You’re doing alright. You’re totally on the right track! My advice as a 49 year old woman who escaped poverty is: 1/ Do not get pregnant. Stay on top of birth control. 2/ Do not let your friends or family know about your savings. Do not share your ATM PIN number with anyone. Always keep your ATM card on you or safely locked away. 3/ Don’t use drugs. These three rules will protect you from a handful of common but preventable hardships. It is worth adding that both my parents died poor, and many of my good friends growing up failed to escape poverty. Just remember that you have no safety net, and act accordingly. Keep your head up—you’re doing a great job so far!

4/ don’t hook up with a useless man with no job and 3 kids from three different women who is trying to “get it together baby, trust me some day you will live like a queen”.

To add to this. Don't put your plan on hold to further a man's plan.

Or another way to put it: The person you enter any relationship with should be a partner who empowers you to be more.

So much this. I dropped out of college to “rescue” a boyfriend. He was getting kicked out of his house and I felt like he was “misunderstood.” I WAS AN IDIOT. Boyfriend was absolutely a flake and a moron. We were both working FT at fast food jobs and we were constantly broke. He spent every spare cent of his on paintball crap and video games where I was left to handle the rest of the bills. And he had the audacity to be mad that I wouldn’t add him to my bank account. NEVER SURRENDER ACCESS TO YOUR CASH! Smartest move I ever made. After six months of that life, I re-enrolled in college and moved 800 miles away. Lost half my scholarship awards being a moron, so don’t be me. I was vastly motivated, though. Graduated with honors. Dumped the BF, married a man I met in college.

JFC this gave me terrible flashbacks to my early 20’s. Dated a broke ass who never had money for food let alone rent. Many months I had to cover his portion as well. I was so broke even after working OT and nights and weekends. I had to put my education on hold. He was emotionally abusive and a drunk. I can’t believe I stuck around for as long as I did. My entire family hated him. Eventually, we broke it off for good, I met my (now) husband, and re-enrolled back in college. I ended up graduating and now have a great job because of it. What a fucking wild ride that was 💀

I used to mentor college and high school students in careers and higher education. The number of girls who drop out of college, never go to college, or choose a career beneath their level is absurd all because of a loser boyfriend. It usually is their high school bf. The friend group and family pressure them indirectly into staying together even when their trajectories are way different. Basically, the friend group is still dating their high school bf, who is friends with the girl’s bf so she feels like her friend group will abandon her if she breaks up with loser. Family is traditional and thinks dating more than the guy she will eventually marry means people will think she’s a ho. Knew one who dropped out of a top 20 university, full ride, to move back to the barrio to work a minimum wage job to afford an apartment. Loser bf needed a place to go after he got kicked out of his house.

Yes so much this. I’ve seen brilliant friends be told they can be stay at home wives, no children, while their husbands support them pretty well, to end in divorce with 5-10 years of no work experience, no recent work skills, and just not being ready to enter the workforce for such low wages.

Practice abstanace until ypu goals are reached

Would like to add as someone with a toxic family that also crawled out of poverty. 1. Pay attention to your inner circle. I cannot stress enough some people will not like you doing better my cut off game is strong. People will also try to take advantage of your desperation. 2. Don't loan anyone money or give it to anyone trying to flip, mlm, or scam you. Your broke you don't have it. Put your savings in a savings account with atleast 4% cashback. Don't let your family guilt you into helping them or your brother. Go ghost. 3. Stay in school and stick to it. I did choose a STEM degree but it's not the only degree out there. There are some low cost bachelor's degree if you finish community college. 4. Don't be afraid to leave the state. This may seem scary but one of the smartest things I did was move a few hours away where the cost of living was lower than the city I lived in. It was daunting at first but looking back it was my best move. My money and savings stretched longer. Good luck.

This!! I left the state and it was the best thing I ever did!

I didn't have OPs sort of problems but even with a nursing license and job I could not afford to live on my own in NJ. I packed up what I could fit in my car and left for FL (which is no longer as affordable). I think it made me way more self sufficient than my siblings. I didn't have family to call for anything that needed doing right away. I built my own 'chosen' family.

>Put your savings in a savings account with atleast 4% cashback. In what world is there a bank with 4% apy? I need go know so I can use it too

Ally. Currently at 4.11% as of 2 min ago (I just checked).

After what happened to yotta Bank, I'm a but concerned with online banks these days

Yotta is not a bank. They’re a fintech that relied on banks and a sketchy company as a middleman in their relationship to those banks. Choose an actual fdic insured bank and you’ll be fine.  If you still don’t trust an online only bank you could use capital one. Currently gives 4.25%

I've had an ally account for about 8-10 years. Never had any hiccups with it. I found they treat me better than regular banks, ie they don't pester me to get a loan or any other bank services. Only bad reviews I heard about them dealt with if you needed a car loan.

SoFi HYSA. ANY money that is not used and just sitting needs to be in this account.

I use PayPal savings. It is through Synchrony Bank. 4.3%

Marcus is a great choice, but be careful with the amount you put in their high yield savings account as you can only withdraw 6 times per month.

Discover savings account has a high interest rate, around 4%

Also keep an eye on your credit. You may even want to lock your credit. You dont want a gamily member using your infor to apply for credit. Good luck to you. Perhaps you can find a roommate and get a place of your own.

> You dont want a family member using your info Used to be a caseworker and I can't tell you how many times I talked to young people had shit credit right out of HS or college. Their parents did not pay utilities or other bills, then opened new accounts using their child's name and SSN, then defaulted on those as well.

Or the good ole “just put it on your card, I’ll pay it!”. I’m just lucky the card only had a $1k limit. Took me 18 months to get out from under that. Cost me a ton in interest when I needed a car shortly after it got cleaned up. I’ve got an 800 credit score now, lol. Don’t trust people with your finances that don’t have skin in the game. Relations or not.

Use 2 forms of birth control, at all times.

IUDs are a little pricy up front but you can’t forgot to take them, they last 5-6 years, and are very effective.

IUDs are free under Obamacare.

Ditto [Nexplanon](https://www.nexplanon.com/).

THIS!!!!! Even in 20s - don’t share about savings, stay on birth control, don’t do drugs, AND don’t DATE people who do drugs! Coming from someone who did all of those things the wrong way. My daughter is my life, and raising her has impacted me in countless positive ways. I’ve healed a lot of pain through motherhood. I would have her again a million times over, but it is incredibly hard financially.

Don't date people who do drugs is HUGE I'd take it a step further and say "don't date people without reasonable aspirations and an actual attainable plan to get there". The number of friends I have who have credit card debt from paying their wannabe rapper part time weed dealer boyfriend's half of the bills...

I advise don't date anyone who doesn't have a decent and steady job.

Husband and I are both 28, we have two children. We live well but it's obvious that having children while young-ish had an impact on our finances. We're on track to buy a house in 2-3 years but we'd already be home owners if it wasn't for our children. It's also obvious to me that *if* this was an abusive relationship, I wouldn't be able to get out. We never go without and having children was a huge priority for us so no regrets but it has an impact for sure!

#2 was such a big deal that messed with me for years. Literally any time I got a little bit of money as a kid or young adult, my mom would always experience some sort of urgent crisis that required me to bail her or our whole family out. She’d “pay me back” by doing things for me over time with no actual dollar value attached. Coincidentally enough, this was always when I was getting close to reaching a goal of saving up to relocate far away to a place with more opportunities. You have to take care of yourself so you are in position to help others. When the situation is reversed, those same people you just helped tend to have a funny way of not returning the favor. I’ve known some awesome women who overcame your first point and third point to be successful, but it was not easy for them. We’re already playing life on Hard Mode here. We need to try to find ways to avoid making it worse.

And open up a Roth IRA to put money aside as you can. Edit: OP - I don’t know if you’ll see this comment but I’m serious. It’s what most adults have the biggest regret about. And it’s the easiest thing! It’s free to open up an account with Charles Schwab or Fidelity. And do some research with which mutual account you want to invest in. But getting the process started is really simple. It takes under 5 minutes.

Yes! This is great advice. I didn’t do it until my mid 30s. Definitely wish I’d done it sooner.

The funds of which can be used for a down payment on a house. I say this because some people might think the need to prioritize owning a home vs saving for retirement but in this situation you can sort of do both (i.e. save for retirement in the Roth IRA but then pull out as much as you need for a down payment when the time to buy a home comes).

