Financial advice for a 20 yr old?

[hajourney]

-I'm 20yrs old
-I work at walmart and absolutely HATE my job
-I have no savings
-I was in school but was placed on academic probation for a semester

I feel my future is bleak...someone please help

[jteezie]

This might sound out of touch, but you're, young, 20, going to college, earning money and embarking on a great new future. That's pretty awesome. You should appreciate it, but also realize that you need to invest time into school and work if you want to realize that future.

Now, I have some questions:
Why are you on academic probation? And why do you have no savings? I feel these two things might be linked somehow. Are you spending your money instead of studying? I had a lot of fun in college without spending a dime, but I set aside time for fun AND I set aside even more time for school.

What is it about working at Walmart that you do not like? Walmart is a big place with lots of different things for people to do. You could consider practicing your people skills by helping customers and talking to attractive people. You could race yourself with re-shelving to see how efficient you can be, you could try to be the best cashier... I've been in your shoes but in a different settle. So, there's lots of ways to change your perspective and the way you interact with your world.

Cheer up.

[Mr Nice Guy]

20 years old is actually a pretty early time to worry about finances compared to MANY people so give yourself a pat on the back.

I have worked many retail jobs (including a grocery store which I know is similar to walmart because i bet there are more bosses and managers than there are workers; which is not fun. But cheer up you got a job and got income. Don't let your co-workers bad attitudes and habits rub off on you, I know a lot of that goes around i n places like walmart. Instead, when you are on break, read a book about saving money instead of going to smoke cigarettes with everyone else. There are lots of books about saving money, look around here for advice on the best ones; get them free from your library (you DO have a library card dont you? lol)

So you had a bad semester. Big deal, college isn't over. But heres what you need to do. You NEED to go talk to an advisor and let em know you care about the probation and ask what you can do to get off early. Usually they are the ones who have the power to keep you on or take you off. Work hard and show them a good semester and you will be gravy. MAKE SCHOOL A PRIORITY!!!! You know all those older people that work with you at walmart that are pissed off and miserable every day, yeah, thats gonna be you if you dont do well in school.

Lots of people here went to school or are in school and can help you with study tips or whatever, you just gotta ask.

Welcome to the forum, stick around awhile and read everything you can.

[jpg7n16]

I'd recommend you start by watching this video. And watch it all the way through, there's a really good quote right at the end.

Jim Rohn - How to have Your Best Year Ever (1 of 3) - YouTube

You gotta start somewhere on the ladder. But you don't have to stay there. Ladders are made for climbing

Now if you've watched the video, where do you think you should focus your time and effort?

[dczech09]

Right now I am 24, a college graduate, have a good savings, and have a great income for my age group. But it seems just like yesterday when I was 20, in college, had no savings, worked at Target, and was obtaining a lot of student loan debt to finance my frat-house lifestyle. So really, you're a normal 20 year old.

The only issue I see is the academic probation part. Why are you on academic probabtion?

Better yet...
What were you going to school for? Did you enjoy your classes? Did you have a plan as to where you were going? College is great. However statistics show that only about 38% of people actually complete college and get their degree. The reason for the modest graduation rate is that people do not study their passion. However there is also the issue that if people do not study something practical, it can have an adverse effect on income. So there is a balance that needs to be made.

I would start by figuring out what your skills are, your passions, and ultimately how you can use them to make money. Then figure what kind of training and education you need. Hopefully you can figure something out with school, if school is necessary. Please keep in mind that college is NOT a necessity, but a luxury.

[MonkeyMama]

Good advice given so far.

I just wanted to say that I expect you have no savings because you are 20. & in college. Many of us have certainly been there. I personally can't read too much more into it than that.

What you need is some goals, a plan, and a commitment to work hard to achieve it.

In addition, I haven't worked a *crap job* since I was maybe 17 or 18. I did it just long enough to know I never wanted to be in that position again. I had more of a bank type job (really liked the job, suited me well) in college, plus taught piano (paid a lot more than anything else), and took on jobs in my field of study when I was a junior/senior. Just to say you should consider your interests, your skills, and any job opportunities your college studies afford you. & I guess to say that even without a degree, there should be more job opportunities out there. I'd sure be looking hard for something else, if I were that miserable.

[greenskeeper]

-I'm 20yrs old
-I work at walmart and absolutely HATE my job
-I have no savings
-I was in school but was placed on academic probation for a semester

I feel my future is bleak...someone please help

simplest advice.....live below your means and don't fall into the credit trap.

[snafu]

hajourney, what are you willing to do to change your circumstances? What do you need to do to fulfill probationary requirements? What other W/Mart jobs are you qualified to apply to? What other job search have you instigated? Are your earnings being swallowed by school costs or discretionary spending?

Are your post secondary school courses leading you to employment available in your community and in-line with your personality? If you're someone who dislikes working with general public, or large groups or being in teams you reduce your options.

[hajourney]

Wow! I really do appreciate all the great advice!but to answer some.of.your questions.is t jobhat right now im not too sure as of what career path I want to travel. Ive changed my major at least 3 times already and of.course it wasn't anything I was passionate about (medical lab sciences....speech pathology) alot of people consider me a very social person and someone has mentioned to me before about going into the marketing field but I'm not sure about that because I've heard that field is highly competitive job wise. And someone also mentioned teaching to me as well. However I understand as of.right now I've heard the job market is really slow for teachers right now. I just dont know WHAT to do and I feel as if time is running out.

[Kooshiball]

Hi hajourney,

It seems to me that you have not found your passion as of yet...

Only thing I can advise to you is to find the passion of what you want to do. Ask yourself what do you want for your life. Ask everything like studying in school or working at walmart leads to your overall goal that you want to achieve. As many people in this forum said, you are still 20 and it is not late at all. So start with looking for your passion and goal. Here is the books and audio CD you can read to find your goal and passion:

Jim Rohn: challenge to succeed (CD)
Brian Tracy: Goals
David Schwartz: Magic of Thinking Big
Napoleon Hill: Think and Grow Rich

These books will guide you to find the passion and goal.

Good luck!