Work smart or starve?

[Furismo]

I am looking for some advice since i'm really depressed.

I moved from Wisconsin to North Carolina about two years ago with my parents. I'm 19 almost 20. I want to move out of my parents house but it's just impossible. I recently got a temporary part-time job as a cashier making $8 per hour. It took me about a year just to get this job! I live in a town with less than 2,000 population so the opportunities are non-existent. $8 in this town is considered a high wage . I'm basically trapped in this town with no way to leave! This area is way to remote!

I have a GED and am very experienced with computers. I have been thinking of a way to make a living by creating my own job but it's not easy when you are starting out with next to nothing. I have calculated over and over that all my living expenses would be around $900 a month. I just keep coming to the conclusion that I MUST create my own job or be stuck with these poor paying jobs that just make me feel plain miserable.

When I hear stories of older generations buying there first houses at a young age and being able to live comfortably it just makes me sad. I can't even afford a small basic apartment and some older generations were already buying there first house at my age! It just pisses me off!

 

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[bigscoop]

First, don't let it get you down and never give up. It's better to have failed a thousand times then to have never tried, so never give up. When you quit, or lose heart, you can only lose.

 

[spartacus53]

Furismo, you are kind of on the right track, but just missing the station You have to look at this from a different angle, as you want to create a job, not a company.. There is a world of difference there. First you need to list company's that currently operate in your area, and then read up on them. See if their business even catches your fancy. Once you find an area you would like to work, get an understanding of that company's SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) and see you can build them a better mouse trap.

 

[Austin Powers]

I was in your situation once. I had an idea to improve a product but the distributor showed no interest.
My solution was to take his clients and show them the improvement.
How did I get those clients ?
By patiently building up a client base from Dumpster diving over a 3 month period.
When I had what I wanted I made my move and the rest of my new business was word of mouth.

 

[lost]

Not trying to be a smart a$$. But, have you thought about joining one of the Military Branches? I grew up in a small southern town. To broke and dumb for collage. That was my way out into the world. Thinking back, best decision I've ever made. Still dumb, but far from broke. Good luck.

 

[packerbacker]

I did the same thing as lost. I joined the military at 17 and by the time I was about to turn 20 I had completed three tours overseas. You learn many things in the military that you don't even realize 'til you get out. How to work as a team, how to think and make instant decisions on your feet, discipline, leadership, and other skills that are just beyond the scope of many young folks today. The best parts about it are seeing other parts of the world, being trained and then trusted with an important job at a young age, NOT living with mommy and daddy, getting paid, free medical while you're in, acquiring self confidence and a sense of pride, earning college credits, qualifying for VA home loans and earning veteran's preference for federal jobs after you get out. I got my GED while I was in the service and did a little college after I got out. Another BIG plus is you acquire friends for LIFE. No high school reunion in the world can compare to reunions of service members that served together. We don't worry about how we look or how accomplished our after-service lives were, all we care about is each other and our well-being just like when we served. I have a granddaughter right now that is in the Navy. She went to school for nearly a year after boot camp to learn her job. She is now doing a 3-year tour in Sicily working in a desalination plant turning salt water into fresh. She sends pics of her and her friends on the beaches of the Mediterranean and pics from different cities in Italy. Besides making me very proud, I know I don't have to worry about her, she can take care of herself. Think it over. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[Calvin.Coin]

Another option is to pick up and go...you are old enough. Move to a good sized city and get a job, apartment and maybe enroll in community college which isn't expensive and will give you paperwork confirming your ability with computers...

Even if you don't choose college, a move of your own choosing might still be in order (you were still a child when you relocated with your parents, you are an adult now)...I traveled extensively worldwide at your age and will never regret it!

sincerely,
cc

 

[GoBig]

If you are looking to make a change, one of the best things that you can do is really sit down and think about what you are passionate about. What do you really enjoy doing, and try to create a plan/career path based on your financial needs that will allow you to do what you love to do.

One more thought, the only thing that truly guarantees failure is giving up! Never give up. All successful people have been where you are at right now. Some of life's greatest opportunities are revealed during life's hardest times! Keep working at it!

Good Luck!

 

[Ace350]

If you are good with computers as you say and you can repair them.
Perhaps you could start a traveling computer repair business on the side.
Start by putting up small advertisements with phone# on the local food stores bulletin boards.
In the beginning you must take most of the money you make from this side business and reinvest it back in the business.
Thats how most entrepreneurs started out.

 

[lost]

Great Post Packerbacker. You nailed it solid. Many thanks for the read.

 

[TxMike]

I don't really know you but I know a little about your situation. I went from a nothing job to a "nice" white collar sales job I hated then back to scrubbing toilets and then to a decent blue collar job and finally to the job I now have and love. ( I left out a few other crappy jobs in between all these as well) I didn't stay where I was because I wasn't either happy with the pay and possibilities or the job itself. The point is you have to make your own future. No one is going to hand it to you. I understand how you think because I thought the same way. Most of us do because that's how we are taught in school. School is just a prep to be some one else's employee. I'm not saying give up on education. I'm saying LEARN something and learn to work hard. Learn a skill that you know will be in demand into the future and don't be afraid to branch off from there. You know computers. OK, what about networking or electronics? Graphic design? What do you really know and like?
I agree with those folks that mentioned the military as a start but play it smart. Use the military to teach you a marketable skill. Almost every job in civilian life is avalable in the military. You can get money for college, even take college courses while you are in the service at a heck of a discount. I knew of a guy that almost had his bachelor's degree in Computer Science after one 4yr hitch in the Army. He had a plan and stuck to it. It's easy to get distracted by those that don't share your vision.
Stick with the three P's and you will succeed. Persistence, Perserverance, and Patience!

 

[Rebel - KGC]

Great Post Packerbacker. You nailed it solid. Many thanks for the read.

Agree with pb, lost & TxMike; computer skills are GREATLY needed in ALL military branches. Good Luck to ya.

 

[0121stockpicker]

Great advice above. Long term plan - military, college or tech school on GI bill and then move to a decent sized city and network big time. Then work your ass off and save/invest early.

 

[Rebel - KGC]

Great advice above. Long term plan - military, college or tech school on GI bill and then move to a decent sized city and network big time. Then work your ass off and save/invest early.

YEP! 0121 got it correct; do your own research & investigation (R & I) on training/using computers in the US Armed Forces.
"Google" US Armed Forces - Training/Utilization (use of) computers in the US Air Force, US Navy, US Army, US Marines; I know about the Air Force, Navy, & Army; NOT sure of Marines. You will still have to have MEDICAL exam (physical/mental) & BASIC Training... working SMART is MORE important than working hard. (MHO) Agree with investing $$$$$$$$$$, also.