Author Topic: I Need Smart People Help...  (Read 15643 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
I Need Smart People Help...
« on: April 03, 2009, 02:11:39 am »
So I'm at that stage in my (young) adulthood already where I can't stand to be around my parents anymore... I really can't. My mom's been pulling some major BS lately, and it's starting to piss me off to know end. In other words, I want to start getting ready to move out as soon as I graduate. Not far... but just OUT.

I have a job with my mom in a warehouse called Petersen-Arne. I get paid about $8.05 and I make pretty good money working 40 hours weeks. I've also been trying to get a hold of an 'after-school' job, like working at a fast food place, or something like that. (I think I'd be pretty good... "You want fries with that?") So far the search hasn't been going so well.

I only work with my mom during vacation time because they keep the same hours as my school, so I can't save any money from that job to help with the apartment deposit/first month's rent/last month's rent/etc. If I can get an after school job, I'm sure I would be able to manage something, and if I had a roommate it would be even easier.

I have a place that I can stay in until I get on my own two feet with two of my girl friends who just went through the process of getting their own first apartment. (I have a permanent reserved spot on the couch/floor)

Now, I'm curious as to whether or not I could get a loan. Because I am economy-ly challenged and passed Econ by my teacher's good graces only. (In my defense, he was a horrible teacher...) I don't believe I have credit. Not yet anyway... Which I realize could be a problem. And I HAVE income... Just not at the moment... I will if I manage a second job, but other than that, I'm pretty much just a seasonal worker until I graduate and go full time.

Can any of you older smart people help me out? (and try to keep it in simple terms... I'm kind of stupid in this area...)


Thanks so much in advance.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2009, 02:41:36 am »
well, have you tried to get a credit card or a loan?  Even with the economy like it is such things are not impossible.

Craigslist also could be one's friend in these kinds of siguations.  For a few hundred dollars one can just be another's roomie. 

The obvious answer would be just to goto UO or OSU or PSU some place where they have dorms.  Student loans are not too hard to get.
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2009, 02:44:24 am »
I don't plan on going to college though. The plan is to move to Portland eventually for my friend's schooling at AI, but that won't be for another year.

As for a credit card or a loan... I wouldn't know how to even go about doing that, and if my parent's caught wind of it they would flip a b-- so to avoid that I would have to use a friend's house for a mailing address which would get complicated...

and yeah... Or maybe I'm making this more difficult that I should be...
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2009, 02:46:49 am »
well, just  go to a bank or your credit union and tell them that you'd like one.  The sad part about how things work is that if one doesn't have dept already they have no credit history and thus can't really get much for loans
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2009, 02:49:39 am »
Hm... That's true.

Of course, I'll be doing all this after I get my second job, because I'm screwed without it, so since I'll have a second income to pay off the card in the first place I was going to get a credit card. So there's that...

For now I'm pretty much at a stand still, but I'm the kind of person that likes to clean and plan when they're angry. (my knuckles thank me for not punching things.)
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2009, 02:49:56 am »
It sounds like you're pretty much at a similar point to where I was a year ago.  That said, avoid relying on friends who don't have any significant savings built up.  Friends are great to have, but sometimes they lose their jobs, lose their phones, fall out of touch for two months, lose their homes, and wind up moving back in with their parents, and then you have no plan B to fall back on.

You're graduating this year, correct?  I presume you can wait that long to start your quest for sovereignty?

Anyway, with the economy as it is, you want to do three things:
1st...
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  See what kind of financial aid you're eligible for.  You want grants and scholarships.  You'll also receive offers for two kinds of loans: subsidized and un-subsidized.  For now, ignore the loans.  You'll probably be looking at $8000 to $25000 a year in grants, depending on where you're planning on continuing education, your family's income, et cetera.
2nd...
Develop a list of what things are necessary and what things you can live without, and start looking at budgeting options for those things.
3rd...
Start working towards a college education.  I don't know what your personal plans are, but with the economy as it is, trying to get by without college is pretty much futile.

If you can get a job that doesn't interfere with primary concerns (your primary concerns coming out of highschool should be food, friends, and grades), then go for it.  Don't strain yourself though.  Take classes you will enjoy, and be outgoing.  One of the most important things that a college environment provides is a community of people who can relate to you.  These people will make a major difference in your life, so make sure you're promoting your own social development in addition to maintaining good grades.

The reason grades are suddenly important (they're pretty secondary in high school IMO) is because grants and scholarships are going to be your lifesource.  If you let your grades fall, you'll lose funding, and have to take out student loans.  Student loans mean you leave college with debt--you don't want that.  If you do take out loans, you want to use the subsidized loans first.  They're interest-free until you graduate, meaning that, if you play your cards right, you won't lose money to them.

