conversation: User (Djdaly): "So about a year and a half ago 18 year old me inherited close to 80000 dollars. Moved to California and more or less blew 52000 of it with nothing to show for it except a fishtank and tv and 250 a month car payment for a Mini Cooper that breaks almost monthly. I have 1700 dollars in credit card payments that I owe. And 1100 dollar a month apartment on a month to month lease. My girlfriend and I work about 30 hours a week making 12 an hour. Our expenses are...\n\n1100 rent and utilities\n500 for car an insurance\n160 phone bill\nAbout 100 a month in gas\nAbout 100 a week in food \n\nWe make about 2400 a month together\nWe do postmates when we have time which is about 300 a month\nSo in the 2700 a month range.\n\nWe've managed to stay even the past couple months and we have to cut down on food and we are moving to a cheaper apartment soon hopefully.\n\nSo I've done everything wrong from getting a new car to spending spending a hundred dollars on sushi regularly. I know how bad I've messed up but what do I do from here?\n\nShould i just restart and buckle down and go back to college and pay off all my debts and what not. Invest what I have left and keep working. Worse comes to worst move back home. I know I'm young and in no way a bad situation comparatively to what others have had to deal with but I just feel lost and don't know what to do.\n"
  Self: "Well, that was an expensive lesson, but you still have most of your life ahead of you.  Shake it off.  Learn from this mistake and start over.  Going to college to prepare for a career is a good direction to consider and probably your best long term option."
  User (Djdaly): "It sure was I definitely want to get a higher education "
  thwack_thwonk_splat (thwack_thwonk_splat): "Please make sure it is a degree that will give you a return on your investment. \n\nIf you plan on getting something outside of engineering or hard sciences I would recommend looking into other options than a standard 4 yr degree.\n\nCommunity college provides a great return on investment. Skilled labor is in high demand and affords you lots of opportunities to start your own business, or simply make lots of extra freelance cash on your off days.\n\nAlso, don't be afraid to start some of the free online programs that can quickly lead to new job opportunities for little more than investing some time and effort. Example: learning a bit about how software is made and tested can land you a job as a software tester. Great salary and lots of opportunity for advancement in the right companies.\n\nWhatever you do, do not spend a lot of money on a degree that will not lead you directly into a solid career that pays enough to pay back any debt you take on to earn the degree."
  User (Djdaly): "I'm thinking of technical school so I can come out with a skill that I can use "
  RiceandBeansandChees (RiceandBeansandChees): "That's a pretty good idea. Skilled trades are well-paying and often come with job security. "
  