advice

Charmed285

Bit of background: I have no license (grandmother says she'll pay for the insurace so I can get it but I know she won't be able to for long but thats just for libality and I want full coverage because I know I will end up in a accident one day and it's probably going to be my fault so I rather take care of that now with that so I don't have to worry about it, however she won't be able to afford it so I need to), still live with parents, a job that pays min wage (7.25hr) and it's only part time for a FEW hours during the week and I think that is getting cut again to just weekends. I'm still in school and have another year and a half until I finish, then off to university I HOPE (if that happens I would need money for my own place since it won't be near home), however, I'm tired of my living situation, but most of all I'm sick of not having a real job, but I could deal if I was making some sort of living off of it, but I'm not. I work in fast food and since I live in a small town, that is basically all there is except a few grocery stores but I want to move beyond that; plus the ones I checked into haven't accepted my calls or given a call back.

I'm trying real hard to make changes in my life to something better, or least be able to work toward something, but I'm stuck. I want to live in a town that is an hour away from me since it's bigger and has more opportunities (more job options) than where I'm curently living. I considered live in jobs (care-giver, nanny, housekeeping, whatever), online jobs, looking for roommates on craigslist (no money though so that would be rather difficult, was hoping someone would be nice enough to let me stay till I find a job then start paying my part but that may be asking a bit much, idk), considered staying home and taking the bus back and forth but all the earned money would go toward it so it isn't worth the bus (greyhound), cab, bus again daily.

ALL I want to do is WORK while still in school and save up and work toward something, because if I keep going at the rate I am I will still be in the same position years from now and I don't want to be 30-40 years old and still living like I am; the thought of that is EXTREMELY depressing. even if I don't move out now I want to earn enough for the time I do I will have it and I really do need my license

I don't remember if I posted this before or not, so if I did I applogise for reposting the same thing
I'm just fustrated and need solutions

last thing, I asked for more hours at work and that's a no go
been there for 3 years and nothing is going to change I'm working no more than I did when I first started
I've already talked, and talked and talked and and it's the same thing

plus, I'm young (23) never do anything or go anywhere and I would like to have a life ( go out meet people, date (which I've NEVER done, and just have fun) can't get that here and I feel like I'm missing out big time, I mean my 13 yr old cousin has more of a social life and dating than me and that's just sad lol but I just want to have fun and experience life more trying not to be too concerned with a guy (relationship now)

SeaRunner26

First, you said you were 23 and finishing school then possibly going to university. Does that mean you're at a community college or trade school? Either way, as your education improves, so does your value in the job market.

Second, I'm very impressed that you are waiting to get your license until you have insurance. So many folks just drive anyways without insurance and don't think about the consequences. You have good character. You're doing things in the right order. Although, you still can get your license provided you can use someone else's car with insurance that covers other drivers.

Lastly, keep applying for anything and everthing. Also, network with all your friends, acquaintenaces, and associates (barring anyone that could get you in trouble with your current job). There is also a website called LinkedIn that is for networking online. Eventually something will come up, probably when you don't even expect it.

Good luck to you.

rompers16

If you're 23, you should be eligible to apply for student loans/grants/scholarships on your own and get yourself into school full-time. I put myself thru that way and worked on campus a couple hours each day, full-time weekends and every summer. I got to meet so many people..really the best time ever. Good luck!

SeaRunner26

If you're 23, you should be eligible to apply for student loans/grants/scholarships on your own and get yourself into school full-time. I put myself thru that way and worked on campus a couple hours each day, full-time weekends and every summer. I got to meet so many people..really the best time ever. Good luck!

If you do take the student loan route, be very careful what you're signing up for. Many folks find that after they graduate, they can't find a job or a good enough paying job and end up drowning in the debt they created by getting loans. It certainly is an options and can be a good resource, just be very responsible.

Charmed285

that's is why getting a loan isn't a option at this time because I don't want to be in debt so I rather prolong that as much as possible
my school which is a community college aren't accepting work study participants at this time

rompers16

At your age though you can be considered independent, working very few hours, you should be able to get grants. You could always apply and at least see what they offer you?

