How does one survive if you cant find a job and no support from parents?

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MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
By age 23, I had already done 4 for the Corps and was starting my union apprenticeship.

However, in your scenario, a history degree doesn't qualify a person for much of a job...so yeah...the military MIGHT be a good option. (really depends on the person though)
Same here.

But I joined during the Iranian Hostage crisis, the Argo thing, and they ended up released shortly after I eve got out of boot camp.

Immaterial I guess, and like Reagan did later, they are cutting back the military soon it looks, so there are even people have been in awhile might be getting reviewed and booted.
 
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Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
I was out of work for 9 months after grad school 5 years ago because nobody was hiring master's degree engineers with 3 years experience. Either they wanted vanilla b.s. engineers or 10+ years experience. I lived off of my 30k$ savings (including 15k$ subsidized loans) I amassed during grad school as a shtf fund. 9 months drained 10k$ and after the 6 month grace period ended on my loans during month 9, I paid it back in full, kept the 3k$ interest I earned on it, and a week later got my current job with about 8k$ to my name. The first paycheck was sweet. However I never burned my family bridge and they were always willing to help if I asked... I dunno without family support, it is hard to survive tough times. Thank goodness for a caring buddy would let me stay with him for 3 months and Romneycare for free interim health insurance. Good family and friends are what is necessary to get through the shitty times honestly. Without any support group, it is extremely difficult.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Taken care for life options:
1. Welfare
2. Disability
3. Commit a felony, but one that doesn't merit hard time and 25+ years -- might change your mind.

Temporary options:
1. Prostitute
2. Sell weed
3. Teach English in a developing country -- should be enough to survive.
4. Work a job that flouts labor laws.


He cannot possibly afford a samurai short sword, he is too broke!

Do it at the store after you ask to see the sword.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
6,470
32
91
I was out of work for 9 months after grad school 5 years ago because nobody was hiring master's degree engineers with 3 years experience. Either they wanted vanilla b.s. engineers or 10+ years experience. I lived off of my 30k$ savings (including 15k$ subsidized loans) I amassed during grad school as a shtf fund. 9 months drained 10k$ and after the 6 month grace period ended on my loans during month 9, I paid it back in full, kept the 3k$ interest I earned on it, and a week later got my current job with about 8k$ to my name. The first paycheck was sweet. However I never burned my family bridge and they were always willing to help if I asked... I dunno without family support, it is hard to survive tough times. Thank goodness for a caring buddy would let me stay with him for 3 months and Romneycare for free interim health insurance. Good family and friends are what is necessary to get through the shitty times honestly. Without any support group, it is extremely difficult.

tell me about it bro my mom has to move in with ME so the support is going the other way around now, and I still haven't gotten my own life anywhere near settled!

having parents who have their shit together is such an asset! I envy you bro!
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Same here.

But I joined during the Iranian Hostage crisis, the Argo thing, and they ended up released shortly after I eve got out of boot camp.

Immaterial I guess, and like Reagan did later, they are cutting back the military soon it looks, so there are even people have been in awhile might be getting reviewed and booted.

They are already cutting at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom. It sucks having 14 years left because there are no guarantee that I'll even make it to 20.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,376
4,995
136
After reading all the replies, particularly those from the ex-grunts, I have to wonder whether the OP even mentioned joining the military with any seriousness. Or whether it was thrown out there as the last thing that he could imagine doing, even for someone with absolutely no means of support and no other options.

We get it. You hate the Military. Even if you don't know jack about it.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
Military for sure. Make the most of it, either go career or gi to get a good education. It's a pretty sweet gig all things considered. Such an incredible opportunity to challenge yourself mentally and physically.
 

tesher

Member
May 28, 2003
34
0
66
Temping is a really good stop-gap measure that could turn into something more permanent.
 

schmuckley

Platinum Member
Aug 18, 2011
2,335
1
0
Camp in a tent and hunt for your food.
Perhaps try day-labor to supplement the hunting.
 

