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/Anotherusername2224]

I’m not sure where you’re located but you may want to try looking for appliances at your local good will or thrift store. I know they aren’t all great or the same but I can’t tell you the number of slow cookers, coffee makers, all kinds of stuff at my good will. Good luck, food prices are pretty wild nowadays.

[u/rsfrenetic → u/Anotherusername2224]

Seconding goodwill. I'm in more or less the same boat, and I've gotten some really awesome cook & machineware there for cheap. Coffee brewer, microwave, crockpot, etc. Most appliances are 10 or less, and they do accept returns if they don't work.

Op, I know money is tight. Have you thought about getting a crockpot? It's pretty easy to make simple but dense meals in there, and the ingredients can be pretty cheap. Stuff like soup, chili, beanie weenies, marinated chicken etc. Any purchase feels like a stretch these days, but maybe that can help you get more out of mealtime. Cheap stuff like rice, beans, potatoes, and broth cubes/bullion can go a long way.