I think I'm about make a life changing decision.

[Aldo]

For the past two years I've been working part time at a Michael's Arts and Crafts store. I love retail (and I'm good at it) so at first I figured I would enjoy it. However I figured I'd at least be full time by now. Time and time again I've been passed over for promotion. I barely make enough to pay rent let alone eat.

Also, I recently moved in with a guy I had thought was a stable individual at the time (he was a former coworker, now he's a manager at a different Michael's store). However once I moved in with him I discovered all he does all day everyday (when not working), is sit around smoking pot and playing video games. A trap I've allowed myself to fall into at times as well.

Now I gave you those two paragraphs to show you where I'm at in my life, now here's where I need some input:

I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck, most of all I made a huge mistake moving in with this guy (Who I admit is a nice guy and he is my friend, he's not really someone I should be living with...but hindsight is twenty twenty).

Anyways, I'm at my parents house for a few days and realized something, I really wouldn't be giving up too much if I moved back here. Now before you think I'm just talking about moving back in with my folks, I would be moving over here to go to school, something my folks (even though they don't say it) really want me to do. And the most important thing is, I want to do it.

I just want some input on this (havent talked this over with the folks as it's 1:30 here and they're in bead), but my plan so far is to finish out Season at Michael's, which ends around January, and move back here in hopes of starting school in the fall...or possibly Spring, depending on when they're semesters start.

Now this is just something that came to me a few minutes ago, but it feels so right. I keep waiting for that magical moment to happen where everything works itself out and I'm all of a sudden a full time associate getting decent pay. But with each passing month I'm starting to see that is not the case.

Of course this would have to be talked over with my roommate, and I'm sure he wouldn't be happy, I know he'd understand. And incredibly fortanate on my part (and dumb on his) I never signed any lease.

Part of me hates the idea of moving back in with the folks. At 30 years old I feel like it's showing a bit of defeat that I can't make it on my own...but on the other hand it's my own damn fault for not finishing with my education in the first place (just incidentally, I do have an associates of the arts degree, just never went any further with it).

 

[spooky spice]

Tough call, moving back with your parents can be the right thing to do financially, or it can be a complete nightmare. How old are your parents? You have to take into account that they may end up relying on you for caretaking duties.

Being an adult and living with your parents isn't much fun, it's their house and their rules, so you can end up being treated like a five year old - so if you can, have your own 'apartment' separate from the house, such as a converted garage.

 

[Aldo]

My folks are in their early sixties, and very self sufficient. And perhaps strict rules would be good for me at this point in my life. Since I'm doing such a good job of taking care of myself (sarcasm intented).

Going back to school is going to (hopefully) net me a good job where I'll finally be able to take care of myseslf. This is something that yes, I should have done years ago. But now is better than never.

And I can't imagine living with my folks will be anything but a temporary situation, I've enjoyed living away from them these past two years that I would make an effort to find my own place to live upon moving over here.

 

[JoeZhang]

It all sounds very sensible to me - you don't like the direction your life is going in and want to take steps to change that. Yes in many respects, moving back in with your parents can be a drag but as a temporary thing with a long-term goal in mind, it seems the right thing to do.

As long as you have clear goals and a time-scale to work to - then I can't honestly see the problem, it certainly seems a better strategy than continuing to work part-time and struggling to get by.

 

[Nurse Marmalade]

I would say go back to school. It may be tough living with your folks, but you have to look at the LONG run. Chances are you'll have many more job opportunities with a higher education (not to mention better pay and more financial freedom). Don't feel bad about being 30-ish and dependent...that situation has become a lot more common with young adults not being able to find steady jobs. (Same has happened with me and I'm in my late twenties.)

The economy stinks now, so if you can get into a field where you'll be in high demand, returning to school would be a smart investment. (I just finished grad school and will be starting my first professional job tomorrow!)

Good luck!

 

[TheSeeker]

I moved back in with my Mother and Stepfather when I was 28 to go back to school. 12 years later I have a good job, own a house, I'm married and have a young daughter.

I don't think any of that would have happened if I hadn't moved back in with my Mother and Stepfather. It was probably the best decision I ever made. I say go for it.

On a side note, I found it a lot easier to live with my Mom at 28 than I did at 18. I guess maturing a little will do that for you.

 

[SmoothieX]

I lived at home for a couple of years after graduation so I could get my master's degree at night while working during the day. I was able to finish my degree without owing a penny to anyone. It was well worth it.

 

[JiNX-01]

Part of me hates the idea of moving back in with the folks. At 30 years old I feel like it's showing a bit of defeat that I can't make it on my own...but on the other hand it's my own damn fault for not finishing with my education in the first place (just incidentally, I do have an associates of the arts degree, just never went any further with it).

Here's my input: What you should really hate is being 30 years old and working part-time in retail.

Go home. Research careers with a long shelf life (case in point: take a pass on newspaper journalism). When you're taking classes, include a couple of courses in accounting. It won't be fascinating but it can be your back-up plan. I wish I'd done it.

 

[RoJoHen]

When you're taking classes, include a couple of courses in accounting. It won't be fascinating but it can be your back-up plan. I wish I'd done it.

Not really sure how taking a couple courses in a subject constitutes a back-up plan. I majored in Accounting, and it hasn't helped me out one damn bit.

 

[SmoothieX]

Here's my input: What you should really hate is being 30 years old and working part-time in retail.

