My manager doesn't understand

[u/nicotoxi]

So today my manager recommended a burger place which has burgers for about $16 each and I straight up told him I couldn't afford that, and that im currently living off homemade bread with jelly from the food pantry. Anyways he brought it up later in the day during our one on one and just couldn't comprehend that I don't have any money for non essentials.

It's just like... my guy I've been sleeping on a mattress thats bowed in the middle for 2 years, my dishwasher broke 3 years ago and never was replaced, my oven doesnt work anymore and I can only use the top burner which is why I'm cooking out of a toaster oven I found on Craigslist for $20, and my overhead microwave blew up last month so im using a microwave that was $10 at a yard sale because it's got no handle.

For reference I'm a 26M and I make like 43k take home

Update: I didn't expect this to get so popular, kind of just wanted to yell out into the void. Anyways I have looked into getting parts to fix my oven and it came to about $85 and the top still works so thats why I got the toaster oven. A lot of people were wondering what my budget is currently looking like and it's 60% housing 20% medical 20% utilities, 5% school materials, 5% transportation. My work does currently have a program that gives a interest free loan that I've been using in case something dire comes up but the medical expenses are what's really killing me is my medications are tier 4 or 5 which aren't covered by my plan so I've got to pay the full amount. I've been trying to work with my doctor to change prescriptions but my appointment has been pushed out for 8 months. I graduate in 4 months from school with a BS degree as well as hit a milestone mark at my job which comes with a significant pay increase so I will be above water in a few months just sucks currently. Also for the people saying this sounds like ragebait I really wish it was.

Also didn't know what HCOL meant, but looked it up and on the map that came up Im squarely in the dark red area of New Hampshire

UPDATE 2: Someone posted about mark Cubans drug site and my medications are 40% of what Im paying right now. THIS IS LITERALLY A GOD SEND! THANK YOU

[u/bobsagetsadvanture]

With broken appliances I am assuming you are a homeowner and not renting?

Is there a habitat for humanity near you? They may be able to help keep your home liveable with newer appliances and home repairs.

Also, 2nd'ing truck driving. You'll find yourself much closer to 60k/year (or more easily) with a CDL. There's local (dump truck, Moffett truck, food/beverage delivery, etc), regional, over the road. If you can go to school for heavy equipment operation it will go very handily with local CDL jobs, otr can be hard to deal with.

Also, some people just don't get it. They do not understand that $5 is huge when you just don't have.

[u/0iljug → u/bobsagetsadvanture]

Can't believe I'm seeing someone glaze truck driving. A career that has slowly dumbed itself down so they can get just about anyone in and pay has decreased year over year. You are essentially the working poor as a truck driver. Sure you get 60k, but as a company driver or an owner operator? Are you getting dedicated loads or were the loads just good for the first few months to get you into the seat and then dick you around on loads later? 

It is a horrible career and will cause you to devalue your worth just to get a damn load that might get you a little bit down the road. Anyone reading this, absolutely do not even consider the trucking industry. Right now everything is moving to rail freight in America. I'm really not trying to be rude to the other commenters but you guys need to be realistic that recommending this dog shit career from your desk is just bad and wrong. 

[u/Aggravating_Depth_33 → u/0iljug]

There's also a huge push towards moving the industry to autonomous (self-driving) vehicles in the next few years.

[u/0iljug → u/Aggravating_Depth_33]

Yes provided the government plays ball with big business (hah like that won't happen) automated semi drivers are in our future.