where's the Christian outrage?

you're completely out of options and can only cut necessities, so any budget or planning is worthless - you in a nutshell when I suggested that having a budget is a necessity to help overcome the paycheck to paycheck loop. So now you're not stuck and have options? Good for you 😊

it's not simple, life is not simple, but what I'm saying is think differently, outside of the box and take some sort of action to increase your income, doesn't have to be an hourly job. Go to yard sales and look for items that you might be able to flip, etc. Look for small opportunities and then use the additional income to get ahead, or set it aside to save up to buy something you can make more money with over time. Force yourself to get creative.

a budget is a plan, so say this again but change the wording from a budget to a plan and hear how it sounds.

budgeting is planning and planning is smart!

Everyone should have a budget, it's like tracking anything else in your life. I always say to look for extra money, so you can get some sort of emergency fund saved up, because life is gonna life. I sold a few things online, did pet sitting and some phase 4 clinical trials. I have to be vaccinated for COVID, so I made over $1,000 taking part in the flu and COVID combo shot study. This allowed me to buy my usual stuff in bulk, furthering my money. Budgeting is super important and super helpful in getting out of the paycheck to paycheck loop. It's like dieting and exercise for your finances to get them in shape.

I've been saying other brand instead of generic. I feel like generic causes a stigma around not purchasing a specific brand.

water filters, go whole house if able but get decent filters for kitchen and bathroom faucets, including the shower. You don't want to breath city water steam, or soak in it. imo it'll help improve your quality of life and be kinder to your skin. Many last for a good while so it's not really that costly.

I wish you were more specific, there's multiple types of intelligence.

exactly, it could be their work vehicle and they don't have a choice! people like to view it from their hate colored glasses and make assumptions. I used to drive a big box truck when my car died, it took up two spaces, but I'm an asshole for not buying a car that meets your criteria, got it!

get the treats, get all the treats!

it's the huge commercial farming that's the problem. Feeding grains and such making the gas worse for the animals. Smaller grass fed farms shouldn't be included in the tax.