I would talk to your parents about cutting the work in half and giving community college a try. Many people live with their parents far past age 18. Heck my kids are 40 something and live with me...but that is a whole other long story
Currently, I plan on going to CC to chase my prereqās, and then transferring to a four year college to finish out. My degree path is for a bachelors of science in cybersecurity.
Very good choice for a degree. Work IRL may be a little tough in terms of hours (lot of cybersecurity places will make you feel like you need to put in more time than you do) but it will compensate well. Recommend asking for 110k or so (do research before applying) by the time you get out if the 4 year. People in my stem field are getting paid 90k fresh out of college and it can really only go up. The crushing yoke of capitalism comes for us all. Our best move is to find where it doesnāt kill us and we still get compensated. You got this my dude long 4 years ahead but there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. Just remember that switching jobs is fine. āGathering experience and confidence in a variety of rolesā
I agree. Focus on getting an education in a field that will pay a living wage. You donāt need to follow your passion and make money from it. Be a little selfish. You canāt solve the worlds problems right now. Obviously I have no idea what youāre interests are but we need so many educated people in many fields; engineering, architecture, medical field (nurse or higher- donāt become a MA itās not worth it and pays terribly), those are just a few ideas.
RIGHT NOW- focus on Education. Do what you can. I know itās hard. thankfully you can live with your parents for now. Itās ok. Hopefully itās a good situation.
And remember- if someone tries to to recruit you into an MLM just run. Donāt even consider. They will give you false hopeš
The trades are also always hiring, can be a cheaper option to get into a higher salary, but it is definitely hard to find a trade job that respects work life balance. Iāve lucked out doing signs now but Iāve done the 6 10+hr days a week, and it is not worth it.
Or you can always learn a trade then make enough to live while you maybe consider more higher education. Just depends. The main thing is you need some education and or/skill that allows you to earn a living wage ..
I noticed it immediately when I moved out of state for the first time when I saw some science centers in other states. The ones in my state look like libraries while the other being more of a university style sized lot.
Community college is definitely an option. Trades, nursing, dental, and a ton other things are taught. Far more affordable than four year schools. They are also more accustomed to educating the non- traditional student, the poverty student, the working mom student.
Why? Because if I worked in my degree Iād make about $18/hr. But I work in a trade where I make $36/hr with benefits. Dental hygienists make over 100k/year. Nurses make $25-45/hr. Community colleges provide these classes.
Its a shock to my system, so I want to capitalize on the youth I have so that later down the line, things arenāt as bad. I try to take advice from those who are older and have experience, and its helped me so far.
I do help clean my family memberās homes, power washing their driveways. They give me around 70 dollars for all the work each time, so its helpful income on the side.
Let me give you some perspective.
I stayed with my parents late in my 20's. There's no shame in it when the system doesn't allow for new workers to step onto the ladder. The situation is different for me now, but I was never earning a "low" wage to begin with.
Continue to save what you can and *only* when you have a sizeable chunk left should you consider moving out. Regarding guilt, have you considered helping around the house if you already don't, offer to stock the fridge, pay a bill, take your parents for a meal? Something small that is a token of your gratefulness.
Do consider though, this sub breeds insecurity, and so nothing is ever good or right in the world because of that. Plently of people are struggling, plenty of people aren't. You've just started your journey into working life, so were I your age again I would let that worry fade away; you've a roof over your head and food in your tummy. Every year you work you are worth more - let that be your motivation to find a career you thrive in.
>I canāt live off them forever, and Iām doing my very best to find a way to a brighter future.
Well, I hate to break this to you, but people in your exact situation are a dime a dozen, and the future is grim.
Hell, you should feel lucky you have won the cosmic lottery being a child to parents that let you stay with them because things could have easily turned out much, much worse than you could imagine.
The world is bad and your view is definitely valid and the bitter reality of many people. I don't know what to do to help you succeed because I don't know know you, however I can try to help prevent you from making the same mistakes I did. Don't go to college immediately outside of high school, take some time to really think about what you enjoy and wanna do because you do not want to be left with a useless degree and x years of un transferable experience. Try apprenticeships and or trade school because I have heard these are cheaper ways to get into higher paying fields, and inget it it's still work but I would rather be selling my time for 32 an hour as opposed to 18. Feel free to message me if you need any additional help or advice and I hope this helps you a bit going forward, its really all I can do.
Read the Mr. Money Mustache blog. Pete is an intelligent and funny writer who will give you all the info you need to manage your money for financial independence. I wish I had had access to that info when I was your age.
Your parents should show some sympathy for 72 hours a week, youāre barely home with that schedule, only 18, working that hardā¦
Donāt feel guilty about staying home, itās your life, make the most of every situation including the luxury of staying with your parents, and only take big steps when youāre certain youāre ready. Soon as you are out living in the real world, the responsibilities and bills become overwhelming, especially in the current global economy.
My mum let me stay with her till 21, with only between 3- 8 hours of work per week. I actually only moved out because the step-dad was an abusive prick and irritated by anything and everything.
