i'm tired of being broke...

This country is in a screwed economic state right now. I don't know if it'll ever be the same as it used to. Thanks for the encouraging words, and I hope you get where you want to also.

I think most of the world is in a pretty screwed state at the moment. I come from a small island in Southeast Asia that takes pride in how it became an economic miracle - a case of from third world to first within a generation. Although I do have a relatively pleasant life, I tend to find that in the place where I live, allot of the talk about how rich we are is a pretty illusionary thing - people have lots of the signs of material wealth but most of it is debt and somehow the poor and unfortunate people in life get swept under a carpet in case the beautiful people get upset by the sight of the real world. At the moment I'm broke but feeling that I'm able to control the state of being broke. I've convinced myself that as long as I can avoid getting sick, I can live well enough on the little bit of money in my bank account. However, I feel really sad because I meet with a friend of mine who seems to have been kicked in the teeth by circumstances. This guy works as a cook and had never earned more than S$1,500 (about US$1,100) a month in his life. He married a girl from the US who came over to Singapore to be with him. This girl speaks English and has a grade 11 Education. She's capable of doing simple work, including work in the house. However, she's refused to do any work, claiming that nobody will hire her or give her a work permit. Which is not surprising, considering she turns down every job opportunity that comes her way. So my friend would work 12 hour shifts and come home to her. She would do no housework, so his house constantly looked like a pig sty. She'd nag at him all day. Then one day, his luck changed. He got a job that paid him S$2,600 (USD 2,000) a month and worked him 8 hours instead of 12. Guess what? She insisted on sleeping at home all day. When she left for the USA a month ago to "look after her parents" I told him he had an opportunity to "save" money. I even helped set up a system where a small portion of his income would be put aside from his salary to make sure he would have money. It was supposed to take effect today, on the third of this month (his salary comes in on the first). Guess what? Today he confessed to me that she demanded US$1,500 from him because she got involved in some accident before she met him and was being sued and needed to pay up. Being a nice guy - he emptied out his bank account and does not have enough money for himself. I feel really bad because he's hard working and does a good job. It was good for him to get a break in his earnings. But its like she's finding circumstances where he's still in square one. And although my finances are rotten, I'm in a situation where I can just add on more work if I'm broke. He's working a fixed tough 8-hours in a kitchen and can't be expected to have energy to work another 8 more - besides he's in his late thirties and not getting any younger.

Thanks for the response. Money doesn't go far like it used to... *sigh*

Yeah, I'm about past the crazy stage. It's just hard right now to see the good side of things. I grew up in a strong faith based home, so I shouldn't be doubting. Thanks for the response.

I've been looking, but where I live is very rural. And we thought about moving, but we're surrounded by more rural areas (aka no jobs, lol) and university cities. And renting/buying homes/apartments in university cities are expensive. They base it on you being able to get a roommate, but it's me and my husband. We don't want a roommate! I will become more frugal though.

Yeah, I know everybody can use some money right now.

Well, we don't make too much more an hour, and it's hard with the cost of living... Thanks for the reponse, and I hope things get better with you too.

Yeah, I know it's a part of life, but I didn't used to be this broke. I guess it's because of the inflation/recession era we're in now. Hopefully it'll get better soon though.

That's my thing. Living off two incomes is like living off one part-time income these days. I never had it like this before....