<p>As an option why dont you go to a State U, take federal loans and live on them untill you graduate. Then you will be in the same place every other 22-23 year old is when they graduate. You can live in the dorms and get a part time job.</p>
<p>As an option, one can also maintain close to perfect GPA at in-state college and get most tuition paid by university Merit scholarships. Now this is completely in your hands.</p>
<p>North burb of Chicago ? Try putting up an ad in the local North Shore papers ? Or even posting ads around the community centers/ Jewel/Treasure Island of Winnectka/Glencoe/Wilmette/Evanston. There are lots of families looking for live -in nannies. </p>
<p>You can enrol in Oakton or another cc close by. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>If you MUST move out:</p>
<p>See if you can make a room and board arrangement with someone who has a spare room. Lots of people would like a roommate to help keep a place up. You keep the house clean, mow the lawn, do the shopping, and cook dinner every day in exchange for a room and a share in the dinner. </p>
<p>Next you need a SMALL income to make ends meet. Search the neighborhood. Are there people who need the lawn mowed once a week? Flowers weeded? Maybe someone else will let you start a vegetable garden and you can sell some of the produce? What about dog walking or house sitting? Is there someone who wants their garage cleaned out?</p>
<p>Have you checked Craigslist for parttime or one-off jobs? </p>
<p>Minimize your expenses. Sell stuff you really don’t need and don’t want. Get rid of the car. Plan on walking places or riding a bike.</p>
<p>Sometimes you can also get a live-in job caring for an elderly person. My daughter was a live in nanny when she was 19 for a 2 career family with 5 kids (his + theirs, and there was a set of twins in there). You never know who people will hire. If you present yourself well and seem trustworthy and like you have half a brain, you might just look better than the competition. Google nannies and you’ll find lots of places you can register with. However… be aware that when people hire a live-in nanny, sometimes what they really want is a live-in slave. </p>
<p>My D had one job working for a recently divorced mom of 3 year old triplets (!) one of whom was special needs. This mom was running wild after the divorce and often would just not come home until the wee hours of the morning…for many days in a row. D was running out of groceries and absolutely could not take those 3 kids to the grocery store. It was bad. So, if you take a nanny job, be sure to ask for a contract which clearly spells out your hours and responsibilities.</p>
<p>*However… be aware that when people hire a live-in nanny, sometimes what they really want is a live-in slave. *</p>
<p>oh yeah- just talk to someone who has signed up to be an au pair abroad.</p>
<p>I have been a nanny at two different times for single moms-
one treated me very well- the other was barely scraping by herself- but that made her not such a good employer.</p>
<p>I probably should explain somewhat since I feel like I’ve been wasting all your time here. In my heart I probably know I’m not going to move out, not from any sense of a good relationship with my mom but just out of the fear I won’t make it on my own. I don’t have much experience, I grew up pretty sheltered, and I’m just too worried I won’t be able to hold on to a job and such to get by. I’m really not picky about my surroundings, any place would be fine with me if it had the basics, but I just don’t think I can manage with practical no skills, financial knowledge, money or education, etc. Other people could but I’m just not that smart.</p>
<p>I reluctantly put up that post though because I’ve been feeling miserable at home. I am depressed about not being able to get a job and instead of being comforting my mom is berating me for being unskilled and boring and stupid, etc, saying its all my fault and if I don’t cheer up and meet her standards she will throw me out of the house. She did this kind of thing during winter break but at least I felt like I would be going back to school soon then. I just feel trapped here now, and I am too depressed/ashamed/scared to go see any friends. Thank you for all the advice though, it was very sweet and thoughtful.</p>
<p>‘I just don’t think I can manage with practical no skills, financial knowledge, money or education, etc.’</p>
<p>If it really seems like the home situation will never improve, take the time this summer to learn about finances and acquire some skills. Use online resources or your public library. Do what is necessary to assure you will not be in this position next summer.</p>