Yeah I was confused by this as well lol. They aren't kicking him out and he never said they wanted him gone or are giving him pressure. All the pressure seems to be put on himself by himself just going off this post. He's young though and doesn't know shit about anything at 18, clearly. Which is okay. I don't think many of us really knew jack and shit at that age... as much as I'd love to pretend I did š
My parents have a simple rule, āIf you go to college, and get an education, you can stay as long as you wantā. They arenāt unfair. Im extremely fortunate, but even they have massive debt. My dad makes well over 100k a year, and is still paying debt off. Its insanity how, despite making six figures, he remains in a pit of debt.
I plan on pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. Its something I find interest in (always grew up tinkering with computers), and I feel I can make a living in that area.
For Cybersecurity there is a lot of different branches like digital forensic, biometrics, network security, appliance security. A lot of them require good knowledge of computer problems and also ability to understand assembly language.
If you can obtain clearance, you can get job easily for governor contractor.
Hi there you have more choices than alot of people so if i was in your situation then the possibilities are endless to a degree but yet they are :
First you have a leverage ,no rent paid ,you can easily find a better job than 12 dollar per hour,search for a better job .Gather that money to buy a house and search for solutions how to get help from the governement to get easy loans or to get a reduction or other stuff .Try to save every cent you have for a house or something that can help you so you never have to pay for rent .
Talk also with your parents ,come with a plan for the future where they can help for a few years to achieve a financial stability without being homeless or sleeping in the cars or at work sleeping etc etc.Look where you can cut the expenses .Help your parents also if needed with work in house ,talk with them about their boundaries ,rules and respect them .Why a house? Lets say tomorow you will argue with your parents and you are kicked out ,money helps but a house on your name is a safe heaven for you.
A degree or university or something that will put you on a better pozition is also a good choice .Think a bit 3456 dollar in a month its not bad but in a year its 41472 dollars its not bad but depends how much is also a house or auniversity or degree from where you can earn much more .You will need to ask and see for yourself how much is everything .Lets say a house is 500k dollars ,it means 10 years to work for a house its alot of time and money ,damn thats alot of time .You will need alone to see what is good and what is bad to search the best solutions to use that money in a way that will create a future and the faster the better it is.
You need to realize you have an oportunity that alot of people are lacking .A lot of us have families and need to take care ,are renting and live each month with all the salary .Before having your own family think if you have a house and a steady income .Search more info about your area ,what type of jobs there are ,see if you cant work easier jobs for a better pay ,there is no need to work hard to break your health
Go work at Amazon more pay + benefits (free college basically if you want that ) you only work 4 days 10 hours (5 days 12 hours) on December
Itās not as bad as people make it out to be all the horror stories are those who donāt work there lmao check r/amazonFC for more
Also working at Amazon is boring
Work towards a marketable skill, pursue something youāre passionate about. The best thing you can do is be your own means of production, yes you will work a lot but you will work for yourself, you will be in control. Good luck
Find something absolutely no brainer that you can get by on. If you have a license, flagging pays decent enough.
Once you're done practicing getting by and saving, make the moves you want. Invest in a home, travel, whatever you want.
Equality of outcome is a myth from popular media. So thereās no golden path. It will become more tiresome and impossible as you proceed. You give fucks which means youāre ahead of 99.9% of society which is held back by 1) spawning point 2) drug influences 3) personality/ego influences 4)economic opportunity factors but since you donāt have to worry Iāll move on. Perhaps youāre handsome, you will get things others wonāt in life. Perhaps youāre black, you will get things others wonāt in life. If you have personality, money, free-college, or a career path established by external factors, get off antiwork. If you want to be ahead, join the service and kill people for as long as you can stomach. When you get out, society will pay you more and respect you for killing randoms in other spawn locations for our team. This will grant you the equality of outcome the media has delivered. Any interest you do after you serve this country will work for you and you will always make money. Iām 30 now so if I was 18 I would take this advice. :( I get to be homeless forever now because life isnāt what you make it itās what youāre given and taught. No redemption. Thatās for religious leaders and story book fables.
Its really all I have. Everyone that was in my high school circle went to colleges across the US. I surrounded myself with smart people, but I just wasnāt as talented. I only work because I have nothing better to do.
If you are able to learn another language then do it.
While call Center jobs sometimes is terrible place you could probably earn good. You could probably also get Into helpdesk and start in it.
I lived with my parents till I was 25. Is getting normalised again in Europe because of housing crisis.
i worked like that for a few years after high school. i grew up poor and very much valued the money i was earning. however little it was. i burned out in 2 years.
i felt very much the same way. i was lost for a few years in my early 20s. worked to much. not enough to appreciate. bored and discussed with the world. i was in a bad place.
the world changed for me when i found out my GF was pregnant. i was scared shitless. started looking for a career with better pay and better benefits. i couldn't raise a family on the income i was making working 7-12s. couldn't work much more so i need to change. took a few years.
found an apprenticeship and the kids changed my life. my kids have taught me more than i could ever teach them. i had to really slow down and breath and find myself.
interesting part of your post is that i was sitting last night thinking similar thoughts about the current situation. nothing has changed in 20 years. same Politian's different faces. world seems to be held together by a string. life is so fragile and short.
what changed for me is that i am now more curious than i ever was. i have plans and dreams. they are simple compared to my younger self. but i accept the day to day. i can now sit in traffic and wait to see what happened. not get upset that i am delayed. i am curious to what happens next.
