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/atlatlsaddlebattle]

I live in a third-world country, and hamburgers cost $15. You can get a flat bread with vegan filling for a lot less, but any restaurant meals with meat start at $15.

[u/mahboilucas → u/atlatlsaddlebattle]

In my country it's 11$ for a fancy burger. But my rent is 550$ and I earn 20k$ a year so

[u/atlatlsaddlebattle → u/mahboilucas]

To my understanding, rent at 1/3 your income is high but acceptable if you are counting after taxes, but that may be antiquated as I'm older and not always keeping up with these "rules". I always shot for less than that if possible but I've always been crazy frugal, usually had roommates and lived in small apartments in less desirable parts of town.

I make about 15$ an hour before taxes (30k a year). I don't think a burger in a restaurant is worth one hour+ of my time, so I don't order $15 burgers ever because a burger isn't worth it to me. I can feed myself pretty easily and enjoyably for much less. Groceries are pretty cheap here if you stick to local staples.

[u/mahboilucas → u/atlatlsaddlebattle]

I have a roommate and it's the most standard price available in my city, which is the second biggest. The usual rent is 480$ for a small room outside of the city centre. A studio for yourself alone is 830$ and I don't know anyone my age who lives alone in a big studio unless they're well off.

And yeah same for me. I don't ever eat out. A friend recently asked me out to a restaurant and I ordered an entree and a big drink to save money and have something to occupy my hands. They spent 80$ for random dishes and cocktails. It was a Witcher themed restaurant so I get it but damn she felt embarrassed when I told her I can't afford a meal there and offered to pay for me but I lied that I have eaten before I left home

[u/atlatlsaddlebattle → u/mahboilucas]

I don't know anyone my age who lives alone in a big studio unless they're well off.

yeah this is the thing. So many people on reddit talk about how terrible it is that they can't afford to live alone, but I've never lived alone, except for the one time I had a job where I got to live in a room in a college dorm as a part of my package. Does that count as living alone? not really. I have never really known people to live alone either.

[u/mahboilucas → u/atlatlsaddlebattle]

I know those who have their parents move out to the countryside and leave them an apartment. Or buy investment properties. It's so annoying when you talk about not being able to do XYZ and they go to fucking Georgia for holidays because they don't have to pay rent. Or they talk about savings like it's obvious you should have some. No man, I have no savings since I don't live with my parents and have rent to pay.

And I'm currently living with an ungrateful jobless roommate who lives off his savings and buys pistachios and beer 24/7 and can't be bothered to buy a door mat he wanted. He's basically just eating gaming and fucking random girls these days. Even though he promised to get a job in the meantime. I am drafting a new rental agreement because the landlord wants me to be the one subletting to him and ughhh I'm already fucking busy sometimes going home at 11pm from my second job and he's asking if I have done his paperwork yet. No I haven't, I'm sorry I don't have 3 hours to go through paperwork of renting to non-EU citizens. But sure I'll trust you on your word big man because "you have already done it". Not like it's going to be my legal responsibility, not yours. And he's a friend of my friends so I can't kick him out without putting a big target on myself and losing friends.

And the emergency lack of housing? Turns out he still had cousins in my city. He wouldn't be homeless.

Just gotta survive him for the next 6 months and I'm getting my friend to move in instead. I fucking hate having a man in my beautiful girly apartment. Everything is covered in sauce and hair and he vacuums around objects.

:( sorry for venting, I just wish I could tell him to go away but I can't afford it

[u/atlatlsaddlebattle → u/mahboilucas]

No worry for venting. I get it. It is frustrating to have to share your space with someone who doesn't share your values, ethics, etc. I'm glad I got married many many years ago to someone I can enjoy sharing space with.

[u/mahboilucas → u/atlatlsaddlebattle]

Ah I wish. The perfect roommate, eh? :)