I don't know what community colleges are in your area, but Community Colleges are definitely a GOOD THING.  A lot of them are kind of low-grade, but MUCH cheaper than Universities.  The advantage to going to a 4-year University is that you'll be getting more funding and they have student housing, which eases the transition between living at home and living on your own.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2009, 02:54:50 am »
The reality of only having a high school education is that most any job will be living hand to mouth.  Even with 40 hours a week $8 an hour is still really tough living on one's own with no parental help.
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2009, 02:56:49 am »
Yeah, but what am I going to do with a college education when it pertains to nothing I want to do with my life really? I mean, honestly IMHO I really don't see it ABSOLUTELY necessary to go to college to be a novelist like I want to do.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2009, 03:23:55 am »
Yeah...I started that post at 2:13, then my computer unplugged itself, so I missed all that earlier discussion.

Anyway, community college.  Take 12 credits in something easy like arts and letters or something.

It's important because it gives you credentials and it gives you 4 years of independence during which you don't have to kill yourself trying to scrape by.  I plan on playing keyboards with a Power Metal band for a living.  That's why I'm taking classes in music theory, electronic music, and music recording.  I'm also taking classes in economics, literature, writing, and mathematics.  Go to college to polish your writing skills...go to college to give yourself a back-up plan...hell, just go to college so that you can make friends and have a life before you throw yourself into the "real world".  There is no career in existence that will not benefit from a college education, because unlike high school, college is about learning how to live your life and do the things that you need to do to live.  High school is about bending yourself to ridiculous and arbitrary standards and developing skills that haphazardly improve work ethic if they happen to compel you.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2009, 06:54:50 am »
Well to be sure, in any system of education there will be times where it is more fighting the system then fulfilling one's dream, similar to HS, just a different game.  There are writing classes, and even at a CC, one can just take writing and english if they want.  Some math or science would need to be added to get an associates.

I dunno, it's your life, just throwing out options
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2009, 08:00:19 am »
Well I was going to try for a creative writing major, but nearly NOBODY has it, and it they do it's just a minor. I think that leaves my option to just OSU. And I doubt with the grades I've kept I would be able to get in.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2009, 08:21:48 am »
Well, it's a public school, can't be that hard to get into.  Also, just because a college didn't have the exact major wanted, in industry something similar is all the same.  For example, at my work we have process engineers with degrees in physics, metalurgical sciences, chemistry, electrical engineering.  They all do the same job but had different education.
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline nikkiolie

  • It's over nine THOUSAND!!!!!
  • ******
  • Posts: 15368
    • Facebook
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2009, 09:05:54 am »
going to college would give you a chance to be a way from your parents yet still dependent on them (if they plan on paying for it or helping you pay). It might be a good idea to think about >_>

Offline Wuntvor

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 513
    • http://wuntvor.home.comcast.net/anime_list.htm
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2009, 11:27:29 am »
K-Rock-InC

Come to Anime Friday tonight and talk to my wife and I about this.  We are not your parents, but we are in the same age range, and have gone through all of the same life experiences as them, so we can give you an un-biased view of the "other side".

First I would recommend attempting to take some classes at LCC.  The cost is reasonably low, and if you have your parents assist you with all of the FAFSA stuff, you will most likely be eligable for a Pell grant.  a Pell grant is free money for tuition that you do not have to pay back.  Definitely the best option you will get.  You will still need to dish out a few hundred for books, and whatever the grant didn't cover, but in the end it will be the easiest for you.

If you do want out of the house, you will absolutely have to team up with others to get a place.  My daughter is sharing a place with her fiance and his friend and co-worker.  With the economy like it is, they are struggling to keep their half of a rented du-plex.

In this area a cheap apartment is one around $700 a month.  That is a really good price.  On top of that add in the things that may not be included,  A cell phone or phone service $25 - $50 a month.  EWEB electric and water $120 a month.  Cable TV?  $90 for the cheaper stuff.  Internet?  $40  Groceries for 1 month  for 1 person $100  So what do we have so far?  $1,000 easy.  Now if you are holding 1 full time job at minimum wage you are making maybe $300 a week (maybe $350, but less than $400).  Hmm...  Ok so $1200 a month minus $1000 in expenses leaves you with $200 -$250 in the bank for manga, games, clothes, movies, and in general having fun with your friends.  This is of course if all goes well.

Does your job have medical coverage?  Oh you are sick?  Hmmm.  Doctor visit  $125 dollars just to have a shot and checkup.  Missed work.  Weekly pay dropped to $200  (or less) for that week.  Now where do you stand?  Umm..  you didn't really need to eat that week right?

