I’m not, have a pretty high double income. But, a lot of my friends are. I’m starting to notice things getting more expensive, but I was pissed off before that.

I don’t have to be struggling myself to be upset at how things are going. I guess not everybody is like that.

Not just financially, also mentally and emotionally!

Struggling?

No.

Drowning, yes.

the finances I have to manage are a 12 pound bass hanging off 4 pound line.

I have been rather fortunate, and well paid (~$120K after taxes and savings). Even 3 years ago, I didn’t have to think about money day to day. I was brought up with a very modest lifestyle, so the things that feel extravagent to me were affordable in that context.

Today my wife and I eat out less, shop for groceries differently, and plan things that used to be a small purchase more carefully. It’s not a struggle in the important senses, but I have a clear feeling of “it’s going to get worse”, and I want to make lifestyle adjustments ahead of that rather than falling behind it.

Not yet.

Not sure anyone asked you yet… tell us your story. Where you living and what’s the sitch?

Yes.

Not struggling perse but yeah shit has gone up way more than my pay check. Paying double for groceries what I did a few years ago, paying 50% more for gas than I did a year ago electricity doubled. Pay went up a few percent…

I’ve been unemployed since 04-2025, and while I still have a long way to go, my savings are starting to dwindle. The job market is tough for coders that find generative AI, wasteful, unethical, and a copyright hazard, in addition to not being much impressed with the output, even from tests earlier this year. I wonder if the new convenience store needs people.

Cost of life is a huge factor, I live in Italy, our paychecks are very thin but, especially in the southern regions, cost of life is relatively, especially if you don’t have to travel too far for work.

I’m able to save a few hundred euros per month (my paycheck is a net of about 1700€).

No. Financially, I’m in a good spot right now.
Most other aspects of my life, I’m struggling hard.

Paycheck to paycheck gang with very little if anything goes wrong

No, not personally.

But I don’t live in the US (so healthcare costs are not much of an concern, despite me being disabled) and know I am incredibly lucky. Is it economically worse? Fuck yeah.

I am self employed/have my own company and I am also blessed with a high earning (and in every other aspect awesome) wife who brings in the main income (she works full time, I normally would work 70%).

Two years ago I had 5 full time slots(filled by 7 people), now I am down to 3. Being unable to renew contracts with people at the beginning of the year broke something in me. It’s not their fault. They did their best. While I sure could have done some things differently I am somewhat sure by now that in the broad picture I could not have done much to save their jobs - I already have reduced my own payout to the legal minimum (less than 50% of my already average theoretical wage) and used loopholes to even pay nothing to me for half a year. But cutting costs only goes so far if not enough new projects come in.

My clients are mostly healthcare and public services and these sectors are forced to massively cut costs due to our incompetent neocon government.

The only thing that lets me sleep at night easier is the fact that by now I could “recommend” all affected people (who wanted that) into new jobs, so none is left unemployed.

While it hasn’t been direct make me struggle personally I am struggling with my company.

Which sucks balls,especially considering seeing how competitors get huge grants just for “being in the right party”,etc.

We are also otherwise very lucky - We (well,half of it is owned by the bank,but who 's house isn’t) own a house - but it’s an three apartment building we simply live in one. The other two apartments are rented out (below median rent and far below what I might get if I push things) and our apartment is rather, well, mediocre. But that’s okay. It’s mainly meant as a way to invest money I made when younger by doing some incredibly risky but lucrative jobs. And to make sure we don’t need to bother with another landlord ever again. We just liked the location, the age (it’s over 70 years old) and the property - and have now have a relationship with our two other renters that is basically “live and let live”. They know they can simply knock on our door if something’s wrong and have profited by the modernisation of some core things, but also don’t bother me with bullshit.

The rent we now receive will go to the bank for at least two more decades,so it’s not something that helps us financially now - but it might help my kiddo one day.

So yeah. I am still incredibly lucky.

Not yet. But it feels like the squeeze is getting tighter every month that passes. It feels like I can’t get through a day without having to spend money on some shit. And I’m not talking about luxuries. I’m not talking about avocado toast or coffee. I’m talking about fixing shit in my coop apartment. Getting new brakes on my car. Getting clothes for my kids. New shoes because mine literally have a hole worn through them. I try to go with low cost options. I buy food in bulk and meal prep. It feels like the system is nickel and dime-ing me harder and harder every day. I’m trying to stay optimistic, but the future feels bleak. Capitalism is bleeding us dry while keeping us alive. We are the prisoners of financial vampires.

Everytime i manage to save a few thousand and think im adding to my savings, suddenly we need a root canal, i blow a tire, doctor wants an MRI because he felt something odd… and poof, all my savings are gone.