Surviving on a Low Income: Coping Strategies and Seeking Better Opportunities

[TappyTibbons]

I don't know how I can do anything but just survive with the money I currently make. Here's my simplified calculation (per month):

Income - $1500

Expenses:
-Rent: $600
-Utilities: $200
-Food: $300
-Car (insurance + gas): $200

That leaves $200 for everything else, including health insurance, clothes, etc.

I've been having panic attacks when I think of money, and I've never had them before. I don't think I have unreasonable needs. I just want to make ends meet and be able to save a little money for a rainy day.

I have a BS in physics from a decent university with a decent GPA, but I work in a job that doesn't require a high school diploma. It's the only job I could get, and I've applied to dozens. I don't feel a sense of entitlement, or that I'm underemployed. But I assume there's a better paying job I COULD get. I just don't see a way out. I feel like I'll be treading water under a prolonged illness finally puts me under.

Any ideas?

Sorry for dumping

 

[Pengwuino]

If you want any real advice, you really need to be more descriptive in your location, abilities, etc.

 

[Astronuc]

I have a BS in physics from a decent university with a decent GPA, but I work in a job that doesn't require a high school diploma. It's the only job I could get, and I've applied to dozens. I don't feel a sense of entitlement, or that I'm underemployed. But I assume there's a better paying job I COULD get. I just don't see a way out. I feel like I'll be treading water under a prolonged illness finally puts me under.

Something is not right here!

With a BS in Physics, and a decent GPA, one has a job that doesn't even require a high school diploma?! And one doesn't feel one is underemployed?! And one is making only $1500 / mo (or about $9/hr)?!

If one is fairly competent in physics, then one is severely underemployed. One should be making about $40-50k/year, not $18 k.

Contact the career placement/advisory office at the university where one graduated. Look through them for opportunities.

All undergrads should check with the career placement office at the university where they attend - starting no later than junior year.

With one's wages, one should be sharing an apartment with a roommate(s) or with one's parents until one saves up enough or gets a job and becomes fully independent.

 

[Choppy]

I might suggest that the job you have right now is the only job you can *currently* get. It's giving you enough money to survive, and I would see that as a good thing. It means that you're in an independent position and can afford to take your time hunting down a better opportunity. If you keep looking, keep improving yourself, keep updating your skills, eventually something else will come along.

One of the first questions I might ask is what kind of networking have you done so far? Have you tried attending career fairs, conferences, trade shows or conventions? Have you tried volunteering anywhere? Are you cold-calling anyone? Have you kept tabs on what your classmates are doing now? If you're really interested in finding a better job, you want to make sure that you're doing more than just surfing the online classified ads and submitting a resume to a random human resources department.

 

[nucleargirl]

I was like you- I made less than you and had to live at home. Basically I would look for better jobs - you have more experience now to enable you to find a better job, and apply to as many as you can. Dont quit your current job now, find another one first. and add to your existing skills - keep learning/ keep on top of your area.

 

[Andy Resnick]

I don't know how I can do anything but just survive with the money I currently make.

<snip>

Any ideas?

I think you just got a bunch of good ones.

 

[DrummingAtom]

Have you had any other job interviews and just didn't get them?