conversation: User (AlexanderLEE27): "So, this is my very first post on this sub so excuse me please if I mess this up.\n\nI just stumbled upon this sub (thinking about getting an apartment/renting so the stress forced me to research) and I'm reading a lot of posts and it really is starting to worry/stress me out that I'm not doing all of the things that you all are doing. I'm not sure what any of these acronyms are. Such as ETF's, Roth, IRA, CD's and much more.\n\nThere is so much more than I realized, I literally have one checking account and one savings account that just has the minimum amount of money in it for it to exist. \n\nNot sure what I'm asking here, maybe for advice? Is it too late for me? What should I be doing? \n\nLittle bit of background information. I live at home with my parents. My wife lives with us and we have a 15 month old son. I work as an intern at a Helpdesk for $10/hr and my wife is a manager at a Clothing/Accessory store for $9.50/hr, both full time. Total, we make probably around 30k a year but not totally sure on that, which ends up being about 2000 or so after taxes.\n\nBills add up to about $800 a month from a car payment, phone bill, and daycare (Wow daycare is expensive!)\n\nWhat should I be doing with money? Also, could we afford a small 3 bedroom apartment with a 3rd roommate by splitting the costs 3 ways?\n\nEdit: I forgot to mention this, but a coworker who I am good friends with who knows my wife and son is the potential roommate, he is 100% okay with the possible living arrangements.\n\nEdit 2: Initially when I got this "internship," I was under the impression that it would turn into an actual position, 1 and a half years later, that has still not happened. But, if anyone is in IT, you know how great it is to have helpdesk experience. I am actively applying/looking for jobs.\n\nEdit 3: I am really bad at math. Changed monthly expenses to $800 from 670. So $335 for car, $200 for phone (yes I know AT&amp;T is screwing us), and 260 a month for daycare (my parents pay half and we pay half)\n\nEdit 4: We'll holy shit, this sub is amazing, you guys are amazing! I am definitely going to get started on you guys' advice! Thank you everyone and keep the comments rolling in!"
  Self: "First off, read the sidebar. That'll cover the acronyms and fill in gaps in knowledge. \n\nAs for your current situation, it seems like you and your wife are underemployed. I hope you're both out on the job market and looking for better employment. $30,000/year isn't enough to raise a kid on, even if you are living at home. \n\nThe best advice you're going to get at this point is to get yourself a better job or a second job, and the same for your wife. Get your income up so you can start saving for your child's future. "
  LativianHeat (LativianHeat): "Where do you find jobs, i dont know anything outside of retail"
  yogaballcactus (yogaballcactus): "If you don't have any college under your belt, temp agencies are great in the short term and getting a degree in a lucrative field is great in the long term. Trade school is another excellent long term strategy. If you have a degree then your college should have resources to help you get a job in your field. \n\nThere's also government jobs. "
  