I am 22 year old black man that works at footlocker making 7.15 an hour and has to depend on his girlfriend?

Question

This is my problem. I need to know what I can do with the resources I have to get myself back on my feet. I work at footlocker and only make 7.15 an hour being the stock monkey. I get about 10 to 15 hours a week. I own a 2001 grand am gt that is in my girlfriends name. I have a sprint cell phone with bill of 48 dollars a month. My car insurance and note is about 270 a month. My girlfriend pays rent because she agreed she would if we live together. I live in michigan where jobs are hard to find and my credit score sucks so that doesnt help me get student loans to get me back into school to better myself. My parents live in ohio and they are depending on retired gm check and they both work side jobs to make extra money every month. What can I do to get my **** back together and not have to depend on my girlfriend for little things like food, home, and sometimes car payments? When I pay my bills im just stuck at home bored and depressed. Remember I live in michigan if I lived in Flordia!!

Answer 1

This is a really good question. And takes a lot of courage to ask. Whatever you do, DON'T quit your job :) It's better to find a job while you have a job. One company I suggest is Litetme Fitness. They are an emplolyee driven company with minimum turnover and a lot of management opportunities (I know someone in about the same predicament who just started there full-time). They also offer (and many other companies), tuition reimbursement and benefits. I think it's important that you get back in school, so I strongly suggest htat you start seeking out full time jobs that give reimbursement. I know that Lifetime Fitness is a great company that will give you about the same pay, but full time with benefits and tuition reimburement- and they are hiring (look at the Commerce Twp location...I live in Michigan, too :).

Are you interested in public safety? Although a lot of cities are now requiring a degree, many are letting people into the academy so long as they are physically fit and can pass the tests. Some require so many credits. You are at a great age to apply to police and fire departments.

There are many jobs out there that do not require a degree, and will give you about the same money you are making now (or more), BUT also full time employment. Many companies have tuition reimbursement. You will have to keep working on your credit so you can eventually qualify for a loan. I would suggest going to an educational lender and receive counseling of how you can improve your score. I would contact the government, directly regarding subsidized loans and grant programs. If school is important to you, then you should take the steps to improve your credit. You are so young that I am sure they will be understanding.

But grateful for your girlfriend. If she loves you, the best way you can pay her back is by letting her see that you are trying to get on your feet. And actually get on your feet! What you are doing right now is very good and definitely a start in the right direction.

Answer 2

First off, dump the cell phone. It's an expense you can live without. And then you need to decide if you really need the car. Maybe you can save some money taking the bus. You don't necessarily have to get rid of the car, but storage insurance is a lot cheaper than driving. That will free up at least $300 a month right there. Sure, it's not a lot, but it's more than you have now. You could use that for food and home anyway.

Beyond that, I'm not sure if there's a quick way to get an education. But if you keep missing bills because you don't want to be bored, you're never going to have decent credit. Maybe after a while you'll have a chance at a student loan. Or maybe look into an apprenticeship program. I'm not sure how they work there, but sometimes you can learn on the job for the first year or so to get started.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I can relate. I lived in Grand Haven for a year and the economy there was pathetic. I was forced to work at a job that paid 6.15 an hour which certainly was not enough to make ends meet. I wish I could provide an optimistic response for you but my experience there ended with me relocating back out west to Colorado, where the economy, although not great, is certainly better than that of the midwest. Have you thought of maybe taking some loans and student aid out at a nearby community college and going back for your degree? You certainly seem like a very intelligent and articulate individual who has a lot of personal initiative. Unfortunately, jobs for people in the midwest, specifically Michigan after the whole auto industry got outsourced and went awry, it is really difficult. Move out west or go back to school. That's about all I can recommend. Or try to get a job waiting tables if that's your thing. That's where the money seemed to be in Grand Haven since it was such a tourist town...Definately not my thing. I'm just not that great at bluffing or being charismatic. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Instead of trying to get student loans that will only put you more in debt, look into getting financial aid and schlorships. Plus, most colleges have a program called "Work Study" and you should check into that as well. (Work Study means you work at the college usually 20 or so hours a week, and you get paid and you also get a schloarship to help cover the cost, the only thing is you have to take some sort of class or classes.

