She Can't Stop Going Into Credit Card Debt | Financial Audit

Hi, I'm Jillian Saynz. I'm 23, based out. of San Antonio, Texas, and this is. Financial Audit. What do you do for a. living in San Antonio, Texas? I am an. actress and I'm a copywriter for a small. THC company. Oh, really? Okay, that's interesting. So, we have a lot of actresses on here. We didn't even like we didn't. It was a someone recommended you to come. on. It wasn't even like we found you. through that. So, a lot of people think. we're just like, you know, hiring, but I. think people are just more likely to. come on camera when they're an actress. Yeah, I definitely cuz my friend who.

recommended me um had been like thinking. about it. She was like, "Oh, I kind of. want to go on." But um She should do it. $50 referrals for anyone you put on the. show that I put on. So, yeah. Uh Yeah, she should, but I I think I. heard about you for like. a week or two and then I was like, "Oh, I'll do it." I'm like a little less. hesitant because of the whole actress. thing, I imagine. What do you bring in. with that? What was What was the. position with the THC company? Um a. copywriter social. social media assistant. With that, what. do you bring in? Approximately 1,500 a. month.

After everything or is that before. taxes? I think that's Honestly, do you do you mind if I calculate it? Okay. I see. I mean, you should know. I always get. the number wrong. If I'm being honest. Okay, 1456. After. everything? That's what gets That's what. gets in your account. Yes. Do you work 40 hours? No. It's It's. kind of. It feels more like contract work, but I. get a um a rate with like. do you work a week in this position? Cuz. that's.

I mean, San Antonio is much more. expensive than here, but it's still. getting more expensive. That's Yeah. How. are you surviving off of that? It's just I I don't know. It's so it's. um I feel like our structure at work is. kind of. It could use some work. It does It's I. feel like since it's a small business, it's still kind of like figuring itself. out. hours are you working a week with this. position? Honestly, I couldn't tell you. That's not good. You You could first. couldn't tell me how much you make and. now you can't tell me how many hours you. work. Give me like an average. Best guess, something. I need something. to work off of.

20 hours, 30 hours, 40 hours. A week? 15 hours. Yeah, a week. Uh maybe like. 20. Okay. Like max. It's I write blogs and I do the captions. and I have calls with my friend that I. was talking about. Um and we kind of. figure out what the social media is, but. a lot of it depends on our hire rate. a degree? Do I have a degree? No. Okay. How did you get this job? How did. you get into the copywriting? I um my. sister knew someone and.

who owned a company and then hired me on. as like a social media assistant, even. though I I really didn't know anything, but I knew enough about social media to. like get by. Um so, then I did that and then from. there that company kind of dwindled away. during COVID um or at least I got. separated from that company and then. that person that I knew that was a part. of that company. and another person I knew from a. different job got together and created. this business and then reached out to me. because they had already known me. Same.

thing happened to Rebecca. And then I've. just been doing it for like years since. Are you a writer like before that? I like to write, but I haven't like. gotten. a degree in it. But um but I cuz I'm. initially. you been in this position? This specific one? A year and 9 months. Okay. Have you gotten a raise? I have. But I I think I'm going to fight for. more soon because my position kind of. always fluctuates. Is this what you want to be doing? No.

What do you want to do? Well, I want to. be a copywriter. Initially, I started as. a social media assistant. Okay. Um and then I kind of transformed. myself into a copywriter. Since it's a. small business, it's so fluid. um which I'm kind of figuring it out and. my friend Rebecca and I are trying to. figure out. Um so, initially I started as a social. media assistant and then I was like, "I. want to copywrite mostly." So, I. initiated like a blog or like using more. copy on our Instagram. Um but what I. want to be doing is acting, making. music, and copywriting just like solely.

No social media involved. Okay. How much are you making acting. right now on a monthly basis? Currently right now, nothing. But in the. past year, it ranged anywhere from 150 a. week to 500 a week. Okay. Right now, nothing though. Why has it. fallen? I um I just concluded a gig in January. and now it's like audition season and. I'm just kind of seeing what I have, but. part of me. kind of wants to take a little break and. perhaps get a second job. Yeah, probably cuz this I don't know how. you're living off of this. Okay. That's.

comfortable. So, I want to. I want to hear from your perspective, what is your financial situation? I think in the past year since I had a. lot of consistent every single month had. an acting gig on top of what I had, I. didn't realize just how. hard it is to live off of what I was. making. So, I then I got comfortable. spending a little bit and then I broke. my laptop and other things just kept. happening. And so, now that I am taking. a break from the acting gigs and I'm.

