Family Background:
My parents were always very controlling but in the past few years they have really ramped up. Ever since I graduated college I haven't been allowed to go outside, and if by some chance I do go I get a ton of questions (that I have to answer or ELSE, and then this lets them deny me going outside). I don't have a car and my parents won't let me drive theirs/never put me on their insurance. They've been yelling nonstop even at the most trivial things, and my dad, who used to hit me occasionally before I went off to college, has started talking about starting to hit me again "if he feels like it" (and this happened because I woke up late one day). Those were just some examples but really I'm at the end of my rope with them. However I have some health issues that I am currently having treatment for (nothing that would prevent me from physically getting a job, but I do also have mental health issues). I have been trying to find a job but haven't had any luck, and having no transportation makes it worse. I'm always so stressed, there seems to be no relief.
What I have been thinking about doing:
I have been thinking about moving in with a friend (who I've known for a few years) back at my former campustown. He currently pays $780 per month for a 2 bedroom ($710 rent, ~70 utilities). I asked if I would be allowed to do all the chores in the place in exchange for rent until I find a job. I have some savings though, should I just start paying rent immediately? Or maybe ask to give me a month's time to find a job and then start paying rent? Or should I start focusing on getting a car? My campustown has decent public transportation. Not the quickest but it's very well connected throughout the area.
Finances:
Current savings: $4000 (but I will have to dip in to buy some things for my move, and I applied for a secure credit card with a $200 deposit for six months, so consider $3600 just in case)
Rent: $390/$0
No car
On my dad's health insurance, but I don't know if he will try pulling it if I leave. I still need to get a general checkup and teeth cleaning and am debating getting that before I leave. The health issues I have are currently getting treated without insurance since it does not cover, however I do go to therapy which insurance does cover. So far my therapy has been free since I started after I met my deductible. I don't know how much it will be once the year ends though.
Currently on my parent's phone plan, $160 per month (I don't pay for this, I will be getting a burner phone before I leave. I'm contemplating keeping this phone though so when they do blow up I will have evidence. One time I was gone for 2 hours with a friend and they called me 4 times, left a message, and a few text messages demanding where I was, who I was with, why I went outside, etc).
Food (not including any aid I would get): $100
Health costs (If I were to leave): $200-$250
Other costs (pads, guinea pig food/hay, etc): $50 (at the most, a lot of these costs are not every month but every other month or something)
Have no school debt
I will be applying for food stamps/cash/medical assistance (I put in some numbers in their calculator and it seems like I would qualify for some money since I am unemployed). I also used to volunteer at a food pantry on campus and I know of another one I could go to off campus. I eat Indian food so I'm familiar with the smaller ethnic stores and their prices.
I'm still trying to find a jobs both where I am at and at my campustown. Maybe I should just wait, since I have stuck it out for this long? But I feel shitty all the time and I'm starting to think it's really taking a toll on my wellbeing. But being poor is no walk in the park either.
Submitted December 31, 2018 at 12:46AM by Eventualabandonment http://bit.ly/2Vmf7G6
