A full-time nurse and mother-of-two has posted an emotional video online where she says that she's sick of living "paycheck-to-paycheck".
Mackenzie Moan, a full-time critical care nurse and Ph.D. student from Pennsylvania, tearfully shared the financial challenges her family faces despite both she and her husband earning "good money".
Mackenzie, who recently went viral on TikTok, expressed her frustration over living "paycheck-to-paycheck", revealing they had only $200-$300 to cover expenses for the next two weeks after settling bills and essential costs.
In the emotional video, Mackenzie - a registered nurse - and her husband Steve - who works full time - described their financial choices, stating they don't "live above their means". Check out her video below:
However, despite their efforts, they find themselves struggling to make ends meet.
"I feel like my husband and I are doing everything right. We just got paid this past Friday, and it's Tuesday, and we have like $200-$300 to last until next Friday," Mackenzie shared, her eyes welling up with tears.
Living in a modest 1,100-square-foot home, Mackenzie emphasized that their financial stress contradicts societal expectations associated with hard work and education. She urged viewers to share her video in the hope that collective voices could instigate change.
"Maybe somebody who can do something about it will see one of our videos. We just need to support each other until things change," Mackenzie said, urging viewers to raise awareness of the struggles many families face.
The video gained widespread support, with thousands of comments reflecting the shared financial struggles experienced by individuals across the country.
One person commented: "Honey at this point $200 between checks is rich. It's bad out here," while a second added: "I make 6 figures and am STILL paycheck to paycheck! How in the hell?? I don't live beyond my means either. It is so depressing!"
A third person said: "Together my wife and I make over 200k and the economy is why we decided to put having kids on pause indefinitely."
"I promise it’s not just you. It’s all of America," another added.
Though not everyone was overly supportive of Mackenzie, as one person penned: "Is this satire? I mean sure it would be nice to have more but ma’am- you’re not in poverty at all… you have food, shelter, transportation."
Noting the criticism from some viewers, Mackenzie shared a follow-up video.
She emphasized that she shared her story not seeking sympathy but to shed light on the pervasive issue of financial strain. In response to criticisms about her possessions, she clarified, "I'm not in the situation where I need to be selling everything."
Acknowledging the outpouring of kindness, Mackenzie concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of financial struggles.
"The point was, we are all stressed and all struggling so we need to come together. We just need more kindness, love, and acceptance," she said.
Despite the criticism, I'm sure Mackenzie's story and situation is something many us can relate to right now.
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