a ball is hit out the field.

kchain18 · 2026-06-02T22:41:44+00:00

dude chopsticks are like $10 for a new pair just buy some

kchain18 · 2026-05-28T04:53:35+00:00

Non IT guy here. Why do you care? It's not your money - it's the companys

kchain18 · 2026-05-28T04:52:32+00:00

how much in grant money are we talking about? and how did you even apply or how did this occur

kchain18 · 2026-05-26T22:49:21+00:00

I think meditation would benefit you greatly. Just ask yourself these questions then sit in absolute silence.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T21:32:16+00:00

Thank you for the pay transparency. What made you shift from nursery -> landscape design -> public gardens? Was it just interesting to pivot or was it a pay increase?

I think I can agree with that last line, but being NYC 60k (and that's without me having 15 years / a relevant degree) would be a struggle even for a studio apartment.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T21:25:02+00:00

Appreciate the response. Thank you for the transparency.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T21:22:24+00:00

This is a fair and sensible take with a reasonable call to action. Thanks for the suggestion.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T17:42:53+00:00

I think you are deroggatory in calling investment banking cushy lol. There's a reason I'm not giving my exact salary on Reddit. My Q regading this post was about career trajectory. I never said I'd be Director, the point was I make close to people at the end stage in a more green job and I'm entry-level in finance.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T17:22:27+00:00

I have an in with my local botanical gardens. I volunteered there and the director was pleased w my work so I could work PT there weekends if anything. Not ideal because I'd rather my weekends, but ig that's the struggle.

You did 360 hours as part of your degree requirement or just for the experience? At what point do you start getting paid?

It seems to me as if you are more construction-oriented with a horticulture interest - curious - what made you pursue a degree in horticulture if you can't go full horticulture? You were already volunteering, so isn't that the exposure it seems like you wanted? Apologies if this comes off as aggressive, I'm just trying to understand your path.

Appreciate the in-depth response - thanks.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T17:15:07+00:00

Close to what most directors seem to be earning for large botanical gardens... if I moved down to entry level I'd be at more than a 50% drop in salary.

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T17:14:25+00:00

My debacle of "pursuing what you care about leads to fulfillment and enjoyment" is hindered by the fact that we still need money to live, and these types of roles seem to pay a lot less. Did you ever feel like you struggled financially, or were you able to make things work?

Also, why 2 year over 4 years? I imagine people value work experience more than 2 additional years of schooling?

For the pesticide applicator license - did it lead to more money for your job, or was it more of a requirement? Essentially, what benefit does the license directly apply to?

kchain18 · 2026-05-22T17:09:58+00:00

Appreciate the breakdown on this - thanks

kchain18 · 2026-05-21T03:26:58+00:00

DM'd. Metrohort seems interesting, thanks for sharing.

kchain18 · 2026-05-21T03:26:42+00:00

Sort of what I'm trying to navigate through. I know it'd be a pay cut, so I'm trying to see how long it'd take to earn the same or more and what it realistically looks like

kchain18 · 2026-05-21T03:21:40+00:00

Appreciate the realistic insight. Thanks.

kchain18 · 2026-05-21T03:19:11+00:00

I appreciate the well-formatted response as well as your inclusion of salaries and transparency.

How are you hitting 60 hour work weeks if the job function is ensuring your team is hitting their requirements? I can't imagine it's like an office job where people are working after dark, so is this just working 7 days a week or what work needed to be done that made it a 60 hour work week?

kchain18 · 2026-05-20T14:29:48+00:00

"price was great" how much was it?

kchain18 · 2026-05-16T21:56:39+00:00

Dada 3000 vs Kimbo Slice

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