want to make a decent living, with a happy life

Originally Posted by scratcho

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)

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.

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

Originally Posted by Mrs.Krinkle

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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?

2 words: Professional Panhandler

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!

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.

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