want to make a decent living, with a happy life

[Mrs.Krinkle]

I'm 18 and im graduating from high school in like 20 days. (wooh!)
But I have no idea what i wanna do with my life, i did terrible in school and i dont want to go to college anyways. At my current job I make 8.50 an hour, and i cant stand my boss. Id like to make decent money (idk, 20-30k a year) but i want to live a pretty laid back lifestyle. Basically I dont want a job where Im gonna be busy all the time and stressed out and stuff. I was thinking about massage therapy.

Does anybody have any suggestions about what I could do with just a diploma and maybe a year or so of schooling? or none?

[Pengilum]

well, 20-30 k a year isnt really DECENT. If you dont want to have kids or anything, and want to live in a bad neighboorhood (Generally, in my area atleast), then its ok.

I did HORRIBLE in school, actually got kicked out, twice. and graduated from an alternative school. College wasnt my thing then, I joined the Navy, got a couple years left, deffinatly alot more mature now, and actually looking forwards to going back home and attending college on the goverments bill.

You arent gonna have many choices with just a diploma. Because so many poeple go beyond that, so they get preference. I'm no genius or anything, but I dont think Massage Therapy is really a practical job choice, unless you want to give "Erotic" massages, and post on craigslist, that seems to work well. dont get me wrong, some people I am sure are very successful, but I am sure the majority of people in the job field arent doing that well.

[nakedtreehugger]

^^ wow, do you think you can by ANY more negative about not going to college?

mrs.krinkle, i think massage therapy sounds like a great idea... in fact, its something i'm about to go get certified for too! :) at least sometime in the forseeable future! but i made between 20 and 30k last year, and supported both myself and my live in partner and lived relatively well! it all depends on how comfortable you are living in a non-yuppie suburbia kind of neighborhood, and how much you think you need to live off of! reduce bills such as cable, cell phones, etc.... and you'll be fine! society wants us all to think we need to make 50k or more a year to survive COMFORTABLY, and i can tell you from experience, you do NOT have to make that kind of money or live with that kind of stress! it's in your priorities.

oh... and for other work ideas... i work in direct care with adults with mental retardation, and working a 40 hour, relatively stress free, and does not require a degree other than high school. just an idea for you! it's incredibly fun and rewarding! good luck with whatever you decide!

[Lookit!]

I did exactly what you are talking about, when I was 18 I didnt want to do all the "core" classes (English, Science, Math) again in college. So, my local college offered Massage Therapy. At my age, it was AMAZING. It opens your mind to a lot of other avenues of healthcare and tunes you in to the body and how it works. Wow, in my class, our "business" teacher did a meditation before class started. You will most likely get a certificate, and in some colleges you may get an Associates Degree in Massage Therapy or natural healing or some other form of alternative therapy.
Either way, it is a nice and relatively inexpensive education. My advice is to check out your options for schools. some teach better than others, with more things to learn about (which is better because when you go to get hired it helps to have a broad spectrum of experiences.) And also, Massage Therapy is a growing field. In my small town, the local hospital hired a girl from my class. They only pay $20.00 an hour, but they have great benefits. Check out the average pay in your area. It's got potential.

[real_large]

i made between 20 and 30k last year, and supported both myself and my live in partner and lived relatively well!
Impressive, tree. And you're in California? I thought a loaf of bread there cost $27.95! http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

[nakedtreehugger]

lol... actually, last year i was living in virginia... just moved to cali. not sure what we'll have to make to live "comfortably," as we are in the 2nd most expensive county in all of cali. but i will tell you, a loaf of decent bread doesn't cost THAT much... well, it is abou 3.50 but ya know... i just get whatever is on sale, as long as it's whole grain or whole wheat or oatmeal or something yummy and nutritious. gotta dig out the breadmaker and start making it again. :)

[scratcho]

What is the 2nd most expensive county in Cal,if you don't mind me asking?

[nakedtreehugger]

sonoma county.... at least that's what i've heard

[scratcho]

Yeah,that's probably true.It's sure beautifull there,tho.My little hometown is below Fresno 30 miles.It's NOT beautifull.