Oh you don't have furniture or a microwave, TV washer and dryer?  OUCH!  Hmmm.  Used couch from St Vinnies or Goodwill  $125  Dinning table and chairs $50 from yard sale (LUCKY).  Microwave  new from Wal-Mart  $90 - $125.  TV?  Maybe you have one already in your room, or can take one with you, if not expect to spend around $500 for a decent new one that may have a DVD built in.  Stereo?  Oh you are a funny person HA HA HA.  Seriously?  Got a $1000 on you?  That is if you want a real stereo and not a glorified BOOM box.  Umm... Washing your clothes  Laundromat or washer & dryer.  This depends a lot on the place you are renting.  The cheapest places don't have laundry in them, so you need to take your clothes somewhere to wash them.  I haven't used a laundromat in some time, but I know it isn't free.  You also need to supply your own laundry detergent and fabric softener, + hang around till it is done washing.  (manga reading time).  If you do have a washer and dryer hook-up I doubt they are provided for you, so $600 - $750 for a decent washer,  and around $400 - $600 for a dryer.  If you get energy star efficient ones you may get a tax break on your next years taxes (LOOK INTO THAT)

Now,  you have a job,  you found a place,  The landlord is willing to take a one month deposit, and a cleaning deposit (This is the money it cost them to clean the carpets, etc. If you keep the apartment clean you may get this money back when you move out)  Gee I didn't mention vacuum cleaner  $400 (nice one).  I can almost state for fact that they won't let you in unless your parents co-sign the agreement.  Not without credit and work history, both of which take time to create.

How do you create credit?  Simple, buy stuff.  That washer and dryer, vacumm cleaner, TV, Microwave, and nice table lamp.  Buy that all at Sears.  Get a Sears credit card  (WARNING:  The APR on this card may cause heart failure)  Now, I know this hurts, but don't pay it off all at once, but DO pay it all off quickly.  Once you have it all paid off (CUT THAT CARD INTO ITY BITTY PIECES AND THROW A PARTY)  Now it is time to try getting a loan from the bank (Your first car is a good one)  Find a nice used car and take out a loan to pay for it over 3 - 5 years.  Any loan is going to cost you more than the original cost.  Take that as a given.  The trick is to pay back as quickly as you can.  Sometimes they penalize you for paying it all back early, so check on that before signing.  Again, they may require your parents to co-sign.  If you have the credit from the crecit card already you may luck out, but I doubt it.  When you finish paying off the auto loan, you will most likely have a credit history.  At this time expect to start receiving credit card offers in your mail every week from Chase, American Express, Discover, and a zillion other banks and lending orginizations that all want to give you money.  Now is the time to learn SMART financing.  Get a credit card with a low APR (Annual Percentage Rate)  That is the amount of interest that you pay on the card in one year.  A decent one is 9% - 12%.  I usually shred any offer higher than 12% without even blinking (shred it don't just throw it in the trash, this is a credit card application with your name on it, in short credit card ID theft 101. Never throw this in the trash, or recycle bin).  That Sears card you got was probably around 27% or so, that is why I had you cut it up.  Although it won't help your credit, I always pay off my entire credit card balance every month.  This lets me buy all I want and then pay for it once.  Some people prefer using a bank debit card.  Similar thing, except that balancing the check book can get hairy if the debit card is on your checking account. 

K-Rock-InC - If you don't do any of the stuff above, or take any other advice I give, I want you to take this advice the most.

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SPEND MORE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD THAN YOU CAN PAY BACK!!!

This is the trap that many credit card companies get you to fall into.  It is called a minimum payment.  Gee, I bought a new HDTV, washer, and dryer, and laptop computer with my Credit card and it's $5,000 limit is almost reached, but I only have to pay $80 a month.  How awesome is that?  Guess what happens?  This month your balance is $4,500.  You pay the $80 minimum.  Next month your balance is $4,550.  You will notice that that is actually more than the previous month.  Welcome to the joys of interest that is higher than the minimum payment.  This little trap has placed untold millions of people into a living hell.  DON"T BE TRAPPED!!  Even if you take the entire $200 extra that you earn each month and use it to pay this bill, you will only drop it by maybe $50 a month.  $4,500 at -$50 a month takes 7 and a half years to pay off.  Over that time, if you paid the $200 each time you will have spent $18,000 on the original $4,500 that you owed.  This isn't exactly accurate, because as the amount decreases, so does the interest on the amount, and of course if the balance is $200, and you pay $200 you won't have 3 more payments, but still you get the general idea. It is easy to end up paying twice as much as the original cost.  Look at that APR of 10% a year (or more)  and add in the 7 years to pay it back.  Yeah,  they got you good didn't they?

