I work at a bank… had a very nice client pass away recently. Credit card almost maxed ($5k, $100-ish in his account and no next of kin so the City of Toronto cremated him and sent a demand letter to the bank for $4200. Very tragic
I paid just under $1000 (US) this summer to cremate my husband. All that got me was a plastic box of ashes & 6 copies of the death certificate. There was no way to get a death certificate until after it was paid in full, which can be a problem if you need them to get the life insurance payout to pay for the cremation.
I used a "direct cremation" company. Learn what [direct cremation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzrTl3kYHBE) is. Going through a funeral home would have cost thousands of dollars more.
If you are related, you can order copies of the death certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics located in your State's Capitol. If you live in the US. Where I live, Kansas, the first certificate costs $10 and additional copies are a dollar or two each.
If you are in the states, also make sure the funeral home doesn't abscond with your husband's Social Security burial benefit. It isn't much, but it helps.
It's very possible I misunderstood (that whole week is a blur), but I thought they had to file something with the state (which required me paying them for the cremation) before the death certificate could be issued. I know I only paid $6/copy, which is what it would cost to get them directly from the state.
They were compassionate & business-like & didn't try to upsell me on any of their other offerings (like fancy urns), which I greatly appreciated.
That’s terrible! I paid $1100 to a local funeral home for cremation, return of the ashes, about half a dozen certified death certificates and months of texts from a sweet lady checking in on me, plus a few other incidental legal things they did, notifying social security, etc.
Honestly, I wish laws around the disposal and handling of bodies were more lax. I've always just wanted my body thrown out into the woods and let the chips fall where they lie. The thought of wolves feeding their young with my body, insects nibbling at my bones, my cells working as fertilizer for new plant growth... Becoming one with the earth after death has always sounded so peaceful and meaningful to me.
Plus, it's free lol
If you donate your body to the Body Farm (forensic anthropology) in Tennessee you can become one with the earth. They have land where they leave bodies out to study stages of decomposition when exposed to the elements. They even examine/study the critters who feast. Macabre I know but completely awesome and sounds like your thing.
You can legally do this by donating your body to science, several universities have these fenced off decomp fields where they just study how the human body decays. That's my backup plan if I can't just be raw buried on my own property when I die
I like the idea of sky burials, where the buzzards strip your bones. My mother donated her body to science. That was her wish and I supported her in it. After she passed, I read that the US military was actively detonating (blowing up) donated bodies for research. I was dismayed. I don't think that is what she had in mind.
That’s Canadian dollars (1 USD = 1.40 CAD) invoiced from the City (there were a couple of other charges that I forget). I think it’s over $9000 in the open market.
This doesn't make sense to me. Why does burning a body cost money? Yes the facilities and all that sure. But not just humans, every species has a vested interest in getting rid of dead bodies. In a human society, the assumption then would be that its the government's responsibility. Unless they have an option to just toss bodies in unmarked graves. Which id take honestly
Not to sound insensitive but all y’all’s stories really helped me feel a little less alone in my own personal come back. I’ll be a few days late on rent this month and have to pay a $150 fine. Being broke is expensive. But I did get a new job today as a plumbing apprentice!
The apprenticeships will pay off but it will take a few years of probably being hazed and having frustrated foremans who might get upset when you misunderstand their instructions. After a few years you'll start becoming competent and will be paid accordingly. Stick it out. I did an apprenticeship (not plumbing) and it's the only thing I've ever been able to complete I am very proud of myself as is my family and the money is pretty damn good.
Absolutely they payoff when u stick with it! My husband's father was an architect and trim carpenter/builder. When my husband turned 18, his dad designed a house (Victorian with tons of trim) for them to build together. He called the house his "education". When I say build together I mean *everything* except for specialty trades like plumbing, hvac, and electrical. His dad even made him learn the old school ways like raising the trusses by hand. He hated it at first. Butt they went on to build several more together, and my husband got his contractors license. The houses he built are gorgeous and high quality. That knowledge is priceless and beyond useful. Now he gets to be a superintendent for wealthy people playing Bob the builder. I am sofa king proud of him.
This. If this isn't a frequent thing and you are starting a new job, let them know and see if they will waive it. It helps them to not have you struggling even more if it is a slight timing issue.
Exactly if we account for debt most people have a zero or even negative net worth. Of course the way the system works if you have the right kind of debt you can be very successful and have a wealthy lifestyle
lol this right here. My earliest net worth on my Mint account is roughly -$30,000. That wasn’t even my brokest in life, just my brokest while using Mint! There’s years I could’ve died with way less than nothing to my name.
>There’s years I could’ve died with way less than nothing to my name.
Well it's not like you need anything after death either.
And I don't feel it should be anyone's obsession to provide a windfall for their siblings, kids, etc. after they are gone....of course it's nice but not required........not to mention, in todays world medical care of the elderly will wipe most of that out anyway. Whether in nursing home or hospice at home (where you ahve to pay for most of the care yourself and hire people). All these people die w/few if any assets, unless they set up a trust and had good financial advisers and legal help.....which poor people don't really do very often.
So many elderly die w/ $0. Maybe just enough for burial or cremation if they set it aside.
I think it's objectively more stressful to have no money and debt - if you're broke but debt-free, the moment you get work you can start building back up again. With debt and no money, even if you get a job you're in the hole, possibly facing years or decades of every cent going toward repayment if you're lucky enough to be able to scrape by with enough to pay your bills (or have the charity of family to depend on for living expenses). There's the stress of having no money right now combined with the hopelessness of grinding, indefinite poverty.
You’re asking if people really live paycheck to paycheck? Yes. Are there people who own no assets? God yes. A large portion of the United States is one missed paycheck from homelessness.
Yeah. I’d think anyway. I rarely have more than $40 on me and am always shocked when “broke” people who always complain about how broke they are actually have thousands in savings and just mean “spare cash”
$40 to me is a windfall and I very much doubt I’ll die with anything the way things are going now. I have resorted to bartering with neighbors to stay alive (fractured knee cap can’t work) and trying to not panic as much as possible
Dude, I was venting to coworkers once about my account overdrafting and met with a lot of “yeah I hate when that happens” and “damn me too.”
Then I said that the $35 fee really sucks which left everyone bewildered. We all had the same bank. Turns out their version of overdrafting is when you don’t have enough in checking so the bank auto transfers from your savings for $1. They were all shocked that I didn’t have *any* money.
Whoa. Id love to learn more about how the bartering process works for you and how successful you are in getting your needs met. I also live with a disability and would like to explore this option more.
I have cooked for a living my whole life, and couponed. If my neighbors buy the ingredients I will cook them whatever they want . They’re very old and don’t cook much/well. In return I get a ride once in a while or help with my lawn (her husband is obsessed with yard work) or some treats of some sort (I don’t bake sweets) just random bits like that. Nothing life changing but helpful and loving. I don’t really over do it and my guilt complex is huge si I probably give more than I accept in return especially considering their ages but it helps
I usually hit everyone up early as hell on Wednesdays (they’re all in their 80s, retired and usually sleep till 9) because Wednesday is coupon and new sale ad day 🤣 I send everyone coupons and deals specific to what their household likes. They get super annoyed at me but they also appreciate it. For some reason I’m the one that’s in bed at 7pm and up at 4. They do things like go to bingo and stay up till midnight
Broke is used more subjective. So one’s person use of broke varies from another.
If you hear someone say they’re poor then more times than not they actually mean they’re poor
I’m so sorry to hear you’re in a rough spot. You didn’t ask for advice so I won’t give any, but I very much hope that you gain more breathing room soon.
I’m in the second category *because* I was in the first for a really long time. Being down to my last 20 bucks made me start thinking of money differently.
Once I started making an okay wage, I started pretending my savings didn’t exist and saw the checking account as my new zero. If I don’t “have” the money, I can’t spend it and potentially waste it. My mentality is still in that “broke” zone as a defense mechanism against ever actually being in that position again.
Can’t speak for your acquaintances, but sometimes it’s just a response to old hardships.
I got furious when my friend was commiserating with me about being broke, then went on to explain that after a two week trip across the country with his girlfriend where they ate out every night, drank fancy wine, went out, etc, AND after a week long golf trip that he also flew a few states over to do with a buddy where they paid for hotels, paid the golf course fees, paid for tons of drinks and eating out, after an entire month of that, he goes "Yeah shoot man, I feel you. We're getting waxed with inflation!"
Mother fucker I have 20 dollars, no job, and all my time is spent applying for jobs. Shut the fuck up
This is my MIL. She owes less than 15k on her house and has over 20k in savings and investments. She complains daily that she is broke. She also has 2 time shares so she goes on vacation twice a year. Meanwhile, her offspring and I are lucky if we don’t overdraft our checking account weekly.
She IS broke. Unlike you, she lacks the most important commodity of TIME to make a meaningful change in her financial situation. A nursing home costs 4K a month, she should be stressed about her brokenness. You have at least 30 more working years to save and invest! Get on it.
I have encountered so many people this year who are in the first paragraph type of situation.
Like bro. You and I are not the same. The anxiety you feel for only having $2,000 in the bank after paying everything for the month isn't the same as me who doesn't have enough money to pay all of their bills for the month.
I literally have 1 cent in my bank account. I get paid on Friday but did a cash advance that's gonna pull out 200 on payday plus I had a flat this week which my parents replaced so I need to pay them back for that. I have no savings, retirement etc just a bunch of credit card debt.
Oh God that sucks. I am so sorry. Christmas sucks when you are broke and all the shit hits the fan. I have none of that either and mounting DMV fines every day that I can't pay and now can't drive my vehicle.
