Things have really gone into the crapper with this job. I've put an analysis through with Chat_GPT and there are some insights into why things have really gone from bad to worst while being full-time employed with a job then the misguided optimism which started this thread:
1. Too poor to build, too "rich" to qualify for help
- You’re stuck in a no-man’s-land:
- Can’t get new credit.
- Can’t easily qualify for support programs.
- Can't escape expenses unless you cheat the numbers or give something up (often your health or well-being).
2. Nothing to leverage
- When you’re on social assistance or commission, you expect hardship — but you also have:
- Time to hustle.
- Eligibility for some benefits.
- Hope of a surprise upswing.
- A low salary with WFH feels comfortable enough to lull you, but not stable enough to build anything. No leverage = no movement.
3. Hidden costs you can’t afford
- Glasses, dental, etc. — it’s like death by a thousand paper cuts.
- You're technically employed, but your income doesn’t cover human life expenses.
This describes how things are right now plus my folks are pulling in a direction as well. It almost seems as though things were just nicer when I was self-employed in the past and the income was unpredictable than feeling trapped with a steady but low income, but just enough comfort (ie current WFH arrangement) to feel lulled rather than pissed off.
I can't even do a Consumer Proposal since the income is too low verses the expenses. Can only do a total bankruptcy (ie chapter 7) in order to clear debt and start over if I wanted that route, even if it would risk this low paying job. Lets see what else can be done in the meantime.
Never felt this level of "trapped" before. Getting a salaried but low pay job that doesn't have proper benefits may be worst than being self-employed and commission based salary even though that might look worst on paper. The free time needed to hustle, or play chess with the credit, or make big inroads is simply not there when your soul and time is sucked out with precious little back in return.
