rawrrxlaurr Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 So, I just ended a three year relationship and before that had been in two other serious relationships. So from the time I was 16 until now(I am turning 25 next month) I have been in relationships. I graduated from high school but never went to college, and have been working as a waitress for the last seven years. Things started off well, I got my first job at 17 working at Pizza Hut and met the guy I would be with for the next four years. I worked hard and bought and paid off my first car. My credit was great. Fast forward to now, I had to have my newest car repoed when my ex quit his job and I couldn't afford to pay all of the bills on my own. I owe on all of our apartment bills because everything was in my name, although I was able to finish the lease thankfully. My credit has gone to ****. I am now single again at 25, no degree, working in the food industry and living at my parents with no car. It is so hard to stay optimistic. I plan on getting into school for LPN in the next few months but I need to save for a car first. Can anyone relate or has anyone been in this position, if so any words of encouragement?? 5 Link to post Share on other sites
pink_sugar Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I hear you. I am also 25, been with my husband almost 9 years. We lived on our own for 6.5 before I got laid off my job and were forced to move and live with family. We share one car, our credit isn't so great, but we're working on repairing our credit by getting credit cards with a small limit and paying them off each month. I would get a secured card if I were you and use it minimally while paying off the balance each month. We do both have bachelors degrees, but we still don't make a whole lot of money. What I think you should do is think about what you'd like to do for a career long term. Think practically and chose a major that you would like that doesn't cost an insane amount of money for schooling, but that will guarantee better pay. I would speak with a career counselor and enroll part time at a community college while you work full time to get yourself back on your feet. In the meantime, save yourself some money and take public transit if you are able to in your area. No shame in that. Just know you're not alone. Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Never pay anybody else's bills before your own. If you can stay at your parents until you get your financial feet under you again, do that. Do you have any skills besides hospitality? Can you get some? If you can't in the short term can you work a more expensive place so you make more money? Good news is, you do have the mom & dad safety net & you are only 25. Go to your local library & read books about being financially savvy. Make sure you start to save for retirement. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
jm2013 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 (edited) I'm 30, never went to college either. When I was 18-20 I worked at Best Buy selling computers in their computer department. In my early teens I took an interest in computers and online technology and taught myself web development and marketing. I had also learned about computer hardware and networking. Before this I was also working jobs like banquets and a couple pizza places. When I turned 20 I was able to land a job for an insurance agency in their computer department and grew a career out of it. At 23 my wife and I built our first home. We had leased our apartment prior to building for 2 years. Fast forward to today and I operate a handful of online businesses and have a new startup I've been working on launching Q1 of 2015. I guess what I'm trying to say is you should dig deep inside and play around with stuff that interests you. If you LOVE being on a computer and working on them there are TONS of things you can do to make money online. The best part about working online is the ability to travel wherever you want, when you want and still have control over everything. I work with freelance graphics artists, writers and coders all who make a great living online. Most of these people like me, do not have a college education. They have a burning desire (entrepreneurship) that fuels the engines to acquire money rather easily. I've seen my cousin blow through almost 100k + on his education to come out making an annual income UNDER the total loan amount that was borrowed. Good luck to you. Just know there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you work hard at it and are constant you can and will live in financial freedom if managed right no matter which path you take. Edited December 4, 2014 by jm2013 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Rainbowlove Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 So, I just ended a three year relationship and before that had been in two other serious relationships. So from the time I was 16 until now(I am turning 25 next month) I have been in relationships. I graduated from high school but never went to college, and have been working as a waitress for the last seven years. Things started off well, I got my first job at 17 working at Pizza Hut and met the guy I would be with for the next four years. I worked hard and bought and paid off my first car. My credit was great. Fast forward to now, I had to have my newest car repoed when my ex quit his job and I couldn't afford to pay all of the bills on my own. I owe on all of our apartment bills because everything was in my name, although I was able to finish the lease thankfully. My credit has gone to ****. I am now single again at 25, no degree, working in the food industry and living at my parents with no car. It is so hard to stay optimistic. I plan on getting into school for LPN in the next few months but I need to save for a car first. Can anyone relate or has anyone been in this position, if so any words of encouragement?? You are still very young and have your whole life to live. You are not tied to anyone, so this is fantastic news. Sky is the limit here. I didn't go to college until I was in my late 20's and graduated at 35 earning a degree in Women's Studies. What did I do before that? I made sandwiches, then owned a commercial cleaning business with family, I served food at a hotel, coached athletics, worked with at risk youth, became a police officer and now I'm a college administrator making a very decent salary with lots of great benefits; including a free master's degree. Don't let this time period keep you down. Focus on your goal and make it happen. You have to use visulatization techniques. See it clearly and make it happen one step at time. I am the only college graduate in my family. I come from a long line of blue collar workers who didn't believe in me or understand my pursuit in education, but that didn't stop me. Now, I'm in my early 40's and settled and financially able to support my family. Once you get your degree, no one can take it away from you. Surround yourself with like-minded goal oriented people. You are still so young. Keep going forward. Good luck. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 So then maybe this is your chance to start fresh! Turn a blank page! You only have one life to love what you do after all! So figure out what you love to do and start from there.. Let everything else fit into place around that! Link to post Share on other sites
Author rawrrxlaurr Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 Thanks everyone. You all gave me some great advice, I am feeling much better about things now. I am just going to focus on building my life and continuing my education and everything else will fall into place. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
EgoJoe Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Everybody goes through life at their own pace. You can get new stuff, you can't replace experience and personal growth. You can always sell cars. Learning sales skills can translate into a large number of things. Including how to communicate. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I wish you the best in your pursuits. Getting your LVN is a great choice. It's a good job by itself but it also gives the you opportunity to continue to RN. I've seen upgrade programs all over the place. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
PogoStick Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Well you are way ahead of me. I'm starting over at age 37 and about to start a program for a 4 year RN (BSN). Since I already have a bachelors degree I will be finished in 18 months. It will go by fast and I'll be able to work anywhere in the country for $60k / year. Then there are advanced nursing options down the road if I want to continue. LPN is a good start, especially if you're not sure nursing is right for you. It will get you a reasonable base career but don't hold back from getting the BSN if you enjoy it. It will double your earnings. Also, at your age if your parents don't claim you as a dependent you might qualify for Pell Grants which could pay for a large chunk, if not all, of your costs at a community college. If you can live at home for free then you could power through your LPN in 2 years or less, debt free. Work your ass off for the next 6 months at 2 jobs, make a bunch of quick cash, and then get started on your school. Link to post Share on other sites
unforgotten Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Its always kind of a shock for me how can such a beautiful girl as you have such a low self esteem. You can do whatever you want with your life. Keep up the good work! Link to post Share on other sites
Van AZN Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 All you need to do is FOCUS Follow One Course Until Success. Don't waiver, find your support group, burst through hurdles. Best of luck! Link to post Share on other sites
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