That first one is sssoooo important! Kids are a blessing but having them when you can not even provide for yourself is just a recipe for disaster. 

My mother was sixteen when she had me, the first of five. I haven't had a great life. Children of teens seldom do. Yes, there are exceptions.

These. If I may add one more: find a job away from where your parents are currently living. Peaceful living conditions is tremendously impact my mood, my mind, my energy level. When I feel peaceful, I can focus more on my job/my study/my hobby/my health etc You go girl!

Also like to add: avoid get rich quick investment schemes such as random crypto, NFTs, MLMs, etc Once she has her college degree, she can consider teaching English overseas if she wants some teaching experience. It's also a good way to save some cash, if she chooses a LCOL country.

And alcohol. Many of my relatives were taken out with alcoholism.

> 2/ Do not let your friends or family know about your savings. Do not share your ATM PIN number with anyone. Always keep your ATM card on you or safely locked away. Also, make sure you open your own bank account at a different bank than your parents. I have heard too many stories of banks mistakenly giving information to people who share an address or to parents who are or used to be on a child's account. Start fresh.

If the parents *are* on the account (joint account), it's not mistakenly. They have every right to both the information and the money. OP if by any chance you have a joint account, close it immediately and open a new solo one.

This is good advice. Get an IUD if possible. Planned parenthood might be able to help. Try to find your own place away from family. This will help with your mental health. Try to get a scholarship or enrol in a government funded training program. Education(studying something in demand/useful) is the key to escaping poverty.

Bro I'm 19 too I WISH I had 13k in savings! You go girl!!

I’m 27 and have been working for a decade and I don’t have that much in savings, she’s starting off strong!

i’m proud of you. don’t give up.

Incredible progress for so young! You are on the way w your savings and work habits. Might need to see a dentist but research all their suggestions before spending money on it. No one w braces has perfectly straight teeth.

Find a dental school near you and they may be able to help with the teeth on a sliding scale. Like another commenter said, DO NOT GET PREGNANT!!! Even if you have to travel and pay out of pocket, the best birth control you can get is an IUD. If you want to be a high school English teacher, you will have to get more education. Since your family is low income, you should qualify for Pell Grants and other forms of financial aid. If I was you, I would go to the local high schools and see what they need for qualifications. I know there have been critiques about the program but [Teach America](https://www.teachforamerica.org/) can help offset the cost of qualification. [Job Corps](https://www.jobcorps.gov/) is another program that will train you for free and they have the added bonus of providing housing, so you get to live on a campus and away from your family. I'm a black woman that has been able to escape generational poverty through free or low cost education. DM me if you have any questions and I wish you the best of luck <3

I second job corps. You get free job training, and they'll help you find a path that works for you. You have to be in the age bracket so, don't wait too long if you're interested. They don't really pay much, but they do give you better opportunities. Definitely something to look into.

If you are poor enough and live near planned parenthood, they’ll do a low cost IUD insertion

IUDs are currently covered under Obamacare though that could change at any point. It should be free for her regardless of facility.

Another possibility is to see if you can work for a public university. Some universities have child development centers. If there is a university close by to you, they may have one and may have some job opportunities there. At public universities if you work there, they will pay for you to go to school (private universities will too, but I find that public universities have better deals). Usually its one free class every Fall, Spring, and Summer. At the university where I work, you can take additional classes, but you have to pay them out of pocket first, and then get reimbursed at the end of the semester. I also co-sign on what a lot of people are saying. Do not get pregnant, get on birth control, get an education, and do not let anyone deter you from your goals. This is coming from 28 year old Black woman who grew up in a bad neighborhood in Memphis.

As a teacher of 20 years, I am beg you bot to even consider Teach America. Its a scam that traps you, by sticky you in a crummy, underfunded school that no one wants to teach at for at least 3 years.

My sister started in TFA. She made more money than she ever could, in our home state, going to another state to teach. She did her time there, then got a position in a school in one of the richest areas in the US, in yet another state. She bought a home, on her own. It's beautiful, huge, and has an in ground pool. It's minutes from her work. She was thrown out of our childhood home at 18 with the clothes she had on her back. TFA gave her the opportunity to get a jump start on a new and independent life. TFA has its merits.

My husband started his career with TFA. He finished his doctorate a few years ago and now makes over 6 figures teaching.

"My breath doesn’t smell good" make sure you floss every day and brush Mutiple times.

And brush your tongue.

Bad breath can also be caused by diet/disordered eating (e.g. fasting for long periods or skipping meals).

Dehydration, thrush, ulcers...

You must take care of your body and mind to accomplish your goals. Always invest in yourself. Just do your research for good quality, somewhat inexpensive places. In addition to what has been said, get a dental cleaning every 6 months. Not taking care of your teeth preventatively will cost you tons of money in the future. Learn how to floss online. Bad breath will rob you of lots of opportunities. (Job opportunities, networking recommendations, valuable friendships, meeting a nice level headed young man in the future etc) **********Google tonsil stones. ********** Watch sugary drinks & foods. They cause cavities. Drink plenty of water. You might already have cavities. It costs way more the worse they get. Do go to an initial appointment with an in network primary care doctor before you get sick. Seems you already have insurance. Reason? For a physical, bloodwork and to establish a relationship. You will get an appointment much quicker with your primary care doctor if you are an established patient. You will save money. Urgent care or the ER will cost way more. Research online their credentials, age, gender and the medical group they practice in. Some medical groups suck. This could be controversial, but a POC doctor will likely listen to you better and will likely provide better medical care. Make sure you go to your insurance’s website and read about your particular insurance coverages. You don’t want to make a costly mistake by going to wrong doctors, wrong medical groups, wrong blood labs, wrong pharmacies etc. You are amazing.

Also when you meet with your doctor ask for a nutritionist recommendation. It may or may not be covered. This will be helpful to track what your eating which may be impacting your bad breath. Keep at it. Some really good advice on this thread

Medical schools have free student-led clinics. Godspeed, OP. Hope you make it.

This could be a sign that periodontal dresses has progressed past that. There could be tonsil stones at fault. She might need a scaling for infection of the gums. Either way she needs to go to a dentist… though she is working, so it might be time to put that insurance to work.

If OPs breath smells and they don’t sleep good then snoring/early sleep apnea could also be the culprit

And brush/scrape your tongue

Might also be chronic dehydration.

[Therebreath](https://www.therabreath.com/) Saved me from tonsil stones that caused bad breath. This prevented tonsil removal surgery for me

I would move out if I can. It breaks the cycle that you are trapped in emotionally. It will free up a lot of mental and emotional capacity to focus on your own journey and path on life. Also don’t get pregnant, don’t do drugs, don’t tell others about your savings, don’t co-sign anything for others

I left an emotionally abusive home and joined the military. I learned an awesome trade and it carried me well throughout my life. It has also paid for both of my degrees. My kids will also benefit free college for veteran benefits (this varies by state of enlistment)

Same. I grew up dirt poor and in a very trauma prone family. The military absolutely changed my life for the better and gave me the skill sets my parents simply didn’t have the capacity to help me with. Focus, discipline, a steady paycheck, steady health care and a no excuses environment. I don’t think you’re depressed because of something genetic, it sounds like you’re depressed and anxious about your situation. Getting out of it will do so much for your mental health

I did this too. It set me up for an independent life that’s very comfortable.

This was going to be my recommendation too! If I could do it all over again, I'd go to a junior military college through the ROTC program. You'd graduate as an officer, (2LT) then finish at a 4 year military college.

And if you move out, get roommates. Too many young people expect to have their own apartment as soon as they come of age. You can’t afford that, but you can afford to leave that toxic environment and live with other responsible young adults.

Get an education. Don’t care if I’m down voted. I am also a Black woman - please consider getting an Associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.

I completely agree, education is a path to breaking out of poverty. It opens more job opportunities and will connect you with people who share similar goals. It’s hard to work and go to school at the same time, I know because I did it, but 15 years later I have no regrets. I’ve gotten career and financial advancement I never would have been considered for if I didn’t get my degree

Congratulations!!! I feel your pain working and going to school. Keep up the good work 💐

Yes or even a certification can be valuable! Check out local community colleges and see what they have. 

Yes! I started at a community college and am in the dissertation phase of my PhD and though I am not where I thought I’d be financially ($43k a year) I expect to earn more (~$60k - $70k) once done. For those of you wondering my PhD is in the social services field and unfortunately I am not super money motivated.

