Living paycheck to paycheck is disturbingly common: ‘I see no way out.’

What's happening with medical costs is criminal. Also tuition and education costs, housing costs. I agree. And it's not fair. These are very real problems we need to confront as a society.

As a citizen I expect to do my share to participate in that confrontation and to help win it. And I do.

As an individual the unfairness of it is irrelevant. You have to expect it to be unfair. You have a duty to yourself and your dependents to win it. And it helps to know what winning is. Winning is not making it to payday with a half gallon of milk left and getting the rent in on the second day of your three day pay or vacate notice. Winning is building your resources to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Get a gym membership for $10 a month so you can shower and live in a van down by the river while you earn and keep a few months pay if that's what it takes. Rent a 3 bedroom apartment and then rent out all three bedrooms and sleep on your own $10 Goodwill couch in the living room. Eat Ramen and Rice with eggs and ketchup - meat once a week. Go to the food bank. Whatever it takes to have the resources to be armed for the battle to take from life what you are entitled to.

Because if you rent the one bedroom for privacy, take out the car loan, get sick and have your hours cut, you lose. Everything. Living on the edge is exciting. Too exciting.

/r/politics Thread Parent Link - ashingtonpost.com