totally confused (have savings, but no career)

"more confused and stupider than before"
"apologize in advance"
"economics in general are a complete mystery to me"
"my uneducated eyes" "i am scared "
Hi edgd9,
I may be wrong but I kind of gathered from you that you may just lack a little self confidence and have problem's socialising.Never going out and saving all you money doesn't help.the other posters are right you are only 24 plenty of time to change and do things.Why don't you just set yourself small goals at first.maybe you should look at doing some course's not related to any carer but just for fun in a field you like or have an interest in.To get out of your dead end job and achieve what you want needs planning,I sense that financial matters in your case might be the least of your worries.I Hope things improve for you.
 
Hi ejdg9,
I think Floydmuppet is right about your money worries - you are not worried about your finances. What you are worried about, is letting go of that money. You regard that money as your armour and I think that the knowledge that it is there, is a cushion against the negative things in your life. You are afraid that if you start spending it, you'll end up as you are now, but without money in the bank. You need to adjust your attitude to this money. It is your security, yes, but it is also the means by which you will improve your life.


You have two options. Leave it all there or spend some of it. If you choose the former, nothing much will happen, or happen to you and you can be sure when you are older you will look back and wish you had done more with your life when you had the chance. If you decide to spend it, you can change your life. If you want change, you will have to let go of the money. Its no good to you otherwise. Money should be used to live a life, not just exist. You don't have to spend it all - leave enough to cover you for a year in a high earning account somewhere. That is enough security for someone like you, young, mortgage free, commitment free and able to work.
I don't know how skilled you are, but that money will allow you to acquire a skill that for example would allow you to work in Australia, or get a PSV Licence to drive a Taxi.


I'm sensing that you prefer to work alone, from your remarks on working in a team when studying, so driving a Taxi might be one option for you. You could work when it suited you, talk to your passengers or not, and it would have you out and about.

Whatever you do, change your mind about that money. It is the fear of not having money that is holding you back. I'll bet if you had 100,000 in the bank you would still be of the same mindset. It's OK to spend money on things. Consider the man who looked back on a life lived to the full, and his opinion that had he saved more money, he would be wealthier but not richer. You have worked hard for that money, spend some of it on yourself and on your life. Do not be afraid. And Good Luck.
 
ejdg9 said:
i would like to travel sooner rather than later, and i wouldnt be one bit worried about going alone
but i think it would just be a waste of my money
ive spent 5 long years building it up and to spend it messing about in australia or thailand or somewhere seems like a waste to me
and i would have to come back and start all over again
Click to expand...

ejdg9 said:
i think maybe education is the way to go
though it will kill me to see the money fritter away on something other than a house a house or that giant reversible sedgewick i always wanted
Click to expand...

It does depend on your perception of value but a lifetime experience or enrichment through education are not "frittering" especially if you can then put them to use. If you plan and budget a trip properly and perhaps work along the way it will not cost you all of your savings but it might put some of them to use. Same goes for a course even more so really, because you can usually see a concrete benefit in terms of work prospects out of a course.

Oh and if you are uncomfortable doing a course where you have to spend time interacting with a large group of people on a day-to-day basis you might enjoy it more if you looked at studying from home, an Open University arrangement. Otherwise start small. Look at a short course (say take an eight week night class in a subject you are interested in but not necessarily career-focussed) and build up your talent for handling group situations that way, rather than jumping in off the stressful deep end. Also remember that you went to college when you were a teenager (given you are 24 and have been in work 5 years) you are older and wiser now and better able to handle the world. You didn't then have the safety cushion of your savings and the experience of the working world. You would be in a better position to handle the challenge now than you were then.

Other than that, you don't need the debt to pay for the car, unless some penalties apply, I'd be inclined myself to pay it off. I'd also take the "2 useless BOI accounts" and apportion the money in different ways, probably something like this:
5000: pay off loan
10,000:
- a percentage into a high interest savings account
- a percentage into a personal education fund (probably an easy access savings account maybe a 7-day notice one)
- a percentage into a travel fund (you did say you wanted to go, it doesn't have to be a year)
- a percentage dripping into an investment fund (just to try something riskier but with a good track record)
That would still leave your 15,000 in the Credit Union untouched. It isn't a formula or a recommendation but I think I would like to use the money actively rather than own it passively. You have earned it, you deserve to benefit from investing it in and for you.
 