just left with this income, I'm. realizing just how hard it is and then I. have this debt that kind of felt like it. crept up on me, even though it was. slowly accumulating over the past year. So, I feel like I'm. in a position that needs more income. and I'm in a position where I need to. reevaluate my habits so I can get rid of. this debt and start over. did you get into the debt in the first. place? I think it was just frivolous. spending. Um Are we just talking about. the credit card? Or is there more? I think we're just talking about the.

credit card. Okay. Yeah, like it was the credit card. and just like using it, being like, "Oh, I just like to be that person who feels. like they can be a part of like I don't. know, the FOMO of not being able to go. out to eat or do whatever.". was just way over what you can actually. afford. Precisely. And also being out of town. for gigs, like out of state, I would. Uber here or eat here or do whatever. here, buy this many groceries and not. realize. Mhm. Um Let me guess, you don't budget. I. used to and then I stopped because I got. so busy, but it I'm that's what I. started again this year and that's why.

I'm here. You just started? Okay. I. started I reinitiated it, but um And do. you follow it strictly? The data is accumulating. Uh I think I. started it like last last month. And. last month was still such a. a month in that mentality. So, this is. my first month kind of doing it and um I. like to think so. If you don't want to. have an empty month, consider. subscribing. It's free and we're trying. to get to 250,000 subscribers and thank. you to everyone who has subscribed so. far. Are you subscribed? I am. Damn.

right. Okay, I was going to say I'd be. very upset. I would be very embarrassed if I. weren't. We have a savings account, we. have a checking account and we have the. debt. At the top is the savings, so we'll. start there. Previous balance 615, current balance 3,239. That's fantastic. You've put in 4,302, but you took out 1,076. I'm a little. confused why we're taking money out and. putting money in. What is this? which one are we talking about? It says. primary savings summary. Oh, right. And. then in what was the sum that I took out.

for? 1,678. I took that out of the savings account? Well, that's what it says. I'm so sorry. Can you Can you repeat that? I think I. heard missed the first part. your beginning balance was 615, ending. balance 3,239. Right. You put in 4,302 and you took out. 1,678. Okay, yes. I um. I do this thing where I put my I think. it's a good idea, but I put my check. like whatever I get, like my paycheck,

into my savings account and then so I. like can only pull out what I need cuz I. think that'll help. So, when it's in. your checking account, you'll just spend. it? Define just spend it. Well, you said you only withdraw what. you need from your savings account, but. you don't only withdraw what you need. from your checking account. Withdraw. from my checking account? I Sorry, I think I'm. You said you only withdraw what you need. from your savings account. So, if it's. in your checking account, you wouldn't. only withdraw what you need? Uh I guess not. I guess not. I I'm happy.

to talk about. know your money? Do you like I do. I. just I don't know the You don't know how. many hours you work. You don't know how. much money you bring in and then you're. very confused about the money that you. took out of your savings and now you. don't even know what I'm talking about. when it comes to checking accounts. So, I'm very concerned immediately. Red. flags. Define Define withdraw from my checking. account. Taking money out. Spending it in any. way. Like using it? Like spending it? Okay. Yeah, no, I feel like. I feel like whenever I have a savings. account, I like to not touch it. So, if. it's in my checking account, I can not.

worry about it cuz I only put in what I. think I need, which I don't really know. if that's the best system. Well, what's. the savings account supposed to even be? I guess if it's supposed to be like a. not touching it thing and I'm like. touching it. fund? Is it a We're saving it for. something or is it. The goal was it to kind of be an. emergency fund. emergency fund, we never touch it. Right. So, this is obviously not being used. correctly, but of course we're not even. to a point where it would be considered. emergency fund. I agree. What, 3,200? What is the current. balance? Is that the current balance? Is. that accurate or have you taken from it?

Uh because I I told you in my email. where I had a money market account, so. then that money market account minimum. balance kind of was my emergency fund, even though it's was not enough to be. considered emergency fund. Um but it was 2,500 I didn't have access. to. Um and then I the savings account. amount that would be there on top of. that would be the thing I'd pull from, but then I just recently closed that. because I wanted to see if I would have. access to that. If I. put that towards debt. Is this like. with my recent debt?

All of January. Then yeah, that's that's. where that additional 2,500 came from. going to say that's exciting and we. could celebrate, but okay, this is. coming from money already had. Correct. Um and. the current balance in there? The. current balance is like. I want to say 2,300. Why? Why is it going down? Why has it. lost a thousand dollars? You already. took out 1,678 and if this is supposed. to be an emergency fund, why are we. taking out an additional thousand. dollars? I think I'm trying to put it towards. debt cuz I think that's what I should. do. I think I should just pay off all my. debt. So, that I I took a thousand from.

