Please advice what to do in my situation?

Question

After years of university I got my PhD degree and now I am a postdoc.

Originally i am from Europe (East Europe) and now I want to settle down here in USA.

I have hard time finding a decent job because of visa, the companies wants me to have already green card.

My monthly expenses are reduced to basic

-rent for apartment

-internet-TV

- gym

- Netflix

- Nstar

- Verizon

and times to times I go out with my colleagues / friends/ neighbors for a coffee or a dinner.

I do not have a car I use the public transportation.

I do not know how to manage the situation, because I cannot save money and a good paid job is hard to find.

Please advice me, I am very depressed about it.

I think I will die poor after so many year of study at so top universities.

Answer 1

Hey Mint Chocolate,

I think first and foremost you need to get the visa situation clarified. If this is mainly what is keeping you from getting a decent job-- then we need to tackle this issue first. What do we need to do to get your visa? Focus on this first and foremost, put everything else on the backburner. Because of your history of study at top schools, then I know you have the research skills to get out there and find what you need to ensure this gets done.

Secondly, your expenses could be slightly trimmed, however, if you had a better job by having the visa situation clarified, then these expenses wouldn't need to be trimmed and appear (subjectively) rationalized.

Do not think you will die poor-- drop that attitude altogether girl! Get the situation cleared up with the Visa and the light will shine for you once again.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

OK, things like internet, TV, gym, and Netflix are *NOT* what would be considered "basic" expenses. If you're struggling financially, then every single one of those things is a LUXURY and can be eliminated from your monthly budget if you have to, in order to pay the real basics -- food, rent, and heat.

Sounds like the first step you need to take is to find a cheaper place to live. Once you've resolved that immediate financial crunch, then you can work on finding a job and getting the green card. Do you have any friends from school who might be willing to split the cost of an apartment with you? Or if you already have roommates, could you fit one more person in to share the expenses even further?

Answer 3

on top of those expenses, you have water, electric, heating/air, grocery, insurance, etc. don't worry though, you'll get through.