What should I do about working 2 jobs at 20yrs old?

Question

I am 20 and have a 1 yr old boy. I live with both him as his mother in an apartment im renting. The thing is I've been working two jobs since october and havent had a day off since christmas. I work all week at a Burger Restaurant during the night and on weekends I work in a Seafood restaurant. I have been able to keep in tack with the bills, but i come all tired home and never really have time to spend with the family. Since there is only one car, and I cant afford much of child day care, My wife(18) stays at home taking care of our child. I applied for a college in Jan. but gave up when the Thea exam came, because I didnt had enough cash for it, and time to study before it. I'ved thought about quitting the seafood job. what should I do? Im only 20, can I still have hope in my life of achieving something better. how? I need help. Dont want to continue working two jobs forever.

Answer 1

What state do you live in? You can search jobs through the Civil Service Commission, both State jobs and locally. I live in PA, and the site is: scsc.state.pa.us.

If you have been a resident of your state for at least a year, you are eligible and can sign up to take a Civil Service exam at no cost. There are hundreds of job categories, but one of the easiest to get placed in is clerical. If you can type at least 40WPM, you will pass. You can get books at the library that help you with the "written" portion. (It's technically taken on a computer.) They test you on your filing skills, interpersonal skills & ability to take directions/manage your time, and simple math. The whole thing takes about an hour.

Then, they put you on a state and local list and you start receiving job announcements in the mail. The higher your test score, the better your chance of getting a good job. Most appointments start at $22,000/year and you get $1,000 a year raise on average. Some appointments start at $24-30k. It all depends on what category you choose, and how well you do on the test.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Sorry about your situation. I had to work two jobs out of college because I graduated in psychology (so the mere fact of going to college means little, it's the major). I'm just now at the point where I can work one job, after working 75 hr weeks for 5 years. However, I just make enough to survive w/o worrying about bills, but not enough to actually live. My plan? Going back to school.

Your situation is different since you have a kid. I can't imagine what responsibilities that would bring or what restrictions that will place on your freedom. However, if you can, try to obtain a job in a field in which you want to major. Many times the employer will pay for your tuition if they believe you will use your education/training there.

I also know of someone who was trained to become an electrician. He was never a good student but makes more money than any other friend. He started by working for someone he knew, and that's about it.

Of course, you can join the military. It's not for everyone, but they do offer education. Your family will have a place to live for free and you would be able to get a better paying job upon being discharged.

Answer 3

I'm thinking about doing the same thing cause I got a kid on the way but I'm 30.
What you can do is downgrade your bills and see if that helps. I got a rental based on my income, which includes water.I don't care about what people think of my place. If you can get a small rental for less go for it. Save on energy bills, don't leave stuff on all day long, disconnect your cable TV and use a regular antenna from walmart to get local TV stations free(i did this for 3 years and saved a lot). You don't need cable to survive and the extra time you got not watching TV can be spent having real quality family time.
Since you are only 20 that's great and too your advantage. You need to get out of the dead end restaurant job eventually. It's where i also started my work life.
If you are into trades. A great thing to do is find out about your State apprentice program, just google about it.
As an apprentice you'll get all the training you need on the job, and earn while you train...which is even better than college education. They have programs in Electrician, Telecommunications, Linesmans and many more.
Plus you'll gain skills for a real career. Most start at around $9-10 per hour and by the end of 4 years you'll be making at least $20/hour as a journeyman.So at 25 you could be making $20 buck an hour by then you'll be able to save and go back to college, get a degree and change careers if you hate working in trades. I wish someone I told me about this when i was 20. But if you not into trades I'd try to get a job in something you really want to do even if it pays less than what you doing now, because that way you have some work experience under your belt.
Don't worry about where you work either.

As a rule in my life I strived to be the best at everything, even when I started out at McDonalds flipping burgers, I'd make sure I was the best burgur flipper and the best at cleaning toilets. After a while I was the one promoted to training and leaving a impression on my bosses and that's always good to have strong references.

Its all about working hard and sacrifice. At a young age is the time to work hard.
Does your wife/gf work? if she could try to start some home business. Since she got a 1 y old she could probably baby sit the neighbours kid for a lil extra cash. You can even use the car to start a small home business on evenings and quite the weekend job. I been looking into restaurant delivery and errand service which is catching on. There are many liget ways to make money just think.
You got a lot going for you, some are us are in worse situations.

EDIT: I won't go for SSI or financial aid. That system only keeps poor people poor. You can figure out something. At least you asking the right questions and based on that you got your head on and not into illegal , get rich quick stuff which would only put you in jail.

Answer 4

Here's something to think about. Where I live the jobs are scarce and low paying most of the time. Check around. You can usually find a vo-tech or trade school that teaches truck driving. That's what I did. It took eight weeks, during the daytime monday thru friday. The cost wasn't too high, and you may get a loan or assistance. If you study hard and learn to drive, the jobs will come to you. I had about 5 job offers before I even graduated. After I finished I went to work for a company leaving out on monday and coming home on friday. You will get less time at home, but the time you do have is quality time, and you will make a good living for your family. I bring home between nine and eleven hundred a week driving a flatbed eighteen wheeler. It's a little harder work, but worth it if you want to provide for your family. Just something to think about.

Answer 5

I don't know exactly how it feel to be financially strapped, but I could sense your pain. You are an excellent example about the perils of early marriage.

It is obvious flipping burgers is not enough, and two jobs usually is not the answer...for the simple reason you get too tired to do anything else. I suggest you swallow your pride and ask the wife to consult Social Sec Adm, perhaps get SSI to tide you over temporarily. Meanwhile, visit the employment office now and then to see what maybe open that pays a little bit more than flipping burgers.

If you are good with your head, then you may consider the option of applying for student loan if you wish to pursue a higher education, or join the army...I hear they have vastly improved and serving the country via this route is not as onerous anymore.

Good luck!

Answer 6

The most important thing in your life is to make sure your son is raised right and that means keeping him with his mom full time until he's around 5.

Unfortunately, your work schedule is a direct result of not planning your life.

Ever see that Simpson episode where Homer finally gets his dream job and marge gets pregnant again - he takes burns' plaque "Don't forget: You're here forever" and covers up letters with pictures of his baby until it says: "Do it for her."

Be good to each other, revel in your family, take time for free relaxing activities. Take pride in what you are doing, being a man and following through on the responsibilities you created. Don't tell yourself you need to achieve something better - what you are achieving is honorable and very important. One day, you can achieve more interesting or less tiring things, but never more important things.

I congratulate you on being a man under very trying circumstances. You don't know it at 20, but life (for us lucky ones) is fairly long and many opportunities will come your way.

Perhaps you can do things to earn more at your current jobs or a way to work towards more money/responsiblity at your current jobs.

Good luck - you're a hero!

Answer 7

depending the position you stay and searching on how actual you get it truly is likely unlawful. in my opinion i do not care about the age distinction see you later as its no longer too large (no more suitable than 5) and both are consensual. At 16 you recognize what you're doing and understand suitable from incorrect and may make your human being judgements. How ever you're both at diverse ranges on your lives and it will be confusing and because it truly is unlawful i could carry off on the actual stuff if he loves you he will understand and anticipate you. On a 2d note. women individuals mature swifter than adult males for a reason, to have children. the in reality rationalization why human beings imagine its incorrect is because society says it truly is. contained in the Bible days it became common for a smooth lady of 15 to be married (Mary became expected to be approx 15), and customarily prepared, quite usually because we lived 1/2 see you later as we do now. My issue is your in reality youthful once have interesting and be threat-free I were given married at 19, massive mistake. wish this enables.