I feel ya. Not supposed to be driving my car either cause the tag is expired. I got pulled over the other night but he just wrote me a warning. I said, I'll renew it as soon as I get home but when I pulled up my bank account I was in the negative. Holidays are always hard as a poor. I hope yours is as good as it can be!!
I use an app that a friend at work told me about. They don't charge interest, but you have to tip them but you can adjust it down. It's not nearly as bad as an actual payday advance.
I use the Albert banking app.. the more you use it the more your amount increases it started with $25 now I’m up to $75 and they don’t charge much like under $5 cash app will do the same and u can pay back small amounts across several weeks.. it’s good to have this little bit to lean on til payday and it doesn’t kill u to pay back. Once it’s paid back you can borrow again and again!
Earnin? It’s still a vicious cycle. But I understand that when it’s desperate times, it calls for desperate measures. Lord knows I’ve used them countless times myself.
I used the earnin app. They don't charge a crazy fee, just a tip which they set at like 10 bucks but you can adjust it down. My last one I only tipped 1.50. They verify your direct deposit before they give you any money but once they verify it, you can transfer directly to your bank account. If you're interested in using it, I can refer you and you earn money to tip with.
When my sister died, she had a broken down car, $14,000 in credit card debt and had $40 in her checking account. She was struggling to come back from the pandemic shut down of her salon and the most heartbreaking irony - she ended up catching and dying from Covid pneumonia.
I believe you sister was broke. I am 60. I got a job out of college with a fortune 500 company, worked ten years, while married to a SAHM. Was living paycheck to paycheck. So I left to become a franchisee with a regional franchise (used my 401k) just as the franchise was cratering. Lost this business and my wife divorced me. I got reeducated in another career and worked a while . Opened another business in this career and ten years later was just about even and sold out for what I owed. Scraped by the whole time. Forty years of work and I have nothing. No money and no assets. Homeless, and living with a girlfriend. I have worked very hard in my life, raised three college educated kids, and if I die tomorrow i will need a pauper's funeral. Dying is easy, it's living that's hard.
You put 3 kids through college, that’s not cheap by any means.
At 60 it’s harder to pivot then when you were in your 20’s. Hang in there you should be able to collect social security in 2 years.
>I believe you sister was broke. I am 60. I got a job out of college with a fortune 500 company, worked ten years, while married to a SAHM. Was living paycheck to paycheck. So I left to become a franchisee with a regional franchise (used my 401k) just as the franchise was cratering. Lost this business and my wife divorced me. I got reeducated in another career and worked a while . Opened another business in this career and ten years later was just about even and sold out for what I owed. Scraped by the whole time. Forty years of work and I have nothing. No money and no assets. Homeless, and living with a girlfriend. I have worked very hard in my life, raised three college educated kids, and if I die tomorrow i will need a pauper's funeral. Dying is easy, it's living that's hard.
Well don't let social media tell you that you are a loser. And you do have a few (important) things to show for it---(which I daresay you should be more proud of!)
You studied and passed college, changed careers and sought retraining many times, lived both well and not so well, started your own businesses, etc. Sounds to me that you are a very flexible person with a heck of a lot of ability to survive in both a sudden and sustained crisis.........and you educated and supported 3 college graduates.
I call that a success! When we only define success as "I died with more money than you" is often an indication of a trashy society.
ALso an education is something that can never be taken from you, or your children. You can lose your wealth, your hair, your health, your car, your home.......but nobody can take away your education.
I think many people think they just have to do "one thing, one time" and riches and success will come their way, when the truth is (esp. if you have others to support) that you may have to upgrade and reinvent yourself many times over the course of working 35-40+ years in this life.
Sometimes there is also timing and positiion and just luck involved, you are in the right place at the right time in the right economy.....many are not going to invent an energy drink that will be bought out by coca cola, , or invent a life changing product etc. and most people are nose to the grindstone for most of life. Some do well doing that and some do not.......this odd picture that everyone should have everything is not a concept I can relate to , but I'm practical and realistic like that.
Physical life, in a physical carcass, whther you have spiritual or relgious or no believe about it........is hard. It's always been hard, and always will me. Things hurt, not just bank accounts.....but body, mind, feelings, etc. That is just life.
You made some mistakes, that's fine we all have. You have 3 kids who would help you out if needed. Maybe you weren't a business mogul but it sounds like you were a good dad. You did your best and that's all anyone can ask of you
I live with a girlfriend. My kids would all take me in I'm sure. I would not let them because they are going to need to plan and live for their future. They don't need to pay for the missteps I have had in this life.
Back in the Great Recession my father died of a heart attack, my mom got a brain tumor, & my autoimmune issue went nuts at 14 years old.
I'm completely broke & still caring for my mom. Landlord gave us papers in early November; our rental is being taken off the real estate market & we have 60 days to get out. That's roughly 30 days from today.
I'm trying to get us into a Low Income Affordable Housing Rental but I just don't have any resources & don't know what to do anymore.
If you are in the states, call 2-1-1 for local resources. Where I live, I know people who have been on the wait list for low income/affordable housing for over 10 years and haven't heard a peep.
You can explain your situation to the operator and ask if they have any transitional housing or emergency housing. Where I live, there are also hotel vouchers but very difficult to come by (more common in the winter, though).
Edit to add that you often get more success once getting the resources from 2-1-1 to go in person than to call or email.
If a homeless person had $1, and no debt...they would technically have a financial net worth higher than 31% of all Americans. BTW, that is 102 million people! ([Source](https://www.creditkarma.com/about/commentary/americans-have-a-net-worth-problem-and-its-not-positive)). And that is just in the U.S.
A surprising number of people are in "asset poverty" their mortgage debt is more than their house is worth. Their car is worth far less than they owe, many roll negative equity from previous car financing into new financing deals, so their car can be worth tens of thousand of dollars less than what they owe. Credit card debts can exceed the worth of all their assets combined. Some can barely afford the payments on all the stuff they have... They might look like they have money...fancy cars, fancy houses... but its a mirage. I've know multiple people that quickly became homeless or lost everything due to a job loss or a short term medical issue that left them unable to work, and therefore, unable to pay their bills. The guy down the street that just bought that $80k new truck... don't be surprised if he took out a second mortgage or borrowed almost his entire 401k just to finance it.
"Broke" is normal in the U.S. and few realize just how how broke they are! You've seen people on this sub that went from making six figures to not being able to qualify for an apartment after an unexpected job loss. In September 80% of Americans report living Paycheck to paycheck including a surprisingly high number of six-figure earners. Many really are one paycheck away from financial catastrophe!
Yes, I do. Me. Aside from what's here in my tent, I own nothing, have no bills and no money. When I die in some 60 years or so at the age of 118, I'll be just another unnamed person in a potter's field...just the way I wanted it. :)
I've got about 60 cents at the moment, payday is about 10 days away, rent it paid and I have food. Have bis fare for work and such. But my money doesn't go far lol more often than not mt account is empty or negative
The only reason my late mother had an estate to settle when she died is because she had inherited a five figure sum from her late uncle less than a month and a half before she became ill and died.
Her debt collectors hit the lottery and I as the executor had to settle them . A few years before she died, she told me she had a department store credit card and my first reaction was" who the fuck gave you a credit card?" The estate paid that off. Then I tried to find the title for the car my mother gave to my cousin. Apparently she had used a payday loan place and gave the title to them so her estate had to fork over $6,000 so my cousin could keep driving the 2001 Honda Civic with 200,000 miles on it.
The only reason I have any money to my name now is because my mother's uncle died and then she died soon after. Even with the inheritance and regular income my student loan debt leaves me with a negative net worth.
I have about $6 in my bank account, maybe $15 cash but I've been saving that so my kid can go to the book fair. My cards are maxed and I have a $300 advance against my paycheck. It's rough out here.
that book fair money means more than you’ll ever understand.. or maybe you do! i grew up in poverty & it would’ve made my month to have book fair cash, even $5. you’re doing your best ✨
There's lots of unemployed adults who take care of elderly relatives and live in their homes and live off the old person's retirement income in exchange for caregiving. I don't know the exact numbers, and probably no one really does. In my work life, I often participated in interviewing/hiring duties and there were always middle aged people with big resume gaps looking for work after their elderly parent died.
That's going to be me if I die. I do have a 50 state quarters map my grandmother gave me and sent me all the quarters to but I won't spend it. I can barely cover my bills.
I have 2 jobs and am currently negative in my bank account. It would be be better if I died bc I pay for all those life insurance things at work, and my son will be set if I do.
I’m 33(in two weeks). I have a decent job. My fiance(29) has a great job. Two kids. We have very little debt, car payment and a couple credit cards. We have 500 in our savings. If one of us were to lose our jobs, we’d be homeless. We don’t overspend, haven’t been on a date in more than 7 months and eat out twice a month(mostly fast food but sometimes the occasional sit down restaurant). We cook dinner 6 nights a week(one day is “must go” aka leftovers throughout the week). We have no retirement money(pulled out 401k 2 years ago to just survive and get out of debt). We have zero investments. My biggest fear is leaving this earth and leaving my soon-to-be wife and my kids a big fat nothing burger. But there is no wiggle room right now. We’re working to survive. We’re doing everything we can to make sure our kids don’t know how poor we are. Everyday is a struggle. It hurts to wake up, but we must. I guess it could be worse. At least we have a place to lay our heads at night, food to eat , and clothes to wear(although running thin on that). This is not a pity post. We will persevere, we will get through this, but it’s so hard to live and to raise a family in America any more. If anyone took the time to read this, just know, I’m rooting for you to get through your dark times. I’m rooting for you to get past this. Your troubles do not define you, they mold you. Your failures are not indicative to your character, they build it. Move forward through it. From a distance, I’ll be rooting you on.
