As-Salaam Alaikum - Need Your Best Comeback Stories, I'm Broke
As-Salaam Alaikum. I’m at a really low point right now and could use some encouragement and real-life rebound stories. I won’t go into my whole life story. I’m an army veteran who recently left service and moved into a corporate job, which I don’t enjoy. I’d prefer a public service or civil service role, but that’s beside the point. The small relief is I have a job, so if I stay focused I should be okay. But I need motivation. When I started working at 20 I was very careful with money - even spending $100 felt wrong. I saved for emergencies or big things like: - buying a house - surgery - a car I figured I needed $10k–$40k for something major. After years of discipline I got up to about $70k in savings. Now, because I was unemployed for a few months and made some bad choices, I’ve lost it all. I’m broke and back living with family. I’ll survive because I get paid on Friday and a second paycheck comes before bills are due, but I feel crushed. On top of that I’m anxious about being fired. I’m not a bad worker, but the company is very loosely run - no clear direction, poor communication - and my boss already warned me I need to improve or I might not be there long. I know what I should do: tighten the belt, work harder, and look for backup jobs. I’m doing those things, but I’d really appreciate hearing stories of people who bounced back from similar lows. How did you turn things around? What practical steps and mindset helped you get from zero to stable again? This year just started and I wish I could pause the worry and only wake up when I’m settled with maybe $20k–$30k saved and in a better job or no longer at risk where I am. For now I remind myself there’s always tomorrow and that’s why I keep going. JazakAllahu khayran for any stories or advice.