Try pooling your resources with others. I know my experience was from a long time ago but this is how I see people making it work now as well.

I had roommates for several years after school. It should have been even longer but I had to get married early like a dumbass. If you can at all, use that time to save what you can.

While you’re doing that, get experience and connections at work. People will come and go and it’ll be helpful to have people you can reach out to that know you enjoy your work and see that you’re good at it.

Most companies don’t provide good growth opportunities from within so every couple years, look at making a move. My biggest pay jumps have occurred this way.

Don’t be afraid to apply for positions that you might feel are just out of reach. Having connections that can vouch for you and help you with your resume are very valuable for these.

Along the way, don’t pass up your employer’s retirement matching, and save as much as you can. Since you don’t have a degree, look for certifications in your industry or take advantage of any help your employer can provide with tuition for college. Don’t be afraid to do it slowly if you have to.

I know I had a lot of help getting opportunities but it was always on me to make the most of them. Good luck, I hope you make it where want to be.

I lived for years without a car and then when I did get one, I bought a super shitty one in cash ($650 20 years ago). If you are able to get out from a car payment, that could free up some cash.

During other lean times, I’ve gotten rid of entertainment experiences like internet, Netflix, cable, etc. and used the public library to fill the gap. And during one extreme period, I held 3 not classy jobs (like 50 hrs/wk) to make ends meet. Not sure what the economy is like in your area, but the McDonald’s by my house pays $20/hr, which can add up on top of another job.

If you can get yourself pointed in the right direction, you should consider taking that moment to think about how to position yourself for the future. There are some decent online degree programs (WGU is very affordable and can be done around full-time jobs), which may be worth a small amount of debt. Obviously this is not a “follow your passion” moment - get a degree in something that will make getting a job easier or increase your income. I made the mistake of getting my undergrad in philosophy, which made me basically unhireable. So I later got an MBA, which opened a lot of doors. This was an expensive and time consuming path - hopefully you can learn from my error.

I also want to call out that it can be a heap of work, so if you are feeling tired and overwhelmed, that isn’t unusual (or a shortcomg on your part).

Hang in there, you got this.

Learn to save money. Not as in “don’t buy a 5$ coffee, millennial” but fixing things.

I’m kind of a DIY guy and it’s saved me a lot of money at random times. Knowing how to safely replace an outlet, a power supply for the dish washer, various little repairs on the car, etc. It might not save a lot though since you’re renting.

Also, the United States is over educated in the wrong fields. A lot of trades are desperate for competent workers, and are willing to pay good money for it. Due to the collective societal brainwashing of “work white collar or you are stupid” became a self fulfilling prophecy, there are few left who do good work

Even if you don’t have money for classes, you can save enough for the most basic of tools and start practicing until you can try for a job.

Libraries are also a valuable source of knowledge for begining a new career.

Hard to offer any advice without knowing much about you. Have you told your employer about your situation? If you enjoy your job I’ll bet it shows and you’re good at it. If it’s a big company there may not be much they can do as they have to treat everyone equally. Maybe they can help you find someone to carpool with. Is public transportation an option? You can save A LOT of money that way. As others have said, if you can find a roommate that helps obviously. If where you live is expensive don’t rule out relocating.

Just know you are not alone when you are struggling. Do what you have to do, your resourcefulness may surprise you. Despite what you’ll read online it’s not always a cakewalk no matter what decade it is. When I graduated unemployment was 10% and minimum wage jobs were the norm. I lived with 8 people in an inner city house and often ate out of a dumpster. It taught me to be frugal and how to keep an eye out for opportunity. I could blather on about my own experiences but they don’t work for everybody. If I could offer one piece of advice that does, know that the people you meet are the gateway to opportunity good and bad. You sound like you have a positive attitude. This will take you farther in life than any college degree. My very best to you

Step 1: Go to any hardware store and buy a 16oz claw hammer and a 25’ measuring tape.

Step 2: drive around anywhere you know of new housing construction happening near you

Step 3: Find the project manager and ask if they’re looking to hire help (if you live in North America, they are).

Step 4: Keep your head down, show up sober every day and you’ll already be placing yourself in the top 10% of your new career field.

I did this exact thing for much of my early 20s (less than a decade ago) in 41 of the lower 48 states and lived a comfortable enough life

You need roommates. When I was younger we lived in groups, to split expenses. Tackle this from that side first, get into a situation you can afford on your pay so that you aren’t panicking. Even if you go live with your family.

Then you can work on increasing your income.

And don’t think it’s any kind of failure on your part. I have never lived alone, most people at my job make good money but nearly all do live in 2-3 earner households because it’s better and more secure.

There is an economy of scale in multiple earner households. One house, not much more electric use, food costs less per lb in bigger packages, you might be able to carpool.

Can you get into a trade? Go to the electric worker union and start as a helper? Those jobs are getting so much more valuable and that trend is increasing. I don’t think you need a college degree to get a good paying job, but you probably do need to put in that same 4 years working your way up.

Not going to disagree with the tough world out there, I’m just going to suggest / ask a few things that are at least somewhat in your realm of control that might help.

• If you are willing to divulge this information - how much are you making at your current job, how much do you pay for rent and what are your expenses?
• Do you have any family members or friends you can reach out for support?
• What does the cost of living look like in your area? Any other options?