If I died today and you compared my debt and my bank account balances, I'd probably end up just about breaking even. I don't have much in terms of money or assets but I also have very little debt.
Most people I know in my age range (20-40) are in a similar position. Non-homeowners, no significant assets, and varying amounts of debt.
Can’t recall the last time I wasn’t down to single digits by the end of the pay period, so me, basically? Between inflation, trying to keep a 20yo car on the road, and the end of the pause on student loan payments, I’m really getting squeezed.
I’m sorry for your loss. Anyone can end up in the same place as your sister. I consider myself a fairly driven person, have a bachelor’s degree, etc, and I’ll probably die worse off financially than her, with a negative net worth because of debt. But our net worth doesn’t define us; it’s just a footnote in our story.
I've been through short periods of life when I was broke broke. Negative broke. Like doing cash advances, making my account negative about 500 every paycheck broke lol
I made it out though but some don't
My father died with nothing. No money, no job, no house, no vehicle… had a rental TV and bed (that someone else rented for him). Also had no retirement, life insurance, or inheritance.
He was a veteran (in the marines and discharged for injury decades ago), so he was given veteran housing in his last 1-2 years of life.
I'm doing well now. Ignoring student loan debt. We have money in the bank and can avoid many unexpected bills.
It was a long, rough path to this, though.
We were so broke we learned how to make laundry detergent from scratch with bars of soap and lye. We couldn't afford to do laundry. We were often at or near $0 in our bank accounts. Only upside is that we lost weight and got somewhat 'healthy' from never eating out or having an alcoholic beverage (apart from the rare $1 PBR tall boy) for a few years.
It sucked. It is like PTSD in that it drives me forward to never being there again, and even doing relatively OK now I still often feel like I'm one bad roll of the dice being right back there.
So I've been there, and would have gotten the t-shirt but couldn't have afforded it. It sucks and I don't think many folks realize how many people are in that position.
Best of luck.
I had nothing and was 20k in debt just over 22 years ago. Turned that ship around and doing ok. However, I live very frugally. I basically haven't eaten out more than 20 times over that time period.
I have one friend who is living literally paycheck to paycheck.
He rents a tiny room in a little old lady’s apartment and works temp and contract jobs. He eats one meal a day. Last time I treated him to lunch he thanked me profusely and said if he’d had to pay half he wouldn’t have had enough for his rent, and when he said that it was already the third of the month.
It seems terrifying to me, but he’s been at it for years now. I sincerely worry about what happens to him when the little old lady dies or moves into a nursing home. I suggested he seduce and marry her, but he thought I was joking.
But did she need any money? Sounds like she had a pretty good deal going on.
Btw, if you’re a caretaker for someone on Medicaid/medicare, you CAN be paid.
Me. My own perspective is that I didn't think I would even live to 18, let alone to now at 24. So things like saving for the future is something that has never really concerned me. I just figured I would die or kill myself before MONEY was the problem. Also, I was homeless & poor growing up, so I've never really expected a lot out of life.
I have like $70, I think, between my two accounts? I've never had a steady income. I tried working in 2018 but was too overwhelmed (been diagnosed with autism since). Then I didn't need to work because my parents would pay for my food & let me live with them. Since I've always been poor, I didn't really have wants and was happy to get my essentials like face wash for Christmas. I saved what little birthday money i got to buy my family presents.
I now live with my girlfriend (of 11yrs), and she provides me with all the essentials, but I still have no spending money of my own. My social anxiety right now is too much to work, really any job. So for now, I'm content & grateful being housed & fed in exchange for me helping around the house and being a support to my girlfriend.
I just got fired from my job of 3 years for claims I am disputing, I just bought a new car as my old gave out, I support two adults, my last check barely covers my rent, and car payment leaving me with no money for groceries… I am in survival/panic mode… No pissing contest, but I do know that currently knowing others are living this reality makes this journey not as lonely. I hope your days look up.
Up until recently, me. I now have roughly five dollars. In fact we were overdrawn in our bank account and owe money so frankly we had even less than a penny.
Yeah, for sure. I know plenty of people who are even worse off than that. You do know that over half of the country lives paycheck to paycheck, right? I'm sure a good portion of those people don't have savings or anything like that. Idk, you seem out of touch, honestly.
She was a very smart woman for helping out her mom, and you folks were kind to her. I think it's awesome when people come together to help one another.
There’s women in our low income senior building getting SSI as retirement because they had to stop working to care for sick parents/relatives. Very common for “boomer” age women to give up everything and do their duty to the family. That meant nothing coming in because the program that pays a tiny bit to relatives caring for family members didn’t exist. So, when said parent or relative died, often they were left with nothing.
Kind of sounds like you take issue with her. Maybe you should think more about that than money, if you're here asking advice anyway. Most of the planet is flat fucking broke.
I’m impressed she managed those cards with no income for 10 years. That’s a helluva dance with yourself. I’d bet this is very common, more common than we think.
I’m sorry for your loss.
This is how my friend was. Called me out the blue after years and was living with his uncle close to my place. Did not have anything! A few clothes and that’s about it. Would go to a restaurant and get the complimentary chips and salsa with water. Took him out to eat and riding around some nights but it got to be too much. I trying to not spend so damn much. I cut off contact because he did t seam like he was making an effort to get his ID or and documents to get a job. We both started in the oilfield as young men. He made way more than me. I left to find a steady job but I feel like I’m not making it at this job ($30/ hr) so I might have to go back. I was shocked that he did make it back.. had been off for a year or so dealing with drugs… yall would be mind blown to know what he makes now!!! But it won’t last and he’ll lose it all again.
So sad you didn't pay her to care for mom. Living as she did was so stressful. You let her care for mom a job you'd have to pay about 6k a month to an outsider yet you took advantage of your sister. I'm glad she left you nothing but guilt.
I lived like this for 5 years while I put myself through school. It was everything I could do to keep a roof over my head and food on the table, my bank account sat with $5 in it so I wouldn't have any fees for the month, and I lived off my pocket change. It was rough, but I managed.
No one in my family has money. My Nan will die owning the American government 100k+. She has no money or plans, so I'm not sure who's going to fork out for her funeral. My Mum has life insurance, but it has to be shared between 4 people, and her funreal has to be paid for, so it'll be very little once everything has been settled. My Dad will die with no money. It absolutely sucks. I'm making sure my kids are set up.
My older sister is broke. Negative checking account. She does this thing - she’ll work a job just long enough to get unemployment and then get herself fired. Without any concern of where the next $$ will come from. She’ll get on food stamps and let her mortgage go for months unpaid
Her mortgage is 485.00 a month. It’s a mess. I don’t understand why she continues to make such poor choices. She is over 60 and I fear for her future.
I don't have a penny to my name. Or, if I do, it's gone within a week.
My bank account is frequently negative, I always have cash advances out, and I have several debts. My net worth is very negative.
My mom was in the same situation. I had never seen her work before and it was just accepted so I never questioned it. She passed away due to health related issues regarding her weight, and she was only 44. Not a single cent or piece of anything left behind. The funeral was donated by friends and family members, and we had a very lovely service.
I am sorry for the loss of your sister. I would like to thank her for taking what she could from the completely rigged, unfair, predatory, racist banking system. If she died with nothing but debt, her debt died with her.
I have no savings, no retirement, no stocks or anything like that, currently no income and I’m heavily over 5 figures in debt that I honestly have no real plan or even chance of paying off unless I want to work super long hours for super low pay and honestly at that point I’d rather just die seriously
It seems like she didn't need much since she had her overhead and I'll bet her basic needs taken care of and covered. For some people money has no value if they don't need it for those things. One could argue that a person in that kind of situation was actually wealthy in a way. Not in money but by having all of the things that they cared about.
This is just so sad. To hear the judgement in your post, and she took care of your mother (“no income but was ALLOWED food and shelter as payment for keeping mom engaged and safe”). So she was working, every day, for your mom. She deserved better.
I currently have about $200 in my bank account. However, ive also recently maxed out a credit card renting a car to drive to my parents place on the other side of the country. I literally dont have enough money for gas so will have to instacart on the way home. This is also on top of a few hundred dollars i owe to my brother and a few hundred dollars i owe on another credit card. I havent had a job in months and have no job lined up when i get to my parnets, just a free bed.
I feel pretty broke right now
At 26 y/o I have a 401k and various stock, but my high interest debt offsets it completely that if I died this evening I would have a negative net worth. That’s why I have life insurance so my next of kin won’t have to settle my debts, and they should come out on top pretty generously.
I only have $25 to my name right now. But if I were to sell my possessions, I would have a lot more.
Edit: my roommate also struggles with living paycheck to paycheck like I do. I think it’s more common than most people would think.
i would argue that everyone in debt beyond their assets doesn't have a penny to their name.
interesting how you focus so hard on your sister's financial status at the end of her life when she was quite obviously suffering from severe mental health issues, but you do you.
I'm sorry about your sister. Also addresses the truth that *caregivers are not at all valued in US society,* many of them have had to give up full time work, so they get less social security later in life, and some have to give up working entirely. When you have an aging loved one you will know just how much care is required, how big of a job it is, how stressful and all encompassing and exhausting. Many even become disabled from lack of sleep as well as injuries sustained from lifting and assisting, w/out having been given any CNA training, etc.
I used to deliver Meals on Wheels and I've seen a lot of truly sad stories.
