“We make $30k/month but still live paycheck to paycheck”
It feels crazy to admit this, but we bring in $30,000 a month, and somehow we’re still living paycheck to paycheck.
We’re not living lavishly—we’ve got two kids in private school, two car payments totaling $3,000/month, and a mortgage just under $5,000. There’s $40K in credit card debt, and a bunch of “normal” expenses that add up fast.
We have a part-time nanny, yard and pool maintenance, occasional family trips, and more nights of takeout than we’d like to admit. We just paid off a new roof and some home upgrades. Our rental property breaks even, and we’re still helping out family when they need it. But really? It’s the constant little stuff—Amazon, apps, Target runs, subscriptions—that bleeds us dry.
[Read more…] about “We make $30k/month but still live paycheck to paycheck”
Poll of the Day
Which upgrade would you choose?
What It’s Like to Give Your Children Up for Adoption
You don’t wake up one day and think, “You know what? I think I’ll give my kids up today.” That’s not how this works. Giving your kids up for adoption isn’t a choice. It’s a reckoning.
[Read more…] about What It’s Like to Give Your Children Up for Adoption
“I suck at investing”
I’m not looking for judgment—I’ve already been incredibly hard on myself. I’ve made some poor decisions and followed advice that didn’t serve me well.
Although I did my research, I didn’t sell in time and now I’m feeling the weight of those choices. If anyone is willing to share any guidance or thoughts on what I can do moving forward, I’d truly appreciate it.
I know I made mistakes, but I’m hoping to learn and do better from here.
How Do I Benefit From Staying Stuck?
We don’t like to think we’re holding ourselves back. Most of us assume that if we’re stuck in a job we hate, a relationship that drains us, or a cycle of habits we swore we’d break, it’s because of circumstances beyond our control.
But there’s a quieter, more unsettling truth that psychologists and behavioral researchers have studied for decades: Sometimes, we stay stuck because—on some level—it serves us.
Linkage
8 Big Questions You’ve Always Wondered About, Answered – Ned Hardy
Buy this for all the women in your life and for yourself if you want to have some way of defending from attackers – Amazon
9 iPhone Privacy Settings You Should Turn On Right Now – Make Use Of
The Fantastic, Fading Retro Diners of Hong Kong – Atlas Obscura
Nearly Two Million Student-Loan Borrowers Are at Risk of Docked Pay This Summer – WSJ
Faces of Courage: Historical Photos of Women from All Walks of Life – Rare Historical Photos
“It’s Not Just Winning. It’s the Celebrity”: Inside the Los Angeles Lakers’ Record-Setting Sale – Vanity Fair
25 Memes That Say “Welcome to Parenthood” Louder Than Words – Ned Hardy
Probably the most effective brush out there and is a godsend for managing shedding on your dog or cat – Amazon
Is moderate drinking bad, actually? – VOX
China unveils mosquito-sized drone – The Telegraph
What to Talk About in Therapy – Psychology Today
The Best Solo Travel Destinations, From Copenhagen to the Galápagos – Traveler
The Rise and Fall of TV Sitcoms: A Statistical Analysis – Stat Significant
The Dumping Grounds
Poll of the Day
What best describes your current relationship with porn?
“Been with my boyfriend for 11 years — he’s rich, I’m not. I’m scared of our future.”
I’m 27 and have been with my boyfriend (28) for 11 years. He comes from wealth, and I’ve always known that. Now he’s asking for a prenup, which I understand — that part doesn’t bother me. What hurts is how he talks to me.
I grew up poor, became a nurse practitioner, and now make $210K juggling two jobs. I even bought my parents a house. I’m proud of what I’ve built.
But lately, his words sting more than the money gap. When I asked if I’d have ownership in a property I helped pay for, he said, “It’s not my fault your parents didn’t give you anything. You might, depending on how I feel.” He’s called me a gold digger, a bitch, and said things like, “If you mess with me, I’ll make sure you never see a dime.”