[elover]

I'm with the original thread started. I dropped out of high school this year and got my ged and started at the local community college and I can't stand it. I don't care for money, and this summer I'm just cutting grass with a guy making $12/hr. I plan on moving out but living with friends. I don't need so many material things

[nakedtreehugger]

Yeah,that's probably true.It's sure beautifull there,tho.My little hometown is below Fresno 30 miles.It's NOT beautifull.well, it is pretty, if you like rural mountains and stuff... at least where i'm at. i prefer hot dry flat lands though, so it's kinda different for me. and housing is hella expensive. but right now i've got a sweet deal going on, so i'm not gonna complain... well, i guess i just did, but i'm really pretty stoked about it. it's better than swetty vagina, where i used to live (aka virginia)

[Pengilum]

Yea, im in VA right now, in Norfolk, but I live on base, and have commissary privledges, so everything is beyond cheap, and my gas averages about 15 cents cheaper than off base.

I saw someone mention 20 dollars an hour earlier. That 20 dollars CAN be a good wage, if you have decent benefits, then yea, thats not a bad job. But thats the thing, are there alot of jobs in the field that provide benefits? Its hard to find that alot of times in jobs in the 20k range. Sure, alot of places will pay you 15-25 dollars an hour. But when you get sick, you go to the doctor, and fork over 150 bucks. Plus Rx costs, Well thats A couple days work down the drain. =\

And whats good for the moment wont always be so good. You NEED to be thinking about retirement, with the average age now hitting near 100, you need to be able to support your self after your working years. Because Social Security isnt going to be there. (This is assuming no major impacts on our way of life, rogue nuclear attack, or whatnot. Some people doubt that will ever happen, or even COULD happen. Not allowed to give any particulair reasons, but, there is some scary stuff going on that not many people know.) But deffinatly, dont let yourself get stuck in the idea of, I am fine now, I am paying my bills with a little left over, so Im doing good. Make sure you set yourself up so you can improve, or at minimum, keep that way of life, for your later years.

[jahmerimaka]

Find your passion and pursue it. Even if it means a couple of years in some sort of schooling.

[zihger]

I was thinking about massage therapy.

Does anybody have any suggestions about what I could do with just a diploma and maybe a year or so of schooling? or none?

I am a jack of many trades I do massage therapy a little about 3 or 4 massages a week that’s about all I can do with out it seeming like crappy labor.

But just doing a few a week I love it…

I still owe about $8000. for my education in it but it was worth it just in the self expansion I got out of it.

But to be honest the market is flooded wit CMTs and it can be really hard to get clients. The schools will tell you that when you get out you will earn 40-80$ an hour ect but it’s not that easy, same as all things.

But you learn some really cool stuff studying it, which could turn into a good fountain for a lot of other healing and medical stuff also.

Might see what your local community collage has also.

[D_MAN]

wow..I'm in the same boat as you. I'm doing horrible in school and all that, and I'm looking into massage therapy. However, I was thinking about joining a commune or something, so it might be a bit easier in terms of money. and I don't really care where I live, everywhere I've gone so far isn't all that bad so I'm down.

[honeyhannah]

Hi kids, I have a lot of experience with what you're talking about in 3 different parts of the country... so let me tell you, it varies widely. However, there are quite a few cool jobs out there that don't require college education or any kind of schooling... and there are always volunteer positions with room and board that actually train you for skills that you might want to pursue as a "fun" career... when it comes to retirement and benefits, that all depends on your lifestyle, there are plenty of people who own their own businesses who don't need benefits or retirement, if you do what you love and take care of your health, you can save enough for what health expenses you might need, but if you take care of your health you usually don't need it... this is based on lots of people in alternative healing and other alternative careers that I've worked with, who own their own businesses.

In terms of massage therapy, having that experience can get you into other forms of health and healing as well, there are lots of opportunities to work as a massage therapy in many different situations, but it can also be enough training to get you a job with another alternative health field that is related... there are a million options out there, if you don't want to go to school, don't go... if you can't find the information you're looking for on the internet, pm I have a huge list of sites that can help... apprenticeships, jobs, internships, communities, training and more.

[Jedite83]

I'm 18 and im graduating from high school in like 20 days. (wooh!)
But I have no idea what i wanna do with my life, i did terrible in school and i dont want to go to college anyways. At my current job I make 8.50 an hour, and i cant stand my boss. Id like to make decent money (idk, 20-30k a year) but i want to live a pretty laid back lifestyle. Basically I dont want a job where Im gonna be busy all the time and stressed out and stuff. I was thinking about massage therapy.

Does anybody have any suggestions about what I could do with just a diploma and maybe a year or so of schooling? or none?

