I just need a little bit of guidance on this difficult decision I am making... both choices are good and bad... Do I go with what would probably benefit me more in the future (possibly) or what I want/need??

Choice A: Truck
Choice B: My own home

I am 19 years old and have a good job. I am starting college this January... but I don't want any loans, so I am using this job to pay for my college. I live at home with my dad, step-mom, step-bro, and brother and sister (I share a room with my 11 year old sister). My step-mom hates me. I try to do everything to her standards, but something I do is always wrong... I get milk... I got the wrong kind... I fold laundry... I didn't seperate it right... Nothing is ever right... and I am the cause of a lot of fights between my dad and her... He calls her Miss Bitch.... but he won't leave her.... He's kicked her out plenty, but she is always back within a few days. I don't even feel comfortable eating at my house... I eat at work and fast food. I eat at my house maybe 2 meals a week. (My dad knows all of this... and he spoils me.. but he can't stop her actions)... she is verbally abusive too... She tells my brother and sister and anyone she is around what a horrible person I am. She's just not a very nice person... and she is a nazi at our house... If there is one speck of dust, all hell breaks loose.

My dad says I probably will need a new car soon. I have a 2002 chevy cavalier with 100,000 miles on it. I've always wanted a black truck.

So, do I save up my money, pay 100% of my college tuition, try to not go insane living with Hitler, and buy a nice brand new truck....

or do I save up some money. Rent a place within walking distance to my work, pay 80% of my college tuition w/o government help/loans, and focus on getting a nice vehicle in a few years when I am an RN.

Also, by the time I get my RN license, I'll have the truck nearly paid off (If not in full)... then I can move out and have a brand new truck (but that won't be for 4 years!!) Then, on the otherhand... when I am an RN, i'll be able to afford the cost of living and truck payments/insurance... if I drive my semi-crappy car for a few more years.

Soooo many choices! Both are good and bad...
I will easily be able to support myself out of the house and be able to save up money every month... but I won't have so much extra that I am able to afford insurance and payments on a new truck (unless I stay at home and really have no bills)... if I pay most of my school up front, then I am totally okay with paying a small part with loans.

Question:
Do I move out of my parents house and out from under the reign of terror or do I buy a nice truck so it is paid off when I do move out (in 4 years)??

Choices:
Truck
House

 

quote:

Originally posted by EarthGoddess:
Your own house. Trust me, you'll do much better in school without all the extra stress.

Yes.

Also, as the owner of a '92 Toyota pickup, drive that Cavalier into the ground. By the time it finally kicks the bucket you'll be in a better financial situation. College, like Meg said, really isn't the best time to buy pretty shiny new things unless there's no other way.

That said, find a reliable auto shop near your place. Just in case.

that was a little confusing... basically, I can move out of my dad's house, and into my own place and still pay for most of my school (which would be a lot less stressful emotionally) (and I have lived on my own before, but I moved to a different state and failed miserably) or I can stay at my dad's house and try to deal with the stress his girlfriend puts on me (and we all work at the same company so I see her ALL the time@), and be able to afford all of my tuition and a new truck... but I have to live at my dad's for 4 more years...

...and I have figured up, it costs me (at the moment) about $2000/semester for books/tuition. It'll take me 4 years (8 semesters) to get my degree... so, that rounds up to about $20,000... and if I do move out, I'm going to pay probably about $15,000 of that up front (so my loans will be minimal)

I wasn't totally able to follow everything you were saying. Here is my advice: do whatever gets you through college with the least amount of loans possible. Take it from the girl who's looking at over a hundred thousand in student loans to get herself through law school...there's time for luxury after you get your degree and get into the workplace.

Your own house. Trust me, you'll do much better in school without all the extra stress.