Financial Challenges Support Group
This community is for people who are struggling to meet financial obligations of any kind. Financial challenges include everything from the day-to-day challenges of making ends meet to managing credit card debt to bankruptcy. Get support from others who are going through similar obstacles on the road back to financial stability.
I am a 19 yr old female and my troubles are centered around money. And I can't drive. No one in my family is wealthy or have enough money to help me get things I need. Like a car. And since I'm in school about an hour away (at least) from all family, I can't depend on them to take me to a job or anything. So I'm using the little money my parents have and it's getting to me. I really want my own and everyone around me (my age, above, and slightly younger) is successful (for their age) and I'm doing nothing besides school. I'm depending on refund checks. And my rm and her ppl are real nice. We're friends and her family knows me.
I'm now abt to go into my junior year and she wants to move in to an apartment (on campus) but I wouldn't be able to pay rent w/o student loans. Bc I can't get a job w/o depending on a ride. And the only job I could do would be the semester jobs and a restaurant that is right by the apartments. Walking distance. But I don't think they're hiring and I have relatively no experience.
So I said all that to ask, should I move into this apartment? They would say "it's cheaper than living in dorms!" And they also have given me a lot considering I'm not their family. And if I don't move into this apartment I'd feel like a user, or like a bad friend/person. But also if I do move in this place using student loans, I feel like that would mess up my future. Especially considering how I would have to use student loans if I go to med school.
I've been down about this for monthssss and I don't want to just do something bc I would hurt feelings if I didn't.
I really want to give up.
Welcome to adulthood. It can be adventurous. You appear to be very resourceful so let's explore employment opportunities. Employers want resourceful people, almost desperate but dependable workers, willing to work any job, starting at the bottom, finding available transportation (buses, cabs, Uber), sometimes more than the skilled workers that may not have the need to work. So don't underestimate your employability. If you are pre-med (or not) you may be able to tutor. How about waitress, baby sitting, animal watching/walking, semester jobs, yard work, roommate's laundry, etc. Remember, you are resourceful. Create a need.
Now assuming you can find a job, create a budget. Will you have enough to pay for rent and a car payment? What kind of job(s) would that take? Would you have to take some time off from school to become financially solvent? This may allow allow you to move into an apartment while working full time.
Write out your long term goals. Break them down into intermediate (daily) goals that are specific and measurable. so you can hold yourself accountable. If you miss a goal, reset it. It happens to all of us. Note: These goals must be consistent with your values!
Good luck and if you need help with setting these goals, let us know. You may also need to provide your values so we can help you set appropriate long and short term goals.