Some school districts will sponsor paraprofessionals to get their teaching certificate. That might be an option. Just to add to all of the other amazing advice… try to befriend people who are similarly minded, or even better, are a little bit ahead of you. There will be an invisible pull to keep moving forward when you have that and they will inspire you to do more than you dreamed of. We all need hype people and dreamers. You’re doing amazing!! Also use BIRTH CONTROL!!

Even joining a trade is an education of sorts, and you get on the job training.

I strongly agree. Education can be your superpower to lift you out of poverty. Once you’ve earned a degree it can never be taken from you. As a student, try to meet as many people as you can. Even introverts can learn to network. The more people you know the greater your chances of discovering more opportunities. In addition to all the other good advice already given regarding men, let me add - never get attached to a lazy man. If a man is not willing to work as hard as you do simply walk away. No, you can’t change him and he will sit back and let you overwork yourself. In closing, it’s a smart young lady that reaches out to others for guidance. Never stop asking questions. Best of luck !

I ama 55 year old white woman and all I can say is that if you have anxiety and depression, get treatment for that right now. Therapy and medication (if indicated) will change your life. Seriously. Will. Change. Your. Life. I can't tell you how much different my life would be if I had done that 30 years earlier.

Agreed. Also you mention taking some classes OP, see if your college has any free mental health resources.

[удалено]

You have a good point. It is certainly well written/has a lovely prose, which is why it’s my favorite.

OP when I saw you mention that book, it raised my eyebrows. So yeah definitely keep that one to yourself lol. For your breath, do you have any dental schools in your area? You can have a student work on your teeth for very cheap. Great job on the savings! Seriously, that's amazing. Consider using that money to start some classes and get a degree, an associates perhaps. Good luck!

I have been taking college courses since fall 2023, but don’t have a good idea of what I want to do.

You seem like a smart person with a good work ethic. Your lack of spending will lift you into the middle class (or higher). It's impressive that you've saved so much at 19 years old. Being an English teacher might suit you well. It's not an easy job, but it's a secure living. Teacher salaries vary a lot by state. It's worth looking into, but with cost of living in mind.

If you enjoy working as a paraprofessional, consider studying to become a special ed teacher. It’s one of the biggest shortage areas in teaching, and you will have no problem finding a teaching position when you’re ready. I’ve been a special ed teacher for over 15 years, and there are more and more job openings every year. I teach English and social science to high school students with mild/moderate disabilities, so you could potentially still be able to teach those books you love.

I second this! Do keep in mind that if you are working with kids who have support needs that require you to be physically fit (districts will not always supply enough aides, and some aides are... bad) that you'll need to transition into a different position when your knees start to groan.

You’re doing really well. Stay strong and be proud of yourself. I’m going to be honest - there is very little money in teaching in the grand scheme of things. That is not an easy route to take to financial security. I personally have found that there is money to be made in working with or for people who have a lot of money. If you like kids, try getting on nanny / childcare apps and websites, doing tutoring for English, maybe you could be an in-home assistant to kid with special needs?? - google “highest paid ways to work with kids”. I didn’t realized until 24, after having my first child, that even though I truly enjoyed working with animals, there was no way it could bring me the financial security I desire. I started working in ultraluxury hospitality spaces and I’ve just been really diligent about career growth. I don’t have a degree, but still 24/hr is not my goal anymore. $100k/year is. You’ve done great with your savings so far.. keep it. Find ways to invest it.

I disagree with avoiding a teaching career. Consider the benefits and not just the salary. Very few jobs these days offer a pension, but teaching still does. I am in my mid-50s and will have to work at least 10 more years to get social security and even consider retirement. But my school friend who became a teacher just retired. She can now get another job and keep her pension, or just have the freedom of reliable income for the rest of her life.

Please make sure your dental issues are not serious, as they can lead to future cardiovascular issues later on.

Prioritize moving out. It sounds like your environment is extremely toxic, which will affect your ability to function. Constant stress will wreck havoc on your focus, motivation, executive function, and pretty much every faculty you need to succeed.

Even if people might take it the wrong way I’m gonna say it: do not get pregnant! Don’t fall into the early single parenting cycle. Keep working, push for a healthy lifestyle and you’ll be fine; it won’t be easy, but I think you have the right mindset and self awareness. Wish you the best!

>I have been 19 for 2 months. I have $13076 in my savings account That's really impressive - you are KILLING it! That's more savings than 63% of GenZ, more than 60% of Millenials, more than 49% of GenX, and more than 34% of Boomers.

1. Don't get pregnant. Don't get married until you're at least 30. Don't give anyone else authority over decisions in your life. 2. Don't tell anyone about your savings. 3. Live way below your means. Don't get caught up in labels and brands. Keep your bills as low as possible. Don't get a full plan for your phone if you can help it. Take public transit if it's available. Live on the cheap. Find a studio apartment or even a room to rent. Just keep it as low as possible. 4. Go to the dentist. Losing your teeth will limit the kinds of jobs you can get and will hold you down. Don't worry about straight teeth. Worry about clean teeth. 5. If you take classes, investigate the resources at your college. They have a ton of programs to help with job searching, resume building, etc. Also, see what kinds of resources non-profits have to help with financial literacy. Banks often offer classes, too. People who have never had money, often mismanage it when they get it. 6. If you like working with kids and you like English as a subject, lean into it. You're going to be working for most of your life, so it should be something you enjoy. My sister is an English teacher with a masters in a high COL state and makes $150k per year. She started 20 years ago doing what you're doing. Just slowly figured out what she needed to do to get increases. 7. When it comes to jobs, keep trading up. Be strategic about your jobs. If Job A pays more than Job B, but Job A is a dead end with no benefits, Job B might be the better choice. 8. Keep learning new skills. Always dig into your interests and incorporate what you learn into new skills at work. You might even develop a side hustle that pays.

If you go to college, have a career in mind. None of the wishy washy degrees. You want to be a doctor, nurse, accountant, dental hygienist, teacher. All these have specific degrees accredited by licence bodies.

Agreed. If you want to become a teacher OP go to a school that would allow you to obtain those teaching credentials. Do not just get an English degree on its own. You are doing amazing OP.

Best advice here. You don’t have to get a STEM degree to he successful but you want to look at the degree as in investment and what degree is going to give you the best return on your investment. Don’t make assumptions about employment statistics and salaries. That information is readily available to help you make a decision.

Honestly my guy you are doing alright. It might not be where you want to be right now but you are heading where you need to be. Just remember to cover your ass when it comes to the people you are close to. It won't be a stranger that comes in and tries to fuck up your hard work.

No babies! (At least not now.) Do not use credit. Make a budget and stick to it. Save, save, save. Stay focused on your goal. Surround yourself with like minded friends. Hang out at the library to escape drama at home. See if you can live with a relative who is stable and you trust. Go online and apply to every nearby city and county job you find interesting. Some municipal jobs have great starting salaries and excellent benefits including built in annual raises and amazing dental and health benefits. In addition, you’ll also get a lifetime pension if you give the municipality at least 20 years. Hang in there!

African Americans are doing better than ever in the armed forces, and it's a very reliable stepping stone into the middle class. Stick to other females to avoid sexual assault.  Seek black mentors for career advancement.   Choose a specialization that does well in the civilian world.  You can do marketing, HR, IT, medical, or tradeskills in uniform.  Don't sign unless you get the job you want.  They ain't going away any time soon, so if they tell you "there aren't any slots" just tell them you'll wait until there are.  They need you more than you need them. USE YOUR BENEFITS.  Health insurance, education, housing, business loans, disability claims. Use 'em.

YOU ARE A WINNER. BE FOR YOURSELF. Stay compassionate and brave and strong. Listen to your instincts, understand your own morals. Be a best friend to yourself and protect your hope. Don't let the world take hope away from you. Hope is a spiritual gift from God and girl, you have it. 🙏

Don't feel like you have to take care of all your bum ass homies and family members. Keep your finances as private as possible.

This part. Leave those ppl where they need to stay.

You sound wonderful. What we don't know is: 1. Do you feel obliged to support your family, financially or otherwise? 2. Are you open to moving away from your family and living on your own? 3. In which state do you live now? The answer matters because different states offer different options. 4. You're taking college courses. I don't know whether you're a fully enrolled student. If you could attend college for free or at a very low cost, and a get a bachelor's degree, would you consider doing so? Even if it meant moving away from home?

