Feeling Stuck.

[slickdtc]

Anyone else feel/felt this way? Living paycheck to paycheck, no savings, constantly worrying about when the next disaster is going to hit and cave you in?

What did you do to stop the cycle?

Obviously school is on my mind. Right now I'm trying to figure out between getting a trade or going for an IT degree. But I still have to pay the bills and put food on the table. That's where I really get down. I'm struggling while working 40 or more hours as it is. Adding school... I don't know where it fits in an already jam-packed schedule.

I'm not afraid of waking up early and coming home late, been doing that for peanuts the past few months. I don't wanna just get by doing this for the rest of my life, though. I wanna work towards a real career and something to be proud of.

Feeling pretty down on the whole thing at this point, so I wanted to hear about everyone else's experiences and maybe learn a thing or two. I wanna know it's even possible or have I set myself behind too far already...

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

I feel stuck right now.......I need a change. Money is great and all, but everything is just too routine and make me more bored then anything. But it is never too late to change.

[LionsFanNJ]

I've been stuck for about 10 years now and things have gone progressively downhill so there's not much of an end to it. So I deal and trudge on.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[8]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

I'm right there with ya slick, and I'm married and have a child. My college degree is useless at this point with the exception of being able to say I have a degree. Living month to month, not missing bills but paying them late. Not to mention the tax hike totally negated the raise I got this past year. Just gotta stay positive and keep your eyes and mind open for new opportunities.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

I feel kind of stuck financially right now. My fiancee and I are only living off of my paycheck, which is nice, but saving for the wedding too is stretching things pretty thin. Fortunately, I've got the light at the end of the tunnel on the wedding (everything coming in June), and then I don't have to worry about that. Then at some point, my fiancee will get a job and we'll have two paychecks, and it'll be easier.

I think the answer is generally to go to school (for IT, online schools could be an answer), or to do something that you're good at that can bring in some extra cash (for me, possibly freelancing a bit or writing apps). I don't know how much this all helps, though.

[AUChase]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

I think it happens to everyone at some point.

My friends are all settling down at a younger age and I'm struggling to get out on my own right now and that's what I want..

My life is just really boring right now. The highlight of my day right now is coming home at night and playing Battlefield with the OS crew, honestly.

I went through a club/bar phase over the past two years and myself and my friends are all getting burned out on that so I've been spending a lot more time at home + It's tough to meet girls where I live right now.

They all have some excess baggage or have a kid all ready and it's becoming harder and harder to find someone without that as I get older.

Small town blues I suppose..

I just want a change in pace with my life and to try something different.

I think that's part of the reason I'll be joining the Navy. I want a different challenge in life.

[slickdtc]

More then I thought! Happy, but also sad, that I'm not alone in this feeling.

For me, I'm 22, don't have a college degree (went a semester, attempted two more but just ended up in debt without actually taking any more classes), and work in retail and a pizza shop. That's good and all, if I was single and didn't really care. But I've got dreams, a fiancée, a wedding, I want a family some day. I feel like I have these responsibilities that I need to address and just working hard at what I'm doing isn't and won't cut it.

It's a tough economy out there, and that's what scared me from going to school after graduating HS. I kinda wasted my time working just enough to make it between then and now, and now I find myself older with more responsibilities, and a clock ticking over my shoulder. I haven't lived with regrets much, but if I could get 18-21 back, I'd work more and actually have a savings, just in case.

GIGGAS, online courses are an option. I just don't want it to be a waste of time, ya know? "Oh it's ONLY an online degree." I think we've all heard horror stories...

I feel like I'm at a breaking point. I've been tricking myself that I can live this way for some time longer, but there is no progress, just the treading of water. And when that disaster does hit, it's curtains. The good news... I'm determined to make this feeling into a positive change and not spiral into a depression. I can feel myself at this crossroads between pursuing something bigger or putting it off and digging a deeper trench.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

GIGGAS, online courses are an option. I just don't want it to be a waste of time, ya know? "Oh it's ONLY an online degree." I think we've all heard horror stories...

I feel they're becoming less and less taboo. It's not just diploma mills with online degrees. I think I could get one from VT, along with others.

