I’m sorry. :(

If you’re still young ...

I'm actually in my 30s, but thanks for the concern. I do appreciate it.

... may I suggest opening up a 401K account, especially if your employer offers to match your contributions. I know everybody’s situation is different, but I can tell you that 401Ks, an IRA, and being frugal are what has made building a home a possibility for me and my husband.

I actually do have a IRA, and I don't get a 401K through my workplace, and also I'm extremely frugal.

You don’t need to upgrade your phone, your computer or your car every time. Pay that shit off.

I had my last phone for 5–6 years; I only replace my phone when it finally refuses to work. I don't have the money to buy new ones even if I wanted to. I also have a $1000 car because I couldn't afford anything else.

You also don’t need to subscribe to every single streaming service. Pick one and watch the shit out of their content, then cancel and switch to another. Usually you even get a free trial to start.

Oh, I don't bother with those. I sail the high seas instead. ;)

Again, I’m not saying this will work for everyone, and I know life is never that simple, but these things really helped me and my husband save up over the decades.

I appreciate your thoughts, but honestly, my problem isn't so much that I'm not frugal, but rather I just don't get paid a living wage. I'm lucky if I make $350 a week. That coupled with the fact that things are just so damned expensive now means I barely have enough to buy food, let alone other necessities like new clothes when current ones wear down.

Trust me, I know how to manage money. I'm just fucked, as is most people my age.