Anonymous wrote:Unpopular opinion here: I believe credit card use can encourage discretionary spending. Of course there are benefits to credit cards, but OP is barely making ends meet and has no reserve funds. I would set up electronic bill pay and use cash/debit only for other bills.

Now she has a reduced salary she should also look at places to cut expenses: smaller apartment, get a roommate, go on a spending diet. I hope she is contributing to 401k, no matter how small the amount.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should have worked any job while looking for a job. Even my teenager has two jobs.
You use a credit card for the bills that don't require you to pay fees for using a credit card.
Many credit cards give 2% back on the money you charged on it over a year. Better than nothing and you build credit.
There are 20+ better things you can do to get yourself away from paycheck to paycheck.
I have done 50+ bigger and smaller things to save money and then invest the saved money.
Retired early without ever making ton of money.

Are you really this much of a jerk? OP saved for a rainy day and then it rained and they were ready. They took a job with a pay cut to bring money in and they are balancing their budget in changed circumstances. The world is weird and times are tough.

OP, you are doing a great job. Ignore trolls like PP.