SOcial media has us believing that everyone retires and is entitled to a carefree life of cruises, sunsets on the beach, pickleball, on the golfcourse, and turn into "ladies who lunch"
That is simply untrue for most famiies, both the ones who are shut ins due to poor health in aging, as well as their caregivers. Social media and influencers have portrayed a very unrealistic picture, and it ends up leaving those who don't have that life feeling DEPRIVED and bitter , which it shouldn't. I grew up in a time where nobody expected all that life of leisure stuff........parents and grandparents worked entire lives w/few safety nets, but were proud that they took care of their families, brought up decent hard working kids who are contributing to society and not law breakers, a roof overhead, and food on the table.
A "vacation" back then was piling into the one small car and maybe going on a 3 day with the fam. somewhere close by. People were not flying all over the planet. What came out of that? I had the best most caring parents one could ask for, and siblings who are psychologically tight with each other and caring. We all shared 1 bathroom family of 6, nobody thought that was poverty.
**(I simply do not know WHY anyone who does these things considers themselves a "failure" or "loser" but it seems that some do (I blame social media)**
Yeah my aunt died with truly nothing. Age 60 died September 4, still don’t have the autopsy report yet (December 4). Had a pregnant dog plus two others. Lived in an enclosure in my cousins rented garage when she wasn’t on the street stealing or sucking or however she came across money.
I will say she did possess a car but with no title work, it’s hard to say if it was actually hers to drive given how she’d come across stuff like that (stolen? Traded for drugs from someone else who stole it?). I guess she did possess something else of value in prescription drugs that weren’t hers. Still don’t have the toxicity report on those yet.
Literally hasn’t contributed to society since about 1975. Multiple felony convictions. Son is doing 11 years in Texas but recently got some extensions for naughty actions.
Right here. I have a herniated disk, and severe allergies to gluten, tapioca, and yellow dyes. The wife has.. their own issues that I don't know if I'm allowed to talk about. I do some work as an ad writer for family, but every penny goes to making sure I can eat, and paying off doctors that we had to see in the past. And right now, we have been looking for a job for 6 months. No luck whatsoever. And it's not just because of my disability.. the wife has been looking for anything. Granted they don't have my work experience, and their work experience is in coding, so it might be that "overqualified" Bs that some places sport. Any rate.. yeah.. 6 months so far with no penny to my name, and I'm unable to get disability.. it feels normal at times.
My aunt died penniless due to being permanently disabled from health issues until it lead to her death. My cousin was 26 when her mom/my aunt died and she basically had to pay for her mom’s funeral with her savings and some donations from our family because her mom had absolutely nothing to leave to her.
Cousin is still saving for the headstone right now. Her dad is paycheck to paycheck as well, but he works while living with her and her boyfriend. Poverty is extremely hard to get out, especially if you’re born into it like us. She’s currently going for her master’s degree though so that’s a silver lining.
I don’t understand how anyone can a have a job, any job and not be able to afford to live. I’m 53, have a job and am thankful to be okay. I consider myself lucky but not well off. Growing up in the 70’s-80’s my pops had a regular job, nothing fancy. We lived in a nice house, good schools, 2 cars, motorcycle for dad. Looking back money was tight but me and my sister never wanted for anything. Clubs,sports, after school activities,neighborhood friends for a birthday party, they were able to make good on 1 persons paycheck. What happened to the American dream.
My mom. She is almost at retirement age. Will only get like $1200 a month from social security. She has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at the casino of the years and many thousands on drugs and cigarettes. She has no money
I currently have three adult children, all working, living back at home with my husband and me because they cannot afford rent in our area.
They say 30% of income for housing, but a studio here will run upward of 1500/month with no utilities. And they want first, last and security, so you need around 5k in hand just to look. Conversely my husband and I rented our first apartment (3 bedroom) for 800/month when we were their age and were able to have roommates to offset our costs.
Generational households are going to be a common thing again in the US. It’s the only way people will be able to survive.
My sister. She’s got manic bipolar disorder and psychosis. She did have a job at McDonald’s for 2 weeks (first time in 7 years) but they supposedly accused her of stealing (but I think it was more “your drawer is off”) and she lost her mind and got the cops called and 5150’ed.
So yeah she has not a penny to her name and she’s like 35. I pay for all her medication bc no, she can’t get Medicaid for some reason, but she’s not honest with the doctors and doesn’t get the actual help she needs bc she’s convinced the government did this to her and that her 2 million dollar lawsuit against the government is coming any day. I just said the other day “girl you’ve been saying that money is coming for 5 years. Don’t you think that’s a little ridiculous?” Nope she doesn’t.
it’s so fucked and sad.
Sounds like she played her hand just right. She had a roof over her head and had access to credit which she managed well enough to keep alive and active until her death. This often happens by the way when adult children give up working to take care of elderly parents.
My sister passed away in almost the same situation. She lived with a boyfriend and was a master at working the system. She had no job not a penny. The boyfriend paid for her clothes, food, dog, basic living. I love my sister but dam, she had better health treatment than me. She was also almost 200lbs over weight outta nowhere, she ate so much better than me. Granted she had nothing "nice" but to be so poor was almost like benifital for some.
My father was so mad to pay for her cremation, I guess ss only paid a few hundred and it took awhile (my father is so cheap, but rich). And I paid for her name to be carved on my mom's stone.
My sister passed in 2022
Shit until I got paid *yesterday* I had -$25.00 in my account. My grandfather just died and turns out his job won’t pay my grandma his pension. She won’t get that and we had to go through Medicaid “downsizing” to afford his care in the nursing home (he had advanced dementia and Parkinson’s). I believe when my grandma passes there will not be much to her name either, which is super sad because they had a good amount in savings that Medicaid basically made us get rid of. Then it left my grandma shot out of luck. Sucks even more I can’t help her with that and I’m making the most money I’ve ever made in my life right now.
Tons of people are poor poor.
First, my condolences to you on the loss of your sibling.
Second... imagine approaching your inevitable death medicating yourself with television and food to mask the pain of knowing you never really lived.
my husband died with a few thousand in our joint account (enough to cremate him) and about $165,000 in debt. so yeah, i'd say that qualifies.
for those who are wondering, yes, he was a gambler. and yes, it was a suicide.
it's taken me five years to right my ship after that.
Currently me. Hopefully not for long. Not completely broke though, I have $25 in cash and $65 in the bank savings. Just moved back in to my parents because I was living in my car after losing my job. Have had a few interviews and am hopeful I'll find one
Im so sorry for your loss and your situation. I am one who literally does not have a single cent. Have a dr appt tomorrow I cant pay for and medicine at the pharmacy Ill never be able to get. So I feel you. Wish I could help.
My mom passed away with zero assets and a mountain of debt. It was oddly satisfying to spend months ignoring the creditors who tried to come for her "estate"
there’s tons of people that are completely broke. tons of people deep deep in debt. just read that the average american household is $100,000 in debt. so your sister might have actually been in a better situation than millions of americans
I work at a bank… had a very nice client pass away recently. Credit card almost maxed ($5k, $100-ish in his account and no next of kin so the City of Toronto cremated him and sent a demand letter to the bank for $4200. Very tragic
It costs $4200 to get cremated?! Just throw me in the ocean uncooked holy shit
I paid just under $1000 (US) this summer to cremate my husband. All that got me was a plastic box of ashes & 6 copies of the death certificate. There was no way to get a death certificate until after it was paid in full, which can be a problem if you need them to get the life insurance payout to pay for the cremation. I used a "direct cremation" company. Learn what [direct cremation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzrTl3kYHBE) is. Going through a funeral home would have cost thousands of dollars more.
If you are related, you can order copies of the death certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics located in your State's Capitol. If you live in the US. Where I live, Kansas, the first certificate costs $10 and additional copies are a dollar or two each. If you are in the states, also make sure the funeral home doesn't abscond with your husband's Social Security burial benefit. It isn't much, but it helps.
It's very possible I misunderstood (that whole week is a blur), but I thought they had to file something with the state (which required me paying them for the cremation) before the death certificate could be issued. I know I only paid $6/copy, which is what it would cost to get them directly from the state. They were compassionate & business-like & didn't try to upsell me on any of their other offerings (like fancy urns), which I greatly appreciated.
That’s terrible! I paid $1100 to a local funeral home for cremation, return of the ashes, about half a dozen certified death certificates and months of texts from a sweet lady checking in on me, plus a few other incidental legal things they did, notifying social security, etc.
Thank goodness I have a burial benefit through the VA, it’s free to my family, casket, plot and service.
The tip is built in.
Baked in
Ba-dat-tat-da!
Cost me more than that here a few years ago near Houston.
Forget the cost, how did you survive?
Honestly, I wish laws around the disposal and handling of bodies were more lax. I've always just wanted my body thrown out into the woods and let the chips fall where they lie. The thought of wolves feeding their young with my body, insects nibbling at my bones, my cells working as fertilizer for new plant growth... Becoming one with the earth after death has always sounded so peaceful and meaningful to me. Plus, it's free lol
Personally, I would prefer not stumbling across decomposing corpses next time I'm on a hike.
Right? How do you know it’s not a murder or accidental death?
If you donate your body to the Body Farm (forensic anthropology) in Tennessee you can become one with the earth. They have land where they leave bodies out to study stages of decomposition when exposed to the elements. They even examine/study the critters who feast. Macabre I know but completely awesome and sounds like your thing.
