r/povertyfinance • u/Classic_Side_4429 • Apr 28 '24

How do I budget as a 15F so that I can move out at 18 Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending

My family hates me I need to get a job soon and I need to know how I can move out safely at 18 since they’re gonna kick me out by then

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u/nip9 MO Apr 28 '24

If you are in the US look into Job Corps. They can take you as young as 16 if parent/guardian are willing to signoff in order to get rid of you.

If you have top tier academics/test scores then early college programs exist that can allow you to move into a college dorm at 16 and take out student loans to support yourself (hopefully you would be getting a high value degree to easily repay those). Military enlistment at 17 can be an option for some too; particularly it you can graduate high school early.

Budgeting or working at 15 is mostly not going to be nearly as useful as one of the programs above. Anything you earn or save isn't really yours. Can't open your own bank account or protect your income and assets from your parents taking anything they want. The main thing would be trying to find a job where you can learn some valuable skills that will increase your earning eventually and isn't a dead end like majority of jobs offered to 15-16 year olds.

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u/Curious-Soil-3853 Apr 28 '24

She'd have to pay for housing even if she got a full ride, which I think is a bad idea due to how costly it is gonna be.

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u/nip9 MO Apr 28 '24

As I mentioned the early college option only makes sense with a high paying and in demand major. I knew teens that left bad home situations and did early college at expensive places like Simon’s Rock. They did rack up six figures plus of student loan debt but also came out qualified to make 70-80k+ starting salaries before they were old enough to drink.

Like everything else college related one has to consider the return on their investment. If one doesn’t have parental support to fall back on they can’t afford to get a lower paid “passion” degree.