I got a decent raise about four months ago. My savings rate barely moved though, small stuff like eating out more and upgrading a few subscriptions crept in without me really deciding to spend more. I've tried mentally committing to save the difference, but it hasn't actually changed my bank balance at the end of the month.

For people who've actually kept a raise from disappearing like this, what concretely stopped it, not just the general "pay yourself first" advice?

Hello all, I’m in my final year of college and am leaving to return home this weekend to buy a new vehicle. My current car (2008 Yaris), I’ve had for five years (since I was 17) on my own insurance policy with no car payment as it was gifted to me from my great grandma when she stopped driving. The rocker panels are rusted out mostly, there’s damage to it from a hit and run, the horn’s severed, the exhaust is split in half from the rust. So, it’s definitely time for a new vehicle. I’ve just been tweaking out about having a car payment and higher insurance rates.

I work two jobs, one at a bakery 3-4 days a week at between 15-17/hr (depending on where I’m working) plus tips. Then 1 day a week at a wedding venue for 10 hours at a rate of 20/hr thru November. I have $4000 in credit card debt and pay about $200 a month towards that, I currently pay $60/month in insurance. I also only pay for electric and groceries which averages $350-400 a month.

I was doing really well with my savings prior to the beginning of summer, around April, I had saved about $1500 back and felt really good about everything, this was also prior to me realizing I would need a new car. I started a new management job at 23/hr coordinating events and doing marketing/content capture for a local business. They, all of a sudden, began reducing my hours to 15 a week when it specifically stated I would be getting at least 30 a week in my contract. I kept being told to leave early while doing work I was specifically asked to do, and after pushing back meetings about my hours three times I was eventually laid off in mid-July. At that point, my savings was almost entirely drained from just trying to keep myself afloat as everyone kept telling me “oh we’ll find you some hours” prior to the meeting. Stupid of me to take their word I guess.

Anyhow, right now I have about $800 saved and my aunt lent me $4000 for a down payment on a car, she’s okay with me paying back incrementally once I graduate. I think the only good way any car would fit into my budget is on a 60 to 72 month term looking between 15-18k. My current credit score is a 667, if anyone has any good advice or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated because I just hate being in this position to begin with.

I work for my family 7days a week and make $1500 a month. They’re definitely screwing me over but I don’t know how to bring up a raise. I have rent, car note, insurance, light, water, Internet, etc etc etc and I am struggling. Doordashing after working all week, just not adding up for me anymore.

I've been sleeping on a hand-me-down for years but I’m planning to redo my bedroom and would want to get myself a nice mattress that I can finally call my own. But my budget is a bit tight, around $800-1k max. Is it realistic to find something that feels expensive but actually affordable? Lol. Would love to hear what you guys found that was worth your money.

I get paid mostly on commission so my income lands somewhere between about 2,400 and 4,100 a month. I've been building a fresh zero-based budget every month for a year and a half now, and I rebuild the whole thing each time because the number at the top keeps moving. I've looked at switching to percentages of whatever comes in instead, and I suspect that just relocates the guessing rather than removing it.

What got yours to stop being a full rebuild every month?