My rent is due is Nov 5th and my car payment is due Nov 8th. These are my two biggest expenses, my electricity, internet, etc are scattered in there as well. I’m a bartender and I tracked my tips this month and theoretically I should be able to afford my bills and have some leftover to set aside at the end of the month, as long as my tips are semi-consistent.

I literally don’t. I do not think I have enough to cover my rent and car payment this month. I’m freaking out and I am so ashamed of myself and how my impulsive purchases seem to add up to over $1,000 and I have nothing to show for it. It doesn’t help that I am struggling after leaving an emotionally abusive relationship where I also experienced financial abuse. I have been no contact with him for months and it’s taking everything in me to not reach out and beg him to help me with my rent, since it’s the least he could do.

I need to stop with this self-destructive behavior. I don’t want to be constantly worried I can’t pay my bills. I don’t want to be stuck in a cycle of poverty. This needs to be the last time this happens to me, and I could use seriously any advice on budgeting for dummies or anything. Also steps I should take if I do have to pay these things late. This has never happened to me before.