back to school, but who's gonna pay the rent?

[SinusHeadache]

So I'm giving up my full time job this summer so I can go back to school in the fall. It's not a great job. The pay is really crappy and there's no room for advancement. Not to mention I hate the work, thus my reason for going back to school. But at least I'm paying my rent (with the help of a second job...I do like 48 hours a week). I'm freaking out because I have no idea how I'm going to pay the bills come schooltime! I'll also lose my health insurance. I'll get in SOME hours with my present part-timer. Anyone have ideas for some part-time evening work a person can do that dolls out more than minimum wage? What kinds of jobs have you all had while working your way through school? I get no financial assistance from family and very little from government sources. My roomie says I should take out a loan for living expenses, but being in that much debt scares the pickle brine out of me.

[BondGirl]

Congratulations on making the decision to go back to school!! I am doing the same thing, but being a bit irrational about it, going to try to work full time and go to school 3/4 time. My advice to you, is maybe try a job waiting tables in a restaurant. I did it for about 5 years, and it is actually pretty decent money, you have the flexibility in your schedule that a lot of other places don't offer, and my main motivation for doing it as long as I did--it is a great way to break out of the academic setting and socialize with people close to your age, without having to go out and spend money to do so!! You determine the money you make, depending on when you want to work. Good luck!!

[CAT11]

Espresso places or coffee shops can also be good. Working in a proof department in a bank is evening work as well and should pay over minimum...
Most students take out loans...but good for you if you can make it with out!

[SinusHeadache]

Thank you both. :)

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[Unregistered]

Could you get a job that offers tuition assistance? I see that as my only option (insurance, car, car and renter's, food, rent, gym). Gosh I wish we had socialized education, Europeans don't seem to understand that. They ALL have their master's but there's just so much to consider for us, yet I don't understand why our education is so expensive,yet everyone demands it.

[Unregistered]

I'm in a similar situation. I currently work in a job that is ok-but not what i ever wanted to do/ be in life. I always planned on going to grad school. Now I'm starting grad school shortly, in a field i'm interested in but it will cost me alot of money. I don't know what to do. I want to continue my studies but i don't know if I can handle $45,000 in loan debt. Any one in this type of situation? What did you do? Any advice would be appreciated.

[M4A1]

Depending on where you are at. Construction & High-rise window washing are the best unskill jobs that I can think of. They are somewhat labor intensive and dangerous, but don't you get discouraged, if you let that $45k linger on your mind all the time, it'll consume you.

Construction starts around $8-10/hr, depending on what type of work and who you know. Window washing starts around $10-$14/hr, depending on what company and who you know.

Remeber, this is just starting pay, if you stick with this for a year or two, your pay will be higher. They'll pay better than any jobs you find in a coffee shop. I'm not suggesting this for a career, but you should do what you have to do to pay that $45k off, if you gonna take it easy and work as a cashier or stockboy, you'll have a terrible time in paying this off.

Check with local warehouses, forklift drivers get pay well too, my friend who had a 4.8/5.0 GPA did that for 4 years throughout college, working 15 to 30/hrs a week and going to school full-
time...

If you are good with balance sheet, and had some accounting classes, check for jobs at your cashier's office. If you are lucky, they may pay $8 to $10/hr.

Best of luck. Cheer up.