In IT, no one cares where you came from if you can do the work and know your ****. If you taught it to yourself, or if you went to online school, or if you went to MIT... no one cares.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

I went straight to college after HS with no financial means to support that decision. I pretty much knew I was going to take a big L financially and go into a good bit of debt. My parents had always lived paycheck to paycheck as long as I can remember, so I knew no different than constantly struggling to get by. I looked at my education more-so as an investment and in the long run, it'll pay off.

I know the popular opinion is that having a college degree doesn't mean as much anymore, which may be true, especially if you can offset that with experience; however, having a college degree opened me up to many many more opportunities I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Even though I spent a few months out of work after I graduated, I still had a number of job interviews and options I wouldn't have had without one.

I'd suggest getting a degree if you have the chance. I know it may seem tough to do at this moment in time, but I've never met anyone who said they regret getting one.

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

My wife and I have about $100k in student loan debt and I feel like getting my degree was worth it (even though I didn't always feel this way). We should be done paying those off in about 5-6 years, then after that we're good. I know for a fact we wouldn't have the jobs we do now if we didn't get an education (but **** student loans though).

However...

Getting a degree isn't your only way to having a nice income. The banking industry is a good example. You can work your way up to branch manager (making $80k+) without having a degree. All you need is the experience. There are several industries just like this.

We all go through this at some point in life; you want a little more. You're 22 years old man. The game is FAR from over. Figure out what you want to do, develop a plan and attack it daily. If you wanna do school, go for it. You can hammer out an IT degree in 4 years. You'll be a young 26 and can work for at least another 25 to 30 years and earn a good retirement. Whatever you do, don't put if off. If you're going to do it, you gotta go all out for it. Best of luck man.

[jmik58]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

Well Slick...

I don't know that I have much advice, but that may not be what you need at this point. Maybe it's just to know that what you're going through is a normal part of life. Even the majority of people your age who have jobs and are looked on as being "successful" will likely not end up in that same job nor will they be fulfilled 5-10 years from now if they're in the same position.

The "20's" are a time of discovery and change. I've experienced some pretty low moments and realized that my ultimate goals/dreams for life and a career I wanted weren't going to pan out. But the biggest change I made within myself was to open up my life to whatever path presented itself. My wife and I (along with our kids) uprooted and moved to a completely different part of the country just for a fresh start. It's been the best thing that's ever happened to us, in my opinion. We barely keep our heads above water, but somehow things always seem to work out.

The last thing, financially, is to look for the non-fixed bills and eliminate some of them to free up cash. If this means cutting cable, do it. Find a cheaper cell phone plan. Outside of utilities and loans there are also ways to limit your flexible expenses like food and gas.

Open up your options, stay confident in yourself, network as much as possible (you never know when a job opportunity can come), and look for small sacrifices to simplify your life financially and otherwise.

[slickdtc]

GIGGAS post

Well that is GOOD to hear. I've always said, if you know what you're doing, who cares where you came from. My father worked for a pharmaceutical company for 30 years with just a HS diploma. They saw his work and experience and kept him over people with fancy degrees on the few times his company was bought or changes were made. This certainly makes me a lot more focused in getting a degree in IT, regardless of where it's from.

Well Slick...

I don't know that I have much advice, but that may not be what you need at this point. Maybe it's just to know that what you're going through is a normal part of life. Even the majority of people your age who have jobs and are looked on as being "successful" will likely not end up in that same job nor will they be fulfilled 5-10 years from now if they're in the same position.

The "20's" are a time of discovery and change. I've experienced some pretty low moments and realized that my ultimate goals/dreams for life and a career I wanted weren't going to pan out. But the biggest change I made within myself was to open up my life to whatever path presented itself. My wife and I (along with our kids) uprooted and moved to a completely different part of the country just for a fresh start. It's been the best thing that's ever happened to us, in my opinion. We barely keep our heads above water, but somehow things always seem to work out.

The last thing, financially, is to look for the non-fixed bills and eliminate some of them to free up cash. If this means cutting cable, do it. Find a cheaper cell phone plan. Outside of utilities and loans there are also ways to limit your flexible expenses like food and gas.