it to pay off this and a thousand off of. it to pay off that. That's where it's. all going. Then, I'm not upset at that, specifically. I will We need to take a. look at the big picture and we'll round. We'll come back, but yeah, just taking. money in, putting money out of the. savings is not what a savings is. supposed to be, but if it's for certain. debts, okay. look I try I I'm trying something new, cuz my friend told me about Ally Bank. Mhm. And now, although there's nothing. in it right now, because I don't know. when to transfer, cuz I'm like I wanted. to wait till what you thought about. The high-yield savings.

the the debt and whatnot. Um or I also. have like $1,500 sitting in a piggy bank. that I'm like, what do I do with? But. like look see, it says emergency fund. It says like Good. Rent $0 in any of it, but yes, you've. I started it. Okay. Right. So, yes, you're correct. You must just bulk the. spend when you're in your checking. account, cuz in here half of these. things are just bulk. And honestly, this. This is crazy. This is so much spending. I don't get it. If you have debts, if.

Yeah. What's the point? Like I don't get it. Even half of these. markets I can't even tell if they're fun. spending or just BS spending or if. they're actually like groceries, but. Arrogant Entertainer and we're getting. our nails done constantly and Jack. Jackalope Jackalope faux and T Terry's. and Venmoing out $233. Who even knows. where that went? And Golden Chicken. Ginza Ramen, Waterburger, Evolve Salon, getting your hair all did and thrift.

books and Backstage, where we didn't. meet you, but $200 just spent on. Backstage. What cost $200 on Backstage? I just spent what was just devastating. What? Just to apply for different gigs? No, uh just to have Backstage. Like the. first year is like $100 and then I was. like, hooray, and then I forgot about it. for a year. you're not even making money off of it. And Evolve Salon, we're going back there. immediately. And PF Chang's PF Chang's, La Panera uh or Panera, I don't even. know. E-commerce something, E-commerce. something, taking Ubers, El Meca All.

this is crap. There's like almost no. grocery spending in here. Tropical. Smoothies, Poke, Alamo Parking Oh, that's why January was such a [ __ ]. month. Did I use a lot of cuss? Sure, yeah, it's bleak. It's fine. Wonderful. Um Starbucks and First Watch and. all of these out-of-state gigs. So, I. didn't have. Taco Bro and Dave & Buster's. No. Then. you go grocery shopping. Do you see the. dates between these start at 1 to 31? That's literally true. Our fridge was.

broken. Then you get a cooler and ice. Dave & Buster's, Tropical Smoothie, Bigs. something and La Panera. We're going. back to the same places all again and. you're getting eyebrows did and San. Antonio something and Studio Nail, we're. going back there immediately and. Tropical Smoothies and Jason's Deli and. Elsewhere and Smoothies and Reader Pro. and Summer Moon and This is insanity. Bucatini Ramen, Crumble.

Summer Moon, Fuego Ginza Ramen, Fuego. Tortilla, Revolucion and Dutch Bros and. PayPal, who even knows? $10. And I know. it's repetitive to read all those things. up, but just demonstrating that's. literally within a month, meaning you. went out had bulk of spending once a. day. Yeah, that's actually Yeah, it's. very valid. And you're pulling from your. savings to do that cuz you're. withdrawing from necess- cuz you. withdraw it into your checking account.

for necessary spending or for This is. unnecessary, but when you have to. withdraw from savings to checking so you. don't overdraft and stuff like that, but. all your money's going to nothing. This. is ridiculous. I'm happy the largest. payment come from your Discover paying. off of or paying towards the Discover. card, but even still, this is absolutely. ridiculous. And $233 going to Venmo, who. What was that even for? Who knows? It was for a Christmas gift. You can't. afford that right now. Yeah. That That was That was the. mentality. I think it was just the. mentality. Cuz this just happened. That was the.

transition period between me having not. been at home and so used to that. And. then us not having a grocery. There was no to the beginning to the end. of the month. There was no transition. I think the life transition of having. gone out to eat so much. You're bullshitting me right now. That. is such bullsh- Our fridge also broke, but also yeah, it was such an excuse. It. really it really was. It was me trying. to figure out. when.

And like I just needed to be fine with. the mentality. Hold up. I needed to get. out of the mentality where I could spend. and go out to eat all the time. And then. I wanted to go grocery shopping. And. then our fridge literally broke. It's so true, but. Half of that month was like below 30°. anyway. You put it outside. I don't even. care. You're just trying to justify justify. justify. I also just live on a on-the-go life and. that was my justification for having. gone. On-the-go pack a [ __ ] sandwich. Which. I knew you were going to say and I'm. like I'm like now I wanted to go buy a.

lunchbox, but I was like, is Caleb going. to yell at me for wanting to buy a. lunchbox? Why would I yell at you for that? You. know how much money that would save this. month? A lot. Pull up your checking account. Okay. Here it is. Okay, yesterday was I was. Yesterday was a [ __ ] excuse? Yes. Yeah, we're getting Piya Bowls and. Okay, let's continue. going through here. I'm not going to. read it all off. You're Kirby Lane and. all this stuff. This transition month my. Chili's and What? This month? Last.