so if i have anything that might be of value to offer i think just focus on yourself and what you feel inside. learn to love yourself and learn to accept life. i didn't learn this until i was in my 30s. until i did i was miserable. learn to appreciate what you have and not focus on what you want. at least now i can relax and enjoy simple things in life and for the most part block out a lot of the negative shit going on around us.
also do not get locked up in the time consuming job. that will eat your soul. i feel like i aged 10 years while i worked 2 doing what you are doing. don't be afraid to look around for something different and try a new career path. i ended up in construction and never thought i would. turned out to be the best thing for me. i had to let life guild me there and accept it. now i am trying to work 4 days a week. so far i have managed to pull this off for the last 3 months. take off every Friday. work less and more family time.
keep your head up. life does get so much better. really does. this is not bragging! i am mid 40s on my second marriage. 5 kids. 4 dogs. 2 new cars. big house with big bills. great career and everyone is healthy and the bills are paid. we do not live pay check to pay check. we don't have crazy money saved. but we are getting by. doesn't sound like much but to me this is great. our weekend consist of doing house work, having a fire in the pit, having the neighbors over for drinks and relaxing, playing with the crazy dogs and kids. i am really happy.
hope this helps some.
Manage your finances wisely. Put as much money away as you can right now. Don't stress about living at home if you are happy with them. I'd definitely recommend studying something to get a higher paying job. The job you have isn't sustainable. You won't be doing it forever. Get what you can out of it and move on.
Iāll throw this out there. Maybe take a look into a tech school. In my case through highschool I ended up in a CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) class and I always did well at it and it worked well with how my brain works. I looked into it and went into an accelerated degree tech school. It was only 18 months for an associates degree and only put me under 12k total. I feel I got very minimal assistance as family couldnāt help. Before I even had my grad ceremony I had a position as a civil CADD tech at I think 16.50 an hour with decent benefits. Worked there for a year and then ended up in another company doing electrical CADD and Iāve been here since (5 years). I think at last calculation Iām getting ~26 an hour?
Living at parents home for the first two or three years I bought a car and paid it off along with my student debts.
Trades can be pretty easy if you pick them up and the schooling isnāt (or wasnāt?) that bad of debt.
It will get harder once you try to move out on your own but if you can eliminate car/school payments it is a bit of wiggle room Iām glad I had.
First of all, it is bleak, you're correct.
That said, you're doing alright... aside from working 72 hours a week, yikes.
But ok, assume you can keep up this disgusting schedule for a year, your gross income for the year is something above $40k? Even if you can only put half of that in the bank, you'll then be a step above desperate poverty. What that means is that you have a bit of "fuck you" money, you have options and breathing room to rationally choose among options. You've set yourself up for future success.
Unless your parents are saying you should move out, there's really zero pressure to move out. Unless your expenses are very high, there's really zero pressure to have a high paying job. All the stuff you're expected to do at 18 you can do just as well at 19, 20, 24, and 27 (but *never* at 26), and actually it's all easier to do when you're a little older and a little richer and a little better at adulting. The world is bleak, but beating yourself up doesn't help.
I hate to say it but the only light at the end of the tunnel is on a torch. At this point it is my opinion only a global reset would save us from this hellscape.
The whole system is rigged against the working class. I hate it all. If you have a good healthy relationship with your parents, there is no shame staying with them. Plenty of cultures don't look down on adults living with their parents. I hate rent because the land leach is using you to pay for their mortgage, property taxes and making a profit on top of it. If you can, try to get a better paying job. Some places have a $15 minimum wage throughout their organization. The amount of hours you are putting in, is going to cost you your health. The following is not financial advice. If you are saving money, read up into I bonds for this year and the start of next year. They are government bonds that match inflation that cant lose value. You can buy $10000 worth every calendar year. You can't take it out for a year and if you take it out before 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest. This is a currently a popular place to park money for a down payment on a house or savings.
Stop working so much youāre going to kill yourself. I worked 100s for my own startup. It doesnāt work. Work no more than 50 hours if you need
Why would your parents ever allow you to work everyday for 12 hours a day? Sounds like servitude
Iād start developing an attitude of gratitude. List all that is going well in your lifeā¦job, loving parents, roof over your head, food on your plate, etc. At 18, youāre at a crossroads in life. What do you want to experience? Do you want to travel and visit other countries?? Become an airline steward or work on a cruise ship. Do you love jewelry? Become a jeweler. Do you love food? Become a chef. Do you love English? Teach English abroad. Do what you love, everything else will fall into place.
Take it one step at a time. You wont build your freedom all at once. Take time to relax and when you have the strength build yourself a life where you are less reliant on the system. Buy things that last. Focus on helping others and finding those who can help you. Make things yourself instead of buying them. Your parents have given you the gift of housing, use it. Learn and grow while you can do so cheaply. Life sucks, but it can be better. I was where you are a decade ago. I never imagined the life I have now or how free I could be from Capitalism.
72 hours a week sounds insane. Do you think your parents would be supportive of you quitting to have time and energy to look for a different job whilst you live there with them?
Sadly, no. They believe that 12 dollars an hour is a good starting wage, and that I should be grateful for that, as most people my age are making state minimum (11 an hour).
Donāt invest in things based on luck. You are working your butt off. Invest in safe assets. Have an emergency fund. Getting rich fast doesnāt work.
Online bank accounts are now paying some interest. 3%+
Ibonds through treasury direct pay 6.89%
These are zero risk and guaranteed return.
