How do I deal w/my family situation?

Question

Ok so this might be long/confusing but here goes...I am 20 years old, in college, working part time, going to school full time (and taking max credits). I still live at home because there is no need for me to spend more money/get a bigger loan just to live there when my school is 20 min away..so that brings me to the problem...I live at home with my parents and younger siblings. Lately, my dad has been under alot of stress and was depressed. He missed alot of work, whcih meant less money coming in, and he just acts like his life is so bad (when it isnt). My younger siblings fight all the time, and dont respect me (when im trying to do work etc). My mom is the only one that is ok but she is always bugging me for more money..saying I "cost too much". I only work part time, but i pay for my car insurance, gas, and other expenses such as books for school, the only thing i dont pay for is my cell phone..which is part of a cheaper plan anyway...I love my family but sometimes I wish I was...

WASNT living at home. My bf (who i have been with for 2 years) lives an hour away so like 1 daya week and on the weekends, I go up tohis place and stay over for the weekend..to save gas money and time. I love being with him..so now my parents are telling me I spend too much time with him and I need to go work and make more money. I want to be with my bf on the weekends cause it gives me a break from them....if I move out, they will stop paying for my school (i already pay half)...what woud you do if you were me?

Answer 1

You are going to school, working part time so you can pay for half of your schooling,books,gas etc. I think that is more than fair since you are trying to get a degree and make a living for yourself. However, it seems to me that you need to look at it from your parents perspective also dont just rule them out because there your parents. Talk with them explain to them that you are trying to do the best you can and if... the cell phone is too much then for them to have it now mind you they probably won't expect that coming from you but, will reconsider the whole " we need money thing". Tell them by you seeing your boyfriend is something you need because it gives you time to recover from the stress of school and for you to spend time with him since he lives an hour away. Talk with them and be honest about how you feel.. let them know that you can not get any studying done here due to your siblings aggervating you when it's time to do it. This isn't grade school when there's is probably done within an hour it's college and much harder than you expect but, you are doing it for yourself. Let them know that you appreciate them letting you stay there but, you can not afford it on your pay. If all else fails well I would look into getting your own place and see if there might be a roommate willing to split the cost.

Answer 2

You need to spell it out to your parents that you cannot drop any courses at this time without losing all that money.

Apart from trying to get some grants, perhaps you can offer to reconfigure the following semester's course load so you can work a few more hours. I'm not sure what that does to the status of your grants. Talk to the Financial Aid office about the options.

You need to get a keyed lock on your bedroom door and use it, and perhaps go to the hardware store and get the safety foam ear plugs to make your personal world a little more quiet.

It sounds like your mom's poverty mentality is more about driving you out of the house.

Answer 3

I know how you feel about carrying a full load at school, working some hours too and trying to do homework. But since you only are paying half the college costs they are feeling down because they are sacrificing their money for you and you are taking what free time you have to spend with your boyfriend. If your dad's been out of work they are feeling strapped for money. Maybe one should work more until he get a job again. You can talk to your boyfriend about it and let him know you should be helping out more to pay for your college since he is out of work. Another thing you could check into is to see if you would be able to get a Pell Grant.