month, this month, every month. If it's. last month, this month, then it's every. month. It's just My justification is. also when I. spend time with friends. Yeah. No, you. can spend time with friends. Go to a. park, have a picnic, do this, go to each. other's house, play some board games. I'm playing games tonight. We're having. a poker night and we're not spending. money. You're right. So, I'm not happy with that, cuz you. tried to make it sound like you changed, but you haven't changed a single second. I did get groceries, which I mean, okay,

it was significantly But you're still. going out and going and saving. Cuz that was like once every day. Yeah, now we're once every other day. Progress. It's not progress. You either you do it. or you don't. So, on this credit card, this is the debt. Is this the debt? This. is. in addition to my car loan. Yes. Car I. don't have a car loan here. You didn't. send me your car loan. Oh, I did. I haven't I sent it in the email. I. didn't send like the. like a like a sheet of it a PDF.

You just told me you have it, but you. didn't send me the. the interest rate. I Oh, what should I. send? I look at the statements. It's. fine. Oh, okay. It's fine. What is the balance on this card? Cuz I. can't even see What I can see is $43 is. going away to interest. Yeah. It's a really steep interest rate. What's the interest rate? It's like 29%. Woah. And what's the balance? credit card. Right now, so I just did a. balance transfer to What's the balance. of whatever it is? Of the Discover?

Did you balance transfer onto the. Discover or Discover something else? balance transfer from the Discover. And. on the Discover right now. On the Discover right now, it's $1,396. You did a balance transfer? Oh. 0% interest. Yeah. And then the goal is to pay it off. immediately. What's the What's on the balance. transfer? Whatever that is. So, you transferred half? Yeah. Uh. uh 0% for how long? I think like a year. And when did you do that? Um it went.

through like 2 days ago. And the goal with these things. this month. I'm confused. We're having a. balance transfer cuz the interest rate. is so bad. We have to and we're not even. like coming close to paying this off. We're losing $43 on interest, but just. within this month, too, you're doing. Music Notes for $1,623. It's for my job. Auditioning sheet. music. I don't know why I'm not going to The. stuff we put into that, the investments. we put into that for something that's. not making money right now, not showing.

a. return on investment. Auditions. In order to get the job. that. kind of stuff, we do that after we're. out of terrible debt. This. $1,500 a. uh. bi-weekly, right? Or a 1,500 Whatever. That you make. That I make a month. That's right. I remember why I was so. disgusted by it. So, you're. Do you understand how bad this is? I have a feeling. I have an inkling and. that's why I'm here. Um.

yeah. Cuz you make $1,500 a month under. take home. and on two different cards are each. about 1,500 bucks. Right. I got very comfortable with the previous. year where I was making what felt like. double that. And now this year. Because of acting gigs? Yeah. Oh my. gosh. And now Yeah. Training and F45 Training and European. Wax Center. I'm glad you all wax. So, congratulations. You have debts. And. Google Storage and Oh, you got waxed.

again, cuz we can't get all the waxing. done in one time. It's. It's a it's a wax pass where if you buy. it in bulk and. you. If you get it in bulk. Camelback and PayPal and out $275. What's that for? That's my voice lessons, a yearly amount. that I pay. But you have a balance on this card and. there is interest being accrued. Why are. we spending money on it? That That PayPal one was like a pay-.

payment plan for like 12. whatever, like. do you owe that? How often do I what? Owe the 275? It was a it was a four-time. payment plan and it's for that one. amount. frequently? Um it was once every month. and it finished this month. And Judy Gibson. 50 bucks. That was a dance class. Wax. My friends, I watched one of my friends. wax herself the other day. It was crazy. She was like, "You want to see what it's. like getting waxed?" Cuz I'm like.

terrified. is she waxing? What are you waxing? Okay. Yeah. I don't know if I could do that. One. time my sister was like, "Help me wax. this.". but I saw her wax her armpit, which is. That's not See, that that's that's. accessible. Okay. But, I just There are some limits, But, But, it's like buy nine get three. free, and I know I go often. You can't afford it. I. Razor blade. quit it. That would just Okay, you're right. I.

don't know how to. I don't have that area, so I don't do. that. Okay. The way you need to, at least. So, I can't speak on that. But, either. way, you can't afford it either way. Good point. How do you feel about. like certain things in my life that I. don't necessarily need, but I at some. point want to make sure are a part of my. budget. Yeah, that's fantastic. When you don't. have debt and you have a fully funded. emergency fund. and you're contributing at least 20% to. retirement. or house.

uh or or saving up for a house down. payment. Okay. Then, yeah. But, But, no. And then, you say you have this. mysterious car that I don't have access. to. I have it. What What What What do you need? What is. the car? Uh Toyota Corolla. Year? 2020. one. What is the debt? It is Let me pull. up the email. Please don't hurt my blood. pressure. Please don't hurt my blood. pressure. 7,349. and 72 cents.

