Suggestions?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2004
Suggestions?
4
Mon, 04-25-2005 - 6:04pm

Hello all, I am new here and in some trouble. Brief explanation: When I graduated high school, my parents presented me with a deal that I could live at home rent free as long as I worked and paid my own bills while I went to college they would pay for. I have never broken my end of the arrangement, but my parents have broken theirs. They have given me 2 months to move out. The problem is this: I have $26,000 in total debt and I live in San Diego, CA (VERY high living expenses, salary doesn't even come close to equaling the cost of living). I cannot make it on my own until the end of this year when I pay off the $10,000 in credit card debt and have only my car to worry about. They know this and are not budging. So, my question is this: Do any of you have any tips on how to earn more money since my money management is very good. Everything I make goes to trying to pay those bills down and it has been working but I need more time or more money. I work as much overtime at work as is allowed and I never go out and spend money unless I have to.

Also if anyone knows of any programs in San Diego that will help out low income families get into a domicile (apartment, home, condo) that would be appreciated too.

Thanks and take care!

Jen

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: imsheegirl
Mon, 04-25-2005 - 6:30pm

Hi Jen - I am so sorry that this is happening to you.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-24-2004
In reply to: imsheegirl
Mon, 04-25-2005 - 9:40pm
Perhaps you could rent a room until some of the cc's are paid down a bit? It is not the ideal situation, but it is well worth it to pay down some of those bills. Sorry this has happened to you. Your parents certainly did not keep up their end of the bargain. I don't think I would give them my address once I moved.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: imsheegirl
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 7:52am

If you like children, you could look for an arrangement like the one we have with our part-time nanny. She has her own bedroom and bath, and access to the kitchen, living room, and media rooms (and the kids's playroom, lol--basically the whole house other than our bedroom). She also eats with us when she chooses to, and I make sure there are snacks available for her.

In exchange, she makes herself available during the day to watch the kids for a few hours (each day--roughly 10 hours weekly) while I go to meetings, appointments, etc., or just sit at the computer and work.

At night, she works at a restaurant for cash--no money changes hands between us.

Don't know if this could work for you, but if you're still going to school, it could be a good deal if you could find a compatible household.

Good luck with whatever happens. Did your parents give you a reason for their decision? It seems like parents rarely do things just out of the blue, though of course they do sometimes do unfair things.

Welcome to the board, and stick around to let us know how things go for you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2004
In reply to: imsheegirl
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 10:21am

Thank you all for your replies. I have considered moving out of here, but too expensive to live here, too expensive to pack up and leave. It's gotten really bad out here. I have checked into renting a room or even staying at a motel month to month, it is just as bad. Most places like that here have jacked up the rates because more people are flooding into that market to escape the high rent and real estate prices. As far as getting another job to make some extra cash, I am looking into the feasibility of that right now. I work full time as an AP clerk for an insurance company right now plus I go to school 2 nights a week. In an effort to pay off my debt, I also work Saturdays. I am doing everything I know to fix this situation and am coming up empty. I need until the end of this year to be in the position they are trying to force me into now.

I can say one thing, they are NOT earning any points with our friends or the rest of the family. My uncle, who is a real estate broker, suggested I draw up a proposal to them and offer to pay them a monthly amount and become a boarder at their house until I can get my situation under control. I am leaning in that direction. When I do move out, I most likely will not give them my forwarding address as my hope is my BF and I will move to Las Vegas. We have both had enough and neither of us are getting anywhere here. There are financial responsibilites that must be met before we can do that, though. In addition, I have one last semester at school before I can transfer. After that, I want nothing more to do with my parents.

Someone asked what facilitated this announcement for me to move out. All my life my parents have argued and pulled me into the middle of it. My mother would complain about my father to me and he would complain about her telling me intimate details of their arguments and problems. As a result, I went into therapy 6 months ago and have learned to take better care of myself. One thing I have done was refuse to engage with them. When they argue, I leave. When they start to complain about each other, I tell them I don't want to hear it. I have since been dubbed the "ungrateful, spoiled child". This is a main reason they told me to leave, I have outstayed my usefullness. Sad, but probably true.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I will manage as best I can and get the heck out of here as fast as I can.

Take care,

Jen