Another piece of advice is to only have ONE CREDIT CARD (What! you wanted to multiply the debt?).  It really doesn't take more than one Visa or MasterCard to buy anything in the USA.  Don't get both, just to have each, because you will only use one.  Discover & American Express are both cards that are best for people who do a lot of traveling.  If that isn't you, don't bother with them, the APR on each will make you blanche.

I hope this opened your eyes a bit, and made you think a little.  Welcome to the real world kiddo.  It can be a very scary place.

(\,@/)  Quote from -  Rock & Rule
(=','=)  Stretch: MOK! Don't let him get us!  He'll put a heck on me!
 //_\\   Dizzy:    Hexx, Stretch.  Hexx.
  d b    Stretch: Aw!  Two of them!  That's even worse!

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2009, 04:43:08 pm »
Such a long post....>,o

I would come to Anime Friday, but I'm grounded. Because the bus system is slow. We left my house at 6:30, got to the VRC at 8, left at 9, and got to my house at 10. And I couldn't just NOT go deal with what I needed because I wasn't going to have time for the rest of the week, but WHATEVER. Like it matters that it's not my fault. Like it matters that I'm suffering from burn out. Like it matters that I feel like a useless piece of **** because she doesn't believe I'll graduate. (Anybody see why I can't wait to get out yet?)

It would be a lot easier to explain things in person than on a forum...
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2009, 05:48:34 pm »
Well, US HS isn't hard.   Just need to complete things really to pass.  Everyone should know that.  College is a different story tho
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2009, 06:00:30 pm »
I need to pass all of my classes this semester, and write up a thinger that's some grad requirement about what I did when I worked over spring break or something along those lines. That's it.
but it's really hard when you've got your mom telling you that you're going to fail, and that you're not going to graduate and basically making you feel like your life has no purpose. Instead of wanting to prove her wrong, and therefore having motivation to work harder, she just makes me feel like giving up. It's like "Well what's the point?"
My house is NOT a productive atmosphere, and the main reason I want to move out is for my emotional health more than anything.

I'm not saying I'm going to move out NOW. But I'm saying that I want to move out as soon as it's humanly possible for me to do so and survive. I have all the basic necessities like bathroom stuff, kitchen stuff, a TV, a computer, a bed and clothes. I don't need a couch right away. I can just watch TV from the floor, and I never eat at a kitchen table anyway, so I don't need that... I don't really watch TV anyway, so bye bye cable costs... I would need the cell phone, and the internet. As for food, I can go old school college route and survive on cup noodles and mac n' cheese. Maybe splurge once in a while and get some fast food.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline MiriaRose

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 3155
    • The Kingdom of Heaven
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #17 on: April 03, 2009, 07:52:09 pm »
If you're planning on internet, dial-up might be, unfortunately, your cheapest way.

Mine is $5 a month, but it's with AARP as my parents are old. I just looked at some prices, though, and a lot are from $6-20 a month.

If you're going to get it, though, don't get PeoplePC. It's the root of all evil in my opinion, and is very unreliable and may be the reason why my computer is wack.

It's slow, yes, but you don't *need* YouTube. $40 a month when you're working on minimum wage can get expensive, and your computer saves pictures and the like in temporary internet files so that it won't be as slow the next time you see them.
"Would you kindly. ."

Offline DemonSpawn

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1290
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #18 on: April 03, 2009, 08:33:34 pm »
@ K-Rock-InC Are you a twin? Saw you at the picnic last weekend and was just wondering. (My friend is and she was there with me. She thinks all twins are epic win)
I miss 2010.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #19 on: April 03, 2009, 08:41:15 pm »
@ K-Rock-InC Are you a twin? Saw you at the picnic last weekend and was just wondering. (My friend is and she was there with me. She thinks all twins are epic win)

No, I'm the youngest of three and the only girl. No twin.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #20 on: April 04, 2009, 11:58:32 pm »
as for internets, some apts have people who just leave their wifi open so if your neighbor is generous free internets`
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #21 on: April 04, 2009, 11:59:49 pm »
Yeah a few that I've been looking at have had free wi-fi. And I'll be getting my laptop eventually, so yeah.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2009, 08:33:14 pm »
A wifi adapter for a desktop costs $20-$50, and I've never had one break before.

