Budgeting While Broke

The Dental Edition

haven’t been to a dentist in ten years.

I found a local Black dental practice in December and scheduled for March. My hope was that I’d find a way to cover the $250 evaluation fee by then.

My appointment is on Wednesday and I ain’t got it.

I’m a poor.

When you’re poor, routine care (such as dental checkups) take a back seat to more immediate needs such as shelter and food.

People that have terrible options make terrible choices.

And before you fix your face to say “apply for government aid” lemme stop you right there.

Been there. Done that. It sucks.

I’ve been caused incredible amounts of harm by people and programs that were supposed to help me.

As for my teeth, the ones I have left are trash.

How does this impact my life?

🦷 Self-esteem - My confidence is tanked and I barely smile as a result of how much deep shame I feel.

🦷 Health - I’ve been on a diet of soft foods for 3 years because I can’t chew on my back teeth anymore.

🦷Relationships - I don’t date because ain’t no way I’d kiss with this mouth. (No relationships means no sex and thanks, I hate it.)

The last dentist I went to said I needed $20,000 of work done. I can’t even fathom what that number is now.

As for why I’m poor?

I don’t make a living wage.

Regardless of how hard I work or how many jobs I have (always several at once) it’s never enough.

Delivering with Uber eats is my primary source of income at the moment.

👉🏽 My basic expenses are $3000 a month.
👉🏽 On a decent Uber month, I make $2000.

Throw in an unexpected expense such as a traumatized rescue pup who needs thousands of dollars in behavioral care and…

Regardless of how strict my budget is, the math ain’t mathin.

I would get a better paying job however, I have trash ass C-PTSD and my brain can’t process information the way it once could.

Delivering Chipotle boys to dudes named Chad is the all I’ve been able to handle for the past five years.

All that to say, I don’t need a financial literacy class. I need money.

Chronic financial stress is one of the main reasons why started advocating for Robin’s Radical Rest.

My nervous system has been shattered by decades of worry about to how to afford life.

I need a damn break. (And a new set of teeth.)

As I’ve said before “the cost of living” is a horrifying phrase that shouldn’t exist.