Did you move out yet?

I left home at 18, immediately after graduating high school. Couldn't stand my family situation. One of the bigger mistakes in my life. No one had ever really told me what the real world was like, and of course, I thought I could handle it. There was a lot of talk in my house about "when you turn 18" and blah blah blah. I had been working since I was 14 or so, I thought I had it under control.

I lived with a friend from high school for a year, an hour away from my family. She didn't see out her share of the year-long lease and long story short: ditched me with all of the rent, not just half, so she could up and attend Emerson in Boston instead of finishing classes at Worcester State . I couldn't afford the rent, and on when I was coming up short every month, I had to move back home instead of renewing my lease.

Stayed home until I was 24, saving the bux. Moved into an apartment in 2007 with Chris. Bought our first home this past winter. Hope to be here at least 3 years.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Zip

Never understood that taking rents from their kids (unless the family really needs it) and kicking them out shit.

I understand living at home for free when you're a student or whatever, but past a certain age, kids should be paying rent to their parents.

At least that's how I see it.

I know some parents who've let their entire. brood. come live back at home because the kids are just too lazy to get their asses some income. It's easier to just have your mom baby you for the rest of your life, even when you've got kids of your own, apparently.

Seriously. Three kids, one house, one parent, all kids over the age of 25 (one in their mid-30s), all kids completely capable of working, all kids bringing the boyfriend/girlfriend over, some to live in the house.

There have got to be limits. Every one of those kids should be paying rent. I don't understand it at all. I guess whatever money they earn at their part-time pizza delivery jobs they spend on cigarettes and gasoline each week.

Ugh. Pisses me off just thinking about it.

Meanwhile, Midna's parents seem to have taken the opposite extreme. I know some of those parents, too. "Congratulations, you graduated high school. Hand over your key." The couple of people I knew who got treated like this actually turned out to be awesome, hard-working kids who've done very well since their kick-outs.

[/rant]

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I don't agree with the military as being your escape. Hell, some people on this very forum entered the military in hopes of getting a free education and better job prospects, and have not since seen those things returned with any ease.

If you have a hard time finding a job in the service industry, I promise you'll have no stamina to fight the military for what you need. You WILL eventually get free school... if you know what you're doing, and you're determined. But in my opinion, the military preys on people like yourself.

I don't understand your circumstances, though. I have never understood those circumstances, and I have some very close people to me who are in the same dire straits.

I've been piss-broke before. And I mean so broke that I had no money for even fast food. I was counting pennies. I'd pray for a snowstorm so I could make $5 shoveling out a drive way, rake leaves, anything for a break.

You seem like you can read and write English fairly well. That right away means you've got a head start on some of the people out there applying for jobs. You have to lower your standards, and you have to suck it up. You're 21. Time is ticking.

Networking, I find, is pretty important, especially for those of us who have no formal education. If you know people, and you have a good rapport, you can find good opportunities. You need to be a social kind of person for this, though... I get the feeling you're not very social, no?

Also (oh god denicalis is going to come in here and slam me so hard), have you considered the TRADES?

Formal education isn't always the path for everyone. The trades are just as important (and I find often undervalued) in this society as anything. Explore your options, and use what you love as guidance. Don't lock yourself into a classroom and/or academia because you feel like there's no other option. There are always options... you just need to WANT them.

Meanwhile, stop making so many excuses for yourself. Getting a job isn't a RIGHT. It's a COMPETITION. You need to outshine the guy in front of you and the guy in back of you. Do what it takes to get that job at Store XYZ. Stay on top of it. Be disciplined. There is no retail job too small or too stupid. If they pay you, you will take it.

YOU CAN DO IT.

((Edit: Before I get jumped on, that last paragraph should be considered in light of the economy. So yea. I know there is NOTHING out there right now, and what IS out there is getting scooped up by people who would likely have more experience. So forgive me on that front. STILL, BE VIGILANT! You never know! And network like a madman, would you))

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by a_lurker

In shitty jobs? Not really. Like, I don't know if McDonalds cares much, but nobody wants to hire a person who is suspiciously too well-trained for a position; he'll just leave at the first opportunity. This doesn't apply to Lyth's situation and I hope he doesn't listen to this.

Look. I'm just sayin'. I don't want people all up in my face because I'm all WHY CAN'T YOU GET A JOB, KID?! YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE! The economy is shit, and you're right about McDonald's and all, but I don't want to hear about what a heartless bitch I am.

I actually kinda think a lot of it is bullshit too. Pity me, excuse me, blah blah blah. I've heard a LOT of that shit before from many, many people. Not saying he actually is lying, I'm just not pushing it.

At least Devo can own up and be honest. (And I'm pretty sure you're still in school, aren't you Devo?)

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?