I'd avoid laptops.  They're okay if you're in a higher income bracket, but they don't last, and you can't replace components.  If you're really lucky, a laptop will go 2 years without losing any functionality.  By 4 or 5 years, they'll have major issues.  Any older than that, and you'll have something resembling my current computer, which shuts down every 5-15 sporatically, making it difficult to do simple things like use the internet or type a document, and impossible to play games.  Desktops can last 10-15 years with fairly moderate ($200 per) upgrades every year or two.  Compare that to replacing a laptop for $800 every 2 years.  If you build a desktop right, all you'll ever need to replace is the RAM every 2 years and the processor every 5 or 6 years until the motherboard stops working after 15 years or so.  Start out with a 512GB hard drive and maybe a 2TB external and you shouldn't ever really need to replace that.

Seriously, don't shell out for a laptop unless it's going to put you into a financial position where you'll be significantly benefiting for the portability.  And don't buy a craptop.  Not worth it.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #23 on: April 05, 2009, 08:37:19 pm »
What would a craptop be?

And I need the laptop for my writing. It may sound weird, but I don't trust having it on my computer. This piece of junk has had so many problems and isn't even 5 years old yet. My dad has had the laptop he uses since I entered high school, and I got my desktop the Christmas of my Sophomore year. My dad still uses that laptop, and I'm ready to throw my computer against the wall and set fire to it.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #24 on: April 05, 2009, 09:09:51 pm »
A craptop would be any laptop under $400.  Usually encountered on sites like Craigslist, Dell, etc.  Expected lifespan of DEAD ON ARRIVAL.  I sold one to a friend once for $100.  I feel guilty to this day.

External hard drives are your friend, especially as a writer, particularly with a laptop.  As a writer, you should keep three digital copies of everything you write: one on your C:/ drive, one on an external drive, and one on either a flash drive (for stuff you're actively working on) or on CD.  Thus, it's kind of moot whether your computer is reliable or not, as long as you have the other parts.

Now, is your computer a Dell?  Because if it is, you'll be wanting a new computer.  Otherwise, you probably just need to replace either the RAM, the Hard Drive, or the Processor.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #25 on: April 05, 2009, 09:13:04 pm »
It's a Microtel, and we've already had to replace most of those and it still decides to crap out on me. >.O

But yeah. I think I'm getting a Dell laptop for a graduation present... Which will make me feel guilty about saying such bad things about my mom... It happens...
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #26 on: April 05, 2009, 09:19:16 pm »
Dell makes a lot of really crappy computers. :/

Seriously...Vaio, Toshiba...even an Apple or HP will be more reliable. 

Anyway, I did a quick google on Microtel.  They're about 2-4 years behind the industry on most components, meaning they probably use bargain-price motherboards.  What are the specs on your current machine?  I might be interested in buying it from you if the price is right and at least a couple of the components are passable.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #27 on: April 05, 2009, 09:48:46 pm »
Oo........uuuuuhhhhh......... *runs to ask my dad*
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #28 on: April 05, 2009, 10:02:39 pm »
D:

Start >> Control Panel >> Performance and Maintenance >> System

Under General, it should say in the bottom right, on the 3rd or 4th line of a small block of text, your processor bitrate (in MHz or GHz) and your RAM (in GB or MB).  Above that, it should say your processor model.  Then, go to "My Computer" in your Start menu, right click on your C:/ drive and click "properties".  It should tell you a bunch of information you care about, your "used space", "free space" and "total size".  I'm interested in the last of those three.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #29 on: April 05, 2009, 10:12:29 pm »
AMD Sempron(tm) 2200+
1.51 GHz, 512 MB of RAM

Used space: 22.8 GB
Free space: 51.6 GB
Capacity: 74.5 GB

Wow... Learn something new everyday! xD
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline jaybug

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 546
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #30 on: April 05, 2009, 10:21:37 pm »
Okay, my two cents worth.

Staying with your parents, but treating them as roommates, well it's a learning experience. You are going to have those with every roommate you will ever have. It may be most of them are bad experiences. I got lucky two good ones, one bad one, well it went bad after he got started on smoking meth. But that's family for you, eh? He's dead now.

Choose. School or work. If you choose work, know that it will mess up big time your ability to do school. They take away financial aid for people who work, at least they did if they were white male and had served in the armed forces. But that's another story. I told my friend who was having tough financial times while going to school. I told him not to get a job but focus on study. He has a degree, I don't. I wonder if he is close to earning the amount I do yet? But as Homer Simpson, working in a power plant is about the only good paying job you can get with only a HS diploma.

My dad told me: Food, clothing and shelter are the most important things you need. The rest is luxury. I guess that is why he doesn't have many friends. Oops, neither do I. But I am able to do what I need/ want without wondering if my friends will think I look fat/silly, or need to not know me.

There is always the military to teach you a trade, if you can deal with it. It isn't that hard, and perhaps they can teach you things your parents never thought to tell you.