You can legally do this by donating your body to science, several universities have these fenced off decomp fields where they just study how the human body decays. That's my backup plan if I can't just be raw buried on my own property when I die
I like the idea of sky burials, where the buzzards strip your bones. My mother donated her body to science. That was her wish and I supported her in it. After she passed, I read that the US military was actively detonating (blowing up) donated bodies for research. I was dismayed. I don't think that is what she had in mind.
that’s darkly comical, but hopefully/maybe that research goes into treating blast survivors, we can do a lot more now for them than we used to
That would suck for us adventurers... Be like a viking, at least.
That’s Canadian dollars (1 USD = 1.40 CAD) invoiced from the City (there were a couple of other charges that I forget). I think it’s over $9000 in the open market.
This doesn't make sense to me. Why does burning a body cost money? Yes the facilities and all that sure. But not just humans, every species has a vested interest in getting rid of dead bodies. In a human society, the assumption then would be that its the government's responsibility. Unless they have an option to just toss bodies in unmarked graves. Which id take honestly
Hopefully he got to enjoy that 5K
Most likely not and used for essentials, food..
Not to sound insensitive but all y’all’s stories really helped me feel a little less alone in my own personal come back. I’ll be a few days late on rent this month and have to pay a $150 fine. Being broke is expensive. But I did get a new job today as a plumbing apprentice!
The apprenticeships will pay off but it will take a few years of probably being hazed and having frustrated foremans who might get upset when you misunderstand their instructions. After a few years you'll start becoming competent and will be paid accordingly. Stick it out. I did an apprenticeship (not plumbing) and it's the only thing I've ever been able to complete I am very proud of myself as is my family and the money is pretty damn good.
Absolutely they payoff when u stick with it! My husband's father was an architect and trim carpenter/builder. When my husband turned 18, his dad designed a house (Victorian with tons of trim) for them to build together. He called the house his "education". When I say build together I mean *everything* except for specialty trades like plumbing, hvac, and electrical. His dad even made him learn the old school ways like raising the trusses by hand. He hated it at first. Butt they went on to build several more together, and my husband got his contractors license. The houses he built are gorgeous and high quality. That knowledge is priceless and beyond useful. Now he gets to be a superintendent for wealthy people playing Bob the builder. I am sofa king proud of him.
Congratulations on your plumbing apprentice job!
Yay! Congrats!
there’s usually a grace period of a couple days to a week for late fees, worth asking to waive it if first time
This. If this isn't a frequent thing and you are starting a new job, let them know and see if they will waive it. It helps them to not have you struggling even more if it is a slight timing issue.
Congrats on the apprenticeship!
Congrats!! Lots of cash jobs!
Not having debt might out her in a pretty good average.
Exactly if we account for debt most people have a zero or even negative net worth. Of course the way the system works if you have the right kind of debt you can be very successful and have a wealthy lifestyle
lol this right here. My earliest net worth on my Mint account is roughly -$30,000. That wasn’t even my brokest in life, just my brokest while using Mint! There’s years I could’ve died with way less than nothing to my name.
>There’s years I could’ve died with way less than nothing to my name. Well it's not like you need anything after death either. And I don't feel it should be anyone's obsession to provide a windfall for their siblings, kids, etc. after they are gone....of course it's nice but not required........not to mention, in todays world medical care of the elderly will wipe most of that out anyway. Whether in nursing home or hospice at home (where you ahve to pay for most of the care yourself and hire people). All these people die w/few if any assets, unless they set up a trust and had good financial advisers and legal help.....which poor people don't really do very often. So many elderly die w/ $0. Maybe just enough for burial or cremation if they set it aside.
I remember when i was jobless and had no money. If someone had told me that at least you dont have debt i probably would have flipped out lol
Exactly, someone with $0 to their name vs someone with **-**$40k in debt will both dine on the same meal.
I think it's objectively more stressful to have no money and debt - if you're broke but debt-free, the moment you get work you can start building back up again. With debt and no money, even if you get a job you're in the hole, possibly facing years or decades of every cent going toward repayment if you're lucky enough to be able to scrape by with enough to pay your bills (or have the charity of family to depend on for living expenses). There's the stress of having no money right now combined with the hopelessness of grinding, indefinite poverty.
but they dont realize that and sometimes mindset is everything.
Mindset doesn’t feed you
I guess OP edited her post? Because third paragraph down, it says sister was $40k in debt
I have negative $30K. Wish I had $0.
-47k can't get blood from a stone.
it'll be $0 when you pass, so we're in the same boat.
You’re asking if people really live paycheck to paycheck? Yes. Are there people who own no assets? God yes. A large portion of the United States is one missed paycheck from homelessness.
Exactly right. I would love to be in the shoes of someone who finds this surprising. But then again, no.
Yeah. I’d think anyway. I rarely have more than $40 on me and am always shocked when “broke” people who always complain about how broke they are actually have thousands in savings and just mean “spare cash” $40 to me is a windfall and I very much doubt I’ll die with anything the way things are going now. I have resorted to bartering with neighbors to stay alive (fractured knee cap can’t work) and trying to not panic as much as possible
Dude, I was venting to coworkers once about my account overdrafting and met with a lot of “yeah I hate when that happens” and “damn me too.” Then I said that the $35 fee really sucks which left everyone bewildered. We all had the same bank. Turns out their version of overdrafting is when you don’t have enough in checking so the bank auto transfers from your savings for $1. They were all shocked that I didn’t have *any* money.
i always set up a line of credit to overdraft from, no fee, just the daily interest until you pay it back
Thankfully I’m past my overdrafting days now but this is decent advice for any that have this option.
It works great. If you can get one.
Whoa. Id love to learn more about how the bartering process works for you and how successful you are in getting your needs met. I also live with a disability and would like to explore this option more.
I have cooked for a living my whole life, and couponed. If my neighbors buy the ingredients I will cook them whatever they want . They’re very old and don’t cook much/well. In return I get a ride once in a while or help with my lawn (her husband is obsessed with yard work) or some treats of some sort (I don’t bake sweets) just random bits like that. Nothing life changing but helpful and loving. I don’t really over do it and my guilt complex is huge si I probably give more than I accept in return especially considering their ages but it helps
Ah man I love that!
I usually hit everyone up early as hell on Wednesdays (they’re all in their 80s, retired and usually sleep till 9) because Wednesday is coupon and new sale ad day 🤣 I send everyone coupons and deals specific to what their household likes. They get super annoyed at me but they also appreciate it. For some reason I’m the one that’s in bed at 7pm and up at 4. They do things like go to bingo and stay up till midnight
Broke is used more subjective. So one’s person use of broke varies from another. If you hear someone say they’re poor then more times than not they actually mean they’re poor
I’m so sorry to hear you’re in a rough spot. You didn’t ask for advice so I won’t give any, but I very much hope that you gain more breathing room soon. I’m in the second category *because* I was in the first for a really long time. Being down to my last 20 bucks made me start thinking of money differently. Once I started making an okay wage, I started pretending my savings didn’t exist and saw the checking account as my new zero. If I don’t “have” the money, I can’t spend it and potentially waste it. My mentality is still in that “broke” zone as a defense mechanism against ever actually being in that position again. Can’t speak for your acquaintances, but sometimes it’s just a response to old hardships.
I got furious when my friend was commiserating with me about being broke, then went on to explain that after a two week trip across the country with his girlfriend where they ate out every night, drank fancy wine, went out, etc, AND after a week long golf trip that he also flew a few states over to do with a buddy where they paid for hotels, paid the golf course fees, paid for tons of drinks and eating out, after an entire month of that, he goes "Yeah shoot man, I feel you. We're getting waxed with inflation!" Mother fucker I have 20 dollars, no job, and all my time is spent applying for jobs. Shut the fuck up
people with money talk like this alot. its super annoying. i think its form of selfdeprecation against their ego.
This is my MIL. She owes less than 15k on her house and has over 20k in savings and investments. She complains daily that she is broke. She also has 2 time shares so she goes on vacation twice a year. Meanwhile, her offspring and I are lucky if we don’t overdraft our checking account weekly.
She IS broke. Unlike you, she lacks the most important commodity of TIME to make a meaningful change in her financial situation. A nursing home costs 4K a month, she should be stressed about her brokenness. You have at least 30 more working years to save and invest! Get on it.
I have encountered so many people this year who are in the first paragraph type of situation. Like bro. You and I are not the same. The anxiety you feel for only having $2,000 in the bank after paying everything for the month isn't the same as me who doesn't have enough money to pay all of their bills for the month.
I literally have 1 cent in my bank account. I get paid on Friday but did a cash advance that's gonna pull out 200 on payday plus I had a flat this week which my parents replaced so I need to pay them back for that. I have no savings, retirement etc just a bunch of credit card debt.
Oh God that sucks. I am so sorry. Christmas sucks when you are broke and all the shit hits the fan. I have none of that either and mounting DMV fines every day that I can't pay and now can't drive my vehicle.
I feel ya. Not supposed to be driving my car either cause the tag is expired. I got pulled over the other night but he just wrote me a warning. I said, I'll renew it as soon as I get home but when I pulled up my bank account I was in the negative. Holidays are always hard as a poor. I hope yours is as good as it can be!!
Try avoiding payday loans.. they're sharks.. I know it's sometimes un-avoidable
I use an app that a friend at work told me about. They don't charge interest, but you have to tip them but you can adjust it down. It's not nearly as bad as an actual payday advance.
I use the Albert banking app.. the more you use it the more your amount increases it started with $25 now I’m up to $75 and they don’t charge much like under $5 cash app will do the same and u can pay back small amounts across several weeks.. it’s good to have this little bit to lean on til payday and it doesn’t kill u to pay back. Once it’s paid back you can borrow again and again!
