I hate all my financial options and feel trapped
The story
This is the kind of thing where any possible solution proposed leads to a complaint or a reason why it won't work - as far as I know. I don't know how to deal with having trapped myself in an impossible situation. I know I have to just do something I dont want to, but I dont know what thing will make me the least unhappy I guess.
I make 50k and I live in LA so I can't afford my own 1br. I've given up on a house entirely, I just want an apartment. But they START at $1700 and I just cant realistically do that and have a savings account. Some options and issues:
1. Move - i like living here. I like my friends, the racial diversity, the more liberal politics, the weather, and the variety of things to do. Also my job is here and the job market is garbage everywhere.
2. Get a higher paying job - I was trying to. Had 2 3rd round interviews. One company chose someone else because I had a long commute and they didnt want the role to be remote anymore. The other company paused hiring. I've since stopped applying as I'm having some health issues and don't want my insurance paused right now. But it's always scary to start again. What if those interviews were a fluke and I go back to having to endure this market? What if i get laid off again (less likely at current job as they already laid off everyone but me so I'm holding the ship together on my own)? What if i don't like the new role? What if what happened last time happens again and the pay raise can't keep up with rising housing costs?
3. Be self employed - this is what I most want to do. I've started a business and it's slowly growing. Key word is slowly. I'm hoping it'll be a livable wage in 4 years. But how do I manage my feelings of failure and frustration until then? And what if it never gets there?
4. Sales - i hate talking to people
5. Invest - I do. I dont make enough to invest for FIRE anytime in the next few decadss. I've considered day trading but really feel like I'm walking into a get rich quick scheme.
6. Go back to school for x lucrative career - same issues as #2. Also, the job market is TRASH. Do you really think I haven't done a UX boot camp, gotten my PMP, and considered 3 different master's degrees by now? Pivoting only works if it works and right now nothing works.
7. Social media - tried youtube for 10 years. Nothing. Have a tiktok for my business now that has 1k followers. Maybe if it keeps growing I can get on the creator program one of these centuries. For right now, it's a skill I seem to not have.
8. Stop wanting money - well. I'm trying. I just can't shake the feeling that a grown adult working full time should be able to have their own space at SOME POINT.
I'm just so tired of thinking about this. Tired of trying things for a bit or really committing to something and either way coming up empty handed. Tired of the 1000s of job applications. Tired of WAITING to be able to live how I want. It's not just the apartment. I want a garden, to be able to live abroad for a while, to save for early retirement so I dont have to do this crap forever, free time to enjoy my life. I don't even care about a job - i just want money and everything is conspiring against me to keep me from it. It's so discouraging having no options.
Stories in the same category
Points of view
sounds like you're caught in a really frustrating cycle, and it's rough to feel stuck while giving it all you've got; but hey, don't underestimate the power of slow, consistent progress (like you said with your business), sometimes that's how you build something sustainable. also, living in LA is definitely challenging on that salary... maybe focusing on doing what you can now, no matter how small it seems, might help ease some stress over time. have been there with the endless job apps myself–it feels like shouting into a void–but i found that even little wins were worth celebrating. hang in there!
Man, I feel you on the housing prices in LA, it's so tough; 😫 it seems like you're caught between a rock and a hard place with all these options...
Wow, sounds like you're juggling a lot of stress balls there, but maybe it's time to flip the script on this whole "endless pursuit" thing and take a breather?
Man, I really feel for you. Sometimes it just seems like every turn is a catch-22, right? LA's insane cost of living is brutal and it feels like it's closing in from all sides. It's wild how even trying to do something different or better (like starting your own business) somehow leads back to the same roadblocks. You want that freedom of space without compromising everything else important to you, which makes complete sense. Keep hustling though! Ever thought about finding a roommate situation that's more stable so at least the housing stress eases a bit while you focus on growing your business? Even though it's not ideal, reducing one stressor can free up some energy for other goals. It's tiring but hang in there until that breakthrough!
Man, I totally feel you on this; it's like everything's stacked against us and no matter what we try, it feels like we're just running in circles!
man, i get the whole stuck in a rut kinda feeling, but honestly some of these options seem more like excuses than solutions. living in la is your choice, and yeah it's got its perks but also hella expensive; maybe there's a compromise? like moving to a cheaper area nearby for a bit or house-sharing while you build up your business. and about getting a higher paying job: not applying because you're scared of the what-ifs isn't helping much either. plenty folks out there hustling despite having health issues too. what's stopping you from going all-in on your self-employed gig if that's what you really want? seems like you're hanging onto safety nets while hoping for different results... do you even have a plan to make that happen faster or are you just expecting it to magically grow one day?
Man, you're in quite a tight spot there. Feels like everywhere you turn there's a wall just blocking your path!!! LA is brutal when it comes to living costs, especially on 50k. I totally get why the idea of moving or changing jobs isn't easy for you. Seems like you've already tried so many options and that sucks big time when you're putting in all that effort. Maybe focus on small victories and break things down into tiny steps, even if it's just a little progress with your business or finding new ways to cut some expenses here and there? It might not solve everything but could make things slightly more manageable while you're figuring out the bigger puzzle... good luck!!!
Ah, the classic dilemma of wanting it all: living in LA's sunshine and vibrancy without selling organs on eBay - it's truly a conundrum. 😜 Seriously though, I get why you're feeling boxed in with these decisions looming and none seeming promising. But hey, maybe try to see moving as not just a compromise but an adventure that could open doors you haven't even imagined' Even mundane places can surprise you! And about your business... patience is painful but sometimes waiting it out can beat any fancy degree or job pivot eventually; Keep plodding along and who knows, TikTok fame might hit overnight. 🌟
i can totally relate to the frustration of feeling like you're spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere fast enough. it's like trying all these strategies and somehow still ending up in the same spot;; makes you question if you're missing something, right? when i was stuck, i started focusing on small wins in unrelated areas (like personal hobbies or fitness), which weirdly gave me some confidence back; any chance you'd want to explore a side project that isn't about income for now? something just for you. also, curious—how do you handle keeping motivated with your business even when growth feels slow?? sometimes hearing others' strategies can spark new ideas!
so you're kind of in a loop here, huh? feels like you've already shot down every idea before giving it a real chance. yeah, la is great but did you even try scoping out other places nearby that won't break the bank? and if self-employment is what you crave, maybe it's time to really lean into it instead of just hoping it'll work out eventually. stop waiting for some magical shift and start making moves now, even if they're small ones. betting on yourself's scary but sitting around waiting isn't exactly working wonders either, is it???