'This Is Not Really How I Pictured My Life At 30'—Air Force Vet Says He Works Retail For $18 An Hour And 'Feels Like A Loser'

A 30-year-old man recently shared his struggles in a viral Reddit post that hit home for thousands of people facing similar hardships. The post, published in r/povertyfinance, started with a simple line that carried the weight of disappointment: “Just turned 30 today. I feel like a loser.”

The poster explained he had spent eight years in the Air Force, earned an associate’s degree in mathematics, and is now working in retail, making $18 an hour. “This is not really how I pictured my life at 30,” he wrote. Though he recently paid off his car and is now debt-free, he still feels lost about what to do next and is considering returning to the military.

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Debt-Free at 30 Is a Win

The Reddit community, known for being sharp yet supportive, flooded the thread with encouragement. One commenter wrote, “You’re debt-free and have a job. That’s a lot more than people can say.” Others echoed that sentiment, pointing out that many Americans are drowning in debt and that simply being financially stable is a huge accomplishment.

One user said, “If you have no debts and $20 in your pocket, you’re richer than most people.” Another added, “Debt free and healthy in 2025? You are winning, my guy.”

Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

Much of the thread centered around the dangers of comparing one’s life to others. “Stop comparing yourself to your friend. They just took on a huge amount of debt in a terrible economy,” a user wrote in response to OP mentioning that their friend “is getting married in May and he’s buying a home in July.” 

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Another commenter summed it up this way: “The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.”

That Degree Is Not Useless

The original poster downplayed his associate’s degree in mathematics, calling it “worthless,” but many Redditors were quick to disagree. “Don’t sell it short. It proves you can think critically and finish what you start. That’s something employers value—especially in tech, data, logistics, cybersecurity, finance, and more.”

Others suggested practical next steps: using the GI Bill to pursue a bachelor’s degree, exploring fields like teaching, data analytics, actuarial science, or entering a trade. “There’s always a shortage of competent high school math teachers,” one person commented.

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Community and Connection Over Career

Some of the most powerful comments came from people who had hit rock bottom and found peace in unexpected places. A user shared: “I’m 43 and work at Starbucks. It pays the bills. Some of my friends are grandparents already and I’m just now getting a degree. We gotta walk our own paths.”

Another person pointed out that being happy with your life is more important than having a fancy job, and that enjoying what you have is better than always wanting more.

Several people emphasized that 30 is not the finish line—it’s barely the halfway point. One commenter wrote, “I got my engineering degree at 39. You’re still young and can do whatever you want. Just stay flexible and have a plan.”

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