Ways to earn Money Online

Any suggestions for going to college?

I’m 20 years old and currently live at home. I’m helping pay the bills and I work in a factory. I’ve worked there for 3 years and make 10 dollars an hour. This factory only has 1st shift. I want to go to college, but to do that I’d basically have to quit my steady job. My boss is easy to get along with and so is everyone else in the place. It’s a small company, less than 20 people. I don’t have a college fund, so I’d have to get loans to cover books and tuition. I’m helping pay the bills at home and if I quit my job, my mother could possibly lose the house. I want to live without having to worry so much about having the money to pay bills. I know about online courses but I believe I would benefit more by being in the classroom.What should I do?

Hey CrazyGirl -
you have yourself quite a situation. How is it that mom can’t pay the bills herself? What did she do three years ago before you started to work? I can think of many life circumstances that would leave your family in this situation, however, mom has to think that at some point you have to move on with your life. She cannot continue to lean on you, her daughter, for financial support.

So – a couple of suggestions – which you may or may not have considered:

Option 1. look into taking classes part time at a community college. A lot of these offer classes at various times – am, pm, evening – there are bound to be classes you can fit into your schedule where you do not have to quit work.

Option 2. look into the community college again – but this time alter your work schedule so you can take a heavier load – maybe work 2 days/wk or 3 days/wk and take classes the other days.

Option 3. move out, go away to college and take out a student loan like the rest of us.

I admire the fact that you want to help your mom. Suggest having a heart to heart and indicate that you will pay x portion of bills (for your living expenses), however, you really want to go to school and cannot “carry” her financially. If she is so deep into financial trouble, then maybe she should consider downsizing her living accomodations, etc so she can live within her own budget.

In any scenario, I do recommend being physically in the classroom. Especially for the first few years. I know online courses are very popular, and maybe you can take some of your courses this way – but I would start off in the classroom.