[F80_M3llow]

To have money on my pocket like everyone else. That's not my only ability. I also fix cars on the side and detail automobiles in my friends body shop. I dropped out of high school senior year and was admitted to silver hill hospital Becouse I was unstable. after I got out took some time to pull it together and went ahead and attended classes to get my GED. I don't only work for my car I have other interests of spending my money like my family and things that eventually will get me somewhere like school.

[F80_M3llow]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

You simply made immature decisions, that I made plenty of too.


Now, you're going to have to live cheap and get help from your parents if they can. Get a part time job, plenty of things you can do and I would go by financial aid at your school and see what they might have. Start school and figure out what you really want, and go from there.

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by BMWE90FANATIC

To have money on my pocket like everyone else. That's not my only ability. I also fix cars on the side and detail automobiles in my friends body shop. I dropped out of high school senior year and was admitted to silver hill hospital Becouse I was unstable. after I got out took some time to pull it together and went ahead and attended classes to get my GED. I don't only work for my car I have other interests of spending my money like my family and things that eventually will get me somewhere like school.

I'm asking these questions because it's common to be young and want a nice car. All of that is now irrelevant, you know what you did and you're on the correct path. Good Luck.

[F80_M3llow]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

I'm asking these questions because it's common to be young and want a nice car. All of that is now irrelevant, you know what you did and you're on the correct path. Good Luck.

Thanks Collins

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by BMWE90FANATIC

Thanks Collins

Dissociate yourself from the real world and put your mind back into student mode. You now live as cheaply as possible, because you have an excuse. "College is the only place you can be broke, and still cool." Put money away, grab a part-time job as a waiter or delivery driver that pays high in cash. You'd be surprised what drunk college kids will tip when they're drunk.

Stay in school until you can't afford it any longer. Pay for as much of it as you can with cash, scholarship, or grants. Don't limit the possibilities with a mechanic unless that's all you want, a college can provide many interesting degrees that are more lucrative, that can also put you under a car too.

[48Laws]

"If not now, when...?"

Good Luck!

[Uber V8]

As an administrator in the financial aid field, I can tell you that attending college should be a far better choice than making slightly above minimum wage.

There are many grants offered through the federal gov't that you do not pay back such as:

Pell grant - up to $5,550 year
FSEOG grant - $800 year
Federal work study grant - up to $3,800


Then there's state specific aid such as the Cal grant, BOG fee waiver, state and UC grants, scholarships, etc...

PM me if you want more info. I got paid to get my degree

[ScaredOnce]

Originally Posted by BMWE90FANATIC

Thank you. This job stresses me out and intact makes my symptoms worse. I know that this job is not going to get me anywhere . I start school April 23 and really look forward to it. My father always wanted me to be a carpenter but I just couldn't get the hang of it. On the other hand give me a car and parts and il dig in that car for days on end. I always felt a sense of accomplishment working with my car and others car. I have spend countless of hours learning about cars and how to do everything. I just dread waking up and being here for 8+ hours and dealing with scumbags. The only thing I'm getting out of this job is 35 hours a week plus minimum wage awesome right. My ultimate goal is work for BMW and open up my own shop one day.

Go for it. I admire your attitude - it can take you far. The rest is up to you. You'll make it if you want it bad enough. Figure out what you love and don't let anybody (anybody... not even yourself) stand in the way.

"Every act you have ever performed since the day you were born was performed because you wanted something." - Andrew Carnegie

Good luck. Don't hit the wall.

[F80_M3llow]

Originally Posted by FwdFtl

As an administrator in the financial aid field, I can tell you that attending college should be a far better choice than making slightly above minimum wage.

There are many grants offered through the federal gov't that you do not pay back such as:

Pell grant - up to $5,550 year
FSEOG grant - $800 year
Federal work study grant - up to $3,800


Then there's state specific aid such as the Cal grant, BOG fee waiver, state and UC grants, scholarships, etc...

PM me if you want more info. I got paid to get my degree

Pm sent

[F80_M3llow]

Just so everyone knows The times I will be in school would be from 12:45 pm to 6:00 pm. M-F

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by BMWE90FANATIC

Pm sent

replied.

