<prompt> Human: I inherited 20,000 from the selling of my grandmothers house after her passing. As soon as I got the money I lost my job, which was covering my expenses for the most part. Months went by before I got my job back and in that time I ate out almost 2 to 3 times a day. It added up so fast. Now I have a job same one from before, cook at home in a schedule with my roommates, and budget as best as can. I cant shack the guilt of it all though, part of me just wishes to wander out into the wilderness and face starvation and death like the pathetic excuse of a man I am. I took out a school loan and working on my degree now while working. Its so hard to stay in budget when I only have enough to eat once a day though. Is there anything I can do to improve myself here or am doomed to debt and future poverty for the rest of my miserable existence? Income 700monthRent 500 130 in utilities Phone 45Assistant: Everyone makes mistakes, if you learn from it, at least you have that as a return on investment.Your situation is pretty tight. Sounds like you might qualify for food stamps due to your income, have you looked at that? Or could you get more hours at your job or a second job?Human: Everyone makes mistakes, if you learn from it, at least you have that as a return on investment.That sounds like what my boss told me. Its true, just feels like I missed out and lost the game of life. You know?Ill see about food stamps but Ive been told if your employed you usually get passed over. Nothing lost in trying I suppose.Assistant: How old are you? 20k in the grand scheme of things is recoverable. It wouldve helped your retirement had you put it towards that, but 20k is very recoverable, and if you learn a life long lesson about saving and being frugal then its a relatively cheap lesson.Thats not true on being employed, there is a certain income limit depending on family size. I dont remember off the top of my head what that is, but Id say its worth at least looking into.Human: Im a 27 year old living in a major east coast US city. Another reason why this all hurts so much. I feel old, like my best days ended and I have nothing to show for it except a future of debt and disparate struggles to make ends meet.I will see about the food stamps this week though.  <response>: Still young enough to make changes. While not the best case, most people dont start seriously saving towards retirement until theyre into their 30s, 40s even 50s. Make the right decisions going forward and youll be far from a lost cause. 