OS Life Advice Thread

[mattlanta]

I haven't found any of these threads around here, so I figured I'd make one... I bet we could all give (and receive) some advice or pointers, in one way or another, to a fellow OS'er who could possibly be needing it.

I'll start... I'm almost half a year removed from my college days (graduated in May) and have been working a steady job as a registered nurse at a local hospital for almost three months now. I've always wanted to move out and into a city, preferably in or around NYC, but certain factors such as money, career plans, etc. have stopped me from doing so. I've tried the whole living at home thing, and it's just not for me. I butt heads with my parents a little too much now, and the people around me at the gym, grocery stores, etc. just don't have that "vibe" that I'm comfortable with anymore... It's like I don't belong.

It's not that I don't appreciate my parents and what they do for me (God knows how much I love my mom's home cooked meals), but I just don't feel like I'm growing much here. Aside from my career as a nurse, I don't feel like I'm making any progress in my life. Now my parents don't ask me to pay any sort of monthly fees while I'm home, which I have taken advantage of by paying off some student loans and getting a head start on that. (This isn't to say that I don't ever lend a hand. For example, I picked up this month's oil bill to help them out.) I'm only responsible for my car note and student loans, which amount to almost $700-800/mo. in total.

So OS, I wanted to ask you, when do you think it's best for someone to finally move out and be on their own? When do you think it's MOST ideal for me to do so on a financial, mental, and social aspect?

[wwharton]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

Whenever you're ready, man. I think that "itch" you have is what's important. I've found that we (people) tend to plateau in different stages of life. We find a comfortable place and stay there until some major event forces us to "grow" for lack of a better word.

I think this probably starts after college because you're forced to have life changing events up to that point. Once you get on your own, it's all a search for that comfortable place. Things like a career, kids, buying a house, death of someone you care about, etc. are things that make us change. It sounds like you're on the cusp of one of these moments, which makes sense considering what you've described.

So keep paying your loans and saving if you can, and feeling out what you want to do. It'll hit you, and you'll be ready. Many people (myself included) aren't usually ready for these moments and it can be stressful. The itch is healthy.

[TSGuy]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

I haven't found any of these threads around here, so I figured I'd make one... I bet we could all give (and receive) some advice or pointers, in one way or another, to a fellow OS'er who could possibly be needing it.

I'll start... I'm almost half a year removed from my college days (graduated in May) and have been working a steady job as a registered nurse at a local hospital for almost three months now. I've always wanted to move out and into a city, preferably in or around NYC, but certain factors such as money, career plans, etc. have stopped me from doing so. I've tried the whole living at home thing, and it's just not for me. I butt heads with my parents a little too much now, and the people around me at the gym, grocery stores, etc. just don't have that "vibe" that I'm comfortable with anymore... It's like I don't belong.

It's not that I don't appreciate my parents and what they do for me (God knows how much I love my mom's home cooked meals), but I just don't feel like I'm growing much here. Aside from my career as a nurse, I don't feel like I'm making any progress in my life. Now my parents don't ask me to pay any sort of monthly fees while I'm home, which I have taken advantage of by paying off some student loans and getting a head start on that. (This isn't to say that I don't ever lend a hand. For example, I picked up this month's oil bill to help them out.) I'm only responsible for my car note and student loans, which amount to almost $700-800/mo. in total.

So OS, I wanted to ask you, when do you think it's best for someone to finally move out and be on their own? When do you think it's MOST ideal for me to do so on a financial, mental, and social aspect?

I'm finishing up uni this semester, and I use to volunteer at a hospital and I honestly was thrown off so hard, I hated being there. I realized I don't want to jump into the adult world too fast, I'm used to being with people around my age and what not. It was just like total opposite in the life spectrum for the workers there and me. I'm just beginning my life and their sorta middle/end. I'd be excited to come but all they care about is if it was 4pm yet, or if everyone had chipped in their money for the lottery tickets, or if it was friday yet. I got so tired of it and I just couldn't really talk with them either, it was just hard to think of what to talk about with them. I left can't believe I managed to stay there for a year. So i know what you feel about not fitting in w.e, even though your situation is probably different and not age factor.