[silvergray545]

I was in your shoes just a couple years ago. I was working full time and going to school part time. I didn't just have a job, I could have turned it into a career if I wanted to. I was 18 years old and out of high school. I made just under 40k a year and life was good. I would wake up at 5:30 in the morning every day to go to work. I would get home at 4:30 and would have to leave by 5:30 to make it to class on it. Class would go to about 9 or 10 at night. That was my daily routine for two years. I realized I didn't want that job for the rest of my life and at the rate I was taking classes, it would take me 9-10 years to graduate. I quit my job, went to school full time and haven't looked back since. I should be graduating this fall if scheduling works out for me. One thing that was hard for me to get used to was the lack of disposable income. I'd blow like $200 a week just on nothing. Now, I keep it around $50 to $75 a week.

Oh, and if the E90 isn't under warranty, get rid of it. The costs to keep it running will eat you alive.

I hope that helps a little bit since it's coming from someone who has already been through it. Best of luck to ya.

[Q4P]

Originally Posted by silvergray545

I was in your shoes just a couple years ago. I was working full time and going to school part time. I didn't just have a job, I could have turned it into a career if I wanted to. I was 18 years old and out of high school. I made just under 40k a year and life was good. I would wake up at 5:30 in the morning every day to go to work. I would get home at 4:30 and would have to leave by 5:30 to make it to class on it. Class would go to about 9 or 10 at night. That was my daily routine for two years. I realized I didn't want that job for the rest of my life and at the rate I was taking classes, it would take me 9-10 years to graduate. I quit my job, went to school full time and haven't looked back since. I should be graduating this fall if scheduling works out for me. One thing that was hard for me to get used to was the lack of disposable income. I'd blow like $200 a week just on nothing. Now, I keep it around $50 to $75 a week.

Oh, and if the E90 isn't under warranty, get rid of it. The costs to keep it running will eat you alive.

I hope that helps a little bit since it's coming from someone who has already been through it. Best of luck to ya.

Keep in mind that going to school and graduating does open a lot of opportunities and it means you could make more money but it doesn't necessarily mean you will at first. This is especially the case in this economy... You said that you were making just under 40K at 18... keep in mind that for most people coming out of college into their first job, that is about the amount of money they make even if that. I am only saying this because a lot of people think that once you go to college and graduate you will instantly have a much easier life... that isn't always the case especially for a little while after college. To the OP, you made the right decision, just have perseverance...

[F80_M3llow]

Thanks guys. Well I'm not getting rid of the e90 since that's the only car I have and I can't part with it. But I do have other ways of making good income. I have an eBay store and sell designer clothing my mothers bring from the place she works make a good 3k every 2 months. Also I detail cars on the side bringing some extra cash and other little things on the side that will bring some extra help. I rather keep the e90 with me through this. If it breaks well I'll be in automotive school so ill fix it.

[ScaredOnce]

Originally Posted by BMWE90FANATIC

Thanks guys. Well I'm not getting rid of the e90 since that's the only car I have and I can't part with it. But I do have other ways of making good income. I have an eBay store and sell designer clothing my mothers bring from the place she works make a good 3k every 2 months. Also I detail cars on the side bringing some extra cash and other little things on the side that will bring some extra help. I rather keep the e90 with me through this. If it breaks well I'll be in automotive school so ill fix it.

Sell it. You owe $2k and it's worth more than $2k. Why finance that difference into your education? (if you education won't cost more than the difference between that equity and your car debt, then I don't know what to say). Buy the most badass 2016 Bimmer they make! Can't wait to see pics of the 2016 M.

What universities are you considering?

I learned the hard way the "pay now or pay later" routine and I'm finally on the ups. If you disagree, do it your way and make the most of it. You're attitude will carry you either way.

Good luck.

[F80_M3llow]

Originally Posted by ScaredOnce

Sell it. You owe $2k and it's worth more than $2k. Why finance that difference into your education? (if you education won't cost more than the difference between that equity and your car debt, then I don't know what to say). Buy the most badass 2016 Bimmer they make! Can't wait to see pics of the 2016 M.

What universities are you considering?

I learned the hard way the "pay now or pay later" routine and I'm finally on the ups. If you disagree, do it your way and make the most of it. You're attitude will carry you either way.

Good luck.

I already got accepted to an automotive trade school. Couple of my freinds went there graduated. One of them had his own shop and the other works for Benz. All matters where to take it and how you pursue it.

[Joekerr]

I have to agree with what I think is the spirit of Collins' posts.

Basically, live on the cheap - that means you are going to have to sacrifice now, you won't really know until you start school, but the lifestyle you have now must change, even if it feels like you are being pretty conservative. Overall, it is worth it...it will pay off in the end. Not immediately out of college / university, but it opens so many more doors than high school that it does pay off. Consider it to be an investment (in you)...short term pain because you deprive yourself of that disposable income that you could have spent on yourself, but long term gain as the benefits compound.