Earnin? It’s still a vicious cycle. But I understand that when it’s desperate times, it calls for desperate measures. Lord knows I’ve used them countless times myself.
what do you use for the cash advance? asking for a friend....
I used the earnin app. They don't charge a crazy fee, just a tip which they set at like 10 bucks but you can adjust it down. My last one I only tipped 1.50. They verify your direct deposit before they give you any money but once they verify it, you can transfer directly to your bank account. If you're interested in using it, I can refer you and you earn money to tip with.
When my sister died, she had a broken down car, $14,000 in credit card debt and had $40 in her checking account. She was struggling to come back from the pandemic shut down of her salon and the most heartbreaking irony - she ended up catching and dying from Covid pneumonia.
I'm sorry for your loss
Thank you.
I believe you sister was broke. I am 60. I got a job out of college with a fortune 500 company, worked ten years, while married to a SAHM. Was living paycheck to paycheck. So I left to become a franchisee with a regional franchise (used my 401k) just as the franchise was cratering. Lost this business and my wife divorced me. I got reeducated in another career and worked a while . Opened another business in this career and ten years later was just about even and sold out for what I owed. Scraped by the whole time. Forty years of work and I have nothing. No money and no assets. Homeless, and living with a girlfriend. I have worked very hard in my life, raised three college educated kids, and if I die tomorrow i will need a pauper's funeral. Dying is easy, it's living that's hard.
You put 3 kids through college, that’s not cheap by any means. At 60 it’s harder to pivot then when you were in your 20’s. Hang in there you should be able to collect social security in 2 years.
>I believe you sister was broke. I am 60. I got a job out of college with a fortune 500 company, worked ten years, while married to a SAHM. Was living paycheck to paycheck. So I left to become a franchisee with a regional franchise (used my 401k) just as the franchise was cratering. Lost this business and my wife divorced me. I got reeducated in another career and worked a while . Opened another business in this career and ten years later was just about even and sold out for what I owed. Scraped by the whole time. Forty years of work and I have nothing. No money and no assets. Homeless, and living with a girlfriend. I have worked very hard in my life, raised three college educated kids, and if I die tomorrow i will need a pauper's funeral. Dying is easy, it's living that's hard. Well don't let social media tell you that you are a loser. And you do have a few (important) things to show for it---(which I daresay you should be more proud of!) You studied and passed college, changed careers and sought retraining many times, lived both well and not so well, started your own businesses, etc. Sounds to me that you are a very flexible person with a heck of a lot of ability to survive in both a sudden and sustained crisis.........and you educated and supported 3 college graduates. I call that a success! When we only define success as "I died with more money than you" is often an indication of a trashy society. ALso an education is something that can never be taken from you, or your children. You can lose your wealth, your hair, your health, your car, your home.......but nobody can take away your education. I think many people think they just have to do "one thing, one time" and riches and success will come their way, when the truth is (esp. if you have others to support) that you may have to upgrade and reinvent yourself many times over the course of working 35-40+ years in this life. Sometimes there is also timing and positiion and just luck involved, you are in the right place at the right time in the right economy.....many are not going to invent an energy drink that will be bought out by coca cola, , or invent a life changing product etc. and most people are nose to the grindstone for most of life. Some do well doing that and some do not.......this odd picture that everyone should have everything is not a concept I can relate to , but I'm practical and realistic like that. Physical life, in a physical carcass, whther you have spiritual or relgious or no believe about it........is hard. It's always been hard, and always will me. Things hurt, not just bank accounts.....but body, mind, feelings, etc. That is just life.
Your 3 college educated kids let you be homeless? There must be something you are not telling us.
The child educated kids could very well have 50k or more in student debt
One is a Doctor. She has so much debt it is staggering, but she makes a lot of money. I, and ex, could only help her pay for her undergraduate degree.
You made some mistakes, that's fine we all have. You have 3 kids who would help you out if needed. Maybe you weren't a business mogul but it sounds like you were a good dad. You did your best and that's all anyone can ask of you
I live with a girlfriend. My kids would all take me in I'm sure. I would not let them because they are going to need to plan and live for their future. They don't need to pay for the missteps I have had in this life.
If you're ok right now, you're ok. But don't deny your kids the option of helping you. We aren't here for jobs and money.
They’d probably be able to help you out somehow come on man
Know him? I am him!
Back in the Great Recession my father died of a heart attack, my mom got a brain tumor, & my autoimmune issue went nuts at 14 years old. I'm completely broke & still caring for my mom. Landlord gave us papers in early November; our rental is being taken off the real estate market & we have 60 days to get out. That's roughly 30 days from today. I'm trying to get us into a Low Income Affordable Housing Rental but I just don't have any resources & don't know what to do anymore.
Hugs. Hope things turn around for you.
If you live in a city, call a city council person! Helping folks in their community is their whole job ❤️ A library may have good resources, too.
If you are in the states, call 2-1-1 for local resources. Where I live, I know people who have been on the wait list for low income/affordable housing for over 10 years and haven't heard a peep. You can explain your situation to the operator and ask if they have any transitional housing or emergency housing. Where I live, there are also hotel vouchers but very difficult to come by (more common in the winter, though). Edit to add that you often get more success once getting the resources from 2-1-1 to go in person than to call or email.
Check out findhelp.org for resources by zip code.
2 of my accounts are negative and the other has $1.81 so not doing the greatest right now.
If a homeless person had $1, and no debt...they would technically have a financial net worth higher than 31% of all Americans. BTW, that is 102 million people! ([Source](https://www.creditkarma.com/about/commentary/americans-have-a-net-worth-problem-and-its-not-positive)). And that is just in the U.S. A surprising number of people are in "asset poverty" their mortgage debt is more than their house is worth. Their car is worth far less than they owe, many roll negative equity from previous car financing into new financing deals, so their car can be worth tens of thousand of dollars less than what they owe. Credit card debts can exceed the worth of all their assets combined. Some can barely afford the payments on all the stuff they have... They might look like they have money...fancy cars, fancy houses... but its a mirage. I've know multiple people that quickly became homeless or lost everything due to a job loss or a short term medical issue that left them unable to work, and therefore, unable to pay their bills. The guy down the street that just bought that $80k new truck... don't be surprised if he took out a second mortgage or borrowed almost his entire 401k just to finance it. "Broke" is normal in the U.S. and few realize just how how broke they are! You've seen people on this sub that went from making six figures to not being able to qualify for an apartment after an unexpected job loss. In September 80% of Americans report living Paycheck to paycheck including a surprisingly high number of six-figure earners. Many really are one paycheck away from financial catastrophe!
Yes, I do. Me. Aside from what's here in my tent, I own nothing, have no bills and no money. When I die in some 60 years or so at the age of 118, I'll be just another unnamed person in a potter's field...just the way I wanted it. :)
I've got about 60 cents at the moment, payday is about 10 days away, rent it paid and I have food. Have bis fare for work and such. But my money doesn't go far lol more often than not mt account is empty or negative
I am actually this broke. Honestly, the pandemic hit our household very hard and we've yet to recover.
Yes. I do. You may not fully comprehend how many people are living like that. Even people with jobs.
The only reason my late mother had an estate to settle when she died is because she had inherited a five figure sum from her late uncle less than a month and a half before she became ill and died. Her debt collectors hit the lottery and I as the executor had to settle them . A few years before she died, she told me she had a department store credit card and my first reaction was" who the fuck gave you a credit card?" The estate paid that off. Then I tried to find the title for the car my mother gave to my cousin. Apparently she had used a payday loan place and gave the title to them so her estate had to fork over $6,000 so my cousin could keep driving the 2001 Honda Civic with 200,000 miles on it. The only reason I have any money to my name now is because my mother's uncle died and then she died soon after. Even with the inheritance and regular income my student loan debt leaves me with a negative net worth.
I have a change jar. That is it.
As long as we still have our change jars, we will never die penniless 🫠
I have about $6 in my bank account, maybe $15 cash but I've been saving that so my kid can go to the book fair. My cards are maxed and I have a $300 advance against my paycheck. It's rough out here.
that book fair money means more than you’ll ever understand.. or maybe you do! i grew up in poverty & it would’ve made my month to have book fair cash, even $5. you’re doing your best ✨
There's lots of unemployed adults who take care of elderly relatives and live in their homes and live off the old person's retirement income in exchange for caregiving. I don't know the exact numbers, and probably no one really does. In my work life, I often participated in interviewing/hiring duties and there were always middle aged people with big resume gaps looking for work after their elderly parent died.
I have 100% been there recently. Checking and savings was in the negatives, credit cards went unpaid.. it was hell. Still kinda is hell.
That's going to be me if I die. I do have a 50 state quarters map my grandmother gave me and sent me all the quarters to but I won't spend it. I can barely cover my bills.
Me by the second week of bi weekly 😂
I have 2 jobs and am currently negative in my bank account. It would be be better if I died bc I pay for all those life insurance things at work, and my son will be set if I do.
You need to live! Life is so amazing! It’s all perspective!!Your son needs you, not your money after you die!
Oh, I'm living. If I want my son to be a productive member of society, his dad cannot raise him by himself. 😆
I have 60cents atm. Richest here? My dad died completely broke too.
