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What helps me is I think of the time I volunteered and an orphanage/clinic in Zimbabwe a long time ago. I think of those hordes of kids...all of which had nothing. They get clothes and fed 3 meals a day (sadza, which is a cornmeal mush). They get an education till 5th grade in the connecting school but then they are out on the streets. They ALL were just dying for attention from an adult. The babies just lay in their cribs till feeding times bc there were not enough adults to go around. That said, I am like you in that financial stress is the worst of all...and it's especially hard this time of year. I have nothing to complain of, but I wanted to let you know that that kind of stress is really hard on lots of people. What will help is if you make a plan. You finished school. Do you have a good job? Make a plan to get one. Start a Masters and/or PhD program if you need to to get ahead. Aim high. Always be working to better yourself and make yourself more sellable.

Times are tough for a lot of people right now. You are not alone, what helps me when I start feeling the weight of it all is to remind myself of all of the good that is around me. My kids are healthy, we have a roof over our heads, there's heat and food, imagine life without these things.

If you really can't find happiness anywhere, it's time to talk to your doctors. You may be depressed and the winter months can make depression a heck of a lot worse.

I'm sure in the Netherlands you can find financial aid books at your library by Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman. I didn't live in the Netherlands, however, I did live in Germany and Belgium...so I do know what you mean about about a bike ticket!!

Your behavior needs to change. As well as your attitude...you need to think before you spend. There is a definite difference between NEED and want. A need - you must have in order to survive...food, water...a want...something that is nice to have...you may WANT "steak and lobster" but that's not what your budget says you can get...I can't tell you how often I had Macaroni and cheese when I didn't have the money to buy more...

You MUST have a budget. If you don't have a budget, you don't know what you have coming in and out...get a budget set up.

Keep a log of every penny you spend. If you are planning a party? Then you are spending money...whether it be second hand stuff or not...it might be money you don't need to spend.

Get involved in a church. That might help you find some grounding.

When you keep your spending journal. Take into account all of your expenses...rent, insurance, etc. then you need to see what you can pay minimum on to stay current until you get your footing.

Get your resume (CV) together. Make sure it's polished and get it out and start applying for jobs.

Deal with the health insurance fine. I don't know how it works in the Netherlands...so you need to find out if they will accept payments...work it into your budget..

Hope this helps!

ouch. times are tough all over the world. I'm sorry you are going through this.

I agree with Wild Woman and 2Kidmama.

Do you have a budget? If not, you need one.
Do you have a job? If not, you need to get one.

In my personal opinion, if money is that tight? I would not be having a party. that sounds frivolous to me. Like WW said - understand the difference between want and need.

I love what 2KM said - make a plan. Always shoot for bettering yourself!

You can and will get out of this mess. Get your budget in place. Don't ignore stuff. Talk to the creditors and see what payment arrangements you can make.

You can ask any question here that you desire. I hope your day turns out better. Bless you

When a family member went to the Netherlands, she came back and said everything was SOOOOOOO expensive. We both didn't see how anyone at all can survive over there.

I think living there might be the problem. I mean, everything there was insanely costly!!