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Despite the strong job market, most Americans don't have enough emergency savings. More than two-thirds of people in the US — 68 percent — say they're worried they wouldn't be able to cover their living expenses for just one month if they lost their primary source of income tomorrow, according to a recent Bankrate survey.

In part, this can be seen in the growth of the subreddit 'Poverty Finance.' The firs time we wrote about it in 2021, the online community had 847K members. Now, the number has more than doubled, standing at 1.9 million. So since financial struggles have remained a pressing issue, we have decided to revisit this corner of the internet, and show you what the gang have been posting lately.

#1

Same Here My Brother

Same Here My Brother

BobGolen Report

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    #2

    2meirl4meirl

    2meirl4meirl

    YoungFunE Report

    #3

    To Be Honest

    To Be Honest

    Sonjoe_Kutuh Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Money buys survival. Try being happy when you're starving to death in the middle of the street. "Nobody wants to work anymore". NO! We never WANTED to work. We work because dying of poverty is the ONLY other alternative for most of us.

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    #4

    This Post Brought To You By My Third "New" Tire This Year Since I Can't Afford A Full Set

    This Post Brought To You By My Third "New" Tire This Year Since I Can't Afford A Full Set

    reddit.com Report

    Ken Beattie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd never buy one tire (unless I had one ruined by a puncture). It's always better to buy two at a time otherwise the wear is unbalanced and they don't last as long. It really sucks if you can't afford to do that :(

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    #5

    I Think About It Every Day Too, But For Different Reasons

    I Think About It Every Day Too, But For Different Reasons

    jfitzgeraldMD Report

    Very Normal Giraffe
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We didn't need science to tell us that LOL I already know I'm stressed!

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    #6

    We All Know Someone Like This

    We All Know Someone Like This

    SuperSecretSpare Report

    #7

    Checks Out

    Checks Out

    Harvest_Official Report

    Ken Beattie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a catch 22 for the banks though. They've come under fire for lending too much, too easily to people who can't service the loans (or at least have difficulty doing so). So refusing to lend people money if they'd struggle to pay it off is actually them being *more* ethical. So refuse to lend, they're bastards for refusing. Merrily lend, they're bastards for foreclosing on people when they can't pay. The killer is, as it's always been saving that damned deposit. The biggest problem is inflation has made the deposit so big it's almost unachievable :(

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    #8

    Preaching To The Choir

    Preaching To The Choir

    d**kvanyikes Report

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    #9

    When This Hits

    When This Hits

    Money_Muffin_8940 Report

    Passerby
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always wanted to win an appliance. I like getting useful gifts. Ironically, when I enter a raffle or a lucky draw, I usually win something I can't use myself. So far, I have won a cd from famous artists who I don't even like, so many dolls, a photo album of japanese boy bands whose name I don't even know, a bicycle that is far too small for me, a woman blouse (I am a man) and other things I can't quite remember. The most useful thing I have ever won is an electric kettle.

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    #10

    Can Anyone Explain Where My Starbucks Money Is Going?

    Can Anyone Explain Where My Starbucks Money Is Going?

    MattBellassai Report

    Eped
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never even been to Starbucks. Why am I still poor 🙃

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    #11

    My Current Financial Strategy

    My Current Financial Strategy

    angelyummy Report

    #12

    Goddamnit

    Goddamnit

    fisaliavip Report

    Very Normal Giraffe
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least I can starve and freeze to death with a roof over my head 👍

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    #14

    It's A Real Struggle Out Here. We Barely Make Enough To Support Ourselves

    It's A Real Struggle Out Here. We Barely Make Enough To Support Ourselves

    baktanra Report

    PlatinumThe8-BitCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do they need to be replaced!? And there’s enough people here already, more than enough in fact

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    #15

    Sad In A Way You Just Gotta Laugh It Off As You Take It

    Sad In A Way You Just Gotta Laugh It Off As You Take It

    InterestSharp4724 Report

    Very Normal Giraffe
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very kind on the cashier's part :)

    Tee Rat
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been there and I don't recommend it. I've also slipped the cashier money to help the person in front of me who was short on their bill because I know how sad and embarrassing it can be to know you can't pay for $10 in groceries.

    Aubrie Allen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have bought them, over drafted my account, and was charged $35 for not having the $2 to pay for them. Most expensive ramen ever!

    Greenmantle
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooh that makes my blood boil. Thankfully in Australia banks have been barred from the overdraft BS

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    Yili Lai
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooo! I bought one chicken wing from 7-11. Card didn't go through, cashier also said take it. I'm a nurse who worked night shift

    Christmas love
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was buying a small package of chicken thighs, laundry detergent, asparagus, soup and a 12 pack of coke and card declined so I asked the cashier to get rid of the coke and detergent and card went through. As I was approaching my car the cashier came running out and said I forgot my soda and detergent. I was confused and she said she purchased the items for me because I chose to put the soda away and chose to make sure my son (whom was with me) had a healthy dinner. She said she’s seen people put the necessities away and keep the junk food so she was impressed. It made my day!!

    Sadie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i mean at least the cashier was nice about it

    Ana
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same thing happened for me when I tried to buy a bar of soap. The cashier walked away from the check stand and whispered to his supervisor and then came back and said to just take it... it was humbling, to say the least.

