What do you mean by the govt only needs to have you on a payroll to screw you over?

Evidence of an income makes you ineligible for government help.

It doesn't sound like you're making excuses, so that's good.

I think you should stop supporting your parents, especially since they're unappreciative. Is that a possibility? Sorry if you've answered that before.

Can't risk starting a domino effect.

The only thing that I can contribute to this conversation is this : try to run your own business. And if that's not realistic today, work your way to it. And never give up your dreams, regardless of what other people say. Not so long ago, I was flat broke and in really serious debt. But not today.

Interesting that the government won't help their own people but will give to new comers who actually hide their earnings in one way or the other. Some people try working under the table while getting government assistance. You are right as soon as you have any sort of reportable income even under the poverty line or underemployed they can refuse aid but also they require you to be on your own as they need to investigate the total household income for ineligibility. At least that is how it is here. Good looking poor people may resort to prostitution, escort services, massage parlors and such. Others would also resort to risky illegal activities to survive.

I worked at crappy, low-paying jobs for years and had a "friend" who worked under the table and always told me how stupid I was for paying taxes. We both became disabled several years ago and applied for Social Security Disability around the same time.

The SS rep I spoke to looked over my work record and exclaimed "You worked a lot!" That being said, I was approved, but make just under $1000 a month, which puts me well below the poverty level. I take advantage of the govt programs I'm eligible for, my housing is subsidized (which helps a lot), but with the whopping $16 a month food stamps I'm eligible for (I got a $1 a month raise this year), it still puts me under the $1000 a month mark.

The guy I referred to hadn't paid enough into his FICA account to be eligible for Social Security Disability and was only able to draw SSI (Supplemental Security Income) at roughly half the amount of my monthly check. He and his wife got divorced on the grounds they could make more money if they lived separately.


Everything I own is paid for and my only bills are monthly expenses like rent, phone (I don't have a cellphone, much less a smartphone), internet, cable, car insurance, etc. My car is over 20 years old but it's reliable and drives nice. I pay cash for everything and if I can't pull the cash out of my pocket or bank account for something feel like I can afford it. I know how to shop smart, do all my own cooking, and on the rare occasion I go out to eat, it's at a fast food joint for a burger. I don't drink or do drugs and haven't been to a movie in over 10 years. I live alone and spend most of my time home alone, but have become adept at managing my time, in addition to my money.

I'm not complaining though. I have a lot of nice things I've accumulated over the years, eat well, and live comfortably. It may not be what someone who makes $100,000 a year would consider living comfortably, but I know how to live within my means and sleep very well at night knowing I don't have a mountain of debt hanging over my head.

Starting a business sounds great.

First it would be wise to invest in education and trade skills, especially ones which are fairly universal among communities. Not to suggest that anyone here is lacking in education or skills, only that they are a good starting point before venturing out into freelancing. Skills and experience to fall back on, so finding work isn't difficult, if needed. Skills need not be complicated.. take landscaping for example; People do really well in that either as a primary gig or side business.

Efficiency isn't everything, although it also helps for those times when income isn't as high as "expected". Folks really lose their asses by living up to or just past their means, when there is a change in the means. Mortgages are the greatest limitation, and trying to "keep up with the Joneses" will only make you miserable.

A lot of great suggestions have already been made.
I will add that buying a house, any house with a reasonable level of security and worth its value, will become a great asset once it is paid for. How do you pay off houses in a minimum of time? With a little help from your friends, and paying as much as humanly possible per month on a loan - if you can't save up in the first place to pay cash, that is. If your friends/family don't work, they should be giving you a majority of any government benefits they receive / they should apply for benefits / they should leave.
Don't get a house any bigger than you need unless it's cheaper or you have a plan for it to pay for itself (or otherwise make you more money than not).
Don't subscribe to television networks, and pay the minimum for a cell phone - pre-paid or a low flat rate plan. Stream all media and use things like google voice if it makes more sense.
Eat french fried potatoes.

Get a very cheap car (or two) that's very low maintenance. Learn to do maintenance yourself. Or go electric, if that's feasible. Have a backup, even if it's a scooter.

Focus on assets, avoid liabilities, and think about ways to plan for passive income. Indulge sometimes, and concentrate on having things of value which will do you the most good. Reward yourself for accomplishing goals. Sit down and think up ways to turn your passions into income.

Saving and being frugal on their own will not necessarily get you any further in life than a spendthrift who has better luck in their career. How you influence others has quite a lot to do with being successful, and this is something I struggle with. Cultivating great influence and discretion is the key to repeated success.

One trick is to consider your personal life like a business. Your boss is your client and the paycheque you receive would be the income for your business. The expenses you have (food, shelter etc), are the operating costs that are incurred.

Now, like a business, go through your expenses. Which ones are necessary and which ones are not? Cut costs by dispensing with the expenses that are not essential. That means, pack your own lunch, make your own coffee etc. Also, when spending on something, figure out how you can get the best return on that investment. Example, if you`re getting a newer vehicle (say the old one is worn out and can no longer be repaired), get one that best suits your needs. Or, if you are planning for some entertainment, say which one will be the most enjoyable. That`s your return there.

Keep a budget and keep some wiggle room to help with the unexpected. I would budget for the lowest income and highest expense on something so that whenever a bill is cheaper (eg. groceries), what was saved can be left in the bank for that rainy day.

Another example is what kind of skills or talents do you have? I can do some basic woodworking and wiring. One hobby is building models and when we wanted a work table with a light and outlet for some tools, I built the table myself. Wired as well and yes, it meets code. Also, don`t be afraid to barter with people.

Many little tricks to use. Takes some legwork but in the long run, it`s worth it.

So for me personally I can do it because well I still live with my parents. I also do have a full time job and trust me its not easy plus i get asked randomly to "lend" money to my parents cuz I live with them. Its more complicated then that because my parents feel like I do not have money to spend like that mostly because my mom needs it lol. In all seriouness though I found a way to budget my money and i make quite a bit to be fair. I have no way to compare to other people though since I really only know how much I make and that's about it. I do not ask other people how much they make because its an inaproprate question apparently but yeah i also work full time 40 hours a week and like i said living with my parents makes things easier no rent less spending on gorecires etc I still pay for internet my phone and buss pass though and work at lunch. but other then that unless my mom asks me for money its my own money but my mom does give me the oh it is but you are also not doing the moral thing by giving it to me and helping me out. for the record i do spend it on drinking sometimes. and other things have come up here and there. plus i spend 350$ taking one girl shopping and another 90$ on another girl shopping over the last month so yeah. I am not mr responsoble with my money but at the moment I feel like I dont have to be and thats one reason I feel guilted into helping my mom out among other reasons its complicated for me.