Gunslinger08

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
13,234
2
81
Even if you get a job today, you probably aren't going to have money to pay for a hotel or apartment in a week. You need to work your connections:

1. Talk to your parents and try to reconcile. Decent parents won't let their kids go homeless, regardless of age and disagreements.
2. Talk to other family members or close friends.
3. You go to church? If so, talk to the pastor/leader. Someone might be willing to give you a place to live for a while.

Once you have somewhere to live for a month or two, you need to get financially independent:

1. Cut expenses to the bare minimum. This means cell phone (for job interview calls), cheapest food you can find, and a car if you live in an area without public transport.
2. Apply everywhere. Talk to the people in your life from the above list and work their connections to find ANY job opening where you have an "in." Follow Mike Rowe's advice - you don't need the perfect job; you just need a job.
3. Earn some extra cash on the side. Donate plasma, semen, hair, whatever you've got. Sell any possessions you don't absolutely need. Loiter at 7/11 or Home Depot on your days off to try to get day laborer jobs. Call temp agencies.
4. Once you have a steady job, keep improving yourself. A History degree was probably a bad decision, especially if it's just a bachelor's and not combined with an education certificate that allows you to teach. You need to decide what you want to do long term and figure out how to build the skills to get the job.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
Going on welfare and be a sponge on society is always an option. :thumbsup:

Military is a good option though. My cousin did that. Studied to be an audio engineer (stupid) but got a job with the army doing communications (smart). They paid for some additional education he needed as well. His parents live near the Royal Military College, so he even gets to visit them often.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,672
136
lets say you're 23 and graduated last year w/a degree in History.
you cant find a job, even at a McDonalds.

for whatever reason, tensions rise w/your parents and they kick you out of the house permanently.

You're now staying a friend's place but that's only going to last for a week or so.

What would you do?
Join the military?

History eh
Stick your thumb out and hit the road, see the world?

Dang don't know when I was young you could always get a job pumping gas or landscaping laborer.
 

OverVolt

Lifer
Aug 31, 2002
14,278
89
91
I live in a major metropolitian area. There are already alot of beggars my age now along side all the disabled vietnam veterans. I'm like holy shit ive never seen a beggar my age before. It legit scares me. They look college educated. Nice backpacks and stuff... ofc covered in street grime but you know....
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,353
1,862
126
Mooch off grandma, mooch off aunt/uncles, mooch off sister or brother .. while looking for job.

If I burn all bridges and still find no job, then there is petty crime to stay alive while continuing to try to better myself.
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
4,268
126
If you are going to be homeless find an area with a reasonable climate and get long term membership to a 24/7 health club/gym. You'll have a place where you can get clean, have water and a locker to stash your stuff and hand wash your clothes when no one is looking. Have one set of clothes that you do not wear except for interviews. Go to the library and read up on survival stuff. Hopefully it won't come to it, but if worse comes to worse you can make do outside the city, hence the importance of climate. Being in a shelter or box in a place with mild winters is far easier than living in New England. While at the gym use it. Chances are that being in good physical condition will help you with getting a manual labor job. Don't be proud. Churches and other organizations often have food pantries or support shelters. Use them and keep your strength up.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,648
6,528
126
i would never be in that position because i'm not a lazy piece of shit. i would go wait outside of home depot with the big groups of spanish people and go to day jobs if i had to. i'd develop mobile apps for ios and android. i'd go cut people's grass in the neighborhood.

there are tons of ways to make money if you really need to.
 

Uppsala9496

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 2001
5,272
19
81
OP, what field of work have you been looking into? Have a history degree myself, along with a Poly Sci why try degree. Working as an insurance underwriter. Been doing it the last 15 years and enjoy it.
Expand the fields you are applying to and be willing to relocate.

OP: http://www.greatinsurancejobs.com/
Search through there for entry level positions (underwriting assistant, customer service associate, etc).
 
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z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,010
66
91
Welfare + food stamps + Section 8 + give handies at the local truck stop?
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
Well, yeah. It has changed a lot since I was in. But if he isn't a dumb ass he should be able to swing it and the chances for an excellent skill room and board ... can be gotten for free.

He can't get a job at a fast food restaurant. What makes you think he could get into the army?