2 words: Professional Panhandler

[AtlantaIncense]

Massage Therapy could and is an excellent career choice. Though the job could be physical; standing for long period of time, vigorus workout of arms/shoulders etc., it can be financially rewarding.
I mention this from experiece of having a massage or two monthly..as an addition to my healthy lifestyle.
My therapist works in the privacy of her home/office and charges up to $80.00 an hour. I know for a fact she has a huge client base, yet with only a several appointments a day, can carve out a nice living.

I say, "go for it!". Find yourself a good school, start out working somewhere and build from there. You are young, with much time for trial and error. Best of luck!

[Sheilabear]

Massage therapy is a great way to make money and heal people! In CA Palm Springs although not a choice place to live is a great place to be a MT and make lotsa dough! Joshua Tree located nearby is a better place to play and live while working in Palm Springs.

[GrisGris]

move to colorado... be a ski bum... worked for me

[Natures Love Child]

In the same boat as you. Dropped out of college, didn't like my program. Kinda want to go to Uni, but I've never been able to study. I'm moving to BC next summer, gonna work for abit and figure out my life. I would love to open a store. I guess for now I'm just going to give what life throws at me.

[lostdazedintime]

When I was in high school I had a similar attitude but after several years of community college mixed with heavy quantities of high power psychedelic drugs the only thing I have managed to profit off of is selling boro art on the street corner.

[The Earth]

Im out of high school 5 or 6 years now I graduated, but If theres one thing I would have done its go to college right after high school, forget all the girls, everything I thought I wnated to do (free love and all that) and just gone, Id be in a lot better spot right now, now Im saving for school and its just so much more hectic to figure it all out

[dergkyz]

I recommend trying to sell things, The internet is a VERY useful tool for selling. Use sites like ebay and craigslist for your advantage, be smart, figure ways around todays economic market. Maybe try selling shirts to make some extra cash.

[rygoody]

I went on this big venture to attempt to like disconnect from mainstream society, get into hippie-esque type living. Join a commune.

Then at the end of it I realized. It's not that I am leaving mainstream culture. Rather it's that I'm leaving them to die. If I wanna improve my life I have to focus on improving the whole. Sectioning myself off in a forest off the grid is not focusing on improving the whole. To improve the whole I have to stay with society, even though it may be diffucult.

Turn on, Tune in and Take over. Thats the news mantra :)

If we're to improve human kind we have to smooth out, correct and refine this chaotic knot that is called mainstream, straight-thinking, society.


By all means, run around crazy for a couple years. I think pretty much every guy has to do this. But take atleast one class through it to stay just MARGINALLY connected to the mainstream psyche. Because at the end of the day, it's not that we are constructing our own psyche, rather, it's that we are deconstructing the mainstream psyche. To do that, you must keep some tie with it.

[forwardventure]

I have a friend who works as a home health aide and she loves it.

Bottom line: Do what YOU feel is right for your life! If you want to be a massage therapist, pursue that! The way I look at it is this: if I'm going to commit myself to something and do it for the rest of my life, it has to be something I love first and foremost. Wages are my secondary concern. What good is a lot of money when you're making it by doing something you hate? I'd rather make meager wages doing something I love and enjoy.

[Dayzed Dreamer]

Like you I did not do well in school and I graduated from an alternative placement center. School is just not my "thing". I was lucky and landed a good job starting at 22k a year and now i'm up to 36k a year, managing an office for a construction company. it's and 8-5 mon-fri job. I have been there for 7 years and have learned ALOT!

The only drawback would be losing my job. I don't have a degree that says i know what i know. Theres no way i could start out at another company making what I make.

[investmint]

Well, one thing to do while your still young is invest some money for your future. Dont try Real Estate house flipping and the stock market. Invest in Real Estate IRA plans through an investment company. This type of investment pays you monthly dividends and can be direct deposited in your account. Try companies like EQlibrium Investments.

[tiedyeponcho]

how much did you guys pay to go to massage therapy

[LSDMIKE]

I got 1 4 ya..Working at the car....wash.....YER......

Pick Up & Delivery. You Da Boss

[Drakes]

I went on this big venture to attempt to like disconnect from mainstream society, get into hippie-esque type living. Join a commune.

Then at the end of it I realized. It's not that I am leaving mainstream culture. Rather it's that I'm leaving them to die. If I wanna improve my life I have to focus on improving the whole. Sectioning myself off in a forest off the grid is not focusing on improving the whole. To improve the whole I have to stay with society, even though it may be diffucult.