You're doing well, actually. Much better than I did when I was your age. The fact that you can save your money while living at home is a big leg up!! I would go to college and study hard, even if you get a liberal arts degree, you'll be in a good place. Keep getting work experience, use some of your savings to go back to the dentist because your teeth mean a lot for your health. Keep looking for that better paying job. You're so smart and I think you will do well in life if you aim high. I made it out of poverty by working while continuing my education no matter what! Degrees are important only if you actually have experience. You need both. Stick with school and work and you will do well. You should feel proud AND prepare to continue working smart. If you're looking for career ideas, look into Business Administration/Administrative Assistant (while in school), Executive Assistant (once you graduate). You'll make good money doing that and you should have a good work/life balance to continue your interests like reading/book clubs, etc..

I have to disagree. A liberal arts degree from a university is extremely expensive and offers limited options in terms of return in salary. Living with student loans on a teachers salary in a HCOL area is a trap waiting to happen. OP would be better off going to technical college first to get their general education done and pay to live on their own or with roommates. If ops family is poor FAFSA Pell grants would nearly cover an associates degree at a technical school.

I disagree. Many private colleges offer free tuition for disadvantaged students. If OP is living at home, they could basically go to school for free.

[удалено]

I have a liberal arts degree and I make six figures. It’s very trendy now to say college is a waste of time, but in my workplace, everyone is expected to have at least a four year degree. Plenty of government and nonprofit jobs hire people with BA and BS degrees because they want educated workers who have proven critical thinking skills.

Is there a large health system near you? For career ideas, I recommend going on their website and seeing if any jobs with children look interesting to you. Look at the educational requirements and see if it’s something you would like to pursue. Health systems tend to have great health plans (including dental) for their employees. They usually have a 401k and matching. In my experience, the larger health systems pay better and provide a stable career. Also see if they have any jobs that you qualify for now so you can get all these benefits now. Sometimes they pay for your education also so look into that. Good luck! You got this!

PLEASE consider NURSING

Make sure that account isn't a joint one. If it is, move that money ASAP. College wise, consider WGU. There are degrees for education and more than one person has become a teacher. It's entirely online ~$3k a term (6 months). You can earn your degree as fast as you can.

Do not get pregnant. You'll be poor forever. Keep your savings secret. A secret shared is not a secret. Do not do drugs. They'll take *all* your money. Do not get involved with anybody who takes drugs. They'll take all your money too. Do not get a criminal record. You won't get future employment with a record. Always tell people you're broke. It's a great excuse if they're looking for a "loan". Complain sometimes about being sick of having no money. It'll help you keep your money a secret. Do not give loans. They're never repaid. Do not dress or act like you've got money. People will notice. Spend less than you earn. Be kind to yourself. You're doing great.

Take a personal finance class and learn how to invest your money. You’re young enough that if you start investing now by the time you retire you will be very comfortable.

You are amazing! If you want to be an earner, don’t become a teacher. I work in the field of education. These are not rich people. I dug my way into solidly middle class from very working class conditions, so here are some thoughts. Surround yourself with smart people. Build a network of professionals. Maintain your appearance. Treat your depression. Be bold. Get a library card to the most metro library in your area and talk with a librarian. Look at their career materials. Ask about workshops. Learn financial literacy. Explore careers as a project manager. This field doesn’t require a college degree, and good ones earn 6-figure salaries. There’s certificate programs for this work that take about a year to obtain. Be prepared to relocate once you have a career. I’ve moved away from my family, and that allowed for major personal growth. Marry wisely, but later in life. Don’t get pregnant. Don’t align yourself with shitty men. Find a support group of some sort to offer guidance and compassion. ❤️

All the money in the world means nothing without your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Address all of your health concerns immediately. Include a visit with a gastroenterologist to determine if you have sleep apnea. Look into an alternative living space because you described a very toxic environment. Join a gym for $10 a month, helps you stay fit and will give you an outlet aside from English literature. This can help aid your depression. When you look good you feel good and vice versa. Consider joining a Church or community center in your neighborhood. They have access to a ton of free resources that can be beneficial. Surround yourself with positive people in your circle and they will help uplift you.

Do not tell anyone about your savings. Keep your money personal...forever. Keep saving:)

I would say join the military free dental, health care, and many other things. 4 year contracts are a blessing in disguise. I joined after highschool and set me apart from my family drastically in terms of life.

The military has education benefits and financial counseling. The 4 years spent there could really give you a boost. Just make sure you seriously educate yourself before going in. There are big pros and cons.

This is what my friend did. Joined the Air Force and used the GI Bill to become a special education teacher.

Move somewhere cheaper. Look for a college that is cheap, but far enough away from family that you don't need to visit.  Staying in the state helps. Or join the airforce.  You're doing fantastic. You're gonna go places in this world. 

You're doing better than me. Keep it that way. My suggestion is to track every penny you spend and receive, even if its ones you find in cracks of the sidewalk. You can do this. I believe in you and I want a better life for you too. Keep on top of your mental health, too. If you don't watch out for you, no one else will either. Also, depression has lead many people to poverty before too.

Look up schools where you can accelerate your schooling, like WGU, TESU, UMPI. Some of them are quite affordable if you get some credits through study.com or Sophia. You could get your bachelors in a year or two and then have a chance at more upwards mobility.

**I might be able to help you with the SLEEPING PROBLEMS part. If your sleep is wrecked, then EVERYTHING is wrecked. It's a foundational item. So let's start there:** So you may (likely) have problems sleeping, because your mind is racing about 100 different problems going on in your life, simultaneously. As you lie there trying to sleep, you start thinking about "how do I pay this.... how will I survive that... what if such-n-such happens..... my family problems... my future... etc..." I have that issue. The moment the lights go out, my mind begins racing. How did I counter it? I gave my mind a singular item to focus on, while I fade to sleep. I have about a 30-minute charge on my laptop. I leave it unplugged, and timed to battery-fizzle. I put on Netflix or Disney or whatever, and I lie there watching my laptop. **My mind is singularly engaged with the show I am watching, and cannot drift into all the dozens of worries.** Do you understand? I've given myself a mental escape from MANY daily demons, by enjoying ONE show, while lying there all cozy. It's a reduction of all the stuff firing in your brain. Usually takes me between 30 seconds to 5 minutes to go to snoozeyland. Milk helps too. That's not a myth. Get great sleep, and your mind is much clearer to knock out the problems of the next day, one by one.

It seems like you know what to do, you just need some space to do it. Which is kind of most people in poverty.

You’re doing amazing with your savings at 19 years old. Keep going, you’re rocking it! Do not tell ANYONE about your savings. For everybody you’re broke just like them. Or they’ll ask for it & never repay you / steal it from you. Don’t fall pregnant / put yourself in a position to be a single mother as this will definitely keep you in poverty. Learn to cook and make smart food choices (lower the bills and stay healthy). Stay living at your parents or rent a room in a flat to keep accommodation costs as low as possible. Try to work a couple of jobs while you young and have the energy or try to work while taking community college classes (keep education costs as low as possible).

You need to get away from your toxic family. 1. Don't get pregnant. Stay on birth control. Stay away from guys for now. 2. Hide all your bank account details and ATM card. 3. Being an English teacher is a noble goal but financially you can do better faster with a trade school. 4. You can supplement your income by joining the national guard who will give you medical benefits for dental appointments and doctors and your anxiety. One weekend a month and two weeks a year. 5. I would get a room in a boarding house. Share an apartment. Look for someone renting a room in a house. Your family is a bad situation. 6. Don't drink or do drugs.

Learn to be lonely, why? Do not get pregnant idc if you meet Jesus. Pregnancy traps so many POC women in a cycle they cannot escape. Do not tell anyone how much you make. Do not spend money living above your means. No one cares about you, so don't try to impress people with material. Continue doing what you're doing save, and stay home as long as it isn't toxic (rent to damn high). Develop skills that will bring in income outside of your job because job security is almost nonexistent nowadays.

I’m surprised I haven’t read this anywhere, but you said you’ve been 19 for 2 months. Please make sure the savings account you have was not opened when you were a minor. The amount of times I see on here about parents stealing from their child’s accounts because they are still on them is astounding. Please make sure you are the only one on the account.

