08-05-2004, 10:16 PM
Wow... I must be jaded.
I look at $10/hr as basic entry level stuff and won't even touch it most of the time unless I'm hurting for cash. That's part of what getting a good education can do for you.
Before I got fired I was making $37,000/yr which works out to about $17.50/hr. I also had a great health package and an overall good work environment. That company wont even look at a potential employee without some form of completed secondary education.
My wife was actually making more than I was before her company restructured and the jobs she's looking at now make even more than that.
I can remember growing up and my dad was making just barely enough to make ends meet. By the time I was in high school, because he had stuck with his job and continued his education, he was pulling down over $50k/yr and that was in the early 80s.
If you're only aiming for $10/hr, then that's easy to accomplish and all you're going to make.
Start adding up the things you'll want in your life when you move out.
Rent: at least $500/month and up to $1500/month depending on where you live.
Car: anywhere from $200 on up per month depending on how nice a car you want. Look at all those people driving new cars around you and try to figure out how much they cost. Then figure out how much you have to make to afford one of those.
Bill: $250/month depending on what bills you have... cable, telephone, cel phone, water, electricity... the list goes on and on.
Food... clothing... basic maintenance of things...
Oh yeah... fun stuff... you probably want some money for that too.
So for a really basic lifestyle, you're talking about $2000/month or about $12.50/hr.
Continue your education.
Study something with good application like engineering, business, medicine, or law... academic studies are great for personal growth but it's really hard to find a place to apply your Art History degree. Although the skills you get just completing your education will help you immensely no matter what you study. A lot of employers just want to see that you can finish something that isn't required of you.
Besides, you'll meet all sorts of great people when you continue your education and form friendships like no other.
Things do get better as you age.
The worries of adulthood are worth it in the long run.
I look at $10/hr as basic entry level stuff and won't even touch it most of the time unless I'm hurting for cash. That's part of what getting a good education can do for you.
Before I got fired I was making $37,000/yr which works out to about $17.50/hr. I also had a great health package and an overall good work environment. That company wont even look at a potential employee without some form of completed secondary education.
My wife was actually making more than I was before her company restructured and the jobs she's looking at now make even more than that.
I can remember growing up and my dad was making just barely enough to make ends meet. By the time I was in high school, because he had stuck with his job and continued his education, he was pulling down over $50k/yr and that was in the early 80s.
If you're only aiming for $10/hr, then that's easy to accomplish and all you're going to make.
Start adding up the things you'll want in your life when you move out.
Rent: at least $500/month and up to $1500/month depending on where you live.
Car: anywhere from $200 on up per month depending on how nice a car you want. Look at all those people driving new cars around you and try to figure out how much they cost. Then figure out how much you have to make to afford one of those.
Bill: $250/month depending on what bills you have... cable, telephone, cel phone, water, electricity... the list goes on and on.
Food... clothing... basic maintenance of things...
Oh yeah... fun stuff... you probably want some money for that too.
So for a really basic lifestyle, you're talking about $2000/month or about $12.50/hr.
Continue your education.
Study something with good application like engineering, business, medicine, or law... academic studies are great for personal growth but it's really hard to find a place to apply your Art History degree. Although the skills you get just completing your education will help you immensely no matter what you study. A lot of employers just want to see that you can finish something that isn't required of you.
Besides, you'll meet all sorts of great people when you continue your education and form friendships like no other.
Things do get better as you age.
The worries of adulthood are worth it in the long run.
Gullible isn't in the dictionary.