When I was in college, I lamented the fact that I was broke and had no free time whatsoever. I knew one or two folks who didn't go to college or dropped after one semester, who worked at whatever big chain store, and had a nicer car, maybe their own place, and more fun money.

My mom said something to the effect of: Yeah, they're making $12/hour and having plenty of fun on the side. But you're going to graduate and start a career, and they'll still be making $12/hour working from noon to 9 PM every Sunday.

 

[SmoothieX]

When you're taking classes, include a couple of courses in accounting. It won't be fascinating but it can be your back-up plan. I wish I'd done it.

Not really sure how taking a couple courses in a subject constitutes a back-up plan. I majored in Accounting, and it hasn't helped me out one damn bit.

Have you ever worked for an accounting firm or tried for your CPA? You can major in whatever you want, but if you don't apply yourself at a position in your field, your degree becomes less and less valuable by the day.

 

[Lindley]

Here's my input: What you should really hate is being 30 years old and working part-time in retail.

When I was in college, I lamented the fact that I was broke and had no free time whatsoever. I knew one or two folks who didn't go to college or dropped after one semester, who worked at whatever big chain store, and had a nicer car, maybe their own place, and more fun money.

My mom said something to the effect of: Yeah, they're making $12/hour and having plenty of fun on the side. But you're going to graduate and start a career, and they'll still be making $12/hour working from noon to 9 PM every Sunday.

In what part of the country is $12/hour enough for "fun money"? After tax withholding you maybe have $400/week, or $1600/month. That might be enough for rent, groceries, and car insurance, but it doesn't leave much besides.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I would say go back to school. It may be tough living with your folks, but you have to look at the LONG run. Chances are you'll have many more job opportunities with a higher education (not to mention better pay and more financial freedom). Don't feel bad about being 30-ish and dependent...that situation has become a lot more common with young adults not being able to find steady jobs. (Same has happened with me and I'm in my late twenties.)

The economy stinks now, so if you can get into a field where you'll be in high demand, returning to school would be a smart investment. (I just finished grad school and will be starting my first professional job tomorrow!)

Good luck!

QFT. Aldo, perhaps try to consider a different career. If you like retail, that's all fine, but as you've already indicated, the pay isn't all that great. At least you have an extensive background in customer service. You may qualify for a supervisory position elsewhere, especially if you take classes that help you develop new skills.

 

[TheSeeker]

Here's my input: What you should really hate is being 30 years old and working part-time in retail.

When I was in college, I lamented the fact that I was broke and had no free time whatsoever. I knew one or two folks who didn't go to college or dropped after one semester, who worked at whatever big chain store, and had a nicer car, maybe their own place, and more fun money.

My mom said something to the effect of: Yeah, they're making $12/hour and having plenty of fun on the side. But you're going to graduate and start a career, and they'll still be making $12/hour working from noon to 9 PM every Sunday.

In what part of the country is $12/hour enough for "fun money"? After tax withholding you maybe have $400/week, or $1600/month. That might be enough for rent, groceries, and car insurance, but it doesn't leave much besides.

You're going by today's standards. I think it really depends on how old SmoothieX is and when his Mom said that to him.

 

[SmoothieX]

^When you are 19 and making $8/hr mixing solutions in the college chem lab 10 hours or so a week, so you can buy books with them, $12/hr with no school to worry about sounds like a decent plan.

By fun I meant the things a college kid thinks is fun, like going to the bar. Not jetsetting around the world or anything like that.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Isn't $12/hour the new minimum wage?

 

[Finn]

Here's my input: What you should really hate is being 30 years old and working part-time in retail.

When I was in college, I lamented the fact that I was broke and had no free time whatsoever. I knew one or two folks who didn't go to college or dropped after one semester, who worked at whatever big chain store, and had a nicer car, maybe their own place, and more fun money.

My mom said something to the effect of: Yeah, they're making $12/hour and having plenty of fun on the side. But you're going to graduate and start a career, and they'll still be making $12/hour working from noon to 9 PM every Sunday.

In what part of the country is $12/hour enough for "fun money"? After tax withholding you maybe have $400/week, or $1600/month. That might be enough for rent, groceries, and car insurance, but it doesn't leave much besides.

You can do it with that pay rate in Ohio. I used to make less than that when I first lived in Cincinnati and I still had more than enough for fun.

 

[SmoothieX]

^I grew up in a suburb of NYC, $12 would get you a drink and a half.

 

[RoJoHen]

When you're taking classes, include a couple of courses in accounting. It won't be fascinating but it can be your back-up plan. I wish I'd done it.

Not really sure how taking a couple courses in a subject constitutes a back-up plan. I majored in Accounting, and it hasn't helped me out one damn bit.

Have you ever worked for an accounting firm or tried for your CPA? You can major in whatever you want, but if you don't apply yourself at a position in your field, your degree becomes less and less valuable by the day.

At this point, I have no interest in an accounting job or continuing my education. My only point was that "a few accounting classes" isn't going to make one bit of difference when trying to find a job.

Isn't $12/hour the new minimum wage?

Ha!

Minimum wage is Illinois is around $8.50.

 

[Aldo]

I just spoke with my folks abou it this morning. They are very supportive about it.

So after season is over at my store (mid-January or so), I'm going to get my butt over here and start looking into school.

And the good part is, I may be able to get transferred to the Michael's over here and work part time so I have a little money for gas while I go to school.