Living Paycheck to Paycheck in America | LX News

Ieman Marouf is a first-generation Egyptian American, and a single mom of two. She works as a medical assistant in Reston, Virginia, part of Fairfax County - one of the priciest counties in the nation. For our “Standing Still” photo series, Marouf talked to NBCLX contributor Valerie Plesch about making ends meet, getting back on her feet after catching COVID-19 and losing her job, and her goal to get her bachelor’s degree and become a nurse.
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Living Paycheck to Paycheck in America | LX News
• Living Paycheck to Pay...
#NBCLX #lxnews #nbcnews #finance #survival #adulting

[@darlenepaul2918]

Imman is richer than me. I couldn't subsidize any trip for 3 to Egypt. My kids would have to visit through reading a book!

[@markwhittaker6866]

😂😂😂😂😂 PREACH!

[@santo9032]

Man I’m glad I don’t have kids, I can barely take of myself…

[@nikkif9873]

💯 it’s most definitely hard…. No rush take care of yourself

[@santo9032]

@@nikkif9873 Yes I’m working on it !

[@selflove428]

Me too no kids yet I’m glad my bf helps out

[@wendybreault3157]

No kids and glad about it! I do have fur babies! 🐈‍⬛🐕

[@economicdevelopmentplannin8715]

Make your babies brother. Find your wife and enjoy parenting.

[@frencheleerving]

17 an hour with two kids smh thats insane Them kids need to clean up after themselves

[@sandi6818]

My divorce left me in debt too. It’s not always equal in divorce

[@emmanuel43]

sorry that happened. do you mind sharing how it put you in debt?

[@sandi6818]

@@emmanuel43 we took out medical loans to have our kids and in the end it was deemed that I was more capable to pay them off than him at the time

[@emmanuel43]

@@sandi6818 sorry that happened. sometimes you can negotiate it to reduce the debt if it was very high. I wish you peace and happiness.

[@ralphabreu5022]

It's cheaper to keep each other...

[@sandi6818]

@@ralphabreu5022 I would agree with that tried 16 years. I would highly recommend working it out

[@CaraMarie13]

Am glad shes taking steps to break the cycle of poverty. Its very likely she grew up poor in addition to the divorce and is now repeating the same things she saw growing up. So her doing these things to better herself and show her kids that there are other ways to live life is itself life changing.

[@Tiff.texas1]

Very relatable ❤

[@marshamagic8551]

Daycare took almost my whole salary.

[@oscarruiz6206]

I don't think going back to school to get into more depth is the best move 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Chrissy_Hills]

She wants to go back to school for Nursing which will be lucrative for her in the long run.

[@Queenk0526]

There’s a huge shortage of nurses across the country so when she graduates the opportunity will be there.

[@GeoFavTech]

Debt sorry not depth

[@ecclairmayo4153]

This is a good move for her. She will be hires quick

[@DarknessFalls29]

She can get (at the time) Pell Grant if she's low income and scholarships as well. If she goes to NVCC (NOVA) nursing program which has a partnership with GMU it will be cheaper. Best wishes to her!

[@edwinramos1053]

All the very best!!!!!

[@BillyT531]

Where are the baby daddies and are they paying child support? If not, why not?

[@wendybreault3157]

Racist much?! It's known most on welfare are white! Look it up and thank me later!🤣

[@BillyT531]

@@wendybreault3157 You completely missed the point of the post. Why are they not paying child support?

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

@@BillyT531 They are not forced to do it. Taxpayers pay. Thank your politicians.

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

@@wendybreault3157 Using research from the Urban Institute (gathering data from 59 million people). The majority of recipients 2019 were white (43 percent), followed by Hispanic (26 percent), and Black (23 percent). 28 Feb 2024 Population USA 71% white, 14% black.

[@gunnaur]

She went on a trip with the pandemic money? Not a tear shed

[@veroniquevesta7516]

No where in the video did they said she used pandemic money. It could have been her parents that paid for the trip. Stop ✋️ jumping to conclusions and open your ears👂 People in other countries have money too....

[@TheImperfectReader]

@@veroniquevesta7516 I agree. Due to her having family in the area she literally could do flights only.

[@ednar4555]

@@veroniquevesta7516 she is living paycheck to paycheck even after enjoying taxpayers money. her parents did not pay for the trip, she would have mentioned it if that was true. THESE DEMOCRATS/LOSERS LOVE TO WASTE MONEY. No sympathy here, look for the baby daddies.

[@tdizzle100]

So where are the children's father?

[@DarknessFalls29]

Dang. Y'all didn't even blur out her plates.

[@covidisascam4556]

Where's the dad

[@seventhchild7270]

Covid is a scam....she is divorced

[@joellafrazier1224]

Time for the Kids to take some of the weight off mom and clean up after themselves. They will need these skills when they're on their own in the world.