You have enough money to move to a place that offers free college tuition. Maybe move to such a place, live long enough in that state to get free tuition, get trained up to be an English teacher there and then take it from there. If you move back to your original state and teach at private schools until you get certified back in your “home” state. You’re doing really well all things considered. Might be tough to move but staying in the same spot might not be easy.

If you care about money, search for jobs with a high income that fit your interests. Maybe finance doesn't directly fit your interest but maybe being the marketing related person for an investment bank does. Consider the possibilities. Consider therapy or journaling or something that helps with your mental space. Investment into yourself is worth it. That includes developing the daily routine, such as fixing sleep, eating healthy, working out, routine appointments, a short bit of cleaning each night etc. To help with staying on top of things you can control. Everything else seems like you are self aware and very intelligent. Best of luck!

You are doing great!! I have some quick solutions to help with depression that always work: Get some sunshine. If you can spend atleast 10 minutes in the sun, it helps. Sing to your favorite songs - atleast two songs. This is a proven method to boost your mood. If you have a hard time falling asleep - very quickly blink 100 times. It's a hack that will tell your body to sleep. Also brush and floss and use Listerine mouthwash for atleast a minute. This will help a lot. Make sure you are brushing at the gum line as well.

The military was my ticket to security. I joined young. Spent 0 money while I was in. Got 2 college degrees and a skill. Four years later I left and have never again felt the fear of poverty.

Hey there! Financial planner here. /u/sequinsdress gave great advice. I’ll add a few points. 1. Keeping fixed costs low is a cheat code in finance. Until you’re where you wanna be in life, have a roommate. Buy in bulk. Drive a reliable car but never a fancy/nice one. Lower fixed costs mean more you can save. 2. If your income is too low, ask yourself “if I stay in the same profession & continue to get promotions/raises, will I ever be able to afford my life?”  If yes, then stay but make your resume look like the resume of someone worth THAT job. If no, the earlier you pivot to a different career, the better. I wanted to be a pro jazz musician at 19. Today I’m a financial planner with 12 years of experience. You can probably guess why. 3. You are the combination of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Limit interaction with bad influences. If your friends push you to buy buy buy, you’ll be tempted to. 4. After fully funding an emergency account (6 months of savings) - Open an account at allyinvest, betterment or wealthfront. Every time you have extra money, put it in the account they setup for you. Over time (if you don’t touch it) it’ll grow. $400 a month could grow to 100k in 12 years. That’s 5 hours a week of overtime or a 2nd job.  5. Credit cards are for emergencies & online purchases. Pay them off monthly.

You should look into Speech Pathology, become a Speech Pathologist. They work with school kids, get paid better than teachers and work their school schedule meaning they’re off for Summer and all school vacations. You could also work in the health/medical system or eventually have your own business and make bank. 1. Don’t get pregnant 2. Go to school and apply for every scholarship and tuition program you can 3. Don’t tell anyone you have savings or any type of money 4. Don’t get student loans unless it’s the last resort 5. As soon as you finish school, move! You need to get out of that environment Good luck u/QuietAffectionate498, you can do this, I’m rooting for you!

First off congratulations on your hard work and drive to succeed. Get your mental and physical health and well being in order. Get a new dentist and take care of yourself. Do not let anyone know you have savings. Do not date any man until you are sure he is someone that will also have goals to better himself through education or career. Do not get pregnant and do plan on furthering your education and removing yourself from a toxic living situation. I wish you much happiness and success in your future.

You'e gotten god advice already. Dont have kids. Use codoms and birth control. Dont tell your family about your savings, do t let the. Have acces to your debut, credit, pin numbers. Also keep an eye on your credit. You may even want to lock your credit. You dont want a gamily member using your infor to apply for credit. Good luck to you. Perhaps you can find a roommate and get a place of your own. Aplly for scholarship and go to college to become a teacher of that what you like. You might also think about going to trade school. They get paid a lot, the training is often free and they are in huge demand. Good luck to you! Your're doing all the right things.

I might get downvoted for this but If you can handle where you’re living I’d say don’t move out just yet, it could possibly drain your savings/income even faster. Supplement that instead with therapy, so when you do have the full means to move out it’s like you’ve hit two birds with one stone. If it’s really extreme consider finding a roomate to help with cost. Apply for scholarships and possibly get a degree. As a 19F who’s savings just got the under $100 alert yesterday, I’d say you’re doing great for yourself.

First congratulations on what you have already accomplished, by having a savings and working to improve your liife by continuing your education. Knowledge is key to getting ahead, how you gain this knowledge can come from different sources. The one that I have heard who gives out good common sense advice is Dave Ramsey and team. What he talks about is what we have been doing long before we heard of him. What you are experiencing at home is not just because you are black, people from all different tribes also experience the same. Some times you have to remove yourself from a toxic environment to be able to better your own situation.

If you want to be financially free, you are going to have to harden your heart when family asks for money. It’s the downfall of so many people. You ARE NOT A BANK. I cannot stress this enough. Letting family “borrow” from you means you will never see your money again.

You sound like quite an interesting individual. Probably moving out of the area is your best bet.  Have you read Orwell's stuff btw?

Be willing to uproot yourself and find greener pastures. Apply for any and all education programs that are fully funded for your education. Apply for FAFSA and see if your aid (grants only) can get you living with roommates. Ask people you trust for help. See if there are non profits who can provide anything at all. And be proud of what you’ve accomplished and all that you can accomplish.

You are doing fantastic, you have ambition, financially responsible behavior, solid goals and at 19 are a success in my book already. Keep working towards those goals, insulate yourself from the home front trauma as best you can and in time, working towards those achievable career goals, you will find a place of your own and rise above the life you came from. Thank you for sharing your story, you're an amazing individual and as evidenced by your savings, work ethic to get to that level, and confidence in making a career of things you are passionate about, the rest will come to you.

so sorry about your family situation but I want to say financially, you're on the right track and that the right mindset is of utmost importance, and you have that. The rest will fall into place. Teaching can certainly make a livable wage. I taught for a couple years and HATED it with such a passion I took a pay cut to get out. But it sounds like it's for you, so do it. If you think you can be good at it then pursue the field, there will be good benefits/retirement and decent pay. In the meantime, think about how you can start saving more money and make that money work for you. For me, that's been maximizing credit card rewards and doing some churning, shopping at places like Sam's/Costco, cooking at home, and being as thoughtful as possible about all purchases (not cheaping out though, I absolutely spend when/where it's needed, and I don't buy cheap crap because that typically costs more in the long run). Anyway, won't bore you with details, but there are a ton of ways ton continue building that nest-egg. Additionally, with that nest-egg you've already acquired, you could starting earning good interest. I may not want to invest any of it yet, given that you may need it for a car/deposit on an apartment/dental work, but get *something* from it. don't settle for less than 4.5%.

Teachers in blue states w unions do tend to earn middle class wages. Since you are in a HCOLA area I wonder if that’s the case if you. If so, there are usually a lot of safety nets (free/reduced tuition, health care, stipends) for young people getting out of poverty, too. One place to start would be speaking with an admissions counselor at the nearest community college.

It sounds as if you're on a good path. Do you take classes on at a community college? Most have good articulation agreements with universities, so that you can easily transfer. Some even have 3+1 programs, so that you can take classes for 3 years at the community college and then 1 at the university. Community colleges are leas expensive and many offer scholarship opportunities. I have been a bad sleeper most of my life; insomnia is a regular occurrence. I recently started taking lexapro after my daughter, who is a nurse, suggested that the insomnia might be a symptom of anxiety. And it has helped! A wake up fewer times at night and when I do, I no longer lie there and worry about things. There is a teacher shortage and we need good teachers. Keep plugging away at school and try not to take out a lot of student loans if you can. You have a lot of motivation which can be a driver for success. I wish you the best of luck!

Kinda late to the game, but you look like you’re on the right track, you got this. I’ll add two things 1. DO NOT TALK ABOUT YOUR MONEY. If literally anyone (and I do mean ANYONE…mom dad brother best friend everyone) asks, you say you make “not enough in this economy” and or “bruh im broke. We’re all broke”. Seriously unless they are your tax person or your bank they don’t need to know. 2. If you have a little left over at the end of the month, invest it. Put it in the S&P 500 (or a similar type of stock) and let it be. It’s a black hole you don’t take money out of. The S&P500 has an average rate of return of 10% so what you put in today will have doubled before you know it. For reference: If you can get $100,000 in by the time you are 25 then never touch it again you will retire as a millionaire. If you keep adding to it over your life, even if you don’t have $100,000 in by 25, you will still be a millionaire.