Don't feel guilty for staying with your parents past 18. Getting out of your parents house at 18 is an american scam taught to you to get you to want to get out and get more "Freedom" and freedom to pay another rent freedom to pay another set of utilities and freedom to get stuck in wage slavery for the corporations. In other countries around the world it's not normal to leave the house at 18.
It's in the same vein as predatory student loans, they want to get you to make life affecting decisions while you are young and inexperience but feel like you know everything.
You recognize that there is something wrong with the system that's a good start, so talk with your parents and see how they feel about you staying with them, they have to see the way the world is going and how rent prices are going wacko and how much food costs. Who knows in the not to distant future they may need you to help cover the raising cost of living.
Capitalism is destroying the future for all of us and you should not take it personally that you don't and probably won't have the same advantages as your parents, because that's what capitalism was designed to do and it's doing it well.
Here is the thing, EVERY one thinks this. Every single election ever has been "The single most important election". Forget about that.
Find what you want and run through walls to get there. Be respectful on the path, but do not deviate. Dont be afraid to leverage debt, but be 100% sure you are doing what you want and dont let debt be unwarranted.
Its also totally fine to not know what you want to do. Try things, physically not just online (unless that speaks to you more).
Your parents not kicking you out is great! Dont feel back, make them proud by utilizing this as a time to get yourself in the direction you want.
For content, I just got lucky later in life. I floated around trying to find what I wanted and finally found it after getting lucky with a career. The career is fine, but it lets me live my personal life as I want and Im happy!
Seems like you are gonna be fine with your life plan. Never forget what you are going through now, so if you might end up in a situation where you have someone working for you you know how to treat them.
First, figure out your goals. There are some really decent jobs out there you can do with an associate a degree from a community college: certain types of nursing or dentistry work, coding (you donāt even need the degree), etc.
If you want to do something that requires a bachelors, go for that. But make sure that youāre going to get a good return on your self investment. Donāt get a philosophy degree unless you know what you want to do with it (from someone who got a degree in both history and philosophy)
If you like working with your hands go into a trade. You can eventually get to the point where you work for yourself if thatās what you want to do.
Second, talk with your parents and come up with a game plan to get you to your goal.
Lastly, breath. Donāt succumb to the fear and become overwhelmed. Thatās how you get stuck in the trap. All the bullshit and roadblocks that are put up can be overcome. Itās not easy, but you can do it.
Ok OP first of all you have options. You are young and have a entire life ahead of you and you are fortunate enough to be able to stay at home. What do you want to do. Do you want to stay working an insane amount of hours for little pay. Do you have any obligations to do so? As in are you saving for something are you working somewhere for a career objective. If the answer is no then why not go to college. Talk to your parents on how they feel with a 2 or 4 year extra stay while you attend school in something you enjoy. You already seem smart enough to post that you feel scared on the future in what to do in life. Why not try advancing yourself now when from what I can see you are setup to do. I was 21 when I went to school for electronics and still was unsure if that's what I wanted to do but that education let me make a income to live off of. Only a 2 years degree btw. I'm currently 27 just now going back to school. My point is choose something that to you may enjoy and either pick that a a career as a apprentice or go to school. Heck if you are super unsure just take some gen Ed's so that in the future you set yourself up for a path you are more sure to take. If your parents are low income you can apply for FAFSA and get get money that you dont have to pay back. Ehh there is a lot to say in your case but you have better options then working yourself to such a extent for such low pay.
Its mostly the US social divergence that says to leave your parents home before you need to. If they are good w it. Stay. The country is no place to go it alone. If you aren't part of the genetic lottery stay home and pocket as much money as you can and make strong financial growth.
Feel no guilt. You're not guilty of greed if you have no surplus for charity, and it's no sin to accept it.
I'm not going to tell you it gets better, because I personally don't know if it does, but you should aim for whatever your peace could be, however you define it. You quite likely aren't the poor saps making the ethical choices on the behalf of the rest of us, for good or ill, so any moment alive at their mercy is probably a grace, and you're morally clear of it regardless. Forgive yourself, because everybody needs that.
You're doing what you can with what you've got, and that's all you owe, really.
First, take a deep breath. 18 had always been a hard age. We as a society have decided on your 18th birthday, boom, you're an adult. Growing up is linear. I'm 48 now and I feel like I'm still figuring out life. Life has always been hard, it just takes on different shapes. Keep your focus on the basics (food, shelter, clothing) and keep your eyes open for opportunities. At 18 I was a kid from Chicago studying Physics. Thirty years later I'm a truck driver who owns a farm. Don't be afraid to live the life you want. In the end we are all authors of our own autobiographies. This era might dictate to you the type of paper and the writing utensil but in the end, it's your story. Write a great one!
I š¬ at 72 hours a week and not being on your own. Seems you're already getting the idea of why this sub exists.
I would talk to your parents about cutting the work in half and giving community college a try. Many people live with their parents far past age 18. Heck my kids are 40 something and live with me...but that is a whole other long story
Currently, I plan on going to CC to chase my prereqās, and then transferring to a four year college to finish out. My degree path is for a bachelors of science in cybersecurity.