[@markwhittaker6866]

Exactly.

[@nocturneowl2660]

Let her kids clean. Damn

[@sandi6818]

I’m a mom with a 9 yr old and an 11 yr old as a single mom.

[@lexi8317]

I have a 10 y/o and 3 y/o and also a single mom. No child support. I work as a nurse, but still living hand to mouth because of paying off debts from the pandemic. 😊

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Why did you divorce?

[@sandi6818]

@@user-tk1xd9js1z for the safety and happiness of my kids and my myself

[@ramkrishnadey9518]

Certainly super power US is declining fast. Miseries of working people are escalating beyond description. US is actually a corporate state. Only about ten percent of the population enjoys a secure life and the rest is dreamless, insecure, without a future. American exceptionalism!!!

[@ShawndreaCampbell]

This is a broad conclusion full of half truths bases off morw opinion than facts.

[@judgykaeru]

That’s quite an over generalization, which does not help to identify the problem in this situation. Let’s talk about HER situation-like what brought her into this situation. A common trend that I see is the lack of basic financial knowledge, and people bringing in babies into this world without a solid plan. She’s a medical assistant and is trying to pursue a new career as a nurse-which is awesome, by the way. HOWEVER, one of the problems is that people are trying to work backwards. What do I mean? In her case, bringing in two kids into this world without basic financial knowledge and education to avail a career that can sustain her family. What if she established herself first from the getgo from a financial and career standpoint before bringing in kids? We can learn this too from nature. You see birds building a nest first before laying their eggs, and not the other way around.

[@emmanuel43]

@@judgykaeru very wise comment.

[@DJ-vj4vi]

Tax payers are paying for these irresponsible women to have more and more kids it’s crazy the government should hold these parents accountable.

[@PG-tc6os]

If you are broke, how can you take trip vacation? 😂😂😂😂 I don’t buy her misery 😂😂😂😂

[@amaliasafaryan4256]

ya something about this isn't adding up

[@blessings4life]

And the little girl got acrylic nails on.

[@nenefry8502]

that apartment is very well furnished and large. paid 2/3 by HUD taxpayers.

[@johnnypham2850]

Paid by her low hourly wage

[@I_am_Tee]

She was married and had 2 incomes at one point, so of course she had furniture. She has a job and is a taxpayer herself, so don't make it seem like she's abusing the system. She's just using it as a crutch until she gets done with a nursing degree to pull in more money. Such an ignorant comment 🙄

[@dunggg]

I hope the best for her... but the place is pretty well furnished for someone making 7.75/hr

[@carolsander3470]

She's divorced. She and her ex- husband split their belongings.

[@seventhchild7270]

And she makes 17.00 an hour and going back for nursing school

[@amaliasafaryan4256]

she had a gucci bag too and can afford a vacation to egypt? weird

[@CaraMarie13]

Yeah, that furniture on craigslist and Facebook marketplace is nice. Or she just got it new at Ikea. Or any of the dozens of places that sell cheap af furniture where the biggest thing is getting it to your house.

[@user-py1en1dr9t]

@@amaliasafaryan4256She probably got it when she was married.

[@maeriamphili3672]

How she got her nails done... But claim to be broke. I work 2 jobs and can't. Priorities.

[@DarknessFalls29]

That's her business and not yours. She might have a hook up! 🙄

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

@@DarknessFalls29 It is all our business since she live on taxpayers money.

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Yes, and none of them seem to have skipped a meal ever.

[@michaelduggan1890]

Shouldn't they move somewhere cheaper ?

[@sp123]

but the subsidized day care is worth more than any money she would save moving somewhere cheaper

[@ecclairmayo4153]

This isnthe cheapest it will get in todays economy

[@marymorenomariposa]

i can’t feel sorry for her. too much in her favor to be ‘sufferring’

[@nocturneowl2660]

💅🏾💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Islam do not agree with long nails.

[@OShackHennessy]

Let this be a lesson in personal responsibility, financial literacy, self control, and chastity.

[@taggedgalaxy]

Let this be a lesson on not JUDGING others, you are not God

[@OShackHennessy]

@@taggedgalaxy I don’t have to be God to call out people who are irresponsible. Especially when more often than not it leads to me paying more taxes for their handouts. What nonsense are you spewing?

[@taggedgalaxy]

@@OShackHennessy The only one spewing nonsense is you, you're judgmental and ignorant. Luke 6:37, and your judgement is misplaced, get angry at the employers who keep wages down forcing people to subsidize their income with government assistance and your tax dollars, judge the politicians who are accepting special interest donations in favor of corporations to continue this cycle.

[@DarknessFalls29]

​@@OShackHennessyAnyone can fall on hard times. Educated or not. The 2008 financial collapse was a prime example.