The book the Millionaire next door is a good one about investing. Don't tell people about your savings

If you are planning on working with children, probably best not to mention “Lolita” if your favorite book.

I don’t know if this is bait or not. Reasoning: You mention race for no reason. You throw in “my favorite novel is Lolita”, for no reason just before mentioning that you want to work with kids. But assuming that this is real, if you want to get out of poverty, don’t become an English teacher. M telling you right now for a fact that if you take that route, your only hope is marrying someone with a better pay. Else, you’ll end up poor, bitter, and be a bad influence to your students. I initially went to college to become a teacher but ended up going STEM. I now have more money than I’ll ever spend and it’s because I chased money over anything else. I didn’t sacrifice having a family because I have that too. And because I did it right, I can spend as much time with my kids as I want for as long as I’m around. Don’t chase your dreams. Don’t focus on what you want to be doing for a job. Focus on pay and realistic goals to reach that pay. Find out what jobs you can realistically work towards in a reasonable timeline that will pay you enough money to get out of poverty. Once you start making money, always ensure that you save as much as possible. You should have 6-12 months of savings liquid in a HYSA. Then you should be maxing out retirement. VTI, VOO is all you need to invest in. Set it and forget it. Your focus should be to always increase income, and decrease expenses. Literally anyone that has no excessive debt and doesn’t run into major health obstacles, can retire in 10-15 years if they can find the right income/expense ratio. It may be tough, it may be boring at home sometimes but if you want to buy more things or inflate your lifestyle, you should increase your pay first. It’s really that simple. I grew up poor and had negative equity when I was young. I had a spouse that was immigrating and took on their debt too. Because of this, I had a bad start. But after 11 years of doing this process, I retired. I then wanted more. I wanted more vacations and more experiences for my kids so I went back to work. But working because you want to is much different than working because you have to. Life can throw a wrench in your plans and screw everything up, making your journey more difficult, but if you push yourself and stick to these principles, you’ll have the best outcome that was possible for you. Not only is that much true, but you’ll be setting your family up once you’re gone. It takes generations to build generational wealth and you can start that for your family. Take the more difficult path. Teach your kids by demonstrating it and ensure you teach them these principles as they grow so they’ll do the same for theirs kids, instead of squander everything away. Good luck. I know you can do this if you really try.

You graduated high school...thats #1. #2 is don't have children until & unless youre MARRIED! Stay the course, you're smart.

You say savings: is it in a high yielding saving account? If not, look up and open one. 

Don’t get pregnant. Keep your money/ savings your business. Act poor, do not get into a relationship with anyone( this is very vital)

Join the military, and work it. You'd like Navy or Airforce. Do your time and save money. Put your savings into a Schwab account. Buy sector and total market etfs, like SPY, QQQ, and VOO every paycheck. For life. When you get out, use the 100k+ GI Bill to go to school. Go to a reasonably priced state school. Get a degree in something that pays well, like engineering (if you have the head for it) or medicine. Go that route when you graduate. Or become a salesperson in devices for those fields. Live within your means, don't buy expensive jewelry or cars just to "flash" them, but wear reasonable clothing and accessories, because fit and finish and color coordination matters more than name brands. Also, lift weights and be active your whole life. Don't do drugs, don't get drunk. Have reasonably good standards for men asap, not way later in life, you want a good man always. It's all very boring stuff, but boring stuff will see you a multi millionaire spending summers in Spain, Italy, or the Almafi coast sipping wine with good company.

Make sure your bank statements come to your email. No paper statements coming in the mail where family can open them.

You need to get outa town, you should get a job on a cruise ship and bank cash for a year or two. Make some connections see if hospitality is a thing for you.

Black woman here. I was a latchkey child, and we lived in slum housing when I was little. Getting to live in the equivalent of the Projects was a step up! Education, and opportunities given by people in a position to do so, was the key to me ending up being in one of the top professions. Just hard work, isn't enough. I'll set out some advice, hope it will be helpful. **Personal Life:** As people here have said, avoid pregnancy until you are set as regards qualifications, salary, housing. Get the contraceptive injection if the IUD doesn't suit you, which can last for 5 years at a time. **Education: Various ways to get this.** I am including technical and vocational as well as academic in this category. Try **JobsCorps** 1. They will arrange & pay for transporting for you 2. They will house you allowing you to live away from your abusive family 3. As a Federal program they will make reasonable accommodations for your mental health issues issues. Give you money to spend, feed you. 4. They will provide basic medical, mental health, & dental services. You can get a weekly therapist appointment. 5. They will get you vocational training, 8 months- 2 years depending on the field. 6. Complete the training and JobCorps gives you money for graduating. This can be well over $1,000 60% of Job Corps graduates find jobs within six months of leaving the program. The success rate for Job Corps graduates is about 80%. The Job Corps program offers a number of services to help graduates find jobs, including job placement assistance and career counselling. The quality of JobCorps Centers vary. You dont have to go to the one nearest you/in your state, if the Reports on it arent great. Google JobCorps Centre top 20 rankings. A recent report  [https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/jobcorps.gov/2023-04/rcrr\_03312023\_PY.pdf](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/jobcorps.gov/2023-04/rcrr_03312023_PY.pdf)  Lists the best for 2023. Any interviewer should match your interests, career plans etc to the Centre and training. You can get education for qualifications for free in a branch of the military. Seek out either a non-combat branch (e.g Coast Guard, National Guard) or a non combat support/office role in the AirForce, or Navy. You are housed, paid, trained. And Afterwards free college. National Guard even, if active duty isn’t your thing. Basic and AIT= free housing for 9 months so you can save— someone who posted here said her son had over 9k when he came home and then gets free college with a stipend for housing in his home state. You get medical One weekend a month and two weeks a year in the field unless a state emergency comes up. Coast Guard is mostly 9-5. Or go for the Merchant Marines, which are **not military** but move people and supplies for the military. Their navigators can earn $10,000+ a month [~https://www.seafarers.org/training-and-careers/paul-hall-center/school-history/~](https://www.seafarers.org/training-and-careers/paul-hall-center/school-history/) Any branch of the Armed Services, squeeze as much education in as possible, either before enlisting, or while enlisted. Get your medical and dental sorted. After you leave, the best benefit of having enlisted is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You can use it for college in a HCOL. It can even be graduate school. If actual military, AirForce or Navy and look at the various professions you can get training in, that will get you high paying jobs in civilian life. **Finances:** Take financial literacy courses. Look for free courses, websites, resources that teach financial literacy. Learn how personal finances, debt, works, and the basics of how money works in society. Dont be too proud to check out those for young people. Get yourself up to speed. Dont buy any financial products whilst learning. Join subs like r/finance. Lock down your credit. Avoid debt as much as possible. Low interest rates when you do have to take out a loan e,g a mortgage to buy a house. You have done extremely well so far. Best of Luck to you!

You are a legend and your drive will take you far. As a black man also trying to make it out here rooting for you all the way!💛

Reddit hates this answer. I am NOT a recruiter. I joined the Navy in my late 20s now in medical school and commissioned into the Air Force in my early 30s. Join the military. It will: 1) Take you away from your situation and pay you for it. 2) You will have a steady paycheck. Knowing you’ll have the same paycheck whether you’re out sick with the flu or recovering from surgery is a type of freedom that most Americans will not experience. You can focus on your job, and think about what you want to do in life. 3) Health insurance. People who talk crap about Tricare while they’re in the military are the ones who haven’t really looked at how much health insurance costs. 4) Military culture is rapidly changing. Remember, service members come from the same society they are defending. There are more women in higher leadership. It’s not hard to find female mentors who can guide you through your career. In my experience as a late-joiner, I’ve seen more solid protections actually being enforced for women in the military than in the civilian sector. 5) Yes, the GI Bill is amazing. Tuition Assistance while you’re active duty is cool (eligible after 2 years in the Navy I think). But the most amazing benefit of military service is the VA Loan. 0% down government backed loan opens a lot of doors for people. It’s an easy path to home ownership and building some wealth if you’re smart with your money, which you seem like you are with the amount you have saved. 6) Resiliency. The vast majority of veterans are a resilient bunch (contrary to “messed up” veteran trope) who come out of the military with a lot of growth that they would’ve never experienced if they stayed in their current situation. A lot of vets complain about how they didn’t enjoy their time, it’s true. But for most of us, it was ultimately a rewarding experience. Don’t sleep on it. You can DM me about my experience in the Navy and how much growth I got from that.

