I know there is a financial specific thread, but it seems specific to treatment related finances and my financial worries are more general - hopefully this is an appropriate place to post this topic.

I have been through many hurdles the past few years, and have overcome a lot of adversity. I'm really proud of where I've gone with my life, and what I've achieved. But the one thing that has really alluded me is financial stability. I have a buttload of student loan debt (we're talking for undergrad and graduate school- doctoral no less), and some credit card debt that is difficult to keep up with (not much compared to a lot of people, but one more thing to worry about). My month to month living expenses aren't bad (rent is affordable considering where I live, I only have car insurance and credit card bills other than that, because my utilities are included with my rent), but the problem is I only work part-time. I seek out work relentlessly, trying to find something full-time with benefits (yes, I lack health insurance...another issue entirely). My partner helps me out by providing groceries/paying for meals and occasionally loaning me gas money, but I do pretty okay with that too. I just feel like so many things are going well - I'm so close to achieving my goal of finishing a doctorate, I have a loving partner/healthy relationship, many, many good close friends, parents I love, I live in a beautiful area that fulfills my value of being close to nature and being active...yet the career stuff is still "in progress," thus my financial situation = crap.

I'm sure I am not the only one here with this problem. In this day and age, with the economy the way it is, many educated people are struggling to make ends meet. I try to be happy for/grateful for what I do have, make the most of my life, and go without as much as possible. It is just really hard sometimes when I see friends and colleagues buying cars, houses, getting married, having kids, and going on these amazing vacations. I know at the end of the day, most of these things are material things and don't matter --- but that doesn't always make me feel better...and honestly, I just wish I could stay on top of my current debt and make a living! I've worked so f'n hard to get to this point, why is it so hard to find a meaningful job? Not to mention, part of me feels I will never have what other people have because my credit will be ruined forever...it sucks. I hope other people can relate to this...i just keep applying for jobs and keep doing my best to find the right one for me....