Hey all, I've been reading over topics, and the biggest advice I see is "cutback." I am unsure where to cut back at this point and my area is a bit of a job desert.
Income: EMT 11.25/hr. 36 hours a week. My bring home pay is approximately $660 every 2 weeks. Overtime has recently been forbidden unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. Scheduling is very much all over the place, making a part time job difficult.
Rent: $550 Electric: $300 (on a budget plan from summer, currently paying $180/mo.) Internet: $50 Cellphone: 47.50 Car Insurance : 50 Gas: Varies slightly. Between $80-$100/month. Car is paid in full.
My income is too high for assistance by approximately $5k/year...I've checked everywhere.
The situation arose come winter time. It's my first year in this place, and the landlord informed me during winter - electric would run $150. ...it ran about $350, and I was as cold as I could tolerate. (about 60 degrees in my home), and I've been struggling to recover since. My diet consists of rice and eggs. Occasionally, I'll treat myself to a McDonald's meal after a long transport.
I've got a few retro games to sell at this point, but as for anything else - I'm down to my desk/computer (my only real source of entertainment), bed/frame, and dresser...plus my kitchen items.
The only place I can fathom saving would be internet...but...video games are genuinely my only source of entertainment. They're the one place I can socialize with friends for free.
My lease is up in July, I want to try and find a new place to live...but...this place (rent-wise) is about as cheap as they come, and I'm unsure if I'll be able to come up with a security deposit.
Jobs in my area...basically, gas/oil jobs. I'm an environmentalist, but still sold my soul to that devil for 2 years...it was more soul crushing than being poor now.
I'd like to get out of EMS. I've been doing it for nearly 4 years, and I just...can't...anymore.
Retail - less money than I'm currently making.
I don't have any parents to turn to (long story), my brother is expecting a daughter in the next few months, and my sister bought me groceries last month - I can't keep reaching for a short term solution to this problem.
...can anyone offer any advice?
Edit: There seems to be a general consensus in the thread. I appreciate you all taking the time. Thank you.
Second Edit: Did a quick Google search (worst states to find a job), and mine is Number 1 on several, Number 2 on some others. ...looks like moving is my best option...now...to figure that out.
Edit 3: I'm receiving a lot of posts about the insanity of my electric bill. At this juncture, it's basically determined this is due to baseboard heating in a not well insulated property.
Final Edit: For those of you that weighed in, I'd just like to thank you all for taking the time out of your day to help me out. You've given me a ton of great advice, and it's all invaluable to have. Thank you again!
Submitted March 29, 2019 at 01:00PM by Extra_Guy https://ift.tt/2OyLj5Y