    Shark Lady
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was homeless I would go to a kebab shop at the end of the night and ask for 50p worth of anything that they were going to throw away. Once a week they would give me a full meal with a can of coke. They saved my life and once I was on my feet I still went there once a week but paid full price and left a tip to say thank you.

    Gilbert Palanca
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those are very kind people in the Kebsb shop . Bless them!

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    Karl
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We used to live on 12p instant noodles - as part of our £5 per week food budget from 1993-94. Although we’re better now, we still make some recipes from that time as they’re still damned tasty.

    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have often struggled to pay for food at the supermarket. I once had a stoned-looking cashier just wave through a punnet of peaches (pregnancy craving, they were on offer!) for EUR 0.01 because she couldn't be arsed to find the code for them and I could have kissed her!

    Nitarae Gist
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was so broke, I wrote the checks for 2 bills and deliberately mailed them to the wrong utility. So, it looked like I was trying to pay....buying time until the end of the . month. Crackers, cheese, really, I've even spread margarine on crackers to add some kind of taste..not so bad.

    Darth Kittius
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Happened to me once with a soft pretzel at Sam's Club, so about a dollar. They told me to just take it as well

    Lu
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was a few days still from my next paycheck I had one potato left and some ramen noodles. It tasted good. Ramen noodles were partially eaten by a rat living in between the floors so it was really just that spud

    Aboredpanda
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Been so poor I knew very well I couldn't afford meat, or anything but the basics. Ate a lot of oats, pasta, canned tomatoes (made tomato sauce) and bananas. But somehow I never considered myself poor; I was so young and I just figured it'd sort itself out eventually. I was just so happy I was on my own. Luckily I live in a part of the world where life does tend to work itself out.

    WoodChuckCouldChuck
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This has been “said” and re-posted by a thousand different people. Here’s your obligatory “lol that’s funny”

    irishleo8371
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a meme. Reposting is kinda why they exist

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    #16

    Guy I’m Talking To Told Me This: Thought It Belonged Here

    Guy I’m Talking To Told Me This: Thought It Belonged Here

    Stock_Seaweed_5603 Report

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    #17

    Ridiculous

    Ridiculous

    JoshuaPHilll Report

    David A Paterson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Federal minimum wage in my country is USD $15 an hr. Average monthly rent here is USD $1,575. It really amazes my why anyone would want to migrate to the US.

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    #18

    Hm

    Hm

    TheCatWhisprer Report

    Ken Beattie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that even possible though? There's just something about seeing a lounge, or dinner table or whatever sitting on the curb that screams "you should check that out" no matter how well off you are.

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    #19

    Too Close To Home

    Too Close To Home

    FraBRAH Report

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    #20

    Every. Freaking. Time

    Every. Freaking. Time

    ronnieth024 Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's the water bill for me. For some reason the city only bills us quarterly for water and that means an automatic $150+ bill every three months. I don't know why they do this. They don't know why they do this, but it just is how they do this.

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    #21

    Accurate, I Love Spending Time At Home

    Accurate, I Love Spending Time At Home

    depressed-n-awkward Report

    Phoenix
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inside leads to online spending. I need to be outside, but not in public.

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    #22

    This Hit Close To Home

    This Hit Close To Home

    blueholeload Report

    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never sign up for anything that asks for my bank account details, for this very reason.

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    #23

    Let The Good Times Roll

    Let The Good Times Roll

    deadTig Report

    Angi
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I lady I worked with was blown away when I cheerfully said I had enough money for the week and it was 7 dollars. My bills were paid and I had food so I was golden

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    #24

    Relatable

    Relatable

    OneSeries7449 Report

    BrookeBT
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've broken my body, never complained, never took time off when my back and knees hurt so bad I could barely walk so I'd seem like a dedicated employee only to have them hassle me when I needed a couple extra days after my dad died. 19 years at that company and I knew I had to get out of there. Take care of yourself. Work your scheduled hours, go home and have a life. Companies don't care about you no matter what BS they try and sell you. Self employed now - broke - but happy in what I do.

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    #25

    Who Made This Meme About Me ?

    Who Made This Meme About Me ?

    TyGeezyWeezy Report

    Very Normal Giraffe
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "If I sleep through the weekend, that's two whole days I do not have to worry about food, electricity, water, etc.."

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    #26

    Bought A Burger For Dinner. "A" Burger

    Bought A Burger For Dinner. "A" Burger

    dawood3 Report

    BrookeBT
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who needs a PS5? Not to brag but my computer has this awesome game called "FreeCell" It's like cards....but not cards -awesome!

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    #27

    Got Myself A Motivational Pin At The Thrift Store

    Got Myself A Motivational Pin At The Thrift Store

    chalbeetroll Report

    Z Man
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not true.. Poverty costs your entire fortune. :-)

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    #28

    In Trying Times Like These, It's Important To Remember This Advice

    In Trying Times Like These, It's Important To Remember This Advice

    temp_plus Report

    #29

    I Used To Think Going To Macdonald’s When I Was Young Was Exquisite

    I Used To Think Going To Macdonald’s When I Was Young Was Exquisite

    bryan6363 Report

    Sexual Harassment Panda
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kids with a playground in their backyard, or a tree house.

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    #30

    Me After Paying Rent And Bills This Month

    Me After Paying Rent And Bills This Month

    itsgoodsalad Report

    Alyssa Phillips
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My niece dating now--"you have the WHOLE basement to yourself....hey boy haaayyy"

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