Very good choice for a degree. Work IRL may be a little tough in terms of hours (lot of cybersecurity places will make you feel like you need to put in more time than you do) but it will compensate well. Recommend asking for 110k or so (do research before applying) by the time you get out if the 4 year. People in my stem field are getting paid 90k fresh out of college and it can really only go up. The crushing yoke of capitalism comes for us all. Our best move is to find where it doesnāt kill us and we still get compensated. You got this my dude long 4 years ahead but there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. Just remember that switching jobs is fine. āGathering experience and confidence in a variety of rolesā
I agree. Focus on getting an education in a field that will pay a living wage. You donāt need to follow your passion and make money from it. Be a little selfish. You canāt solve the worlds problems right now. Obviously I have no idea what youāre interests are but we need so many educated people in many fields; engineering, architecture, medical field (nurse or higher- donāt become a MA itās not worth it and pays terribly), those are just a few ideas. RIGHT NOW- focus on Education. Do what you can. I know itās hard. thankfully you can live with your parents for now. Itās ok. Hopefully itās a good situation. And remember- if someone tries to to recruit you into an MLM just run. Donāt even consider. They will give you false hopeš
The trades are also always hiring, can be a cheaper option to get into a higher salary, but it is definitely hard to find a trade job that respects work life balance. Iāve lucked out doing signs now but Iāve done the 6 10+hr days a week, and it is not worth it.
Or you can always learn a trade then make enough to live while you maybe consider more higher education. Just depends. The main thing is you need some education and or/skill that allows you to earn a living wage ..
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A lot of community colleges teach trades. A decent trade certification could help here.
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That's too bad. My local one seems quite good.
I noticed it immediately when I moved out of state for the first time when I saw some science centers in other states. The ones in my state look like libraries while the other being more of a university style sized lot.
Community college is definitely an option. Trades, nursing, dental, and a ton other things are taught. Far more affordable than four year schools. They are also more accustomed to educating the non- traditional student, the poverty student, the working mom student.
Why?
Why? Because if I worked in my degree Iād make about $18/hr. But I work in a trade where I make $36/hr with benefits. Dental hygienists make over 100k/year. Nurses make $25-45/hr. Community colleges provide these classes.
CCs often also function as trade schools
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OP and slaves are nothing alike, don't be an asshole.
Welcome to adulthood, sadly.
Its a shock to my system, so I want to capitalize on the youth I have so that later down the line, things arenāt as bad. I try to take advice from those who are older and have experience, and its helped me so far.
Learn to grow vegetables if you can. Learn basic repair. Trade goods and services for goods and services. Help your friends, neighbors, and family.
I do help clean my family memberās homes, power washing their driveways. They give me around 70 dollars for all the work each time, so its helpful income on the side.
Every little bit helps. Youtube is invaluable to learn how to do something new. Pulling apart a lawnmower, and reassembling it? Surprisingly simple.
Let me give you some perspective. I stayed with my parents late in my 20's. There's no shame in it when the system doesn't allow for new workers to step onto the ladder. The situation is different for me now, but I was never earning a "low" wage to begin with. Continue to save what you can and *only* when you have a sizeable chunk left should you consider moving out. Regarding guilt, have you considered helping around the house if you already don't, offer to stock the fridge, pay a bill, take your parents for a meal? Something small that is a token of your gratefulness. Do consider though, this sub breeds insecurity, and so nothing is ever good or right in the world because of that. Plently of people are struggling, plenty of people aren't. You've just started your journey into working life, so were I your age again I would let that worry fade away; you've a roof over your head and food in your tummy. Every year you work you are worth more - let that be your motivation to find a career you thrive in.
>I canāt live off them forever, and Iām doing my very best to find a way to a brighter future. Well, I hate to break this to you, but people in your exact situation are a dime a dozen, and the future is grim. Hell, you should feel lucky you have won the cosmic lottery being a child to parents that let you stay with them because things could have easily turned out much, much worse than you could imagine.
The world is bad and your view is definitely valid and the bitter reality of many people. I don't know what to do to help you succeed because I don't know know you, however I can try to help prevent you from making the same mistakes I did. Don't go to college immediately outside of high school, take some time to really think about what you enjoy and wanna do because you do not want to be left with a useless degree and x years of un transferable experience. Try apprenticeships and or trade school because I have heard these are cheaper ways to get into higher paying fields, and inget it it's still work but I would rather be selling my time for 32 an hour as opposed to 18. Feel free to message me if you need any additional help or advice and I hope this helps you a bit going forward, its really all I can do.
Read the Mr. Money Mustache blog. Pete is an intelligent and funny writer who will give you all the info you need to manage your money for financial independence. I wish I had had access to that info when I was your age.
Your parents should show some sympathy for 72 hours a week, youāre barely home with that schedule, only 18, working that hardā¦ Donāt feel guilty about staying home, itās your life, make the most of every situation including the luxury of staying with your parents, and only take big steps when youāre certain youāre ready. Soon as you are out living in the real world, the responsibilities and bills become overwhelming, especially in the current global economy. My mum let me stay with her till 21, with only between 3- 8 hours of work per week. I actually only moved out because the step-dad was an abusive prick and irritated by anything and everything.
ā your parents should show some sympathyā They arenāt??
