<p>I would like to live independently before or as soon as I graduate college. Where I live can get draining and stuffy. Sometimes I feel trapped and I’ve wanted an excuse to get out of here since middle school.</p>
<p>I’m able to do just about any self-care task myself. I can keep every room in the house clean, wash my clothes, wash the dishes, and somewhat cook. I think I can handle living independently because of this. Hopefully I get one of the jobs I applied for but it is not guaranteed. I have this Internet job where I expedite and answer questions from text messages, but it doesn’t pay very much and sometimes I forget to do it.</p>
<p>The only plan I have so far is to save as much money as possible. A friend told me that whenever she breaks a dollar, she saves the change and put it in a jar. Then she put it in the coin machine and ended up with $300 in a few months. That’s obviously not enough for my plans, but I took her advice and hopefully I get a good amount of money. I’m also trying hard to only spend money when it’s absolutely necessary. </p>
<p>I’ve also applied to quite a few essay contests, raffles and surveys with cash prizes. Hopefully, I win at least one of them.
I’m not saying that I’m poor, but I’m too binded to my parents’ money. They don’t want to take care of me for the rest of my life, but at the same time they act as if they have to anyway. To make a long story short, I’ve had a difficult history with them and they don’t have much faith in me. It’s not for disciplinary reasons as even they admit that I’m more well-behaved than the average kid.
I just don’t want to be stuck here for the rest of my life. I just want some breathing space from the world I know.
Sorry if this bothers anyone, but I just want opinions on how to actually go through with this.</p>
<p>How many more years before you graduate? What jobs will you be able to get?How much money per month will you need to cover rent, food, transportation, utilities, incidentals? Can you live with a relative? Good Luck.</p>
<p>Have you thought about filling out applications for jobs that pay a decent salary and benefits? I think the plans you have right now are good, but only to supplement another job. Have you gradutated college yet? If so, what was your major? Though, its hard there Are jobs out there, but you have to go after them. Saving coins is a good idea, but really won’t add up fast enough to pay rent, food, utilities etc…it is a good way to save for vacations or special things you’d like to buy. Maybe you should talk to some freinds to see if you could become roommates with someone…something like that. But the real truth is, that there is just not shortcut for anyone…most especially in this economic climate. Hard work and perseverance is what you need. If you really want to break away from where you are now, you need a really solid plan. I’m looking forward to my gives becoming self-sufficient, but realize that it may take longer for one of them, then the other, lol. She had a job before graduation…he is going on to grad school…a must for the career he wants to persue. </p>
<p>I think I can pretty safely say…you won’t be stuck in your situation for the rest of your life…just get smart and make some real decisions. You are now in charge of your own destiny. There does come a point in all of our lives where we have to choose the next step, even if we aren’t sure what that is. But, you are a grown up now. Trying to win contests, etc…well, thats in a way just gambling. Trying to find the easy, fastest way out. You can try the lottery while you’re at it. Yes some people can win essay contests…but…umm…I’m guessing actually going out and getting a job is the way to go…the other things are stuff you can do when you’re bored and tired after work.</p>
<p>Its not easy to earn a living!! That’s why its called work.
Good Luck</p>
<p>^ About two years. To be honest, I don’t know what kind of job I’m going to get. I’m currently in the liberal arts program and going to transfer into something along the lines of journalism. Maybe English or communication? Sometimes I have off days with my writing, like right now for example. So maybe it’s not a good idea. I’m not sure how much money per month would cover the bills as I didn’t look into that yet. I just seriously thought of this yesterday. There was a time when I lived with my grandma and aunt for a few weeks. It was okay, but I didn’t want to live there because there would be a new set of issues. I’m not close to any other relatives.</p>
<p>Not a parent but as I remember you attend a CC, is there no place you can get a nice scholarship and some good fin. aid to attend school away from home? It sounds like financial independence would be nice, but the main thing you need is simply the emotional and physical space from your relation with your parents. I’m thinking if you get good grades and look around for private/University scholarships and/or you have a high EFC, you might be able to make this happen for at least 2 years and then use your new college’s career placement services to find a real job.</p>
<p>If you can’t do that though, there are career services at your CC too and so that is definitively a good place to go for finding a good paying job or, at the least, a 2nd job so you can maybe rent an apartment with some roommates.</p>
<p>You could live in a housing cooperative even if you do not have much of a job. Very inexpensive but you spend a few hours each week working on cooking or cleaning or grocery shopping; work to keep the house running. This isn’t really “independent” but it is more independent than living with family. (If this appeals to you, you could look at university area housing cooperatives that accept non students.)</p>
<p>Also investigate cohousing arrangements; you could live with an elderly person who would appreciate having a young person available sometimes.</p>
<p>Also I thought I’d throw out the idea of “tuition free” colleges (they do apparently exist, lol, not sure about their transfer policies though…)</p>
<p>^ I go to a state school. I have consulted a career center and they have helped me write a resume. Through them I found an internship, but I’m not sure if I’m going to get the job. Everything is very competitive these days.</p>
<p>Does your school have housing? Can you apply to become a residential advisor? This will be free room and board many places. Can you stay at school during the summer with internships/work at school. Talk to your school…</p>
<p>You might be surprised at the benefits available in a lot of retail positions. Usually you have to work 32+ hours to qualify, but with summer coming up you might be able to swing that. Co-op housing is cheap, otherwise roommates will be a must, or you might have to settle for renting a room. (assuming off-campus housing is cheaper than living in the dorms.)</p>
<p>Constant employment will be your biggest concern. Unfortunately in this economic climate, that might mean a job at a coffee house/fast food restaurant/bookstore/etc. On-campus employment usually pays better, if you can find a position.</p>
<p>Looking into an RA position was a good suggestion.</p>