Emotional mom shares relatable TikTok about being broke despite doing ‘everything right’
Almost 40% of American adults are struggling to make ends meet with finances each month. This is an increase from 34% in 2022, and 26% in 2021, according to a report from the United States Census Bureau. As I’m sure you know, it’s been tough out there, folks. So many people have been getting laid off in large numbers lately, and it’s increasingly difficult to find another job—because all of the people being laid off are applying for the same handful of jobs and competition is fierce. We’re all smart, we’re all efficient.
And even people who seemingly are doing “everything right,” who are gainfully employed are having a hard time with the rising costs of everything. That’s why there was so much camaraderie and understanding for this poor mom whose TikTok video went viral about her being upset about finances right now.
Mackenzie (@mackmoan1988) shared a tearful video about how she feels like she and her husband are doing everything right. They both have good jobs. She’s a registered nurse working full time, and he works full time. They just got paid this past Friday, so they paid the mortgage, bought some groceries, and put gas in the car. “And guys, it is Tuesday, and we have like $200 to $300 to last us until next Friday.
In her video, she summarizes the feelings of basically all of the middle class right now.
She says they live in a little ranch-style home, and it’s not a big house. Their home is 1,100 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and it’s just them and their two kids. And she said, “I don’t know what to do. I’m in school full time, I work full time.” She added that her husband works more than full time and works overtime every week.
She said she’s so stressed out and this isn’t how it’s supposed to be. And she’s right. She continued, “We were told to go to college, get a degree, work to support your family…and here we are. Did that—and now what?”
Mackenzie continued, “Somebody has to do something to change this because I make good money. He makes good money. We don’t live above our means. I don’t know what’s less than paycheck to paycheck…is that poverty? As a registered nurse? With a husband with a second income?”
She said while she was in school, she kept thinking it’ll get better after she graduates and starts working. They would be able to pay their bills, and they wouldn’t have to check their bank account if their kids ask to go to the movies. They would just be comfortable—but they’re not at all.
Mackenzie isn’t alone. Viewers took to the comments to commiserate and validate her feelings.
“I promise it’s not just you. It’s all of America,” one person said. Another said, “We are making the most we’ve ever made, but we’re the poorest we’ve ever been.”
“Overtaxed and underpaid. It’s harder every year to survive financially,” said another. “As sad as this is, it feels good to not be alone,” another viewer commented.
Maybe somebody who can do something about it will see one of our hundreds of thousands of videos of us talking about our economy and do something about it, Mackenzie said in the video.
“Maybe we just need to support each other until things change,” she said.