Anyways as for moving out i think the best time is when your like middle/late 20's. You should be financially set have money saved and what not.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

My girlfriend's place of work informed her they were bankrupt and today was her last day. She has insurance through the month, but today is the deadline for Obamacare.
1. Are there benefits in place for the unemployed? She plans on filing for unemployment.
The agent I talked to made it sound like it was just treated as income. No special benefit.
2. If she happens to find another job during January or before January does she get a partial refund? Can she cancel the policy or are you locked in for a year?
It sounds like it cancels 14 days after you request it. You aren't locked in. No fees for cancelling.

What other options may be available? Sounds like she would have been screwed if she had found this out tomorrow.
It does indeed sound like she would have been screwed.

[seasprite]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

My girlfriend's place of work informed her they were bankrupt and today was her last day. She has insurance through the month, but today is the deadline for Obamacare.
1. Are there benefits in place for the unemployed? She plans on filing for unemployment.
2. If she happens to find another job during January or before January does she get a partial refund? Can she cancel the policy or are you locked in for a year?

What other options may be available? Sounds like she would have been screwed if she had found this out tomorrow.

I'll research, but did this company really inform her of this on her last day?

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

I'll research, but did this company really inform her of this on her last day?

Yep. She didn't even see it coming. It's a small company owned by a couple partners and employees less than 10 people.

Told her this morning. I'm surprised it not illegal for companies to just "lock the doors" and leave their employees out in the cold with no compensation.

[Cusefan]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

Yep. She didn't even see it coming. It's a small company owned by a couple partners and employees less than 10 people.

Told her this morning. I'm surprised it not illegal for companies to just "lock the doors" and leave their employees out in the cold with no compensation.

It happens quite a bit unfortunately. As far as The Affordable care act goes, it depends where you live. Some states have their own marketplace, but regardless you will want to talk to a ACA rep. You can go online to find local help.


Sent from my Motorola DynaTAC using Tapatalk

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

Called and talked to them directly. Very helpful. I put the answers I found out in my OP to help future people.

[Matt10]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

I haven't found any of these threads around here, so I figured I'd make one... I bet we could all give (and receive) some advice or pointers, in one way or another, to a fellow OS'er who could possibly be needing it.

I'll start... I'm almost half a year removed from my college days (graduated in May) and have been working a steady job as a registered nurse at a local hospital for almost three months now. I've always wanted to move out and into a city, preferably in or around NYC, but certain factors such as money, career plans, etc. have stopped me from doing so. I've tried the whole living at home thing, and it's just not for me. I butt heads with my parents a little too much now, and the people around me at the gym, grocery stores, etc. just don't have that "vibe" that I'm comfortable with anymore... It's like I don't belong.

It's not that I don't appreciate my parents and what they do for me (God knows how much I love my mom's home cooked meals), but I just don't feel like I'm growing much here. Aside from my career as a nurse, I don't feel like I'm making any progress in my life. Now my parents don't ask me to pay any sort of monthly fees while I'm home, which I have taken advantage of by paying off some student loans and getting a head start on that. (This isn't to say that I don't ever lend a hand. For example, I picked up this month's oil bill to help them out.) I'm only responsible for my car note and student loans, which amount to almost $700-800/mo. in total.

So OS, I wanted to ask you, when do you think it's best for someone to finally move out and be on their own? When do you think it's MOST ideal for me to do so on a financial, mental, and social aspect?

I think when you've reached that point that noone relies on you to feed them or provide for them. Seems to me you are at that point. This would be the perfect time to take a chance and go out on your own.

I have been supporting my now wife since I was 21 (i'm 29 now) and there are days when I wish I could have just gone out and taken a chance. I'm a great salesperson, I know it, I have that drive - you know? But, I never wanted to take that chance when I met her and realized I had to secure our future. I believe I could have also recovered from my torn ACL's and tried to get back on that pro soccer horse - but that's another story.

The irony is, I quit my job today. I have a wife, a son and a baby on the way - and I quit my job. I feel great. It was the type of job that paid great, but they made sure you were reminded why - and it was a integrity sacrificing battle on a daily basis. I caught myself before I became one of those guys who just lives for that paycheck - and so, I left.

I get to explore what else is out there for me even more now. I'm going to take my time too (plenty of $$ saved) and really explore my career options. I'm going to start with enrolling into school and getting that IT degree I have been too lazy to get the first couple of tries.

