OK, I hope the following doesn’t seem cruel!

Kat, as far as I can see there are 3 options for you:
1. Do whatever you need to do to increase your income. This is not an appealing option for you at the moment, and you also anticipate better things to come within a year or two, yes?
2. Hope that despite staying in the same income bracket, life gets financially easier for you. This, who can say? A windfall or pleasant surprise, may well come. Or not.
3. Really enter into the word Patience. Keep reading … in our culture, we tend to think of ‘patience’ as just an ability to wait (preferably comfortably) until something we hope for happens. As in, ‘be patient; supper’s almost ready.” Here’s a deeper meaning of patience: its etymology derives from the latin for ‘passion’ and not as in hot sex, as in the Passion of Christ. In other words, undergoing an extended period of suffering.

You, Kat are suffering. What you are living with - the day to day sense of discouragement, of not having PLENTY, of doing your very best to be wise and responsible, only to get kaibashed (sp?) through absolutely no fault of your own: that is suffering! And that is option #3 for you. Patience, Suffering: Not popular. Not wanted. Not valued in our society (unless you become rich and famous, and it’s all behind you).

What can a financial coach offer? To be honest, not a whole lot, except to say, I’ve been there. I remember what those days feel like! Kat, I believe in you. I also believe that life will offer you much more abundant days. You and I both know your plans, and they are sound, exciting and likely ultimately financially rewarding plans. Until then, I’m with you, keep being your increasingly wise, thoughtful self as you navigate your way through difficult times. And patience is a character trait worth having.