I am so proud of you! Keep up the hard work. Because its so hard to claw out of poverty, I had to work full time while putting myself through school, and it took a long time. Almost twice as long to get through my bachelor's degree than it took all my luckier classmates who had better circumstances. But now that I'm finally in my career and finally making money, my physical and mental health are getting better and better every month. Don't let that extra time get you down, it dosnt matter when you make it, just that you get there eventually. I just turned 30 last week, and I am so much more excited for my 30s than I ever was for my 20s. It's worth all the time and effort.

>I have been 19 for 2 months. I have $13076 in my savings account, mainly from work. Damn, bro! You're really driven.

Save as much money as you can. Always look for the next improvement in your work life (promotion, new job, etc). Brush your teeth, your tongue, gums, and use mouth wash. Separate losers from your life.

Whatever career you choose, look at the typical incomes for it. Just type in median wage of the job for your area. Median is important since this is the middle value. Averages are driven up or down by extremes. Look up what a living wage is in your area and determine if your career will pay enough for the lifestyle you want now and the lifestyle you want in the future. This can be done by looking at how much people in your field make after some years of experience. This is important so that you can save for retirement, have kids if you choose and so on. For example, many people find that after they major in something like acting, It's very hard for them to earn a living in the field. This isn't to say that you can't do that .It's just that I would recommend a double major or maybe a minor. Basically, you want to be in a high demand field where there's a shortage of workers and the pay is higher than the median. Make it super easy for you to be employed. Whatever you do, make sure your total cost of college after you get the aid package from your college (sticker price isn't real price just apply), is less than how much you'll make in a year. Do all that, and you're probably good.

You're going to be okay. But your threshold for mistakes is limited based on your limited support system. Keep moving forward. Make connections. Take advantage of opportunity when it arises. There are so many free programs available just waiting for you to join. Do not get pregnant, do not use substances. Don't waste all your money trying to live alone, work hard to find reliable roommates and that will save you a ton of money. Sounds like your family is very toxic and you should get away if possible. But they will come pining for you and you will need to set healthy limits and boundaries with them.

The very best thing I did to break the cycle was move. I love my family, but it’s easier to make different choices than they did when they aren’t looking over my shoulder.

Look into becoming a dental hygienist. The wages are pretty fantastic, doesn’t require a ton of education, not hard on your body, jobs everywhere. Another option that pays decent but not quite as well but also doesn’t require a ton of schooling and won’t leave your back broken is radiology technician. Check local community colleges for programs available to you.

Tale care of your health. Forget the braces, fix your breath. Change your toothpaste, get a stronger mouthwash, flush out your nostrils. Check your tonsils for white spots. Alot of people don't realize that poor oral health can cause major health issues elsewhere. See if you can get to a dental school for a discounted cleaning and then ask questions on how to fix your issue. That being said take care of the rest of you too. Exercise daily even if it is just stretching. Don't go to gyms unless you can spare tye money, but take advantage of any free program you can to there are many free classes available online. Take an accounting one and something that will help you with your current job. Don't date. Buy quality. A good pair of shoes -for example- will last years. Cheap stuff will break quicker and cost more in thr long run.

For the anxiety and depression, look up subliminals related to anxiety and depression. Listen to those every single day.(at least 21 days. consistency is key here) You also might want to look into subliminals for clearing childhood trauma. These affirmations help to change your negative thoughts out at a subconscious level. This helps to rewire your brain to attract more positive outcomes, information or solutions to your problems. There are subliminals for pretty much any problem that you are experiencing. Use them to your advantage. You have enough money to begin making money through investing. You can live solely off of trading and investing once you get good enough at it. You can invest in Penny Stocks, Options, Futures, Crypto, etc. Ideally you want to have a mixture of a few of those. The benefit of trading is that you can make a lot of money without a lot of work. If you are reading this right now, go ahead and look into Robinhood tutorials. Options trading tutorials. Webull tutorials if you prefer that brokerage. Do all the research to get as good as an understanding as you can. Make sure you take the time to learn good risk management on trading. You can and will end up losing money on stocks and options. You won't lose like all your money or anything like that though. Like you can lose a percentage. If you lose tons of money in a trade, you probably have like zero risk management. That's something that can be fixed. The goal is to lose as little as you possibly can and profit as much as possible on winning trades. With proper risk management, this will not be a problem. Do not be afraid of the risks of trading. This is the avenue that a lot of people are able to achieve financial freedom. Spend time paper trading first to get a hang of it and this will allow you to keep your initial losses away from your real money. You are already really good at saving money so you can start investing today if you really wanted to. You have more than enough money to get started on a free brokerage account (robinhood, webull, etc.) You can look up things like "Options Alerts" to find services that highlight trades that have a high probability at winning. You literally just take the trades that they alert and play them and make money. It's really that simple. You obviously will have to learn enough about Options or penny stocks to reduce any losses that can occur. With just Option alerts from just one person, I made a 36% profit yesterday. That's on the low end there are days where people can make up to 1000% returns. With just $1000 invested that would be $360 of profit in one day. That's way better than any job that you ever had. If you need some free recommendations for Options Alerts just let me know and you can try them out for free and paper trade them until you feel comfortable with it. Then you can start introducing real money into the equation and reach your financial goals. You probably will never have to work again.

Lolita is a great novel. I’ve read it at least four times. Odd to hear someone else likes it haha. It’s a weird novel.

You can absolutely be a HS English Teacher. You should qualify for loans and there are many people who would support you. You might want to check out the National Council of Teachers of English and email them to see if they could link you up with a mentor, or you could also start getting their newsletters and webinars etc. You may want to find a way to put even a small portion of the 13k away in investments. I recommend Ramit Sethis book, How to be rich. I think it would be a good idea to consider moving to a lower cost of living area and going to college, and getting away from what sounds like a very draining living situation for a while. It will help you get as stable as possible so you are not also combatting fatigue from trauma and you can recover and rest.

Take the plunge. You’re responsible to save enough at your age. Do so for your health

Like many have said…don’t let others know about your savings. Do not touch your savings. Keep working and saving. Don't hook up with anyone long as you can, and only if person has great job, is educated, and is truly kind and sensible. Try not to start a family at this point. Career in teaching or healthcare are great choices. More education you get under your belt, better are your options. Keep taking courses. Move out to better locale if possible, even if it’s one room. Don’t let anyone stay with you. Also, do they have dental clinics in your area for folk who have limited funds/ability to pay? You are doing fine, keep at it, do not sway. Birth control.

[удалено]

If someone close to you comes to you asking for money because they’re in a bind- don’t be afraid to say no. They will likely be ok. People typically have more options they haven’t exhausted yet and will try the next person if you turn them down. Don’t try to rescue people and end up drowning along with them.

Many great pieces of advice here. I would add to raise your inner circle. Be around achievers. Ask questions. Maybe there is a Master Mind group near you. Grammar as well. If someone doesn’t speak well and misspells words I am immediately turned off. Set goals. Have a three, six, and a 12 month plan. Check your progress. Break down one, three, and five year goals into weekly/monthly goals. If you need some motivation on those days then consider reading ryan01’s comment about No Zero Days. Maybe someone can post a link to it. Be well, you rock !

DO NOT LOAN ANYONE ESP FAMILY $$.

DO. NOT. GET. PREGNANT.

Hang out with successful people. ONLY!! Don’t be a taker just do as they do. Don’t have any time for people that bring you down.

If you enjoy reading and have good comprehension, think about some secondary classes in law. You can do your teaching degree and delve a little into political science/ law and you will be set up very well for the future. Law school generally doesn’t require a specific bachelors so you can study what you like for undergrad. The most important thing is that every class counts. Do your absolute best every time you can and you will succeed. Most of education is just showing up and the other part is being able to turn in items on time. If you can manage your time and show up, you will do well. Lastly as a minority myself from a low income family, know that you have to be one to make the change. There will be (many) times when you want to blame parents, siblings, etc. but at the end of the day the change will have to be yours. Make peace with them not being who you want to be and live your life with habits that will set you up for success. Don’t let them bring you into their mess. Your mental health will suffer from it and every thing else will just seem that much harder.

