Hello and thanks for reading. Sorry about any formatting issues; I'm not a frequent poster and I'm also on mobile.
I'm a recent college graduate and I just got my first full time job. It pays shit but I love it and this is the first time I've been able to say that about a job. Still, I only barely make above minimum wage and it's a struggle. In fact I actually do make minimum wage, I just also make commission. Financially my situation is not awesome.
Just my regular monthly expenses are already almost enough to knock out my entire paycheck, but I also have quite a bit of debt. I have two credit cards as well as student debt. Obviously I have not been the most financially responsible person but I want to change that.
Up until now my parents have been trying to help me with the payments on one of my credit cards but they just told me today that they can't afford it any more. They have already helped me so much and I appreciate what they have done. But now it's my responsibility and I'm worried. I also have to begin paying my student loan off soon. I'm already struggling to pay rent, eat, and buy other necessities. I don't know how I can possibly pay all of this.
I put myself in this position... I fully recognize that. I made bad choices especially when I was younger. I really hope I can change my financial situation and finally grow up.
Any advice? Where do I even start?
Edit: Numbers and more info! I am a commercial family photographer. I have a degree in photography. Currently I work 40/week making minimum wage. I'm in California, minimum wage is $12. I also make regular commission. This varies from approximately $300/month to $500/month so far but it could be more eventually. (The job is still relatively new.)
My rent is $800 a month. I also pay gas, water, electric, and internet. Those bills together add up to about $80-$100 usually. I pay a phone bill as well, $20.
One credit card has about $500 on it, but the other one has over $9,000. The minimum payment on this card is $250. This is the one my parents helped with. I also have around $25,000 in student loans which I will begin to pay in about two months. I did not mention it originally but I also have a small amount of PayPal debt, around $200.
Other expenses include gas, food, and toiletries. Food is probably my biggest expense because I eat out often at work for lunch. My lunches are quick and we have no fridge or microwave.
Thank you for your time.
Submitted March 14, 2019 at 01:24AM by missjoy91 https://ift.tt/2XY3578