It won't be short term gain though - don't fool yourself going into it and then spiral deeper into depression when you get out and its not immediately better...it will get better, you just need to understand that.

You know in university I saved like a fiend, and finally by my 3rd year I was able to buy a used Maxima (I liked it quite a bit, don't care about anyone else's opinion) and I loved that car. But it took forever to buy it (and it was used). And then, the next year, all I really wanted was to be able to put a cold air intake on it (I was younger) and it would have cost $500 to do so. But I didn't have the money (could have borrowed, but realized that was stupid). Then my parents went away on a trip the next year and took my brother but I couldn't go, so they wound up giving me $500 which is the amount they gave my brother for the trip...that was my opportunity to get the CAI that I always wanted. But know what - I knew I had a tuition payment coming up that I could fund through borrowing...or I could use the $500. I wound up using the $500 for tuition. And I never did get a CAI. But it was worth it...looking back, and where I am now about 7 years after graduation, affording a CAI if I really wanted one now is nothing. So go for it, invest in yourself and work hard coming out of it too.

All the best!

[F80_M3llow]

Thank you for everyone's support. This is deff a spirit boost for me. I'm going to try my hardest to get where I want to go. I will keep everyone updated on this situation and how it goes. Like they say you never know why could happen Tommorow . Not to be nosy but is anyone on here also suffering from depression and bipolar disorder maybe we can relate to some things?

[BMWM3DREAM]

Much respect to you OP. I really admire your courage. You can say I am kind of in the same boat as you and really know that nobody understands how you feel when you are in such a predicament as yours.

I admire that at age 22 you are willing to make a significant change in your life. It is good you're doing so now rather than 4-6 years later as it becomes more difficult to change. Stay positive, believe in yourself and understand that hard work does pay off in the end, you might not see it now, but down the road you'll be happy when you look back on your accomplishments and that will fuel you to strive even more.

I hope you will be able to manage your life better. Much respect, plus I'm happy that your parents are supportive, sometimes parents don't have the ability or desire their children's struggles and/or problems.

[Greenkirby21]

OP you can do it! I wish more kids were realistic and as good as you are. A lot of students fail to realize how expensive and how great of an opportunity college is in life. I see many kids at my school skipping class and joking around, when they are wasting craploads of money.

You will be great at whatever you want to be because of your attitude. The only limits are the ones you impose on yourself. Luckily, I don't think that will be a problem for you : ). You are pro.

[F80_M3llow]

I don't know what to say but thank you for this great support I really didn't expect people to care but I guess I found those people here thank you so much guys makes me feel great.

[silvergray545]

Originally Posted by Q4P

Keep in mind that going to school and graduating does open a lot of opportunities and it means you could make more money but it doesn't necessarily mean you will at first. This is especially the case in this economy... You said that you were making just under 40K at 18... keep in mind that for most people coming out of college into their first job, that is about the amount of money they make even if that. I am only saying this because a lot of people think that once you go to college and graduate you will instantly have a much easier life... that isn't always the case especially for a little while after college. To the OP, you made the right decision, just have perseverance...

You bring up a very good point. And I agree with you 100%. The max I could make at that job would be 80k a year after getting some experience under my belt. And you would pretty much hold the same position for life. While that is a good amount of money, I failed to describe what kind of work I was doing. I used to work for a company that did comercial and industrial heating and cooling. The work was not easy at all and quite dangerous. I did pretty well at that job. My company decided to make me in charge of all the maintenance of every single piece (over 1000) of heating and cooling equipment at one of the colleges here in Cleveland. I've torn apart 600 horsepower boilers, 800 ton centrifugal chillers and steam boilers that pump out 200 PSI of steam.

After a while I realized that this was not the type of work for me. I was putting myself in these dangerous environments for under 40k a year. And everyday I would work in dirty places and come home filthy. It wasn't really fun.

Now, I'm an accounting major planning on going to grad school and getting my CPA after. If I only make 70k per year, it will be behind a desk punching keys on a keyboard. I won't ever have to do what I used to do. There are two types of work: working hard and working smart. I did the first and decided the latter of the two was best for me.

Fun fact: The current CEO of Smuckers went to the same university as me and he graduated with an accounting degree as well. His current salary is $8.8m per year. The sky is the limit when it comes to the business world.