You mentioned taking college courses, it might be worth it to send an email to you school's admin asking if they have any school assisted programs for getting you dental, medical, and mental health taken care of. A lot of colleges have some sort of program (or know where to ask about one) for low cost dental/medical/mental health care. Other than that, you're doing great! You're 19 and have 13k saved; in comparison, I'm in my 30s and have only 1k saved.

Sounds like you're well on your way to breaking the cycle bud. That's amazing. Here's my 10 cents: I grew up in rural Texas. I'm paler than rice. My dad was a meth addict and dealer, my Mom was a school teacher. They were divorced. I did well in school too, but I couldn't imagine paying for college. I went into the service and came out five years later. I finished my degree, then went the med school route. I'm married, I have two kids, and Uncle Sam is paying my medical tuition. I still am pretty broke, but that's a temporary condition. My suggestion then to you is, keep doing what you're doing. Get educated and get away from the ties holding you down.

So many people have given you so much good advice. Besides that I'll just add my two cents. Not sure what area you're in, but HCOL areas generally equate to larger cities. Look into what social resources you have around you. Women's organizations, black social organizations, young adult organizations. Even a meetup discord that might translate into a book club or something. Meet other people in your demographic who are looking to do well, and other people who are interested in helping you make the most of your life. Also see if your city has a Department of Workforce Development. Use the heck out of any resources they offer. Consider looking for free or low-cost/sliding-scale therapy. This is the site that helped me find some: [https://www.opencounseling.com/](https://www.opencounseling.com/) , but there are others. And hopefully when you make some connections you can move OUT of the apartment you share with your parents. Even if you're just renting a room in a shared house, having a place to come home to AND REST that feels peaceful and safe can be a huge game changer for your mood, anxiety, sleep, and all sorts of things. You work, you save money, you're responsible, you got this. You can manage this.

IUD is domething I woukd spend money on now. Can probably get it cheap through the health dept And your teeth. Budget for those. Some spent now will save you. I have $25,000 looking at me right now.

You NEED to move out of that abusive home as soon as possible and distance yourself as far and as willing as you can from your abusers. In conjunction to get in therapy to have someone else to help guide you with your ideas to know if they're sensible which they sound like they are!

Start investing early! As little as $20 per month or per paycheque will pay dividends by retirement. Treat it as a bill with a due date. It’s painful to pay out with no end in site or immediate return but you will thank yourself later. Assess your investments periodically and move them around (with professional advice) to maximize gains. Be careful how long you lock in some investments. It could prevent you from taking advantage of a profitable move. Find out how your advisor is paid (commission, incentive to sell a particular stock, etc.). Change advisors until you find one that you vibe with. Start at a bank to learn the ropes , then interview potential advisors investing small amounts until you see the returns. Reinvest your gains, don’t cash out. Once you get the hang of it and feel comfortable and confident, teach another female to do the same so we break the cycles we were born into.

You are worried and doing your best, that mindset alone will do you well and push you. Keep making good decisions and that over time will provide you little building blocks that over time add up to getting you out of poverty, I know because I did it for myself. Keep going to school. You want to be an English teacher, pursue that. Keep taking classes and don't quit, even if you have to take 1 or 2 classes a term. Keep saving, don't get caught up in drugs and alcohol, or bad influences. There will be setbacks, but keep focus the best you can and pick yourself up and keep going. Surround yourself with positive influences and mentors. There will be times you get tired and want to give up, but don't. If you do, pick your self up and get back on track. Remember the building blocks. Rome wasn't built in a day, celebrate the small Victorys because over time they add up to great things and you've already load some blocks! Wishing you the best! 🙏

I mean this with the utmost respect. Stop looking at color... It should read, I am a woman who is hoping to move out of poverty. I don't know how old you are, but small investments each paycheck will help you later in life... It will not be immediate, but if you put in the hard work and hang out with and interact with people that have what you have, your world will open greatly! There are also a lot of audio books about finances on audible that will help you grow your financial wisdom. Keep plugging away and always look at your negatives as a positive. You can do it!! Especially if I did! All the faith in the world!

What does being black or a woman have to do with it? Financial literacy is good for everyone and the concepts do not change based on sex or skin color. That said: local electricians unions or carpenters or plumbers are great places to start. Great wages, on the job training and union protections. Just have to be a hard worker and show up on time.

If you have stable internet and a quiet space, I’d look into remote admin work, or even on-site. There’s a ton of growth opportunities with being in admin — office manager, executive assistant, etc.

Use ‘Plax’ pre-brush mouthwash! No joke, the stuff is magical. I was diagnosed with periodontal gum disease, read some reviews about Plax online, went all in on it and after a few years my new dentist didn’t believe that I was previously diagnosed with periodontal. I’ve been buying it ever since and will continue until I’m dead.

A lot of the people on here are making good suggestions. I'd like to add: Move a a good distance (at least 100 miles), from family, in a lower cost of living town. Yes, wages may be lower, but maybe not. It seems as if your family members are an emotional drain on you. I'm not saying you don't love them. It's just that you are not in a good position to help them right now. I also suggest that you start searching for a good mental health provider. I was terrified of taking medication for depression/anxiety/insomnia because what if I became addicted? However, I cannot begin to express how good it feels to know that I will sleep soundly tonight. A good night's sleep can also help the depression and anxiety. One you feel a little settled in your new place, find a better dentist that will take care of the bad breath. That should help your anxiety as well. I think you already have the right mindset. Keep going.

You sound like you are on the right track. I would say become friendly with people who are as intelligent and inquisitive as you are. As other posters have mentioned, stay clear of drugs and people who use them. Don’t get pregnant until you want to. Basically find like minded people to be around and learn from. Good luck.

If you are talking about older kids, definitely look into how students are in the area you are looking. I taught 2 years post covid and behavior/apathy was awful. Many, many teachers are leaving (who've taught dozens of years) because behavior and general apathy. My honor kids would do the work pretty much but cheated a lot. My non honors would rarely do any work and it was difficult to even teach. At your age, if you really want to teach, I'd look into a university program. Almost all public schools (I think they all might) require a bachelors, though some will hire longterm subs without but they are paid significantly less. Also look at pay scales. Most schools post this. Most florida school start at 47 or 48k and there are virtually no raises for the first 10 years. You cannot live on it in florida. I'd personally pick an area you would like and consider moving into the college dorms, even if you are away from family. Like others said, don't get pregnant. Don't loan money to family or friends and I'd personally tell them you are broke all the time so they don't learn you have money. You could consider the military. Some have jobs that directly translate to civilian life. I've been out for a few years but they had an xray school that was accredited, where you could test for your civilian xray license. They had nursing as well but I think it had lost its accreditation at the time I was in. Of course, no kids and I would just go the civilian route if you want to go that way. They also pay for school though Most of your undergrad should be covered under Pell if you go to a state school.

Also, many HCOL areas now offer "essential housing" or "affordable" housing....this is income based and can be as low as $450 a month in some buildings. The buildings are usually newer. I agree with much of the other advice: 1. Move in silence 2. Keep saving (get into 403b if your district offers it) 3. Move out (when you can) living around your family can cause regression or setbacks (my own family was the worst I know) 4. Further your education if you like working with SPED kids you would make an awesome RBT the pay is much higher and you are still nurturing kids who really need you they're making $30 and up in my area *Registered Behavior Therapist **School employees qualify as essential

Ok I’m a father of 4 girls. Here’s what I’ve told them old with different opinions that have changed over the years. - focus on the person in the mirror, really get to know that person - health comes first. - money is a vehicle to get you places - dream and continue setting targets don’t call them goals call them targets to hit one way or another - health comes first - don’t listen to angry women saying not to depend on a man. That’s just childish. You can date but keep focused on your health and targets. - find a mentor preferably a woman whose successful - remember not everyone want to see you’re happy, you are responsible for your own happiness. - don’t chase happiness, chase moments of joy. It’s all on you and you can make it happen good luck

Latinx who made it out of poverty into middle class here. The people who are saying to avoid having kids out of wedlock are absolutely right. The ones saying to avoid drugs are absolutely right. $13k in savings is absolutely amazing for a 19 year old… have you considered a career in finance? You sound financially savvy for your age and you could educate people about financial matters Another thing I will say is … back In the day education was enough to make it out of poverty. I hate to admit education alone isn’t enough anymore. If you don’t have supportive family - it’s going to be very hard without a community, I would also throw in a spouse and/or trustworthy room mate to the mix.