I'd love to redesign my life, where do I start?

Question

My job treats me badly but its nearly impossible to find one that can replace it that pays as well. I also don't like the online school I'm going to. What I'd like to do is quit, go to school full time, and then start a profitable career after graduation. The only problem is my finances. My husband can support me through this a little, but we can't afford to pay all the bills and support our 6 mos old daughter on his salary alone though. I feel stuck but I can't go on like this. I recognize I need to make some changes in my life, but where do I start?

Answer 1

maybe look for a part-time job before so you can have a little money saved up.open a checking account or a saving account

Answer 2

The fact that you have a child can work in your favor. I'm not sure where you live, but I know that in NY, they will basically completely pay for your education if you have a kid or kids.

I know that doesn't help when it comes to child care and bills, but you could get a small, 10-20 hour a week part time job if it came down to it to add some support, and some colleges have child care programs at a free or discounted rate.

My step mom went back to college in Florida - the financial aid adviser actually told her, "You know, you should really have a kid, it would make this sooo much easier,"


Call your local colleges (or even colleges within a 30-mile radius - the driving may take some time, but proper organization of your class schedule could end up saving you time and car trips), arrange a meeting with a financial aid adviser, and see what they can do for you - they tend to have vaults of valuable information and advice that you can tap into - after all, that's what they get paid to do. :)


And, if you meet with an adviser who will not help you at all, schedule a meeting with a different one - some people are naturally less sympathetic than others.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

One step at a time. Research what you would like to do, you will be working for many years and you may as well love your job, as well as earn a decent income. Once you figure it out, make that a defined goal, then start working towards it. You do not necessarily have to achieve your goal quickly, just working towards it will give you a psychological boost. While you daughter is so young, you can only take on limited time commitments, so go to school in small doses, it is also easier financially that way. I wish you the best of luck, I have been where you are, and have achieved much since the days of being a single parent with an infant, so I know it is achievable.

Answer 4

I don't have a child to consider, but I am single and relying on my income alone to support myself. I went back to school when I was 29 and will be graduating in May. I have found over the last 6 years, that there is usually an answer somewhere in between my ideal situation and my current reality. I've also discovered in this whole process that I can live on a lot less $ than I thought I could. If you had told me when I first went back to school that 5 years later I would survive on what I've survived on this year, I would have laughed at you and quit right then. But, I did it. The closer I got to my goal, the easier it got, because I could feel the finish line. So have faith that it will happen and don't panic! If you keep exploring your options, eventually the right one will present itself.

Answer 5

Create a dream. Write it down, refine it, be specific, that becomes the basis for action and a plan.

For example, your phrase "start a profitable career after graduation" has no meaning whatever. What career, when, where, with who, whats 'profitable'?

Your first stop is a bookstore and read at least one book on how to make a plan.

I used to run assertiveness classes at University of Texas.
It was only a 2 session class, it had to be brutal!
Questions
1) who has a life plan 60% hands up
2) who has it written down 30% hands up
3) does your plan have specific achievables
4) does it have a specific timeline?
OK, class, how can you be assertive when you don't know what you are being assertive about? Unanswerable.

Go read the book then write a decent plan.
Then make the plan happen.

Answer 6

Take an aptitude test and see what your talents are and go from there. You could keep the job you hate and go to school nights as a full time student. Even an associates degree at a community college will get you started. It will be cheaper and you can transfer those credits to a 4 year college if you want a B.S.
Wishing you all the best.

Answer 7

start back to school part-time also check with the school you wish to attend and see if it offers independant studies or online classes at all to round you out to full time - at my school 3 classes is 12 credits and full time

Answer 8

hmph stuck huh?ssshhhhhiiii you got it made in the shade i'm literally stuck living in the woods i sleep on a hard floor with one blanket used as a sleeping bag i have no car and no money and no one to help me out cept for a beer or a joint here and there so i'd have to say your lucky..