Charmed285

not independent until 24-25 and my birthday is in sept so the filling will be before that so I will still be of age but I do get fasfa but that's a story I rather not get into but I don't have anything left of it

lilmisfit

I have no license (grandmother says she'll pay for the insurace so I can get it but I know she won't be able to for long but thats just for libality and I want full coverage because I know I will end up in a accident one day and it's probably going to be my fault so I rather take care of that now with that so I don't have to worry about it, however she won't be able to afford it so I need to),

For some reason this really stuck out to me. WHY do you think that you are destined to have a car accident? :huh:

Charmed285

^ because I don't have proper teaching/practice to improve my driving skills and I am very easily distracted
I've asked all my family members to help and they refuse so it's only my dad and it's difficult for him to teach me and my friend doesn't want to do it either so it seems odds are against me and I figure it's bound to happen

jg627

^ because I don't have proper teaching/practice to improve my driving skills and I am very easily distracted
I've asked all my family members to help and they refuse so it's only my dad and it's difficult for him to teach me and my friend doesn't want to do it either so it seems odds are against me and I figure it's bound to happen

Gran Turismo. No joke. Practice up on that for a while and you will be drifting around the corner to the grocery store with your grandma white-knuckling the seat in no time.

anemoneprose

Here's the problem as I see it... I'm not sure you can:
avoid debt AND
make enough money to save for school, given the options available to you now AND
get a degree AND
make enough to move out and enjoy a fun lifestyle.

It's just not possible, I don't think. At least one of those things has to give, so the others can happen.

To get a degree, you will *probably* have to go with loans/grants/scholarships. I think it's not a bad plan, IF you know for sure what your end goal is - as in, which profession you see yourself doing, not just which degree. A purely academic bachelors degree for its own sake is nice, but not enough, these days. Do you know what job you ultimately want to do? How confident are you about it?

You could minimize debt and get to having a better time in life faster if you did a 1-2 year practical program. I'm not familiar with how things work in the states, but I've heard about 2-year programs (is it 'Associate's Degree'? Is this what you're doing now?) that are like this, where people can prepare for entry level jobs in fields like accounting, nursing, physiotherapy assisting (?), and then top them up to a full degree later, part time, on the employer's dime.

There are also entirely non-academic courses that might get you more money and a better standard of living faster. (I've never seen even very economically depressed towns without at least 3 hairdressers, for example.) But it might be harder to get back to formal education once you've worked a few years - life tends to get in the way.

The other thing I was thinking was - do you have family you could stay with temporarily, maybe in a different city than the one you have in mind? I guess if you have a boyfriend, you'd probably want to stay nearby, though.

The main thing is - do you know what you want to do? Is it a good compromise between what you actually like to do (really important) and the available work in your area?

Charmed285

If I had to give one up, it would be the fun lifestyle since I really do want to work and I can save the fun for the summer every once in a while my degree is important to me and I plan on being an asl interpreter as my profession but if that doesn't work I have no idea but I have a year and a half to figure it out

I'm receiving fasfa for school now, but I expect that to end time I hit university since you can only get it a few times so I'm almost maxed out, plus they don't pay for the full tution of university, however, I'm looking for scholarshps else where it's too late for me to switch to associates degree I'm told I'd have to start ALL over agan wth my education and I just don't have the money to do that since I then would have to pay out of pocket alsol, there's no profession I would be happy wth that required a 2 year degree and I want to be able to get a good paying job I like in the end

not sure what you mean? but I don't know how to do hair, not even my own

I live in a small country town and all there is are stores, fast food places, and maybe other things but it's few and chances of getting in are slim

anemoneprose

I'm glad to hear that. I understand the urgency around wanting to experience life, but since the world is the way it is, it's important to balance expectations, and have a focus.

I'm not clear on what you're doing right now though - what qualification will you have when you finish the program you're in? Maybe some of those credits would be transferable, at the very least..

The funding/tuition picture is totally different where I am (Canada), so I can't help with that side of things. Is what you've summarized the advice you've gotten from your college advisors? I really hope someone on here can give you another angle..

With the hairdressing, all I meant was that if a satisfying, fun lifestyle was what you wanted most, it's a totally respectable way to make a living that doesn't involve a lot of debt or time in school. (No matter how bad the economy gets, or where you are, people want to look good. I've been to some towns in which the main industry has been destroyed, and the two things I saw plenty of - no matter what - were hair salons and bars. It's kind of a sure bet, is all, if you're inclined & want it, which you're not & don't, so fair enough.)

Charmed285

it's just a associate in the art degree so not really any qualificatoins with just that but the question isn't about school, that's taken care of for now

I want to know how I can mange to move so I will be able to work and perferably something not in retail and food service and making more than min wage or just any advice really to earn a income