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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.

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

    People say sosialism is for weak or dumb states, but in reality sosialism pays you a little money every month so you dont Jack up crime rates and hang in the streets every day. Its very smart and so mych easier.

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

    Money alleviates a huge amount of stress and anxiety. Money buys a safer environment, physical comfort, medical and dental care. Money can't make you happy, but it can sure take away a lot of the problems that make people unhappy.

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

    Agreed!! I would be A LOT happier if I had MORE money to spend on “a safer environment, physical comfort, medical and dental care…” Conversely, I would be A LOT happier if “a safer environment, physical comfort, medical and dental care” cost a lot less.

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

    So sick of this one. Yeah, money can buy happiness.

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

    Rich people say money doesn't buy happiness in an attempt to dissuade hungry poor people from eating them.

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

    Money= Necessities Necessities = Peace Peace = Happiness ✨Girl math✨

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

    You don't always need money to be happy, but having money does make it easier. When you don't have to worry about you basic necessities like food, you have room for happiness.

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

    Indeed. A sense of security does wonders for digging a soul out of constant worry

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

    Money is peace of mind and safety it’s just sucks living day to day when anything could happen

    Mr.G86
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sure a rich person said "money doesn't buy happiness" to keep the rest of us "enjoying " poverty. The way I see it, if life's a b***h then why do the rich keep living?

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

    And when u aren't constantly worrying about money, u can focus on things that actually MAKE you happy

    Kevin J. Henning
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Since when did it become mandatory for work to be "fun." It's called work because in most cases it isn't.

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

    My mother's answer was that If she had to be miserable, she preferred to be so wíth money rather than without

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

    Money does buy happiness, absolute b******t from the idiot that started this.

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

    There was a study done on this very point--it found that money increases happiness up to a point. Once you have enough to cover your necessities (meaning good housing, good food, etc., not just barely sleeping indoors), a cushion for emergencies, and a reasonable amount of "fun money," having more doesn't do anything for you, happiness-wise. (At the time of the study, the amount they landed on was $75K a year, but that was a while ago, so it will have gone up.) So the saying is good advice for rich people, but flat-out wrong for those who are struggling to afford a decent life.

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

    Being broke gives me the motivation to actually cook my food and use the "emergency" rice.

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

    Through my 47 years of life experience, I can tell you without a doubt; money does not buy happiness. It does however, make misery a lot more tolerable 😬

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

    "If money can't buy me happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it." -- Weird Al Yankovic

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

    I could be real happy with some money right about now.

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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

    #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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