Whatever you decide, work your @ss off at it. Nothing comes to those who wait for their mouths to be filled with ambrosia.
Have Fun

Jay

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #31 on: April 05, 2009, 10:55:38 pm »
AMD Sempron(tm) 2200+
1.51 GHz, 512 MB of RAM

Used space: 22.8 GB
Free space: 51.6 GB
Capacity: 74.5 GB

Wow... Learn something new everyday! xD
Okay, your first problem could be the fact that your computer is running just about the same specs as my 6-year-old laptop.  No wonder you're having problems with it!  Kudos on only using 22.8GB of space on your hard drive.  I'm barely able to keep mine under 60GB...would be much higher if I had more space. :P

Anyway, this is getting off-topic.  PM me or catch me on MSNM if you want to talk about selling.  RAM is easy enough to replace, and I'm about ready to take a trip to Eugene anyway...maybe 2 or 3 weeks after Sakuracon.
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline Wuntvor

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 513
    • http://wuntvor.home.comcast.net/anime_list.htm
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #32 on: April 05, 2009, 11:08:40 pm »
AMD Sempron(tm) 2200+
1.51 GHz, 512 MB of RAM

Used space: 22.8 GB
Free space: 51.6 GB
Capacity: 74.5 GB

Wow... Learn something new everyday! xD

Hey K-Rock-InC, would you like someone who is currently studying to be a network support specialist to take a look at your computer, and give you advice?  That would be me.  I can probably wander over to your place and take a look at it for you.  I can tell you right now that increasing your RAM to 1GB will help alot, even if you are running Windows XP.  I don't know what type of video card you have, but if game play or watching large MKV files is giving you problems, you may want to consider upgrading that as well.  You live about 2 blocks from the Hwy 99 Electronics store (It is on Fairfield & Hwy 99 corner of Gilbert Shopping Center next to Putt & Video).  If you don't want to order stuff from NewEgg then they are a fairly decent alternative.  Would need to see how many slots you have free (if any) before deciding on how to up-grade.
(\,@/)  Quote from -  Rock & Rule
(=','=)  Stretch: MOK! Don't let him get us!  He'll put a heck on me!
 //_\\   Dizzy:    Hexx, Stretch.  Hexx.
  d b    Stretch: Aw!  Two of them!  That's even worse!

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #33 on: April 06, 2009, 08:35:29 am »
My dad used to be a computer technician in the Register Guard before he became a Telecommunication Specialist (recently), so I'm pretty good on the computer front. But this piece of junk is why I would prefer a laptop.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline Wuntvor

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 513
    • http://wuntvor.home.comcast.net/anime_list.htm
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #34 on: April 06, 2009, 09:00:37 am »
My dad used to be a computer technician in the Register Guard before he became a Telecommunication Specialist (recently), so I'm pretty good on the computer front. But this piece of junk is why I would prefer a laptop.

Then I'm surprised it only has 512KB of RAM.  Does he ever actually look at it, or does he only come in when he hears you screaming at it?  There are quite a few small steps you can take to keep your computer running like new.  A big one would be to clear out the Temporary Internet Files, if you don't have them set to delete automatically when you close your browser.  Another is to remove the 500MB (rough estimate) of windows Update Uninstall files that are sitting on your HardDrive (If you haven't used them yet, then they are just taking up space).  A handy utility I have found is called CCleaner.  This utility will do a fairly decent job of cleaning all the garbage out of your system and your registry, and it is free.
(\,@/)  Quote from -  Rock & Rule
(=','=)  Stretch: MOK! Don't let him get us!  He'll put a heck on me!
 //_\\   Dizzy:    Hexx, Stretch.  Hexx.
  d b    Stretch: Aw!  Two of them!  That's even worse!

Offline Washougal_Otaku

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 6331
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #35 on: April 06, 2009, 09:05:07 am »
That was what I was gonna say, too, except about that CCleaner; I've never heard of it.
My cosplay plans for 2022 (thus far): Vanir from Konosuba
My son's plans this year (thus far): Penguin Chiyo-chan from Azumanga Daioh

Offline jaybug

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 546
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #36 on: April 06, 2009, 04:25:23 pm »
Nobody listens to Kim Komando?
Have Fun

Jay

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #37 on: April 06, 2009, 05:30:53 pm »
I mostly only use it for internet and artwork/writing so I don't really need a lot of memory because most of it says on my multiple flash drives...
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline melchizedek

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1193
    • Don't play with fire
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #38 on: April 06, 2009, 05:39:02 pm »
A really basic laptop would be a netbook.  Some of them just cost $200 but are really only designed as an on-the-go lappy.

