This includes, for example, food, water, medication in the presence of a mental disorder or something delicious to cheer up, such as sweets or alcohol. I don’t know if it’s possible to put alcohol in the category of goodies, well, okay, I hope you understand what I mean.
2/3rds of my income goes just to paying rent/utilities at this point. I do have some money taken out of my check for retirement because I would be foolish not to, but at this rate it looks like retirement might not be in the cards for my generation at all. Even with the few extra bucks at the end of the pay period, it wouldn’t amount to much.
Every time I get a pay increase, it seems like the cost of living is right there on my heels, clawing back any significant gains I might have enjoyed.