Want it all

[sooz07]

I am only 23 years old but I have so much that I want to do in life that I don't know where to start!

I want to travel but don't really have anyone to do that with and also the money factor is a problem � it would take me a long, long time to save up.

I want to go college or university and get a better job � at the moment I don't get paid a great deal and the only way I see it is to get a degree and then get a better job (so I have been told).

I also want to get my own place � I don't want to rent because the money I would use to pay rent I could use to pay off a mortgage knowing that the place I am living in is mines.

With all the things I want to do I need to earn a better wage. I don't want to leave my job because I like the people I work with but the vacancies that do come up are too high up for me to apply because they are looking for someone who has a degree etc. I know I am too late to apply for university and I don't have the qualifications to go to university just yet. To tell the truth I don't even know what I want to study at university � I don't have a career that I am aiming for. I know that if I get my own place with a mortgage I would not be able to travel etc as all my money would go towards the house. It will take years to get a decent qualification and there is no guarantee that I will get a job in the end.

[idly_enjoys]

Hey, I'm not the best person to advise, I'm 24 and I'm in a similar position to you with regards to travel and buying a house so will I be interested in reading other people's answers, but I can advise you on one thing - university is the direct route into a lot of debt and it is only worth going if there is a subject you are passionately interested in.
In many professions work experience is just as valuable as a degree. I'd say look at the work experience you have and use that on your CV in its most positive light, look into jobs where the pay increases quickly and you don't need an academic background - sales/recruitment springs to mind.
Personally I'm putting off travel until I have a house and I earn enough money to do it in style.

Good luck!

idly

[rabbitygirl]

My son is your age. When 21 he quit his job, packed a bag, his money (and some of mine) and travelled around Europe , alone, for 6 months. Doesn't want a steady girlfriend or a mortgage because he says he is far too young for those millstones and actually described having both at his age as 'life being over'. He means his freedom would be over. He has plans for more travel, further education towards a career change (choosing from a long list) living a while in London, etc etc.

I think my son changed a lot when his closest friend died of cancer at just 20. This gave him a 'go get' attitude to life. I suggest you focus on one thing and do it. Maybe travel. You could work abroad too. Plenty of time to sort the rest out and get a mortgage. You too idly!

[Ellegirly 74]

Without wanting to sound patronising you are still very young and the world is your oyster even though you're not 'fresh' out of school or uni or whatever. Take it from a 32 year old with lots of regrets, GO FOR IT. Do whatever you want to do to make YOU happy. Travelling is the best education in life you can get and can open up a world of opportunities. Okay so you may have to borrow and beg to get yourself around, but what an adventure!
There must be websites for people who want to travel alone, people in your area maybe who are in a similar situation who you can hook up with and get to know. But I know many people who have set off on their travels alone and met a wealth of people on their journeys. People that are now friends for life.
I wish I'd travelled, I wish I'd gone to uni but more than anything I wish I hadn't got bogged down with working and paying a mortgage so young. Yes I've got a nice house now, but I regret so much because I made all the excuses you have as to why I couldn't do what I really wanted to do. Basically I was a coward and took the EASY option (job/money/house). Although that isn't easy, but once you're in that circle it's hard to get out and before you know it you'll be 32 and advising a 23 year old what they should do!!

You have lots of time to settle down, get a career and a house and all that jazz. Looking back on my life so far, I've realized that I wasted the best opportunity of my life - living my twenties to the max.

I INSIST you live out your dream! And whilst you're living it, think of me stuck here at my boring 9-5 job!!

Please go for it and don't get caught up in the negatives, just do it, otherwise I promise you you'll regret it later.

GOOD LUCK!! x

[aims1202]

I'm a few years older than you and i think i have made the best of being young. I left college before doing A levels as i realised they were only for people who wanted to go to university and i didnt. i think its only useful if you know exactly what you want to do and you need a degree for it. otherwise its a waste of time, i know people who did waste it! You can experience life without going and have a really good time too. and you might not have loads of debt!
I just got temporary work in an office paying ok money, enough to save for travelling anyway, worked there for about 18 mths then when i was 19 went to Singapore, Australia and Fiji on my own. I did know people in some places i went who i stayed with but mostly i travelled alone and have to say that doing it alone is so much better, i met so many lovely people and had amazing experiences. I didnt really have enough money while i was out there but i got a bit of work and called my mum for some once! and got by!
When i got back i felt i couldnt stay at home any more so moving out and paying rent meant i couldnt save for more travelling but i was having such a good time at home i didnt mind.
I always knew i wanted to work with kids so i was lucky i could do a job i loved with out having qualifications.
Experience counts for a lot and i wouldnt worry too much about not being good enough as you dont have a degree, its not everything, you could still be the best at the job thats right for you!
continued

[aims1202]

I'm happy to say i'm became a mum at 23. I love every moment!
I knew this would not stop me travelling again and i started saving for this from when i knew i was pregnant. i was a single mum and not working so it was hard but after 4 years of saving every penny i could and selling my car, last year me and my 3yr old son went to Australia and China. I have to say it was the most amazing experience i have had and part of this was because we actually did it!
Just chill out and have fun, you are still quite young and the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and not worry too much about what will or wont happen. Follow your heart and your dreams and it will all work out for the best.
Remember if you think positive you can make your life a more positive experience!
Good luck with everything.

[tadotsu]

If you would like to travel but are concerned about the money factor... why don't you work abroad. Figure out what place you would like to travel to and look into finding a job there. There are many companies throught Asia that are always looking for English speakers, for teaching. I went to Japan for a year and a half and taught English. It was the best way to travel and also make some money. I was able to travel around Japan (and also visit Thailand) while also saving money for when I went home.

Check out: www.teachabroad.com www.jobsabroad.com www.degreesabroad.com

[fraggle08]

aha, that old chestnut! welcome to the club sooz! its not easy is it? I was in the same boat (and still am sort of).
Travelling VS House-buying: I would say it isn't possible to do both unless you're loaded, so just slow down and take one step at a time. you're only 23 so you have yonks to do it all.
i think young people are under pressure to do everything before your 30 but you needn't feel that way. 30 is young.
what you need to do is prioritise.
what do you want most? a house? then you need to put travelling on the back burner for a while - you can always do it in a few yrs time and rent out the house. clubbing together with a mate could get you on the property ladder quicker, although make sure you draw up a contract beforehand in case things get messy. or you could see if you're eligable for a housing association scheme, where you part-buy and part-rent. its much more affordable.
if you want to travel the most, then research. there are jobs you can do abroad and you can travel quite cheaply. chat to people who have done it. if you do travel forget the house thing, you can do that when you get back. i have mates in their 30s and 40s who rent and are quite happy about it. there is so much pressure to uy nowadays.
Either way you need to start saving up! dirty word i know!
job wise, it sounds like money is you key motivator as you are not really fussed what you do. research the market and see what pays better and what has better potential. think about your 'transferable skills' that could help you stepping stone into a new path. if you are planning on travelling though don't bother moving jobs. if you've been in your current one for a while and they like you, they might let you take sabbatical leave.
lastly don't forget to enjoy life as it is now. you don't need a degree, a camera full of buddha pictures from thailand and a house to be happy!
Phew, i think i need a lie down now!