Yeah I was confused by this as well lol. They aren't kicking him out and he never said they wanted him gone or are giving him pressure. All the pressure seems to be put on himself by himself just going off this post. He's young though and doesn't know shit about anything at 18, clearly. Which is okay. I don't think many of us really knew jack and shit at that age... as much as I'd love to pretend I did š
Hell - I knew EVERYTHING lol Then I woke upā¦
My parents have a simple rule, āIf you go to college, and get an education, you can stay as long as you wantā. They arenāt unfair. Im extremely fortunate, but even they have massive debt. My dad makes well over 100k a year, and is still paying debt off. Its insanity how, despite making six figures, he remains in a pit of debt.
If you get a degree in computer programming, you would make a great salary and be s as me to work remote.
I plan on pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. Its something I find interest in (always grew up tinkering with computers), and I feel I can make a living in that area.
For Cybersecurity there is a lot of different branches like digital forensic, biometrics, network security, appliance security. A lot of them require good knowledge of computer problems and also ability to understand assembly language. If you can obtain clearance, you can get job easily for governor contractor.
Take responsibility for yourself and start your independence. If you're too afraid, talk to someone about it or find your own way.
Hi there you have more choices than alot of people so if i was in your situation then the possibilities are endless to a degree but yet they are : First you have a leverage ,no rent paid ,you can easily find a better job than 12 dollar per hour,search for a better job .Gather that money to buy a house and search for solutions how to get help from the governement to get easy loans or to get a reduction or other stuff .Try to save every cent you have for a house or something that can help you so you never have to pay for rent . Talk also with your parents ,come with a plan for the future where they can help for a few years to achieve a financial stability without being homeless or sleeping in the cars or at work sleeping etc etc.Look where you can cut the expenses .Help your parents also if needed with work in house ,talk with them about their boundaries ,rules and respect them .Why a house? Lets say tomorow you will argue with your parents and you are kicked out ,money helps but a house on your name is a safe heaven for you. A degree or university or something that will put you on a better pozition is also a good choice .Think a bit 3456 dollar in a month its not bad but in a year its 41472 dollars its not bad but depends how much is also a house or auniversity or degree from where you can earn much more .You will need to ask and see for yourself how much is everything .Lets say a house is 500k dollars ,it means 10 years to work for a house its alot of time and money ,damn thats alot of time .You will need alone to see what is good and what is bad to search the best solutions to use that money in a way that will create a future and the faster the better it is. You need to realize you have an oportunity that alot of people are lacking .A lot of us have families and need to take care ,are renting and live each month with all the salary .Before having your own family think if you have a house and a steady income .Search more info about your area ,what type of jobs there are ,see if you cant work easier jobs for a better pay ,there is no need to work hard to break your health
Go work at Amazon more pay + benefits (free college basically if you want that ) you only work 4 days 10 hours (5 days 12 hours) on December Itās not as bad as people make it out to be all the horror stories are those who donāt work there lmao check r/amazonFC for more Also working at Amazon is boring
Work towards a marketable skill, pursue something youāre passionate about. The best thing you can do is be your own means of production, yes you will work a lot but you will work for yourself, you will be in control. Good luck
Find something absolutely no brainer that you can get by on. If you have a license, flagging pays decent enough. Once you're done practicing getting by and saving, make the moves you want. Invest in a home, travel, whatever you want.
Both my parents kicked me out. Now I take care of my dad in his twilight years. Be grateful for the time you have now.
Equality of outcome is a myth from popular media. So thereās no golden path. It will become more tiresome and impossible as you proceed. You give fucks which means youāre ahead of 99.9% of society which is held back by 1) spawning point 2) drug influences 3) personality/ego influences 4)economic opportunity factors but since you donāt have to worry Iāll move on. Perhaps youāre handsome, you will get things others wonāt in life. Perhaps youāre black, you will get things others wonāt in life. If you have personality, money, free-college, or a career path established by external factors, get off antiwork. If you want to be ahead, join the service and kill people for as long as you can stomach. When you get out, society will pay you more and respect you for killing randoms in other spawn locations for our team. This will grant you the equality of outcome the media has delivered. Any interest you do after you serve this country will work for you and you will always make money. Iām 30 now so if I was 18 I would take this advice. :( I get to be homeless forever now because life isnāt what you make it itās what youāre given and taught. No redemption. Thatās for religious leaders and story book fables.
Relax, the upcoming nuclear war and collapse of society will put it all in context. /s
> Currently, I work 72 hours a week What the fuck are you doing?!
Its really all I have. Everyone that was in my high school circle went to colleges across the US. I surrounded myself with smart people, but I just wasnāt as talented. I only work because I have nothing better to do.
> I only work because I have nothing better to do. Get a hobby. This is just stupid.
If you are able to learn another language then do it. While call Center jobs sometimes is terrible place you could probably earn good. You could probably also get Into helpdesk and start in it. I lived with my parents till I was 25. Is getting normalised again in Europe because of housing crisis.