A weight has been lifted off my shoulders - I can't put into words how incredible I feel right now.

[mattlanta]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

I think when you've reached that point that noone relies on you to feed them or provide for them. Seems to me you are at that point. This would be the perfect time to take a chance and go out on your own.

I have been supporting my now wife since I was 21 (i'm 29 now) and there are days when I wish I could have just gone out and taken a chance. I'm a great salesperson, I know it, I have that drive - you know? But, I never wanted to take that chance when I met her and realized I had to secure our future. I believe I could have also recovered from my torn ACL's and tried to get back on that pro soccer horse - but that's another story.

The irony is, I quit my job today. I have a wife, a son and a baby on the way - and I quit my job. I feel great. It was the type of job that paid great, but they made sure you were reminded why - and it was a integrity sacrificing battle on a daily basis. I caught myself before I became one of those guys who just lives for that paycheck - and so, I left.

I get to explore what else is out there for me even more now. I'm going to take my time too (plenty of $$ saved) and really explore my career options. I'm going to start with enrolling into school and getting that IT degree I have been too lazy to get the first couple of tries.

A weight has been lifted off my shoulders - I can't put into words how incredible I feel right now.

Wow, good luck with every thing man. I think many people really look for that kind of happiness, whether they're working a full-time job or a part-time job, married, single, have kids, whatever... I thank you, and every one else, for the advice I've gotten so far.

[slickdtc]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

I moved out at 21, first of my brothers as the youngest one myself. Not early by any means, but not late either. It was slightly forced because my Dad was selling the house, but there were a few months left. I wanted to do it on my own and not due to a deadline. Plus, I was just tired of living at home. I didn't go off to college so I was living at home the whole time. Probably accelerated the process.

Having your own place makes you grow up real quick. If there's one expense I make sure no matter what is met, it's rent. It's helped too, we've worked with management at our nice apartment complex to move within it a bit earlier then technically allowed because we're good tenants.

Just as having a child, getting married, etc, there is never a time when moving out will be perfect. It's a leap of faith. It's rewarding though, not having to deal with family members or friends as roommates (luckily I was able to split rent with my fiancé and now wife) and knowing you can make it in this world even if it's off your hourly wage job. I worked two jobs logging doubles 3 times a week (8-3 one job, 4-9 at the second) or more to make sure ends were met. You have a good job but lots of student debt so I'd say milk the free ride at home until it's really unbearable. That can happen anytime, and I'm sure if you had to move out today you would make it. But a fat savings account is nice.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

If financial freedom is what you ultimately want, stay til they kick you out. Save up enough of a nest egg that you can get your own place (not renting) and maintain it. Pay off any long term debt as well.

Boils down to how much is your freedom worth? Only you can decide that.

[mgoblue]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

If financial freedom is what you ultimately want, stay til they kick you out. Save up enough of a nest egg that you can get your own place (not renting) and maintain it. Pay off any long term debt as well.

Boils down to how much is your freedom worth? Only you can decide that.

Yeah...You don't want to leave too early and be paycheck to paycheck or in debt...that ceases to be fun and the novelty of being on your own is replaced with being an adult with all that to do and pay for....

[z Revis]

Re: OS Life Advice Thread

I moved out at 24, a little under a year ago. For me I had never got serious about leaving until one day I had a conversation with my dad about buying something expensive for myself(forget what it was now, but I think it was just something I wanted for my car). The talk turned south quick, understandably so, because to him here I am living rent free and talking about buying something for myself that I don't need. I looked online that night for places and moved out a month later. Guess I just realized I was 24 years old listening to my parents tell me what I can or can't spend my money on and didn't like it. lol

IMO you'll know when you're ready to leave and it sounds like you're getting to the point. Until then though best advice I can give is save save save and save some more. If you haven't started already, I'd at least try to tough it out a little while longer and save a decent amount. I wish I had. I moved out in a rush and quickly found myself living paycheck to paycheck. Fortunately I found a new job a couple months later and no longer am doing that, but that's beside the point. I had a full time job for 3 years living rent free with my parents and barely saved anything. Who knows how much money I'd have right now if I did.

[slickdtc]

OS Life Advice Thread

Yeah, I didn't save a dime while at home. But I wouldn't have learned how stupid that was if it hadn't turned out that way. I was all around lazy and moving out was a kick in the ***.