Well, that 72 cents is what threw it. over the edge. What's the interest rate? It is. um 3.75. 3.75? Didn't you say you had a terrible. interest rate? No, that's the Discover card, which is. 27.24. It's cl- It clearly comes down to the. income for you. Okay. You're. when it comes to the amount of money. you're bringing in. I think that's why I felt so kind of. Wait, what's your car payment on a. monthly basis? 158. Okay.

How many years? How many months? Probably something like 36. No, you. signed it. Okay. Let's figure out your other payments. So, what do you What. What is your monthly rent? My monthly rent? I don't have rent. You. live with your parents. I live with my. parents. Good. Thank goodness, cuz you wouldn't. be able to survive five. No. That's kind of why cuz I want to. move out, and I want to go somewhere, but clear That's why I started looking. at this with a. microscope. Not at all. But, that's the long-term goal, and I.

think that's why I want to figure out. how the hell to do this again Yeah. before I do that. But, no student. my I pay 150 a month for car insurance, but I'm under my. dad's insurance. Really, your car is about just over 300. a month, really. Yeah. And then, gas? Yeah. How's the condition of the car? How many miles? I think it has like. 30-something thousand. 30,000, I think.

Good. Good. How much did you put down on it? Um my dad. was very generous and put down $10,000, and I think I put down like $2,000 or. something. Good. I was wondering why the. balance was quite low for a that car. So, that's good. very generous. I'm very grateful for. that, cuz I am and I don't have a I. don't have a student loan debt, and. that's kind of the only thing I have. going on Yeah, you didn't go to college. at all, did you? No, I wasn't able to. Okay, so what do you want to do for a. living? Cuz we Let's get that, and then. let's tackle this debt. I want to be a.

copywriter for my job, and then for the. goal is to be an actress or a musician. Okay, so you want to be a professional. copywriter, but full-time? Um. I would like Ideally, I would like. contracted. Like, I would like to be. able to write blogs and articles or copy. for a company, but with a very flexible. schedule, so I can do what I do. And. which is kind of what I have right now, except it's not enough. Okay, you should. check out um one of the resources I've.

put I'm putting together a package of. resources that are like helpful things. that people can take advantage of that I. I partner with with certain companies, and I vet them like crazy. Course. Careers, you should check that out. I'll. send you a link in the description for. everyone, but essentially, you should. take advantage of some courses on there. I wouldn't be surprised if there was. like a copywriting course. Right. And. with that, you'll have a certification I. want to get certified. Exactly. That. will help you take advantage of it, and. you know, people with my code and all in. the description get a good deal. So, do. that. Seriously. I think that's another. thing where I felt like with all of. this, I am not able to have the funds to.

support the education I want in order to. make steps in my career. So, I think. that's another reason of a thing I want. to save up for. Rent, moving out, and. also educating myself, so I can go. further. Yeah. Right. That makes sense. Okay. What else do we have in your. monthly payment? Do each of your parents get groceries, or do you have to grocery shop for. yourself? I have to grocery shop for. myself. My parents are very like, "You're an indepe- independent." Like, my dad was very much so like, "Figure. I'm just trying to build your budget. right now. Right.

That's fine. Well, I could show you that. finance sheet that little budget sheet. I have like three Excel sheets or like. spreadsheet. We're building your budget fresh. And then, you don't spend a single cent. over these categories that we talk about. until this mess is cleaned up. Cuz this. is a show. What's in your savings right now, did. you say again? I think it's 2,300 something. Do you. want me to check exactly? No. Cool. Also, I have that $1,500 sitting in my. my piggy bank. But, I don't know what to. do with that. This makes no sense. I don't get it.

Today, from your 2,300, maybe even. before you leave here, you take $1,396. from it, and you pay off the Discover. card today. Okay. It doesn't exist. Okay, great. Okay. Your piggy bank, put it in. immediately. Take that and pay off the. transfer card immediately. Okay, great. And then, I'm just I have. I'm just starting fresh. Yeah, you have. no credit card debts. And then, do you. have your credit card with you? Um yes. Right now, you do? Yeah. Okay, can I see it, please?

Yeah. Wait, which one? The Discover or the new. Amex? Uh your Discover card. Okay. It's the Pride edition. I will be right back. Wait. What's it going to happen? It's my first credit card. I was going. to keep it like in a journal or. something. Give it to me. Wait, can we all appreciate like love. wins? Okay, great. Beautiful. Great. No longer exists.