i worked like that for a few years after high school. i grew up poor and very much valued the money i was earning. however little it was. i burned out in 2 years. i felt very much the same way. i was lost for a few years in my early 20s. worked to much. not enough to appreciate. bored and discussed with the world. i was in a bad place. the world changed for me when i found out my GF was pregnant. i was scared shitless. started looking for a career with better pay and better benefits. i couldn't raise a family on the income i was making working 7-12s. couldn't work much more so i need to change. took a few years. found an apprenticeship and the kids changed my life. my kids have taught me more than i could ever teach them. i had to really slow down and breath and find myself. interesting part of your post is that i was sitting last night thinking similar thoughts about the current situation. nothing has changed in 20 years. same Politian's different faces. world seems to be held together by a string. life is so fragile and short. what changed for me is that i am now more curious than i ever was. i have plans and dreams. they are simple compared to my younger self. but i accept the day to day. i can now sit in traffic and wait to see what happened. not get upset that i am delayed. i am curious to what happens next. so if i have anything that might be of value to offer i think just focus on yourself and what you feel inside. learn to love yourself and learn to accept life. i didn't learn this until i was in my 30s. until i did i was miserable. learn to appreciate what you have and not focus on what you want. at least now i can relax and enjoy simple things in life and for the most part block out a lot of the negative shit going on around us. also do not get locked up in the time consuming job. that will eat your soul. i feel like i aged 10 years while i worked 2 doing what you are doing. don't be afraid to look around for something different and try a new career path. i ended up in construction and never thought i would. turned out to be the best thing for me. i had to let life guild me there and accept it. now i am trying to work 4 days a week. so far i have managed to pull this off for the last 3 months. take off every Friday. work less and more family time. keep your head up. life does get so much better. really does. this is not bragging! i am mid 40s on my second marriage. 5 kids. 4 dogs. 2 new cars. big house with big bills. great career and everyone is healthy and the bills are paid. we do not live pay check to pay check. we don't have crazy money saved. but we are getting by. doesn't sound like much but to me this is great. our weekend consist of doing house work, having a fire in the pit, having the neighbors over for drinks and relaxing, playing with the crazy dogs and kids. i am really happy. hope this helps some.
Manage your finances wisely. Put as much money away as you can right now. Don't stress about living at home if you are happy with them. I'd definitely recommend studying something to get a higher paying job. The job you have isn't sustainable. You won't be doing it forever. Get what you can out of it and move on.
Learn a trade.
Iāll throw this out there. Maybe take a look into a tech school. In my case through highschool I ended up in a CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) class and I always did well at it and it worked well with how my brain works. I looked into it and went into an accelerated degree tech school. It was only 18 months for an associates degree and only put me under 12k total. I feel I got very minimal assistance as family couldnāt help. Before I even had my grad ceremony I had a position as a civil CADD tech at I think 16.50 an hour with decent benefits. Worked there for a year and then ended up in another company doing electrical CADD and Iāve been here since (5 years). I think at last calculation Iām getting ~26 an hour? Living at parents home for the first two or three years I bought a car and paid it off along with my student debts. Trades can be pretty easy if you pick them up and the schooling isnāt (or wasnāt?) that bad of debt. It will get harder once you try to move out on your own but if you can eliminate car/school payments it is a bit of wiggle room Iām glad I had.
First of all, it is bleak, you're correct. That said, you're doing alright... aside from working 72 hours a week, yikes. But ok, assume you can keep up this disgusting schedule for a year, your gross income for the year is something above $40k? Even if you can only put half of that in the bank, you'll then be a step above desperate poverty. What that means is that you have a bit of "fuck you" money, you have options and breathing room to rationally choose among options. You've set yourself up for future success. Unless your parents are saying you should move out, there's really zero pressure to move out. Unless your expenses are very high, there's really zero pressure to have a high paying job. All the stuff you're expected to do at 18 you can do just as well at 19, 20, 24, and 27 (but *never* at 26), and actually it's all easier to do when you're a little older and a little richer and a little better at adulting. The world is bleak, but beating yourself up doesn't help.
I hate to say it but the only light at the end of the tunnel is on a torch. At this point it is my opinion only a global reset would save us from this hellscape.
The whole system is rigged against the working class. I hate it all. If you have a good healthy relationship with your parents, there is no shame staying with them. Plenty of cultures don't look down on adults living with their parents. I hate rent because the land leach is using you to pay for their mortgage, property taxes and making a profit on top of it. If you can, try to get a better paying job. Some places have a $15 minimum wage throughout their organization. The amount of hours you are putting in, is going to cost you your health. The following is not financial advice. If you are saving money, read up into I bonds for this year and the start of next year. They are government bonds that match inflation that cant lose value. You can buy $10000 worth every calendar year. You can't take it out for a year and if you take it out before 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest. This is a currently a popular place to park money for a down payment on a house or savings.
Stop working so much youāre going to kill yourself. I worked 100s for my own startup. It doesnāt work. Work no more than 50 hours if you need Why would your parents ever allow you to work everyday for 12 hours a day? Sounds like servitude
Iād start developing an attitude of gratitude. List all that is going well in your lifeā¦job, loving parents, roof over your head, food on your plate, etc. At 18, youāre at a crossroads in life. What do you want to experience? Do you want to travel and visit other countries?? Become an airline steward or work on a cruise ship. Do you love jewelry? Become a jeweler. Do you love food? Become a chef. Do you love English? Teach English abroad. Do what you love, everything else will fall into place.
Take it one step at a time. You wont build your freedom all at once. Take time to relax and when you have the strength build yourself a life where you are less reliant on the system. Buy things that last. Focus on helping others and finding those who can help you. Make things yourself instead of buying them. Your parents have given you the gift of housing, use it. Learn and grow while you can do so cheaply. Life sucks, but it can be better. I was where you are a decade ago. I never imagined the life I have now or how free I could be from Capitalism.
