Where should I start?

Question

Hello, I need lots of advice please. I am a college freshman, at a community college, but I still feel like I haven't really started. As much as I love my parents, it as always been a challenge living with my mom. Now that I am out of high school and an adult, I wish I could move away and live in a dorm somewhere, somewhere where I could just mainly focus on school and work. Living here my mom is a stay at home mom with bipolar and since I'm home too she likes to show her emotions on me. I love her but I feel like I would like a fresh start, and a focus on the future, but right now I'm only getting minumum wage with small hours a week, I have no car, and I don't know how I can simply move out and go to a school and board somewhere and buy a car, in the mere future. It seems like its going to take years to change, but I fear that if I don't take action, I will be depending on my parents forever. Any suggestions? Thank you, how did you start becoming independent?

My dream is to move a ways just to have a fresh start, some place pretty and simple where I don't really know anyone. I would like to just have a cheap car and dorm at a nice university.

Answer 1

Every time you start to buy something. ask yourself one question - Do you NEED it or do you WANT it? If you NEED it, then buy quality - it will last a little longer than the bargain version if you take care of it. If you WANT it, then it's obvious that you may not NEED it - so don't buy it! Put the change that you receive from spending during the week in a place that only YOU know - at the end of each week, put it in your savings account and DON"T touch it - except in DIRE EMERGENCIES!
Budget your money - so much for clothes; so much for books and school supplies; so much for entertainment; etc. Any money left over needs to go in your savings account. Do the little "things" at home for yourself - learn to sew so you can put buttons back on your favorite blouse instead of throwing it away and buying another. Wash your own clothes if your mother will let you so you know how to do it. Learn to shop - that smaller size may actually be more expensive than the next larger size of the same article.

Answer 2

Ok there's nothing wrong in getting a school loan. I think loans for school are a true investment... Look into it and believe me, I understand where you are coming from and you sure need a fresh start.
Once you get the loan and you are in the school of your choice and settled into the dorm, look into getting jobs around campus. Have the money directly deposited into a savings account and only take out minimmum amount in case of an emergency.
Also, once you are at a dorm, look into being a Resident Assistant. I work for a university and the Resident Assistants work a number of hours in the dorms, like as guidance and helping out other residences and live there for free!
There are ways...
I think it's great that you want to do this, but I also want you to really look into making sure before you make this move that you are certain that your mom is set up with a good support system with your family and taking meds.
We have a neighbor that unfortunately wasn't taking her meds and sadly ended her life. I am only saying this, b/c I know folks with these type of illnesses and I have pledged to try and push people with these problems to really take their medication.
Good Luck and Dream Big!

Answer 3

I think you should look into schools that are in major cities. For instance, I live in chicago and I don't have to drive anywhere because chicago is such a fantastic city. Public transportation takes you anywhere! There is always something to do here and jobs pay better. A city living will definately give you the fresh start you want.

Plus our schools kick *** too. There's UIC, depaul, northwestern, loyola and even the city colleges have an excellent reputation and plenty of opportunity. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

You could apply for finacial aid and help saving some of those money that you are making even though it is not plenty.