Also, right now is not a great time to join the military.  I hear they are calling people up for korea.  However, coast guard has a base in coos bay which wouldn't be too bad for visiting friends on the weekend.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2009, 05:40:41 pm by melchizedek »
Yaoi crossplay... is actually Yuri.

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #39 on: April 06, 2009, 06:00:59 pm »
No. Noooo no no no no no. No military. Never. Ever. EVER EVER Ever ever ever.


There are some low income apartments near a friends house. I plan on putting my name on the waiting list and trying to get a job. As soon as the 24th of this month I'm moving in with my two friends who just got their apartment and crashing on their floor until I can get an apartment of my own with my friend Russell.

Why the sudden movement?

My mom was talking to my dad in the kitchen. She said that it would be best to just **** take me out of school because there was no way I was going to graduate.

It's SIX WEEKS into the second semester. I have TWELVE more weeks to bring up TWO Fs.
Unless I seriously don't give a **** for the next few weeks, I have every possibility of graduating. And if I talk to my counselor, I can see about having the half credit of EXTRA CURRICULAR I need to graduate waved. It's not like I'm failing one of my required classes. I'm taking an extra curricular class like Art.

I can't deal with this anymore. I feel like **** because this woman who is supposed to be my mother, who is supposed to be my mental support can't take the energy to believe that I can graduate. She can't even try to fake it. She flat out says that she thinks I have no future in life. And I'm tired of it. I can't live in this house anymore.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline jaybug

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 546
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #40 on: April 06, 2009, 06:19:43 pm »
she gives up and you do too? Is that what I hear?

I say fight it, prove her wrong. You'll enjoy it more later.
Have Fun

Jay

Offline Wuntvor

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 513
    • http://wuntvor.home.comcast.net/anime_list.htm
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #41 on: April 06, 2009, 06:36:46 pm »
I mostly only use it for internet and artwork/writing so I don't really need a lot of memory because most of it says on my multiple flash drives...

What program are you using for your art?  If the answer is Adobe Photoshop, or something similar, then that is a MAJOR memory hog.  RAM is not HardDrive storage.  Don't confuse the two.  RAM is temporary storage for the software that you are currently running.  EVERYTHiNG you run is located in RAM.  The Operating System (Windows XP) the application (Adobe Photoshop) the utilities (Virus Scanner, mouse driver, Spam filter, Facebook, AIM, YIM, ICQ, etc)  ALL OF IT!  That is why the most common reason a system seems slow is because there isn't enough RAM for all of the stuff you are trying to run.  So what does it do when it runs out of room?  It starts to put the stuff you aren't using on a harddrive, until you need it again.  This is the cause of that ever annoying spinning hourglass we all have come to despise.  How to get rid of it?  ADD MORE RAM!!  A flashdrive is NOT RAM.  Not in the way the computer treats it.  EVERYTHING in RAM dissapears when you turn off the power.  That is why you have to frequently save your files to the harddrive.  A flashdrive doesn't lose it's data when you unplug it.  Think of those little USB sticks as a form of harddrive instead of as RAM.
(\,@/)  Quote from -  Rock & Rule
(=','=)  Stretch: MOK! Don't let him get us!  He'll put a heck on me!
 //_\\   Dizzy:    Hexx, Stretch.  Hexx.
  d b    Stretch: Aw!  Two of them!  That's even worse!

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #42 on: April 06, 2009, 09:51:52 pm »
she gives up and you do too? Is that what I hear?

I say fight it, prove her wrong. You'll enjoy it more later.

You know, EVERYBODY **** says that. But you try fighting when you have to come home everyday and hear her bitch about how you're failing, and you're never going to graduate and why don't you have your license yet you still don't have a job?!

I'm **** sick and tired of trying to fight against her when I'm in her damn territory. This is HER house. I have to follow HER rules.

I need OUT.

I'm not saying that I won't be doing school still. Hell, living with my two friends will probably be good because they have to do homework too. We can all do homework together and make it a bearable time!

I'm just saying that I can't do anything progressive when I'm constantly being beaten down like I am. I can't do it anymore.

When the 24th comes, I'm out. She wants to throw the threat out, she wants to say "She can go live with Cassi for all I **** care." then fine. I'll go do that. I'll pack my **** up and move out.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline Sayda

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1957
    • Deviant Art.
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #43 on: April 07, 2009, 02:31:06 am »
Kairi, I added you on MSN. I can relate to your situation, we should talk sometime.
AX :
- Seras Victoria (Hellsing)
- Axel (Kingdom Hearts II)
- Debut Cosplay

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #44 on: April 07, 2009, 05:07:06 pm »
Okee Axel.