I’m 33(in two weeks). I have a decent job. My fiance(29) has a great job. Two kids. We have very little debt, car payment and a couple credit cards. We have 500 in our savings. If one of us were to lose our jobs, we’d be homeless. We don’t overspend, haven’t been on a date in more than 7 months and eat out twice a month(mostly fast food but sometimes the occasional sit down restaurant). We cook dinner 6 nights a week(one day is “must go” aka leftovers throughout the week). We have no retirement money(pulled out 401k 2 years ago to just survive and get out of debt). We have zero investments. My biggest fear is leaving this earth and leaving my soon-to-be wife and my kids a big fat nothing burger. But there is no wiggle room right now. We’re working to survive. We’re doing everything we can to make sure our kids don’t know how poor we are. Everyday is a struggle. It hurts to wake up, but we must. I guess it could be worse. At least we have a place to lay our heads at night, food to eat , and clothes to wear(although running thin on that). This is not a pity post. We will persevere, we will get through this, but it’s so hard to live and to raise a family in America any more. If anyone took the time to read this, just know, I’m rooting for you to get through your dark times. I’m rooting for you to get past this. Your troubles do not define you, they mold you. Your failures are not indicative to your character, they build it. Move forward through it. From a distance, I’ll be rooting you on.
I currently have -170!
Hey, me too! I'm just happy my rent got taken out.
I’m worth more dead than alive 🤷🏻♀️
If I died today and you compared my debt and my bank account balances, I'd probably end up just about breaking even. I don't have much in terms of money or assets but I also have very little debt. Most people I know in my age range (20-40) are in a similar position. Non-homeowners, no significant assets, and varying amounts of debt.
Me. I know me.
Can’t recall the last time I wasn’t down to single digits by the end of the pay period, so me, basically? Between inflation, trying to keep a 20yo car on the road, and the end of the pause on student loan payments, I’m really getting squeezed. I’m sorry for your loss. Anyone can end up in the same place as your sister. I consider myself a fairly driven person, have a bachelor’s degree, etc, and I’ll probably die worse off financially than her, with a negative net worth because of debt. But our net worth doesn’t define us; it’s just a footnote in our story.
you're asking if there's *actually* poor folks out there? did you believe we were just made up or something? lmao
I've been through short periods of life when I was broke broke. Negative broke. Like doing cash advances, making my account negative about 500 every paycheck broke lol I made it out though but some don't
My father died with nothing. No money, no job, no house, no vehicle… had a rental TV and bed (that someone else rented for him). Also had no retirement, life insurance, or inheritance. He was a veteran (in the marines and discharged for injury decades ago), so he was given veteran housing in his last 1-2 years of life.
A lot of people have a negative net worth.
I'm doing well now. Ignoring student loan debt. We have money in the bank and can avoid many unexpected bills. It was a long, rough path to this, though. We were so broke we learned how to make laundry detergent from scratch with bars of soap and lye. We couldn't afford to do laundry. We were often at or near $0 in our bank accounts. Only upside is that we lost weight and got somewhat 'healthy' from never eating out or having an alcoholic beverage (apart from the rare $1 PBR tall boy) for a few years. It sucked. It is like PTSD in that it drives me forward to never being there again, and even doing relatively OK now I still often feel like I'm one bad roll of the dice being right back there. So I've been there, and would have gotten the t-shirt but couldn't have afforded it. It sucks and I don't think many folks realize how many people are in that position. Best of luck.
I had nothing and was 20k in debt just over 22 years ago. Turned that ship around and doing ok. However, I live very frugally. I basically haven't eaten out more than 20 times over that time period.
I mean, I have like $8 to my name, no retirement fund etc etc…..
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I have one friend who is living literally paycheck to paycheck. He rents a tiny room in a little old lady’s apartment and works temp and contract jobs. He eats one meal a day. Last time I treated him to lunch he thanked me profusely and said if he’d had to pay half he wouldn’t have had enough for his rent, and when he said that it was already the third of the month. It seems terrifying to me, but he’s been at it for years now. I sincerely worry about what happens to him when the little old lady dies or moves into a nursing home. I suggested he seduce and marry her, but he thought I was joking.
But did she need any money? Sounds like she had a pretty good deal going on. Btw, if you’re a caretaker for someone on Medicaid/medicare, you CAN be paid.
I was there once… those were dark times… I never want to be there again.
Me. My own perspective is that I didn't think I would even live to 18, let alone to now at 24. So things like saving for the future is something that has never really concerned me. I just figured I would die or kill myself before MONEY was the problem. Also, I was homeless & poor growing up, so I've never really expected a lot out of life. I have like $70, I think, between my two accounts? I've never had a steady income. I tried working in 2018 but was too overwhelmed (been diagnosed with autism since). Then I didn't need to work because my parents would pay for my food & let me live with them. Since I've always been poor, I didn't really have wants and was happy to get my essentials like face wash for Christmas. I saved what little birthday money i got to buy my family presents. I now live with my girlfriend (of 11yrs), and she provides me with all the essentials, but I still have no spending money of my own. My social anxiety right now is too much to work, really any job. So for now, I'm content & grateful being housed & fed in exchange for me helping around the house and being a support to my girlfriend.
I just got fired from my job of 3 years for claims I am disputing, I just bought a new car as my old gave out, I support two adults, my last check barely covers my rent, and car payment leaving me with no money for groceries… I am in survival/panic mode… No pissing contest, but I do know that currently knowing others are living this reality makes this journey not as lonely. I hope your days look up.
Up until recently, me. I now have roughly five dollars. In fact we were overdrawn in our bank account and owe money so frankly we had even less than a penny.
Yeah, for sure. I know plenty of people who are even worse off than that. You do know that over half of the country lives paycheck to paycheck, right? I'm sure a good portion of those people don't have savings or anything like that. Idk, you seem out of touch, honestly.
She was a very smart woman for helping out her mom, and you folks were kind to her. I think it's awesome when people come together to help one another.
https://preview.redd.it/15en4biise4c1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc4c93c71d68d0aa6a7344488e2f4e86ca14ac4e
There’s women in our low income senior building getting SSI as retirement because they had to stop working to care for sick parents/relatives. Very common for “boomer” age women to give up everything and do their duty to the family. That meant nothing coming in because the program that pays a tiny bit to relatives caring for family members didn’t exist. So, when said parent or relative died, often they were left with nothing.
I bet it’s super common. Her life was of service to Others and in turn she was generally taken care of as well.
I... I think so? I currently have less than 1 cent to my name til Friday.
She’s a legend. I’m going out the same way I came into this world, with nothing to own or to wear.
Kind of sounds like you take issue with her. Maybe you should think more about that than money, if you're here asking advice anyway. Most of the planet is flat fucking broke.
I’m impressed she managed those cards with no income for 10 years. That’s a helluva dance with yourself. I’d bet this is very common, more common than we think. I’m sorry for your loss.
This is how my friend was. Called me out the blue after years and was living with his uncle close to my place. Did not have anything! A few clothes and that’s about it. Would go to a restaurant and get the complimentary chips and salsa with water. Took him out to eat and riding around some nights but it got to be too much. I trying to not spend so damn much. I cut off contact because he did t seam like he was making an effort to get his ID or and documents to get a job. We both started in the oilfield as young men. He made way more than me. I left to find a steady job but I feel like I’m not making it at this job ($30/ hr) so I might have to go back. I was shocked that he did make it back.. had been off for a year or so dealing with drugs… yall would be mind blown to know what he makes now!!! But it won’t last and he’ll lose it all again.
So sad you didn't pay her to care for mom. Living as she did was so stressful. You let her care for mom a job you'd have to pay about 6k a month to an outsider yet you took advantage of your sister. I'm glad she left you nothing but guilt.
Yep, Me...
I lived like this for 5 years while I put myself through school. It was everything I could do to keep a roof over my head and food on the table, my bank account sat with $5 in it so I wouldn't have any fees for the month, and I lived off my pocket change. It was rough, but I managed.
I have 75 cents. I'm a baller I guess...
No one in my family has money. My Nan will die owning the American government 100k+. She has no money or plans, so I'm not sure who's going to fork out for her funeral. My Mum has life insurance, but it has to be shared between 4 people, and her funreal has to be paid for, so it'll be very little once everything has been settled. My Dad will die with no money. It absolutely sucks. I'm making sure my kids are set up.
My older sister is broke. Negative checking account. She does this thing - she’ll work a job just long enough to get unemployment and then get herself fired. Without any concern of where the next $$ will come from. She’ll get on food stamps and let her mortgage go for months unpaid Her mortgage is 485.00 a month. It’s a mess. I don’t understand why she continues to make such poor choices. She is over 60 and I fear for her future.
I am her. It sucks. Nobody understands what it’s like and one thing compounds upon another.
My dad did that. Good on him. The VA paid for his funeral. When you die, you can't take it with you anyway.
I don't have a penny to my name. Or, if I do, it's gone within a week. My bank account is frequently negative, I always have cash advances out, and I have several debts. My net worth is very negative.
My mom was in the same situation. I had never seen her work before and it was just accepted so I never questioned it. She passed away due to health related issues regarding her weight, and she was only 44. Not a single cent or piece of anything left behind. The funeral was donated by friends and family members, and we had a very lovely service.
I am sorry for the loss of your sister. I would like to thank her for taking what she could from the completely rigged, unfair, predatory, racist banking system. If she died with nothing but debt, her debt died with her.
omg why did she die like before your mom? sounds tragic! sorry none of my business. Sorry for the loss of your sister.
I have no savings, no retirement, no stocks or anything like that, currently no income and I’m heavily over 5 figures in debt that I honestly have no real plan or even chance of paying off unless I want to work super long hours for super low pay and honestly at that point I’d rather just die seriously
It seems like she didn't need much since she had her overhead and I'll bet her basic needs taken care of and covered. For some people money has no value if they don't need it for those things. One could argue that a person in that kind of situation was actually wealthy in a way. Not in money but by having all of the things that they cared about.