I know the job economy seems to suck everywhere. If you really want a new job that pays more or at least offers more hours you just have to try harder. Really put yourself out there. A few good websites for job hunting is www.careerbuilder.com, www.monster.com, (Michigans Craigslist)- http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/mi, (Michigans Talent Bank)- http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage

Also check the local papers, start calling places, it may take a while but at least you are trying to make an honest effort at trying to better yourself.

As for sitting at home being bored and depressed as well as broke. I know when I lived in Michigan that there was always a ton of free stuff to do... fairs and festivals and stuff like that so take your girlfriend there, its very inexpensive and it gets both of you out of the house.

Well I hope this helps.

Answer 5

If you are healthy get a job as a construction laborer and work your way up. That profession pays good money even to beginners.The job you are in is a dead end job in almost all cases be you black white or mixed. Sounds like you have already washed out at school which would be the best long term solution to your problem. Maybe your girlfriend could get you on where she works. You gotta start somewhere and it is usually at the bottom for most of us. Stay legal whatever you do. Stop calling yourself a monkey.

Answer 6

First off-props for trying to be responsible! Honestly though, you need to work more hours first of all! I'm sure you could get bigger pay checks working at McDonalds or Walmart! They are always hiring here, b/c it's an undesirable job. I know you don't WANT to work there, but bottom line is that you're making less than you need to pay your bills. So you have to get a job, even for minimum wage, were you can get more hours to bring home more money.

My next time, once you do, is to do this: print out a calendar on Yahoo from your email. Highlight each payday on the calender. Next, circle the dates on the calender your bills are due. Then write down what bills need to come out of what paycheck. Pay them immediately before spending money on anything else, even if that means you dont have any left over at all! For example, you get paid on the 9th and 23rd of November. Your car payment is due on the 20th, your insurance on the 15th, cell on the 30th. That means on the 15th, when you get paid, immediately pay your cell phone bill and car payment. on the 23rd pay your cell. The left overs you can use for gas, food, etc, or start saving. Good luck

Answer 7

1) Quit feeling sorry for yourself and accept this is the path YOU chose. 2) Realize since YOU got yourself here, YOU can change where you are. 3) Go buy a news paper and look for a job, check the online job openings in your area and ask your boss for more hours and/or a shot on the sales floor and earn yourself some commission. 4) Start actively seeking another job..that means filling out applications and setting up interviews every day until you find a better and/or another job. 5) There are a ton of ways to get out and not spend money-take a walk with your generous girlfriend, go to church, go to the library and check out some books on how to write a great resume, go window shopping for all the stuff you WILL buy when you have money, volunteer at a boys/girls club or school to help out. Bottom line here is you make your life what it is. Now go out and make it happen!! Good luck!

Answer 8

Get rid of your car. Sell it and buy another with any money thats left over. Get a junker if you have to man! The insurance and payments are killing you. Your phone bill isnt too awful bad imo but if your home phone is ok you might consider getting rid of that $50 expense. My advice after that would be to start looking for a higher paying or a second job. Try to work on your credit. Eventually your going to get good enough credit to try for some loans or your going to save up enough to start at a community college. Its not going to be easy and its not going to be fast. Your in a pretty deep hole and its going to be tough getting out. Your girlfriend really does have to be an angel to let you mooch off her but you dont want to do it so points for you there. Also if you really are sitting around bored alot I would try something like http://www.treasuretrooper.com/291514 Its a fairly easy way to get an extra $60-80 bucks a month doing 50 cent surveys if you do a few a day. However DONT GO LOOKING ELESEWHERE AT ONLINE MONEY MAKING PLEASE! If you do sign up for other stuff please dont ever pay them any money cause their scams. Stick to sites liket treasure trooper or cashcrate dealbarbiepays etc.

Answer 9

10 -15 hours a week gives you plenty of times to look for a better paying , at least 40 hour a week job. My husband worked a full time and 2 part time jobs and we had 2 children at the time. Trust me , he was never bored, and he slept because he was honestly tired. so , my suggestion is get a second job. And get your bills in order.

Answer 10

well for starters drop every bill you can to help save money, find things you dont really need and sell them for some extra cash to help out. i live in michigan too so i know how the job search is, but mcdonalds and wal-mart usually will hire anyone. dont count out mcdonalds just because its a lame job. the fact is it pays and it will really help your situation. or ask if you can work full time at foot locker and get around 30 hours a week. good luck