I went out with my friends last night, so I'm a little more cooled down, but my decision still stands that I'm moving out as soon as it's humanly possible to survive on my own.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline Hawkeye

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 578
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #45 on: April 24, 2009, 02:06:47 pm »
It sounds like you're pretty much at a similar point to where I was a year ago.  That said, avoid relying on friends who don't have any significant savings built up.  Friends are great to have, but sometimes they lose their jobs, lose their phones, fall out of touch for two months, lose their homes, and wind up moving back in with their parents, and then you have no plan B to fall back on.

You're graduating this year, correct?  I presume you can wait that long to start your quest for sovereignty?

Anyway, with the economy as it is, you want to do three things:
1st...
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  See what kind of financial aid you're eligible for.  You want grants and scholarships.  You'll also receive offers for two kinds of loans: subsidized and un-subsidized.  For now, ignore the loans.  You'll probably be looking at $8000 to $25000 a year in grants, depending on where you're planning on continuing education, your family's income, et cetera.
2nd...
Develop a list of what things are necessary and what things you can live without, and start looking at budgeting options for those things.
3rd...
Start working towards a college education.  I don't know what your personal plans are, but with the economy as it is, trying to get by without college is pretty much futile.

If you can get a job that doesn't interfere with primary concerns (your primary concerns coming out of highschool should be food, friends, and grades), then go for it.  Don't strain yourself though.  Take classes you will enjoy, and be outgoing.  One of the most important things that a college environment provides is a community of people who can relate to you.  These people will make a major difference in your life, so make sure you're promoting your own social development in addition to maintaining good grades.

The reason grades are suddenly important (they're pretty secondary in high school IMO) is because grants and scholarships are going to be your lifesource.  If you let your grades fall, you'll lose funding, and have to take out student loans.  Student loans mean you leave college with debt--you don't want that.  If you do take out loans, you want to use the subsidized loans first.  They're interest-free until you graduate, meaning that, if you play your cards right, you won't lose money to them.

I don't know what community colleges are in your area, but Community Colleges are definitely a GOOD THING.  A lot of them are kind of low-grade, but MUCH cheaper than Universities.  The advantage to going to a 4-year University is that you'll be getting more funding and they have student housing, which eases the transition between living at home and living on your own.

One thing that Tofu forgets with the FAFSA form is that until you turn 23 or get married, you are required to have your parent's information on those forms.  Without it you get screwed (or in my case one year my mother refused to fill out her part).  Also worst case scenario, you could always do summer school if it's offered.  That way you can walk with your class and get your diploma after you finish up the credits.
"Now I'll show you how real vampires do battle!"


Offline Mister_manji

  • Chibi
  • ***
  • Posts: 227
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #46 on: April 24, 2009, 03:06:18 pm »
has anybody pointed out that the 8.05 she made at this job is UNDER MINIMUM Wage, for the state of Oregon?
K-Con attendee 2004, 2006
2007 Programming Staff
2008 Programming Staff
2009 Special Events Manager
2010 Assistant Director of Operations
2011 Assistant Director of Operations

Offline K-Rock-InC

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 1478
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #47 on: April 24, 2009, 03:59:25 pm »
At the time I worked 8.05 was ABOVE the minimum age, so it holds no relevance.
This is my life. These are my choices.

Offline DancingTofu

  • Bunnygirl
  • *****
  • Posts: 2185
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #48 on: April 24, 2009, 04:55:09 pm »
One thing that Tofu forgets with the FAFSA form is that until you turn 23 or get married, you are required to have your parent's information on those forms.
This is true.  In my case, I've lived my whole life with the idea that my parents fully expected me to attend college and graduate with no less than a bachelor's degree, living primarily off financial aid for that time.  I tend to forget that some parents aren't that thrilled about their children being educated, or don't want to diminish themselves by letting their children get financial aid. :P
moderators gonna moderate </shrug>

Offline Hawkeye

  • Catgirl
  • ****
  • Posts: 578
Re: I Need Smart People Help...
« Reply #49 on: April 24, 2009, 07:15:15 pm »
One thing that Tofu forgets with the FAFSA form is that until you turn 23 or get married, you are required to have your parent's information on those forms.
This is true.  In my case, I've lived my whole life with the idea that my parents fully expected me to attend college and graduate with no less than a bachelor's degree, living primarily off financial aid for that time.  I tend to forget that some parents aren't that thrilled about their children being educated, or don't want to diminish themselves by letting their children get financial aid. :P
Well in my case Tofu, my mom was just being a &$*@# and wouldn't sign the forms for me because she didn't like the choices I was making with my life.  If you do want to go to college, it sounds like you're better off approaching your father about this and not your mom.
"Now I'll show you how real vampires do battle!"