What should I do?

[Prakas]

I'm (19), I've already went to college and took commerical transportation last year. I got my CDL (class A) license with recommdation letters, etc. Let me guess, your thinking to yourself "oh hes set, hes got a cdl license, plenty of jobs out there", unfortunately not for me. I've applied to over 30 jobs online and locally, almost every job you must be atleast 21, plus most want 1-5 years experience.

Well to say the least, it took me 6 months to land a job driving a street sweeper that doesn't even require a class A cdl license, but the pay is $12/hr, which I took in december. Now me and my mother have been wanting to move to columbus Ohio, and with this new job I was hoping to pay off my credit cards (only about $1,100) and do some minor fixes at the trailer where we currently live in to make it sellable condition. However she quit her job just over a month ago and has been unemployed since paying her half of the bills with her income tax which is now depleted and now we are relying on just my income which is barely enough to cover the bills.

She has a GED but no college degree, she applies to jobs here and there but won't apply for jobs that are available that include retail (which is what she was in when she quit). I honestly hate to think this but she is not trying hard enough, she's only applied to a few jobs this last past week and won't even follow up with them, I have to keep on telling her to call them up and see what the status is which she does sometimes but either they aren't hiring or will get back to her and never do.

Everytime I bring anything up about getting a job, she gets very defensive and won't listen. She'll bring up that we were only living on her income (which is less then what i'm making now) before i got a full time job at 16, however she was getting 700/month for child support. I want to move so bad, but I can't just leave her with no job or money for lot rent and bills etc. Plus its tough to make it on our own with lower end jobs.

Its like I'm headed into a dead end, let alone my financial situation, I have no social life except our dog which we dont even take to the state park because they charge money, so stupid.

Any serious suggestions are welcome.

[Prakas]

I guess its ok, I get the short end of the stick in life, just the way it goes. Looking for a 2nd job today, and also starting to do some web development and hopefully make a little money from that as well.

[wordsmith]

I'm not deaf to your plight, but I don't know what you can really do if your mom won't be more diligent about contributing more in terms of securing jobs for which she's qualified. Have you looked into options for subsidized housing and low-income energy assistance programs and other things to defray cost of living issues?

[weary]

do you have any other experience? you said you went to college....as in you got a degree or went and stopped? i'm not sure i really understand your post as you said you are 19 and already went to college? did you graduate HS early?

anyway, i would suggest the move be put on hold until you both can work more/save more $. (is there a particular reason you guys need to be in OH?) you also said your mom was previously receiving child support for you...would your father be willing to help you out w/ a loan maybe? have you talked to your mother to find out why she won't go for anymore retail jobs?

i'm sorry...i have more questions than suggestions. but i do want to say that while it seems like hell right now, it can most definitely get better. you have to keep trying. when i was your age i made only a dollor more an hour than you, and i had a toddler to feed/clothe/shelter/etc, w/o any help from anyone. i was in school and working (both FT), and tired and lonely and hungry all the time. but i survived...you can too. :)

[cache]

Have you told her that you want to move out?

Tell her that you are 19 and don't want the stress of supporting another person, and it is unfair of her to expect that of you. Also, if she knows that you are supporting her, maybe that hampers motivation to find a job? Lastly, she also sounds depressed...some help with that may remedy some things...not sure about low income assistance, though.

Also, the place where you took CDL classes, do they have career counseling at all? Any recommendations for people in your position? You'd think if they are willing to take your money to train you, they would know how to get you a job...

Good luck

[Prakas]

well we cant get low income housing, they say we make too much. plus we have a gold retreiver that we wouldn't give up for the world.

yes she is depressed but theres not much i can do, today i took her with me to look for a 2nd job, and in turn she handed in a couple applications as well. Its like shes given up all hope. We are almost flat out broke, her vehicle has been on near empty for the last 2 weeks meaning shes been using my car, which is fine but my credit cards and all maxed out now, and as you all are aware, gas is expensive. Our plan was for "us" to move out to ohio to live, as cost of living is cheaper there, but we are stuck where we're at, can't get any loans etc.

i went to college for a 9 week program, got my CDL license, certificate, and they recommend me when i apply for jobs. However they warned me at the beginning that it would be tough for me to find a job at my age, especially in a small state. Indeed it was hard, but I managed to find a sweeper job which is fine with me for the time being, don't have much of a choice eitherway.