i think you are right to some extent as i am scared of wasting the money
but if i thought i was putting it to good use then i would have no problem spending it
i would miss my weekly roll in my bed of fivers but im sure i could manage without that

thanks again for the kind words everyone
you are all so helpful
i wish i knew more about money so i could repay the favour

if you ever need to know about fixing lawnmowers then im your man
 
Like buying a car, always be definite about what you expect to get in return for your cash otherwise you are right, it is frittering. I don't think you are unwilling to spend (you have made at least one major purchase!) I think you need to evaluate what it is you're spending on. As for the lawn-mowers ... well there is a Homes and Gardens section, they might mob you if they find out! ;)
 
Trinity College have an Access programme for students entering college studies - but not through the CAO route. Other colleges/universities also take part in this programme as well - so this could be an option for you?
Ok - check out the website publicjobs.ie - and maybe see if you can gain entry as a Clerical Officer position. This will not be easy as competition is tough - but its doable. I have done this myself and in the evenings I am studying for a BSc IT in Trinity College. The good thing about these types of jobs is that your employer will probably pay for you Degree costs!
After you have a BSc there are amazing options - to pursure either MSc or Professional Training options such as Accountancy.
Next look at the affordable housing scheme!
This defintely could be an option for you - check out all the details and see how it works. One of my colleagues in my place of work is doing this - similar age to yourself and background.

Hope reading this may give you some ideas.
 
Hi ejdg9,
How goes it? I saw on the Work,Careers, Employment forum here on AAM, some information on working in London on the Olympic Stadium. Any use to you ? Change of scene, a bit of travel, probably loadsamoney too....
 
I don't hav the time to read all the posts so this may hav been covered or u may hav ruled it out in your replies - so apologies if I am missing the direction of the thread....

I agree that investment on your career is a good strategy and will probably far out perform any monetary investment.

Most VECs have an adult guidance counsellor who will meet and work with you FREE of charge - contact your local VEC and ask to speak to the Adult Guidance Counsellor. Most of these people are very professional and supportive.

They may administer Aptitude tests and also give you an interest inventory to complete. This will give you a good indication of what area might suit you.

As a 24 yr old you a classified as a mature student and colleges will consider your application even if you don't have the points or a good leaving cert - and even if you don't have a leaving cert at all!

There are reaonable grants available (VECs administer grants for Level 5 6 and 7 courses - higher certs and ordinary degrees) and County Councils administer Level 8 grants - higher degrees.

Also - most universities have access programmes and if they accept you you can get a top up grant. Access programmes are for people who are in low incomes and want to get into education..

There is the Bank of Ireland Millenium Scholars fund who give generous funding for successful applicants...



PLC colleges are a good stepping stone for students who are considering going back after a number of years.

If u go back to college as a mature student u wont b on your own -maynooth for example has @ 15% mature students. Mature students are highly valued by colleges as they are normally far more focused on their studies and usually after initial fears and some difficulties adjusting to college life - achieve high grades in their studies...

Check out www.qualifax.ie

Best of luck..

S
 
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Ill tell you something. You've shown to be very honest in your posts and very respectful to the posters. You also seem to have an excellent way with words. I think they are qualities that could bring you a long way.
You've managed to save an impressive sum for someone your age and on a low salary so just think of the possibilities when you find yourself in better pay and a more enjoyable occupation.
I wouldnt jump at the going away thing - I think a lot of people go away to run away from the real world and thats fine...but you need to have a plan for what you do when you return. I think by seeking the help here and putting some thought into it, your plan will develop and mature.
 
Hi ejdg9

Firsty, congratulations - I think you are brilliant to have 30k under your belt at 24 and to have the mindset to enquire about good options.

If you're thinking about studying remember that most fulltime courses are covered by the governments free fees scheme. If you're doing a degree or postgrad for the first time you shouldn't have to pay fees. If you've done a year somewhere and dropped out you would still be eligible for free fees from year 2 onwards.

You could probably study without eating into your savings by working part-time.

I went back to college in my 20s, got a professional qualification and really transformed my earning potential. Most importantly though I found something I liked doing - you've got loads of time, go for what you enjoy and don't put yourself under pressure. Sounds like you are on the right track already.
 
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