How can a poor person possibly improve self?

Question

when they have it really bad?

my mom is very sick and we have no insurance (neither of us) and we are knee high in hospital bills. we have no car..and the bus system we use is being dismantled so we have no way to get to our jobs (we both work minimum wage).

i had to hold off school because of a problem that happened over the summer, and now im unable to go because the community college is way to far to walk (and too many highway/freeways) to get there. (i would take the bus but its now exclusive to just the inner city, cause they cut off service here like i said). we have no one who can drive us around anywhere, and cant afford taxi cabs.

i dont even have a computer of my own (this is someone elses).

we have no one who can help us. even though my mom is disabled (very close to it actually) she is unable to get any form of assistance.

we have so many bills, and mom barely (just barely on a "good" day) is able to afford rent. sometimes she doesnt even have enough to put food on the table, and im not getting paid much either. and now her hours are getting cut, and she may have to go in for surgery.

how can i improve myself? i really dont want to stay this poor? i just dont know what to do...every time i find a way out, something happens and im pushed down again.

i really dont want to throw in the towel. please give me some advice on how i can still find a way?

Answer 1

Wow, you must be having a real hard time... I hope your mother gets better.

I wish I can help you, but there really isn't anything you can do... The only way to improve yourself, and to not stay poor is to continuously go to college and get yourself a well-paying job.

Sorry, I hope everything turns out for the best for you.

Answer 2

The fact that you want to do better means that you can. You have already done the hardest part, which is being motivated.  

Find out if there is a social worker who can help you.  If there are free services available from a psychologist, that might help, too, to give you the encouragement you need (I don't think you need to have a 'problem' to see a mental health specialist)

Try to search on line for colleges with financial aid.  

Answer 3

Study metaphysics and realize that the superficial attitude of society covers up the truth to reality. There are greater things beyond the present desires. Money won't solve your problems. It only makes them transparent.  

Answer 4

Lumpy is just being ignorant...

As far as medical bills... if she has a low income she should qualify for low income medical insurance.  In California it's called Medi-Cal.  I'm not sure what state you live in... but I'm fairly certain all states have some kind of State insurance.

You have to talk to a school counselor and find out what options there are out there.  You may qualify for school grants and other financial aid... there is money that you don't have to pay back that you can use for anything school related (like a new computer, books, rent, etc)!

Education is a key to improving your income.  The studies show if you have a college degree you'll earn much more money in your life time than someone that does not.  Stick to school... find a way to do it!  Consider taking online courses... many community colleges offer them and this will give you a flexible schedule for work and to help your mom when she needs it.

The first steps I would take are to get in touch with a social worker and visit a school counselor to find out what programs are available to assist you.  If there's a will there's a way... don't give up!

Answer 5

I don't know what your state offers if you live in the US, but my state offers free tuition to some students who are needy.  The tuition is generally for state schools, but they offer tuition to some programs (other than 4 year colleges) as long as they're "approved".

Unpleasant as it may be, you could try applying for a student loan and try to include it money to buy a cheap car that will get you to school and a part-time job.  You could look into doing some online writing or other online work that may add a little more to your income.

Your mother should apply for government-subsidized health insurance if it's available in your state.  If you have a job (even with a small but regular income) you may be able to buy an inexpensive used car from a dealer when they're having those "come on Saturday and drive away in a used car" deals.  You could tell them how much you can afford to pay each month, so you could make sure you stay within a price range that would keep the payments down low.  You could look into trying to finance the insurance or the downpayment for it when you buy the car.

You could leave notes on bulletin boards at the school to see if someone could give you a ride for a few dollars a week.  You could ask around your neighborhood if anyone happens to be passing the school or the bus line on their way to work each day.

If you can get to the community college to just talk to them maybe someone there could give you advice on how to get a computer, transportation, etc.  

Sometimes free computers show up on sites like Craigslist, but you need to be careful about going to look/talk to the people.  Sometimes people use that to lure people and commit crimes.  

You could try to find a job that will pay your tuition.  

If you could find financial aid for school you could look into taking online classes and ask about financing a basic computer, Internet service, and maybe a printer.  (You can always print things at the library if necessary.)

You could post on bulletin boards "Free working computer needed by student; don't throw away your old computer".  Sometimes people have computers they don't want but can't be bothered dragging off to wherever you have to drag them off to to get rid of them.

You should look at your state's Department of Education/Higher Education site or do a search for "financial aid" in your state.  Start calling people, e.mailing them. etc.  You could also ask about grants for needy students.

Every tiny little bit of help/assistance you can find can get you that much closer to getting the education.  It's a process, and it would take a lot of work, research, applying for the things, etc.; and it isn't something that you'll likely be able to get squared away all in a couple of days.  Still, every tiny step closer you get to putting together the things you need will eventually lead to getting everything in place.

Something to consider, too, is if you're enrolled as a full-time student there may be some assistance your mother could get that she couldn't otherwise get.  I don't know if that would make her and you elgible for welfare health insurance or food stamps, or anything else; but that's a point to keep in mind.

Some people can make good extra money by doing something like babysitting, writing for a site like Associated Content (which will pay you a few dollars upfront for an article they accept and that isn't published on the Internet already), there are paid-to-post forum sites (small money, but it could be another few dollars a month).

You're in an awful situation, and people do get to feel that every time they think they're getting out they get pushed down again.  Just decide, though, that "a dollar bill" is not going to be "the destruction of you", and find a way to just keep trying.

Worst case, if it takes you longer than it would take someone else, you're still  young and you still have time.  People get on their feet a little later than is "standard" all the time.  Just because things aren't going well right now, that doesn't mean - if you keep looking for ways - things won't iron out later.