I grew exceedingly poor (homelessness/true hunger). I had my daughter at 19. When I became a parent I decided I had to do better than my parents. I went to college but dropped out with 18 credits to my bachelors after leaving an abusive relationship and having to choose feeding my child over school. Still I always worked ridiculously hard. Always being promoted at work.
Finally my daughter was old enough for me to invest time into a career. I took a low paying job 45 minutes away to get my foot in the door. Then I worked really hard. I was promoted 3 times in 4 years. I thought I had made it to place that I could be comfortable.
A lack of raises (I receive exceeds expectations on every review but we don’t have COL raises or merit based raises) and rising costs have put me back into living check to check. I worked out the numbers. I bring home less than $32k a year (gross $44k, Midwest). I got basically nothing in a tax return and I qualify for no help. If I made half as much I’d get a decent tax return, free medical for my child, free lunch/school fees. I’m making just enough to screw myself over.
I’m seriously considering quitting my full time job to work part time just to qualify for help. I spend $250ish a month for medical expenses alone just for my child. This all came up because I have to pay for an AP test ($135) that would be free if I qualified to reduced lunches.
If I made $60k+ this might be worth it but I don’t and I never will. I hate feeling this way because I was really proud of myself for getting out of the system I was raised in. Now I regret it. I could have spent more time with my child, enjoyed my life and been happy. Now I’m just miserable and broke.