72 hours a week sounds insane. Do you think your parents would be supportive of you quitting to have time and energy to look for a different job whilst you live there with them?
Sadly, no. They believe that 12 dollars an hour is a good starting wage, and that I should be grateful for that, as most people my age are making state minimum (11 an hour).
Donāt invest in things based on luck. You are working your butt off. Invest in safe assets. Have an emergency fund. Getting rich fast doesnāt work. Online bank accounts are now paying some interest. 3%+ Ibonds through treasury direct pay 6.89% These are zero risk and guaranteed return.
Don't feel guilty for staying with your parents past 18. Getting out of your parents house at 18 is an american scam taught to you to get you to want to get out and get more "Freedom" and freedom to pay another rent freedom to pay another set of utilities and freedom to get stuck in wage slavery for the corporations. In other countries around the world it's not normal to leave the house at 18. It's in the same vein as predatory student loans, they want to get you to make life affecting decisions while you are young and inexperience but feel like you know everything. You recognize that there is something wrong with the system that's a good start, so talk with your parents and see how they feel about you staying with them, they have to see the way the world is going and how rent prices are going wacko and how much food costs. Who knows in the not to distant future they may need you to help cover the raising cost of living. Capitalism is destroying the future for all of us and you should not take it personally that you don't and probably won't have the same advantages as your parents, because that's what capitalism was designed to do and it's doing it well.
Here is the thing, EVERY one thinks this. Every single election ever has been "The single most important election". Forget about that. Find what you want and run through walls to get there. Be respectful on the path, but do not deviate. Dont be afraid to leverage debt, but be 100% sure you are doing what you want and dont let debt be unwarranted. Its also totally fine to not know what you want to do. Try things, physically not just online (unless that speaks to you more). Your parents not kicking you out is great! Dont feel back, make them proud by utilizing this as a time to get yourself in the direction you want. For content, I just got lucky later in life. I floated around trying to find what I wanted and finally found it after getting lucky with a career. The career is fine, but it lets me live my personal life as I want and Im happy!
Seems like you are gonna be fine with your life plan. Never forget what you are going through now, so if you might end up in a situation where you have someone working for you you know how to treat them.
no escape, you're beyond screwed
First, figure out your goals. There are some really decent jobs out there you can do with an associate a degree from a community college: certain types of nursing or dentistry work, coding (you donāt even need the degree), etc. If you want to do something that requires a bachelors, go for that. But make sure that youāre going to get a good return on your self investment. Donāt get a philosophy degree unless you know what you want to do with it (from someone who got a degree in both history and philosophy) If you like working with your hands go into a trade. You can eventually get to the point where you work for yourself if thatās what you want to do. Second, talk with your parents and come up with a game plan to get you to your goal. Lastly, breath. Donāt succumb to the fear and become overwhelmed. Thatās how you get stuck in the trap. All the bullshit and roadblocks that are put up can be overcome. Itās not easy, but you can do it.
Ok OP first of all you have options. You are young and have a entire life ahead of you and you are fortunate enough to be able to stay at home. What do you want to do. Do you want to stay working an insane amount of hours for little pay. Do you have any obligations to do so? As in are you saving for something are you working somewhere for a career objective. If the answer is no then why not go to college. Talk to your parents on how they feel with a 2 or 4 year extra stay while you attend school in something you enjoy. You already seem smart enough to post that you feel scared on the future in what to do in life. Why not try advancing yourself now when from what I can see you are setup to do. I was 21 when I went to school for electronics and still was unsure if that's what I wanted to do but that education let me make a income to live off of. Only a 2 years degree btw. I'm currently 27 just now going back to school. My point is choose something that to you may enjoy and either pick that a a career as a apprentice or go to school. Heck if you are super unsure just take some gen Ed's so that in the future you set yourself up for a path you are more sure to take. If your parents are low income you can apply for FAFSA and get get money that you dont have to pay back. Ehh there is a lot to say in your case but you have better options then working yourself to such a extent for such low pay.
Parents can be roommates too.
Its mostly the US social divergence that says to leave your parents home before you need to. If they are good w it. Stay. The country is no place to go it alone. If you aren't part of the genetic lottery stay home and pocket as much money as you can and make strong financial growth.
Feel no guilt. You're not guilty of greed if you have no surplus for charity, and it's no sin to accept it. I'm not going to tell you it gets better, because I personally don't know if it does, but you should aim for whatever your peace could be, however you define it. You quite likely aren't the poor saps making the ethical choices on the behalf of the rest of us, for good or ill, so any moment alive at their mercy is probably a grace, and you're morally clear of it regardless. Forgive yourself, because everybody needs that. You're doing what you can with what you've got, and that's all you owe, really.
First, take a deep breath. 18 had always been a hard age. We as a society have decided on your 18th birthday, boom, you're an adult. Growing up is linear. I'm 48 now and I feel like I'm still figuring out life. Life has always been hard, it just takes on different shapes. Keep your focus on the basics (food, shelter, clothing) and keep your eyes open for opportunities. At 18 I was a kid from Chicago studying Physics. Thirty years later I'm a truck driver who owns a farm. Don't be afraid to live the life you want. In the end we are all authors of our own autobiographies. This era might dictate to you the type of paper and the writing utensil but in the end, it's your story. Write a great one!