Open up your options, stay confident in yourself, network as much as possible (you never know when a job opportunity can come), and look for small sacrifices to simplify your life financially and otherwise.

First off, long time no see, jmik! Saw you posting the other day, good to see you're still around.

I do a pretty good job of keeping my expenses as low as possible. No cable, no Internet, pretty much just the essentials. The one thing I'm looking to cut is health insurance. I pay a good chunk for it but have rarely used it. I hardly get sick, and any bumps or bruises I can take care of with OTC medicine. I just know as soon as I cut it, I'll break a leg or something. But it'll put a good amount of money back in my pocket. I'm kinda afraid of taking these risks, I'm a big think-it-through guy, maybe to a fault to where I'm just frozen. I hear ya on the networking, though. I've held a few jobs in my time, and I think all but one or two were through references. I'm always keeping my eyes and ears open for a better opportunity. Gotta look out for myself.

Back to education, anyone have experience with a place like ITT Tech or similar schools? I'm pretty limited in my school selection in this state, so institutes like that are my most likely option.

Appreciate everyone's posts. Sound advice or experience. I needed to know I wasn't alone in this feeling, and that investing in education can pay off even in these times.

[jmik58]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

Well that is GOOD to hear. I've always said, if you know what you're doing, who cares where you came from. My father worked for a pharmaceutical company for 30 years with just a HS diploma. They saw his work and experience and kept him over people with fancy degrees on the few times his company was bought or changes were made. This certainly makes me a lot more focused in getting a degree in IT, regardless of where it's from.




First off, long time no see, jmik! Saw you posting the other day, good to see you're still around.

I do a pretty good job of keeping my expenses as low as possible. No cable, no Internet, pretty much just the essentials. The one thing I'm looking to cut is health insurance. I pay a good chunk for it but have rarely used it. I hardly get sick, and any bumps or bruises I can take care of with OTC medicine. I just know as soon as I cut it, I'll break a leg or something. But it'll put a good amount of money back in my pocket. I'm kinda afraid of taking these risks, I'm a big think-it-through guy, maybe to a fault to where I'm just frozen. I hear ya on the networking, though. I've held a few jobs in my time, and I think all but one or two were through references. I'm always keeping my eyes and ears open for a better opportunity. Gotta look out for myself.

Back to education, anyone have experience with a place like ITT Tech or similar schools? I'm pretty limited in my school selection in this state, so institutes like that are my most likely option.

Appreciate everyone's posts. Sound advice or experience. I needed to know I wasn't alone in this feeling, and that investing in education can pay off even in these times.

It's great to catch up! It seems like forever since the good ol' days over at Dynasty Manager (at least for me).

And just to add a bit to the education question. I say it's completely worth it. My boss told me that he felt he had to pay me more because I have my four-year degree despite the fact my job doesn't really require a college education. Not necessarily because his arm was twisted, but because he felt it should be rewarded.

Looking back I don't think I remember that much content from my time in college, but it was the lessons in hard-work and sticking it out that are most important to me and to employers, I think.

I also think technical or vocational schools are a fantastic idea because you're becoming an expert in a specific field that has high demand. It's less expensive and less time consuming in the long-run. Just make sure you're passionate about it because it does paint you into a corner, so to speak.

[JODYE]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

If I had to offer any advice, it would be to concur with jmk.

Technical schools are the way to go.

I currently have a college degree, but liberal arts colleges are becoming a joke. The debt to income ration is increasing dramatically, and if I could do it over again, I would go the techincal/vocational route.

A technical school allows you to get hands on experience in a field for a fraction of the cost and usually results in immediate employment. My dad went this route as an electrical engineer and now makes over 100k a year.

Not saying that it will be something that will be instantaneous, but if you put in the work it could be very rewarding, and probably 100x more gratifying than working in retail.

In fact, my dad was trying to convince me to go back to be a BMET (BioMedical Equipment Technician). Those guys make an *** load of money to specialize in configuration and repair of one or two machines.

[khaled]

Re: Feeling Stuck.

I agree with the rest here. Try to look into trade school or if you have a community college nearby(a certifcate in some fields get you going).

Stay confident in yourself.