You are focusing on improving the whole by "separating" from it and living in a commune. The commune is in fact part of the whole of society--we are all part of the whole because the earth is one. You are doing a lot more good for society if you stop contributing to anything wrong like global warming, deforestation, commercial agriculture, mining and resource extraction, violence and war, exploitation of foreign countries, etc, by separating yourself from society in order to live in a way where you are not so dependent on these things. There will be no reforming society from the top down and there are many people who do not wish to change. We should start at the grassroots by finding out how to live right ourselves in communes and intentional communities, and then teaching others, rather than trying to spread a way of life to the whole of society that we have not even practiced yet.

I believe that my decent living and happy life will be found in rural self-sufficiency. I already grow much of my own food and live in a small town. You don't need $20,000/year to be happy, what you need is other loving people and satisfying, moral work that does not destroy ourselves and the earth. That can be found in declaring independence from the system as much as possible.

[Ahti]

I recommend my brother’s plan after he flunked out of college. He went to a 2 year horticulture program at a community college. Now he operates the city’s greenhouse and is in charge of most of the landscaping. He makes a decent living and seems like he has a pretty chill life.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Ah, every job ends up sucking no matter how much fun it was to start, people that say otherwise dont know any better, or they say they are happy but look miserable.

The more money people make the more they spend it on crap.

Get yourself the nice house car etc, then you loose all your friends cos they are pissed off you have it better than them.

Or you get the easy job sitting on your ass all day, which makes you fat and hate yourself for the way you look in the mirror.

Its all bullshit, people just say they are happy cos thats what they have to say, even Rock Stars get sick of living in hotel rooms and plane travel.

Since you're a chic breed like a rabbit live on Welfare and smoke pot and drink all day long. Those ones are just as happy if not more than the rest.

Yours Truly, Mr Cynical ;)

[Rigamarole]

Ah, every job ends up sucking no matter how much fun it was to start, people that say otherwise dont know any better, or they say they are happy but look miserable.

The more money people make the more they spend it on crap.

Get yourself the nice house car etc, then you loose all your friends cos they are pissed off you have it better than them.

Or you get the easy job sitting on your ass all day, which makes you fat and hate yourself for the way you look in the mirror.

Its all bullshit, people just say they are happy cos thats what they have to say, even Rock Stars get sick of living in hotel rooms and plane travel.

Since you're a chic breed like a rabbit live on Welfare and smoke pot and drink all day long. Those ones are just as happy if not more than the rest.

Yours Truly, Mr Cynical ;)

You have a really warped view of reality. I can imagine a kid posting that, but a 37-year-old? (if you really are 37) You must have made some terrible life choices, and not learned anything from them to boot.

[seagypsy]

I studied herbal medicine and massage therapy and I use what I've learned every day but I don't charge money; just help out family and friends. I do something else for a living.

BTW I am from Sonoma County and I just joined. This is my first post... Hi everyone!

[PhazeDaze]

You have a really warped view of reality. I can imagine a kid posting that, but a 37-year-old? (if you really are 37) You must have made some terrible life choices, and not learned anything from them to boot.

I would like you to go the the front page of the hip boards, scroll down and read the names of the forums and sub-forums, and read the topics you posted your 1,637 posts in, and then re-analyze your 'you have a really warped veiw of reality' statement. A lot of people in the outside world would tell you the same thing... Who are you to judge his view? His staement is purely opinion, and so is yours. Don't try and make yours fact.


Oh yeah, I was suppose to tell you, your assumptions of people will and already have damged relationships in your life. If that means anything to ya P: ..

[Rigamarole]

I would like you to go the the front page of the hip boards, scroll down and read the names of the forums and sub-forums, and read the topics you posted your 1,637 posts in, and then re-analyze your 'you have a really warped veiw of reality' statement. A lot of people in the outside world would tell you the same thing... Who are you to judge his view? His staement is purely opinion, and so is yours. Don't try and make yours fact.


Oh yeah, I was suppose to tell you, your assumptions of people will and already have damged relationships in your life. If that means anything to ya P: ..

What the hell are you talking about? Are you stalking me? I've made a lot of posts in the Love & Sex forums, if that's what you're referring to. I'd need you to point to specific things I've said which would compel "a lot of people in the outside world to tell me the same thing" though. And damaged relationships in my life? WTF?

[Ksnake]

I love the mountains and the seasons... wanna trade for my house in Florida?