I absolutely understand where you're coming from, and if you'd like, I'd like to give you some advice, thought it's very long term at this moment, it's what I've had to use to get out of the exact situation you find yourself in now.soren7550 said:
First thing: Never stop looking for a better job. Always make it your mission to either find a niche that will allow you to step up in the job you are in, or use that job til another can pay you better. The second you stop that, is the second you get used to your situation and it'll get harder to leave for something new. One of the absolute hardest parts of going it alone is finding ways to get ahead of your finances. You're working three jobs, but how much of each are you actually profitting from? What I suggest to you is the same thing I suggest to any kid that says they want to get into art. It's not about having a job that you have to manage, it's about having skills that you can have work for you while you're out.
You're not good with your hands, but can you write a small story? Or, say, can you record voices for others, or build web sites? There's all sorts of things you can work toward that you can do in between other things to help get a little more bang out of your day. Start gathering skills,and figuring out what you're good at, and then start working outward from there; Fiverr, cafepress, deviantart, etsy.. There's sites you can build a digital shop and then work on when you're free to help add to your finances, and the trick is to find things you can make or do once and continuously sell them with out having to do them again. And if you're smart you'll find something you can do in an hour, and work on that while you've got free time within the day. Find a price point that works out to be about time and a half minimum wage for your state (if the gig requires resources, divide them by their cost and add that number to your requested price) Scheduling that hour a day is vital, and set every dime made this way aside in it's own fund and don't touch that until you have enough for point two.
You're not good with your hands, but can you write a small story? Or, say, can you record voices for others, or build web sites? There's all sorts of things you can work toward that you can do in between other things to help get a little more bang out of your day. Start gathering skills,and figuring out what you're good at, and then start working outward from there; Fiverr, cafepress, deviantart, etsy.. There's sites you can build a digital shop and then work on when you're free to help add to your finances, and the trick is to find things you can make or do once and continuously sell them with out having to do them again. And if you're smart you'll find something you can do in an hour, and work on that while you've got free time within the day. Find a price point that works out to be about time and a half minimum wage for your state (if the gig requires resources, divide them by their cost and add that number to your requested price) Scheduling that hour a day is vital, and set every dime made this way aside in it's own fund and don't touch that until you have enough for point two.
part one is the hardest toll on you, part two is the hardest thing for you. As much as you'll want to use this money on food and stuff. Hold off in it til you can manage at least a grand[footnote] I know that sounds impossible, but honestly if you get enough little things working for you, it's not hard but simply time consuming[/footnote](thought 2 grand is better for this). Take your money to the bank and ask for a C.D. Secured Loan, you will put this money in the bank and they will give you the same amount back to you as a loan. Hold that money and continue to use it and what you're making from the small gigs to pay on the loan. This will generate toward your credit and since you're only 23, it'll pay off in about a year, and leave you with enough credit by the end to have a bitchin' credit report. Now you have a safety net, not only will you have your gigs paying in but also can get a credit card that you need to put away and only use for one purchase a month. Something small, like a tank of gas that you can pay off so you keep building your credit. New bank, new card. Rinse and repeat til you have enough to hold you in case of emergencies. This is the point where I was able to focus my efforts into dropping the jobs that was not paying out the most and experiment with new ones.
Relationships and the ilk I can't offer advice for. I found a woman who worked with me and want the same goals as me. We split all bills equally, and pay ourselves out of the remaining money so that we're never without or feeling deprived. Find that, and half your problems will be gone. Just.. focus on you first right now. early 20s are hell, and as much as relationships are good. They could easily hurt you if they're punishing the resources you have instead of helping you.
One crock pot, one stewing pot. Take your food budget, and learn how to make chili, spaghetti, and stew. Make one full pot at the beginning of the week, then separate them out and fill sandwich bags with them. One pot of chili could be separated out into ten meals, which I heated in the morning and ate on that week. More hearty then a sandwich, and more cost effective then a banquet meal.
One crock pot, one stewing pot. Take your food budget, and learn how to make chili, spaghetti, and stew. Make one full pot at the beginning of the week, then separate them out and fill sandwich bags with them. One pot of chili could be separated out into ten meals, which I heated in the morning and ate on that week. More hearty then a sandwich, and more cost effective then a banquet meal.
I had a hell of a time getting out of that situation, and I hope you find your way man. I really do.