[@sagittariusbeauty]

@@DarknessFalls29Exactly

[@LuvCrochet1]

Hmmm! Plenty of jewelry.

[@kaylahood1000]

Your wearing a Gucci purse girl whatever your not struggling.

[@lindamorgenstern1460]

There are many places to get purses like hers for free. My church has a clothes closet and many people donate designer clothes and other things like purses. And it’s all free. I’ve seen many items that are designer for free. Or she could have gotten it for a present.

[@DarknessFalls29]

There's always folks like you, assuming. 🙄 I have high-end accessories that were gifted to me and was still broke.

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

@@DarknessFalls29 If one is broke one sell things to survive. Do not take people for fools.

[@DarknessFalls29]

@user-tk1xd9js1z She paid into the tax system as well, so no, it's not our business.

[@blessings4life]

Lil girl got acrylics on? She’s too young for that? Why would you want her to look more grown than she is and she’s like 12.

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Why did she leave Egypt? The last war there was in 1973.

[@michaelduggan1890]

This story really bothers me . She says , well I didn't ask to get covid , why should I be penalized by my employer ? Well , who did ask for covid.? This is entitled bullshit.

[@joyaustin6581]

I thought the same thing

[@Chrissy_Hills]

That’s exactly her point why is she being penalized for getting COVID, she didn’t ask for it nobody did genius.

[@joyaustin6581]

@@Chrissy_Hills would you pay full water bill, electric or gas bill if you had no service for a month or would you contest it? If your flight was canceled should you still pay for the plane ticket?

[@nenefry8502]

so this person ---where is the father? child support? they are on welfare they get subsidized housing get subsidized child care VA child care subsidy. why doesn't she move back home with her parents? this is ridiculous. Another immigrant on welfare and now the kids on welfare.

[@porpouree]

Are you serious!? Is it any of your business where the father is?! Maybe he died, maybe he was abusive and she left, perhaps he’s incarcerated or in another country…either way what the hell does that have to do with you!?? And why should a very grown woman move back “home” with her parents? She is a working adult with children she is providing for, it’s not her parents responsibility to take care of her if they are even alive and able to do so! 🙄 this country was built on immigration besides the initial folks who STOLE it and committed mass murder and enslavement so check your racist attitude at the door and go to work so your money can keep paying for “welfare” for immigrants. 😂

[@reginajackson8051]

I wanted to ask the same thing. I see these stories all the time with single moms, and I'm like "why are yall letting these men get off easy"?

[@helena3631]

@@reginajackson8051 once these men leave they don’t want to take care of the kids and the women doesn’t want to go they the courts for support since it’s mentally exhausting…

[@seventhchild7270]

@@helena3631 exactly...and sometimes dangerous due to abusive behavior!...

[@seventhchild7270]

Nene fry....She work a job that's paying her 17.00 hourly!...she's NOT on welfare!

[@Arweto01]

So you want your kids to be in hundreds of dollars of debt? College degrees are worthless nowadays. Maybe they should learn to be entrepreneurs and get into crypto. Or even learn a trade and go to trade school. A college degree doesn’t guarantee a job!

[@marymorenomariposa]

college is STILL one of the best ways to succeed. wtf

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

@@marymorenomariposa No, it's a lie. So many of them go without a job.

[@chocmilk10]

Her whole life is subsidized by taxpayers.

[@Queenk0526]

Yes and so are wars and corporations.

[@Coastpsych_fi99]

But it’s a net benefit to the economy if her kids grow up to become tax payers and workers. It’s brilliant.

[@robinb.4699]

@@Queenk0526- So true!!

[@Mr_Francois14]

Son looks a mess smh. Raising a female.

[@jeep19]

#EaTaDiYqKc

[@vivid5203]

And I bet you look a mess

[@JewishSunSlavesInAfricaEgypt]

Lol thats the definition of a slave

[@robinb.4699]

There is nothing funny about the word “slave”.

[@KP-wt8qr]

Of course they had to mention their mosque 🤮

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

49 Muslim countries but what did she choose?

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Why are you single mother?

[@PG-tc6os]

Why single mother? That means you made a poor decision choosing a irresponsible father. People should know better

[@OShackHennessy]

Women are allergic to accountability

[@DarknessFalls29]

Look at y'all acting like some gossiping, hateful b*!@$es in the comment section. 😂

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Maybe she is just single on paper. It can be a scam to get more money from the government. It is very common that they do that in Sweden. They probably do it in all countries that give away taxpayers money.

[@lone263]

Democrats!

[@user-tk1xd9js1z]

Why does she have long nails? That is not a working woman's nails plus Islam do not agree with long nails.

[@JohnSmith-ps7hf]

The world is better off without single mothers.