Okay? Okay. You don't spend a single cent on there. You were spending so much money on here. It was stupid. You're so right. You're. so stupid. Don't show the back. Just in. case we don't I'm doing It's okay. You're. correct. Okay, great. Do you have a specific card for your. balance transfer card? Yes. You do the honors for that one. You can. you You cannot use credit cards. You've. demonstrated you cannot use credit. cards.

I want you to take the step and cut it. Wait, so I'm going to pay it off, and. then I just cannot touch it. No. I Cuz you've demonstrated you're not a. credit card person. it in the mail like two days ago. You've demonstrated you're not a credit. card person. Chop that up. Holy. This is good. You're taking a step. my credit score. Like, I just got approved for it. Emergencies? Wait, what do I do? Emergencies are. emergency funds. So then, wait. Hold on. Hold on. Well, what about like the.

things I have recurring charges for? You're going to stop them and put them. in your checking account now. Because. you just can't use these credit cards. Or okay, what I will allow No. No. No, right now you can't use credit cards. What were you going to say? Cut it. But, like Show that you're committed to. this actual. Okay, let me think about everything I. have charged on this. I have my gym. matter, cuz it'll still be automatically. on there, but you need to tell you need. to transfer it to your checking account. Okay. Show it to the camera, right. there. I'm like shaking. Here, hold it and cut it.

is going to watch this. Well, he'll be proud of you if he. understands personal finances and how. bad you are at this. got It's an Amex. I for emergencies. Okay. a [ __ ]. Gorgeous. Wait, cut through the chip? That's kind. of sick. Good. This This is good. Good. I'm glad. High. five. High fives all around. Oh my golly goodness. She will occurse. That was a lot of That was a lot of old. woman.

But, if that's what was needed for you. to. Oh, man. feel better. I'll say cut it. Celebrate. Good job. Not the Pride edition. Listen, at some point, you might be able. to use credit cards again, but you're. not there. You need to demonstrate. financial responsibility using a budget. for probably at least a year showing. that you're sticking to these. categories, and then if you can. translate your budget into credit card. usage, cuz credit cards make a lot more. sense when you're financially. disciplined than debit cards, cuz you're.

just losing money with debit cards. You. might as well take advantage of cash. back and different rewards. Right. But, right now, you are losing. What was. It was basically 50 bucks a month at a. 30% interest, because you're not even. paying it off when you transfer the. balance. It makes no sense. But, either way, you're not spending. anymore, cuz now they're chopped up. You remove them from your Apple wallet, which I assume you have. away. You take from the 2,300, you pay. off the Discover 1,396. You put in your piggy bank in to. checking, and you pay off the transfer. card of 1,500. Okay? Okay. Good.

Now, that point, you have like a. You have like. a thousand dollars in your emergency. fund. We need a budget, cuz I need you to get. to at least like. We're going to have you have a starter. emergency fund until you move out. We're. we're to have you at a solid. Yeah. Well, the thing is cars. That's the. issue. I want to make sure I can take. over car. in an event something really bad. happens. Also, like emergencies.

I guess. Okay. Oh, sorry. What? Like I don't know, like emergencies, like credit card emergencies. Like would. an emergency credit card be like a. thing? You don't need that if you have. an emergency fund. That's a good point. But what if you. don't have an emergency fund? Oh, well, the credit card is a bad solution cuz. they're just effing themselves, but at. that point, I mean, you're just in a. revolving cycle of death, money death. Right. So, the goal is to not. But you're not like that right now cuz. you're paying off these credit cards and. you already have $1,000 and you live at. home with your parents. It's true. True. So,

you are going to spend no more than $300. a month. on groceries. Okay. That's doable. And then, oh, I never do this, but just due to. your situation living at home and stuff. like this, and we're just getting to I'm. going to give you start emergency fund. $6,000, $7,000, something like that. Is. that like you never do this because it. that's a lot or because that's a little? Oh, no, I never do this. $300 for. groceries,

and you. will allow yourself to have. 100 $56 of fun a month. Okay. Okay. So, that's what you can spend all. month on waxing your you love just. waxing like crazy or um. It's weird that you love that, but okay. It's like you know how people like. fitness influencers will be like, "Oh, I. take a cold shower every morning so I do. something hard." It's like that. Like. you go and you do something terrifying. and then you feel amazing afterwards.

have Panda Express. And you're eating. out, getting drinks, whatever it is, you. cap it at that and you don't spend more. than that. So, you're going to have to. really prioritize. Right. And then, for the next 6 months, all the extra $1,000 you have just goes. into your savings. $1,000 savings, $1,000 savings, $1,000 savings. Then. you'll have like 7,000 bucks. Okay. That's the 6 months. That sounds doable. But what's real that you should actually. think about is getting certified. for copywriting or something like that.

