conversation: User (grapplingdummy): "A little back story.\n\nIll be 25 in May, currently am a barback at club in las vegas, working in the industry . Living pay check to pay check. Am just now getting my finances together due to my wonderful girlfriend who is "taking over it all" to help me get ahead and save etc. No college.  graduated though.  But what does that mean these days. Most applications that ask about school have "GED/diploma" in the same box to check off.\n\nNever was good with money. No one to blame but myself. Grew up lower middle class/poor , in a household with a parent on drugs that obviously wasnt good with money. Not saying its there fault at all its mine for not taking control. But the drug addict parent did things like use my bank accts/credit cards , bounce checks, loans,  etc. Forcing me in a little debt and closing accts putting myself in the chex system. So no longer can have a reg bank acct. I have a second chance acct through a credit union now.\n\nBut luckily that parent turned there life around and is completely forgiven. But struggling themselves so no help available if ever needed.\n\nBasically worked since i was 15. Always keeping a job. Im a very hard worker. Very appreciative for all i have in life and being born in a country where this is one if my poroblems. First job was at a mom and pop Italian restaurant, was there on and off 4 years. Where the owner taught me much about hard work. If there was down time i was painting the kitchen , plumbing work, repairs,  etc.\n\nAnyway, Las vegas has a lot of potential in the industry for careers. My uncle works at a high end restaurant making 80 a year working 3-5 nights a week. So definite possibilities.  \n\nBut before this i was mechanic for a couple years ,22-24. For a private company that had a fleet of work trucks. Dad got me in there so i had no certs and just home garage experience . learned most my skills now from on the job . Only problem was they were mostly breaking even every month/year  so zero raises, bonuses, anything. Would stay at 10.00 hr forever. I liked that work. I could go to school for it and persue,  but school wouldn't be an option financially for at least a year.\n\nI dont mind bar backing either. Am learning a lot to bartend if i want that. My girlfriend is a bartender. But again school, not til next year. Plus theres a lot of competition in this town for a white male bartender. But good money in the right place, especially gaming.\n\nMy only problem with working the industry is the smoke. I dont smoke . And am also an athlete. Have been training Brazilian JiuJitsu since i was 17. Its my passion.  Will do it forever. live competing. All just for the love. No money tho. I do teach kids classes at my gym 5 days a week , 20 bucks a class. But even when i get my black belt, not much for a career unless i opened a gym. But las vegas is flooded with gyms and also just not really wanting to own a gym. Talked to many gym owners and just no money. Anyway , thats why im not to fond of staying in a bar. My health.\n\nI wouldn't even mind a career in something totally different then what i mentioned. Just coming across some company,  desk job , stable job , that popped up in my life as an opportunity to work hard and just live life. \n\nSo what am i asking here? I dont really know lol. Maybe what career path would be wiser. Im just want to do the right/intelligent thing here. But i know its mostly preference what im asking. I wouldn't mind a high end restaurant,  less smoke for sure. Just would take time. All about who you know in this city. Also , serving , the rest if my life seems draining, mentally. \n\nI feel lost like i said. Right now im in the state of getting my finances together, then just seeing how i feel , Maybe an opportunity will come along. idk. Thanx everyone. Sorry for the vagueness. Jyst had to get this out . Thanx reddit."
  Self: "I'm going to ask you what I wish someone had asked ME when I was picking out a college major (26 yrs ago).  What do you want the rest of your life to look like?\n\nDo you want to live in a city, the suburbs, or a rural area?\nDo you see yourself wanting kids?\nDo you want to be always up on the latest trends and going to see cool bands, great comedy shows, etc?\nDo you want to travel for work?  How much?\n\nMy first thought for you is what I would do if I was starting over right now, I'd go check out a career in welding (good money, interesting challenge mentally, and yet you aren't on a plane 2-3 times a month and you don't get sudden requests to refigure an analysis over a weekend because some VP wants you to include/exclude something new).\n\nSee, I chose a career because it was what I was good at and it seemed to make sense (engineering) but I didn't take into account the impact it would have on the rest of my life.  All my outside-of-work hobbies are harder because of the travel requirements, I absolutely can't do some things (have a side job, own even the smallest livestock unless I spend $$$$ on people to take care of it, etc).  I grew up in a farming community - not having a massive garden and at least a couple chickens is like living half a life some days.  I automated the garden watering but you can't automate chicken care ... I digress.\n\nMoney is a tool to get you what you want.  You need to have a rough sketch in your head of what you want in order to plan and use money correctly.  Like any choices around tools, there are tradeoffs.  Wrecking balls, sledgehammers, and dead low hammers all have their uses, right?\n\nMy last bit of advice is to think about potential impacts to your health of different careers (like the smoke at the bar).  Look for a career you can do at 45, 55, 65 that helps keep you strong without breaking you down.  That's the ideal.\n\nI wish you luck and more importantly, CLARITY as you think about all this stuff.  You are young (relatively).  There are plenty of us in our 40's wrestling with similar questions :)"
  