This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Find a way out – quickly
Making minimum wage or earning income that is never enough at jobs that keep you working countless hours will keep you tied to jobs that never bring in enough.
The best thing to do is find a way out by aggressively seeking opportunities that help you break financial barriers.
I’ve worked several minimum-wage jobs during my lifetime, but they all had expiration dates. I knew I would not be there long-term because my financial goals and big thinking prevented me from staying in place.
If you’re currently working a minimum wage job or a job that barely keeps you making it by, create a financial plan, and start seeking opportunities that will bring you out of the grind.
The best time to grind is when you don’t have to, but working jobs that keep you in the grind are dangerous.
For one, the time they suck from your life is tremendous for such menial income.
Two, the opportunities are there but tend to be more limited.
Temporary Solutions Are Just That – Temporary
There is such a thing as earning too little income – significantly when your living expenses exceed or closely match the money coming in.
Some people seek temporary or dependent-oriented situations to help them out, such as:
Moving in with family.
Getting one or more roommates.
Moving in with a partner – even if it’s not healthy.
Decreasing their expenses to where they can’t have any fun.
But these are not long-term solutions.
They’re all short-term and have an expiration date.
Family
Living and moving in with family is an excellent fallback in financially tight situations.
However, relying on family is only partial proof. Your family also has their responsibilities. But not even that, you are your responsibility.
As I will mention below, any dependence prevents you from reaching your financial potential and keeps you from getting stuck.
Roommates
You can continually get new roommates, which prevents you from being financially self-sufficient. Also, if your roommate ups and leaves, you still require a roommate to sustain yourself financially.
Partners
One of the primary reasons couples move in together is to save money. It’s frequently not a logical decision to move in together because the relationship is unhealthy, but people always do it to get that 50% or more discount.
The dangerous thing about moving in with a partner is that it can create financial codependency. And when you move in with partners for money, it can set the tone for the relationship.
You don’t want to move in together for money.
Move in together because it makes sense, you love each other, you both get along well, and you’re both financially independent; if this happens, the savings will be icing on top.
Eliminating Expenses
You can only decrease your expenses so much.
At a certain point, you start eliminating things such as eating out, going out, traveling, activities, and other joys.
It is recommended you decrease your expenses where you can; at the same time, prioritize enjoying life in a way that won’t hurt you.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.