And. uh working 40 hours a week minimum with. that. You need to bring in more money. You need to bring in minimum double. this. Okay. Like this is a joke right now. Yeah. A. sad joke. You would You're never going to be. You're never going to be able to live on. your own like this. No. So. That's yeah. So, you'll take care of the career side. of things. You'll get certified. Check. out Course Careers if they have it. Again, I'll send it to you or you can. check it out in the description. a code? Yeah, there's a code and you'll. get like a discount and all that good. stuff. So, yay.

This isn't as hopeless as I thought, but. it is still kind of painful. you're lucky that you at least have some. cash on the side. Right. Piggy bank from babysitting in. quarantine. Uh you need a minimum make. $3,000 a month in uh after taxes, but. even that, you know, we're talking. cuz I can't do basic math. I had only. $36,000 a year, well below the median. income likely in San Antonio. Mhm. Like. extra like that's half though, that is. Yeah, that's below half of the median.

income salary in Austin, so. Right. And. if I ever want to live in Austin, Okay, so yeah, that's right. You did mention. that before, so. long-term goal. One one day, whenever it. makes sense, I would like to live in New. York, which is even more painful. So, yeah. It's your You need to up this. income. You can pay off the bad debts. today. Oh, by the way, during that. paying off the cuz you do have that car. payment, so I'm sorry. Actually, never. mind, I do have to take back some stuff. Oh.

You don't get to have fun anymore. There. is no more fun the next few months. Get. a boyfriend, have him pay for stuff. I'm gay. Uh get a girlfriend, have her. pay for some stuff. Thank you. Um and uh. That's the thing. If you're gay, you split everything. Well, then not in this situation. You. talk to your Talk to your girlfriend and. be like, "Dude, it's not It's I like. money. I don't have it." Good point. And. that. And stuff like that. So sad. So, now actually you only have So, $300. of groceries, $300 goes to your car.

insurance and car, and probably a little. bit of gas. This is the income situation. creeping up cuz now the emergency fund. takes like what? A year, something? It's. like terrible with you saving the rest. of it. Mhm. So, you need to double this. income minimum immediately. Like now. And it needs to be a full-time job as. you searching for a job and getting. certified and all this stuff. Mhm. Okay. Cuz that that that's what's really bad. right now. What's the minimum I should make at this. job? Well, if you're working 40 hours a week, I would love to see you at the. copywriting position. I worked with some.

copywriters in my previous position. Start at minimum 40, try to get to like. 50. An hour? A year salary. Oh, okay. Awesome. Aim for a salaried position. If you want. to do contract, fine, but aim for that. being the math that works out. Right. Right. Okay. But that's why the certifications are. important. Right. And that car, I'd. probably pay the minimum monthly payment. until it's just paid off. Just minimum? Mhm. Continue the minimum. Yeah. And then, well, okay. So, you say.

Well, so we have to redo look at the. budget because of the car? Or Yeah, it's going to be $300 a month. on groceries, then 300 with your car. insurance and car payment, and then a. little bit of gas as well. So, Okay. everything else besides that goes to. putting in an emergency fund after this. That's why you have to make more money. cuz now that's like barely any money to. put towards the emergency fund. And I. need you to put a lot more towards it. You need to get to $7,000 as quick as. possible. Okay. I refuse to allow you to move out until. you at least have that. I'm Yeah, completely agree.

So, what if in the meantime, while I'm. looking for a full-time job that I. actually enjoy, I get like a part-time. job that's like chill. on top of my other job? work as much as possible. Okay. Yeah, no, that's fine. Cuz some of some can be flexible with my. theater hours, and then my copywriting. job and my social media job is so. flexible because I can do it anywhere. and it doesn't take me too long cuz I've. done it for so long. So, I can do that. with another job and then also look for. a job that will provide.

better income. along the way. Yeah, absolutely. Work as much as you. can right now. So, I won't have. any for fun? Just the. have money right now. You just don't. have money. Yeah. Get to $7,000 as quick as you can. and then you can have some fun. Cuz. you'll do like 50 30 20 as a basic most. basic example. 50% of your post-tax. income will go to your needs. You can do. 30% for your wants and 20% for saving. for retirement or a house or a new car. or something like that. Whenever I'm in.

a place where I have an emergency. fund. Right. Okay. Which you should get as soon as. possible, but. I mean, your situation is relatively. basic, so those are my thoughts. Okay. Tell me, what are you actually going to. do when you leave? Okay. I'm. if I've digested everything adequately, I will pay off my Discover card entirely. with what I have in my savings account. right now. And then I will go home, get my piggy bank,

and deposit that into my checking's. account, and then pay off the balance. transfer that I have. And then I will get paid. with my job, and. each month only 300 maximum will go on. groceries. Mhm. And I will pay essentially 300. for my car payment and for my car. insurance. And then anything else. will go towards my emergency fund. Is that correct?

