<prompt> Human: Heres a quick background. Im 30 years old, live with my girlfriend, her daughter, and my diabetic dog. I work full-time 40 hours a week and going to school for 12 credit hours this semester. I make 1200 a month 450 for rent 200 for bills 240 for gas 137.36 for canned dog food 108 for dry dog food 54 for my dogs insulinThat leaves me with 10.64 per month to spend as I please. Mind you this isnt counting food, surprise car repair, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. I cant get a raise at my job, and no job is willing to accept me because they cant work around my school schedule. I cant have my girlfriend pitch in because she makes about the same, and has her own payments that she makes. Although she doesnt get as low down in her budget as I do, she shortly does after doing the grocery shopping for the house. I recently reduced my 401K from 8 to 2 to get a little extra cash and am considering claiming 1 or 2 on my W2 in order to get a little more per paycheck even though I know this will kill me when tax time comes around. I usually have to use my tax money to refill my Kerosene tank, at about 1000 for a refill with my half being 500.Is there an opportunity for saving that Im missing here? I dont have a credit card, and I have bad credit. Im in collections for two bills under 50 that I just dont have the spare pennies for. Ive even resorted to picking up bottles and cans on the side of the road, and asking for bottles and cans from people I work with, but as Im sure you know this just isnt cutting it. The only savior Ill have is when I get the rest of my financial aid money in from the college which I would honestly love to not spend, but its not looking like I have much of a choice.Second job would be near impossible with the schedule Im running on. So I come to you good people of PersonalFinance, lets see if you can figure this one out, or at least put my mind at ease to let me know that there is actually nothing I can change about this and that I have to just suck it up and deal with it.Edit I suppose I should have made it clear in this post that I am not willing to get rid of the dog, and looking for maybe some other options, or how I should put my remaining financial aid to use when I get it. I appreciate those that had actually helped and gave some good advice, and those I am going to implement; removing 401K, changing W2, looking for cheaper yet still good and healthy food for the dog found a few options, change the way I drive my gas guzzling car, etc. Im not here looking to start saving 300, but Im here looking for a way to at least get an extra 50 out of my paychecks. Yes I know, thats another thing I should have made clear in the original post.Assistant: So... hate to break it to you but your dog costs you 25 of your takehome pay when you are basically broke and cant afford to feed yourself.Assuming thats not negotiable though your dog costs 2x as much in food as I do which is absurd you should look at: - 240 in gas is a ton - why is this so high? Its also nearly 25 your takehome as well - It looks like you make minimum wage, what is your background? Can you get a university job? Most of them would pay more than 7hr - 200 for bills is not very descriptiveHuman: I make 11 an hour take home is just slightly above 600 twice a month insurance, dental, 401K. The dog costing me isnt negotiable. Gas is high because I drive a gas guzzling 1996 6 cylinder and have to drive around 200 miles a week. Would love to get a better car, but as you can see that isnt really in the cards with the current budget. The bills include, electric, water, garbage, and leftover goes to paying my half on my girlfriends credit card that she uses for vet visits only.Unfortunately my only experience at the moment is an Assembly Technician. I applied to 4 different jobs paying more than what I make currently and they all denied me after the interview once I mentioned I am also in school and need them to work around my schedule.Im in school for my second semester currently and working on an Associates in MathematicsScience. The community college I attend has work study to help pay off student loans, but those jobs are already taken for the semester, and I think because of my current full time job I make too much to be accepted for work study programs.Assistant: It seems that you CAN get a higher-paying job with your current education, as youre in a skilled trade, but your school schedule is holding you back. Maybe the answer is to take a break from school and look for a better job, taking on a secondthird part time job in the meantime.Can your GF contribute more? It sucks to be a moocher but this is really a desperate situation.And I unfortunately have to join the chorus about your dog. It is an option. There are homes who will give loving care to an animal with special needs.Also, stop the 401k. You need the cash now. The compounding on 2 of a tiny income is not going to make a meaningful difference at retirement.Human: To most, getting rid of the dog would be an option. To me and my family its not an option unless the dog was in need of being put down for its own good. Removing the dog from the house is not going to happen.Unfortunately my girlfriend already contributes all that she can. Thats why there is a problem financially here. We are both maxed out with very little luxury, minus the dog and internet.Just stopped my 401K so hopefully I can see a difference soon, and about to change my W2 at least for the remainder of the year. I also found a few alternatives to the dogs food that should save me about 75-100 per month depending on which options we go with.I just started school and quitting that isnt an option either, especially since if Im not back in school by 6 months then Im going to be paying about 150 a month to start paying back student loans. Assistant: Why ask for advice if you arent willing to change anything? If you arent willing to do what is necessary, your circumstances will not change. Everyone here is telling you to do the same thing. That should be a clue.And why will it kill you to claim two tax exemptions? A single person with one job is supposed to claim two.EDIT: Wait a minute, I just noticed you are turning down better-paying jobs for an associates degree? Are you going to a community college? Community colleges are generally the most flexible of any about class times. Can you take night or weekend classes?Human: Everyone is telling me to get rid of my dog. That I wont do, everything else I am considering.  <response>: BECAUSE GETTING RID OF THE DOG IS MOST OBVIOUS SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM. IT IS THE LOW HANGING FRUIT. YOU ARE LIVING IN POVERTY. The dog is the one of the few things you can change. You cant change rent unless you move and youre probably stuck in a lease. You have some control over utilities, but those bills have to be paid. Your gas is fixed unless you move, even driving slowly isnt going to make your car get 50 MPG. I dont think you realize how grave your situation is. What happens when your car dies? If you could start saving 300 a month, youd have enough to buy a beater in a few months or make a needed repair. You cant afford to miss work or school right? What are you going to do if you and your GF break up? You cant feed yourself. Youre in denial and its going to keep you in poverty. I know it sucks Im so harsh but it is the truth. Take care of yourself before you take care of others. 