Fallen on hard times, advice?

Discussion in 'Real Life Stories' started by Sproggs, Jan 14, 2010.

  1. I come from an up scale, white picket fence neighborhood in Altoona, Iowa. It's a smaller town, but everyone there was friendly. Our house was ~$180k, point being, it was really nice.

    My mom used to buy me whatever I wanted, not going to lie, pretty spoiled rotten. I would get an average of about 50 presents around Christmas, yeah, spoiled lol. We ate home cooked meals every night, and every weekend when it was time for me to party she would throw me like $20. I love my mom.

    Nowadays, I'm living in a run down apartment in Des Moines, my mom isn't getting paid enough anymore so she's working three jobs right now (one is full time). She just turned 56, she's too old for that. I've applied everywhere. No one is hiring me...I think it's because I have a criminal record (assault/arson/harassment/use of a deadly weapon) and they look that up and say fuck that. I'm really not a bad kid though.

    She's living in a cheap trailer at an old folks mobile home park, I think she bought the entire trailer for like 2 grand...it's also not in good condition.

    There's some days I can't eat simply because my mom can just barely afford both our rent. And when she does get food it's usually just $.75 pot pies or $1 pizzas, maybe a loaf of bread, some butter, and milk...point being, food that I'm tired of and tastes gross (I'm thankful for the little amount of food I get though).

    I'm not asking for sympathy, or apologies, or any of that.

    I just need to know HOW THE FUCK CAN I MAKE SOME MONEY!? :p I have no shovel, snow blower, or lawn mower, so I can't do that for money. I have nothing to sell...and I have no college or job experience.

    Does anyone have any advice for me? How can I get out of this hell hole? Make money online? Tried, but most of those sites are bunk.
     
  2. watch weeds and be a soccer mom
     
  3. Just keep trying i guess. Shit's hard for everyone man.
     
  4. #4 soapman, Jan 14, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 14, 2010
    Keep your tips up bro, everybody is feelin the pressure, seems like it's worse now more than ever,

    oh yeah I don't know quite know the prespective of an 'upscale' 180k home. In my town that's how much the mobile homes are, the houses damn near half a million dollars. I dunno how the fuck I'm ever supposed to buy something like that...rambling, off topic sorry op
     
  5. Yeah, I'm a dude.

    Really don't want to sit around and watch TV all day either...I want to be productive.
     
  6. Man sorry to hear about your current life situation...dude being serious you cannot let your mother live in those kinda conditions....i know it sounds gross but if you really need the money then there are ways you can get it...if you close your eyes and just remember its just skin then it really isn't that bad.
     

  7. Ha, don't think male prostitution is big in Des Moines.

    And I know I can't let my mom live like that...that's why I'm trying to figure out a way to make some money.
     
  8. Welfare? That will be at least any kind of help.
     
  9. Can you see if anyone is hiring someone as a handyman under the table? Where maybe a background check isn't an issue?

    Have you looked into local food closets that might be able to help you guys out with some basics for food?
     
  10. Stand in front of home depot. Not even trying to be funny. Those guys are there because they actually make money there. If they didnt make money there they wouldnt be there. Right?
     
  11. thats not what i was saying, i guess you didnt get the hidden message.
     
  12. keep applying, but also do some self searching over a joint... think about your talents. Can you dance? Can you sing? Are you good with computers?

    Think about the things you know about most. Perhaps start a pro-legalization movement in your town? Basically, you gotta really delve into yourself, and bring out your utmost potential.

    Also, when you apply if you get an interview, be frank with the people interviewing you. Don't hesitate to tell them everything you just told us. Tell that to others outside the job world as well; it may well help you get a job and on the way to prosperity my friend.

    Keep your head up bro; trust me, I know what its like... and I was born spoiled in the hood.
     

  13. Lol. I don't think dancing or signing or starting a marijuana movement is really going to get him on the right track. Just go out everyday apply everywhere. Apply at pizza places they don't do background checks. A lot of places won't look up your history. Try to find an under the table job or something.

    Also I think you said that you and your mother live in seperate places.. Why don't you guys move in together? Save one of the rent payments..
     
  14. #14 Fumar Verde, Jan 14, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 14, 2010
    Your missing the point in this...


    The step to recovery financially starts with a good place to occupy yourself physically and find a good hobby. I told him to do some searching because you can think of things your good at and branch them off in different directions. Its not necessarily about trying to be a dancer, or singer perhaps, but figuring what your good at and thinking of ways to possibly intertwine it. My friend for example, was going through hard times, and one day just thought about what he liked, and now hes on the road to getting signed to Universal Records. Another friend of mine found that his special was computers and now hes in college getting a bachleors in Computer Science. Sometimes when your stuck, you just gotta look at what you like and take things from there.
     
  15. Okay I gotcha now.
     
  16. I've thought about what I'm good at...

    -Computers, definitely
    -Singing, not so much lol
    -Music in general though...I love. I used to be in my high school concert and marching band ( I'm a tromboner :) ) and if I could find a way to dust off my old T-bone and make money off of that, that would be good. I live in an apartment though, with thin walls...so practicing would be next to impossible.

    Lately I've been looking at synth software (maybe some of you have seen my posts in the silicone valley and music forums), I really would like to get into making techno/chiptune/electronica/acid house/trance music.

    -Science, I fuckin love science. Anatomy, physics and psychology are the fields I'm most interested in.

    But, even if I find a hobby or something I'm good at...where's the income? I need money, and I need it now frankly. I hate to sound like I'm money driven...but at this point, well, I guess I am :(

    Also, I failed to mention...I do NOT have a car, which is a huge disadvantage. Which may be my reason for not getting hired, I can only apply to places that are relatively close (especially since Iowa gets 20 below zero temps).
     
  17. Do you have your license?
     

  18. No =\ Not even a driving permit. I might be getting one in the next month or so though...I'm really hoping to.

    And technically I do have a car, but it needs parts...which is more money, about $2-300 more. Needless to say, I don't have that money and neither does my mom.


    Btw, I appreciate everyone's responses! Thanks everyone, please keep it coming.
     
  19. why not start a computer repair gig and run it from your apartment just put up an ad on craigslist
     
  20. I dont think it is illegal and somebody please correct me if im wrong. Lots of food places dont background check, so just lie and say your clean. I needed a job and couldnt find one cause I was putting down my education level. First job I applied to lying I got, they seem to think im a freshman in college, lol. Im in college, for certification that I need cause I dont wanna work fast food forever. Also, do you call to ask about your application or do you go up there and talk to them during slow times? Second even though im white, from my experiences go apply at some Arab ran places. Cause them Arabs no how to do business, check gas stations and likkah sto's
     

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