Yes. Yeah, so I think. that is the goal. And I'm just trying to think about like. driving and then like gas or then like. give you like 100 bucks for gas, but. just. limit yourself. Just work You just. Instead of having fun all the time, just. work your ass off until you have the. $7,000 emergency fund. go get another job. That's another. thing. Which even if for the meantime it's just. something that will like be temporary. in order to. keep me going until I have the. certifications to get a better job. Mhm.

Okay. Uber Eats? If you know, like as as well? Okay. Run it. Yeah, San Antonio is a major. metro and the top 10 populations, so. Totally. Why not? I enjoy it. It's. chill. Um. I just Yeah, I'm trying to think of like. how to budget in the things I Use like. You need a budget, the app, or Mint, or. even. Well, I have the Excel sheets and I and. those do work for me. Okay, if they work for you, then that's. fine. Yeah. Um but I just have to be. consistent. Uh yeah, I'm just And I'll just try not.

to go out to eat so often, which is so. annoying cuz it's just like I feel like. that's just how It is. people like to. have fun. back on. It's It's really rough. If you get another job and bring double. your income or more than double your. income, you can get this emergency fund. very quickly cuz you'll pay off the debt. now. Then you can have fun again. Okay, so pay off all the debt and then I'll be. debtless except for my car, and then but. pay the minimum payment, and then just. build an emergency fund to like $7,000, and then after that I can like be a. person. Mhm. And how long do you think that'll take? Depends on right now, forever because.

you have no extra money. It depends what. you're bringing in with this extra job. I would just be working like 80 hours a. week until you have $7,000 saved up. Just go crazy for a couple months. If. you go crazy for a couple months, then. your life is golden. That's very true. That's very true. And look into. certifications. Yeah. Okay. Trying to think of a job I'll get. Like. some was like quick part-time job. Like. what if it if it was like some random. part-time. great. Uber Eats? Really? Just like it? That's it? Well, just work as much as possible. I'm down. Well, just see how it works. If it's not working for you, then do.

something else. Okay. What What's your. opinion on like people working Uber Eats. like when it comes to like gas in your. car and whatever. something you'll want to do long-term, but get your emergency fund as quick as. possible. Okay. So, okay. And so, everything I earn from. Uber Eats, how should I like look at it. like that? Well, you'll want to set. probably about 20 25% aside for taxes. always. And then just take all of it. besides that that you get and put it in. your emergency fund. Okay. Okay. That's it. Should I get another one on. top of that? Dude, just work as much as.

you can and bring in as much money as. you can. That's the rule. Just do that. There's not going to be a limit. Just. make sure your health is okay. Okay. Okay. That sounds not. super overwhelming. to help you pay for all this crap. I. That would be great. I'm working on it. Get Hinge Premium Plus extra. What do I have to pay for that? Uh. actually never mind. Don't do that yet. Never mind. Don't do that yet. Hinge Premium Plus times 10. That's what. I have cuz I'm desperately single. But. yes. Happy Valentine's Day. Happy.

Birthday. Is that a secret? Your. birthday? It's not a secret. This is. Happy Birthday. All right. Any final. thoughts? Um. thank you. This is very helpful and. generous. And I think I think. I don't know. If I were to say like I'm. in a better position than I thought I. was, but I'm also in a worse position. that I as I thought I was at the same. time. Would you agree? Where it's like, okay, I have money set aside, but it's. also like my income is like majorly. unfortunate. It But it's like it could be worse. It.

could be worse. Okay. I'll Everything. could always be worse though. So I don't. judge anything off of that. Like a. nuclear bomb could drop in San Antonio. and that would be a lot worse. be a lot worse. but so everything could always be worse. And then you cut up my credit cards. I'm. just still not over that. That's so. funny. Thank you. I you I yeah and I appreciate your help. Yeah, this is this is helpful and um. okay. To review. You said $100 for gas. Yes. Yes. It's going to change with Uber. Eats. It just depends on your situation. Okay. Depends on my situation. So budget. down as much as you can and then don't.

spend a cent over those categories that. you have allowed yourself to do. You. just need to make more money right now. and cut out all the fun. Okay. That's it. Walk away with that and. you're good. Okay. Great. Okay. I'll just go get like. a ton of jobs and Uber Eats and I'll. text you and be like, I'm a millionaire. Okay. Great. Maybe I should start Twitch. streaming again. For Jillian, obviously the bad part of. this financial situation are some high. interest debts, but it's the income. The. income is so bad right now. So once. those debts are taken care of, the. income's higher, the financial score.

will be better. But for right now, her. financial score pretty middle of the. road for American standards. So five out. of 10. Make sure to check out all the. fun things in the description like my. Instagram and Twitter. And don't forget. to subscribe. Thanks.