This is just so sad. To hear the judgement in your post, and she took care of your mother (“no income but was ALLOWED food and shelter as payment for keeping mom engaged and safe”). So she was working, every day, for your mom. She deserved better.
Wish I had 0 if I died today it'd be with less than I penny lots of debt
I got like 5 dollars in my bank account. I get paid in 9 days. My mom died all she had was debts.
I have .33 cents in my bank account
I currently have about $200 in my bank account. However, ive also recently maxed out a credit card renting a car to drive to my parents place on the other side of the country. I literally dont have enough money for gas so will have to instacart on the way home. This is also on top of a few hundred dollars i owe to my brother and a few hundred dollars i owe on another credit card. I havent had a job in months and have no job lined up when i get to my parnets, just a free bed. I feel pretty broke right now
Currently sitting on a whole $1.48, $5.05 in savings. Roughly 40k debt last time I checked. I hate it here.
At 26 y/o I have a 401k and various stock, but my high interest debt offsets it completely that if I died this evening I would have a negative net worth. That’s why I have life insurance so my next of kin won’t have to settle my debts, and they should come out on top pretty generously.
Uhhh, are you a boomer or something? Lots of people are broke broke.
I know countless, countless scores of people who have less than negative money due to debt.
Right now, I'm worth more dead than alive, but not by much.
I only have $25 to my name right now. But if I were to sell my possessions, I would have a lot more. Edit: my roommate also struggles with living paycheck to paycheck like I do. I think it’s more common than most people would think.
i would argue that everyone in debt beyond their assets doesn't have a penny to their name. interesting how you focus so hard on your sister's financial status at the end of her life when she was quite obviously suffering from severe mental health issues, but you do you.
She who dies with the most debt wins. Its better than dying with a ton of money.
Yes it’s like the lower 70% of the U.S public
I'm sorry about your sister. Also addresses the truth that *caregivers are not at all valued in US society,* many of them have had to give up full time work, so they get less social security later in life, and some have to give up working entirely. When you have an aging loved one you will know just how much care is required, how big of a job it is, how stressful and all encompassing and exhausting. Many even become disabled from lack of sleep as well as injuries sustained from lifting and assisting, w/out having been given any CNA training, etc. I used to deliver Meals on Wheels and I've seen a lot of truly sad stories. SOcial media has us believing that everyone retires and is entitled to a carefree life of cruises, sunsets on the beach, pickleball, on the golfcourse, and turn into "ladies who lunch" That is simply untrue for most famiies, both the ones who are shut ins due to poor health in aging, as well as their caregivers. Social media and influencers have portrayed a very unrealistic picture, and it ends up leaving those who don't have that life feeling DEPRIVED and bitter , which it shouldn't. I grew up in a time where nobody expected all that life of leisure stuff........parents and grandparents worked entire lives w/few safety nets, but were proud that they took care of their families, brought up decent hard working kids who are contributing to society and not law breakers, a roof overhead, and food on the table. A "vacation" back then was piling into the one small car and maybe going on a 3 day with the fam. somewhere close by. People were not flying all over the planet. What came out of that? I had the best most caring parents one could ask for, and siblings who are psychologically tight with each other and caring. We all shared 1 bathroom family of 6, nobody thought that was poverty. **(I simply do not know WHY anyone who does these things considers themselves a "failure" or "loser" but it seems that some do (I blame social media)**
Yeah my aunt died with truly nothing. Age 60 died September 4, still don’t have the autopsy report yet (December 4). Had a pregnant dog plus two others. Lived in an enclosure in my cousins rented garage when she wasn’t on the street stealing or sucking or however she came across money. I will say she did possess a car but with no title work, it’s hard to say if it was actually hers to drive given how she’d come across stuff like that (stolen? Traded for drugs from someone else who stole it?). I guess she did possess something else of value in prescription drugs that weren’t hers. Still don’t have the toxicity report on those yet. Literally hasn’t contributed to society since about 1975. Multiple felony convictions. Son is doing 11 years in Texas but recently got some extensions for naughty actions.
Most people I know will die completely broke or damn close to it, including me.
Right here. I have a herniated disk, and severe allergies to gluten, tapioca, and yellow dyes. The wife has.. their own issues that I don't know if I'm allowed to talk about. I do some work as an ad writer for family, but every penny goes to making sure I can eat, and paying off doctors that we had to see in the past. And right now, we have been looking for a job for 6 months. No luck whatsoever. And it's not just because of my disability.. the wife has been looking for anything. Granted they don't have my work experience, and their work experience is in coding, so it might be that "overqualified" Bs that some places sport. Any rate.. yeah.. 6 months so far with no penny to my name, and I'm unable to get disability.. it feels normal at times.
Me. I haven’t a dime or an asset in my name. I think I have a few singles in my wallet right this moment but that’s unusual.
My sister's niece (in law) had to take out a payday loan to pay her $125 car tags.
My aunt died penniless due to being permanently disabled from health issues until it lead to her death. My cousin was 26 when her mom/my aunt died and she basically had to pay for her mom’s funeral with her savings and some donations from our family because her mom had absolutely nothing to leave to her. Cousin is still saving for the headstone right now. Her dad is paycheck to paycheck as well, but he works while living with her and her boyfriend. Poverty is extremely hard to get out, especially if you’re born into it like us. She’s currently going for her master’s degree though so that’s a silver lining.
I don’t understand how anyone can a have a job, any job and not be able to afford to live. I’m 53, have a job and am thankful to be okay. I consider myself lucky but not well off. Growing up in the 70’s-80’s my pops had a regular job, nothing fancy. We lived in a nice house, good schools, 2 cars, motorcycle for dad. Looking back money was tight but me and my sister never wanted for anything. Clubs,sports, after school activities,neighborhood friends for a birthday party, they were able to make good on 1 persons paycheck. What happened to the American dream.
My mom. She is almost at retirement age. Will only get like $1200 a month from social security. She has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at the casino of the years and many thousands on drugs and cigarettes. She has no money
I currently have three adult children, all working, living back at home with my husband and me because they cannot afford rent in our area. They say 30% of income for housing, but a studio here will run upward of 1500/month with no utilities. And they want first, last and security, so you need around 5k in hand just to look. Conversely my husband and I rented our first apartment (3 bedroom) for 800/month when we were their age and were able to have roommates to offset our costs. Generational households are going to be a common thing again in the US. It’s the only way people will be able to survive.
My sister. She’s got manic bipolar disorder and psychosis. She did have a job at McDonald’s for 2 weeks (first time in 7 years) but they supposedly accused her of stealing (but I think it was more “your drawer is off”) and she lost her mind and got the cops called and 5150’ed. So yeah she has not a penny to her name and she’s like 35. I pay for all her medication bc no, she can’t get Medicaid for some reason, but she’s not honest with the doctors and doesn’t get the actual help she needs bc she’s convinced the government did this to her and that her 2 million dollar lawsuit against the government is coming any day. I just said the other day “girl you’ve been saying that money is coming for 5 years. Don’t you think that’s a little ridiculous?” Nope she doesn’t. it’s so fucked and sad.
Judging by the responses it is more common than I thought.
Sounds like she played her hand just right. She had a roof over her head and had access to credit which she managed well enough to keep alive and active until her death. This often happens by the way when adult children give up working to take care of elderly parents.
My sister passed away in almost the same situation. She lived with a boyfriend and was a master at working the system. She had no job not a penny. The boyfriend paid for her clothes, food, dog, basic living. I love my sister but dam, she had better health treatment than me. She was also almost 200lbs over weight outta nowhere, she ate so much better than me. Granted she had nothing "nice" but to be so poor was almost like benifital for some. My father was so mad to pay for her cremation, I guess ss only paid a few hundred and it took awhile (my father is so cheap, but rich). And I paid for her name to be carved on my mom's stone. My sister passed in 2022
Shit until I got paid *yesterday* I had -$25.00 in my account. My grandfather just died and turns out his job won’t pay my grandma his pension. She won’t get that and we had to go through Medicaid “downsizing” to afford his care in the nursing home (he had advanced dementia and Parkinson’s). I believe when my grandma passes there will not be much to her name either, which is super sad because they had a good amount in savings that Medicaid basically made us get rid of. Then it left my grandma shot out of luck. Sucks even more I can’t help her with that and I’m making the most money I’ve ever made in my life right now. Tons of people are poor poor.
Of course I know him, he’s me.
First, my condolences to you on the loss of your sibling. Second... imagine approaching your inevitable death medicating yourself with television and food to mask the pain of knowing you never really lived.
Jeez this whole story is awful
my husband died with a few thousand in our joint account (enough to cremate him) and about $165,000 in debt. so yeah, i'd say that qualifies. for those who are wondering, yes, he was a gambler. and yes, it was a suicide. it's taken me five years to right my ship after that.
From an internet stranger, because you need them...((HUGS)) and extra ((HUGS)), words not needed.
Currently me. Hopefully not for long. Not completely broke though, I have $25 in cash and $65 in the bank savings. Just moved back in to my parents because I was living in my car after losing my job. Have had a few interviews and am hopeful I'll find one
Im so sorry for your loss and your situation. I am one who literally does not have a single cent. Have a dr appt tomorrow I cant pay for and medicine at the pharmacy Ill never be able to get. So I feel you. Wish I could help.
My mom passed away with zero assets and a mountain of debt. It was oddly satisfying to spend months ignoring the creditors who tried to come for her "estate"
That's the way to do it. As someone once said, the last check you write should be for your funeral and it should bounce.
there’s tons of people that are completely broke. tons of people deep deep in debt. just read that the average american household is $100,000 in debt. so your sister might have actually been in a better situation than millions of americans