Dysfunctional Family HELP ASAP

[CCKazi007]

Background: I don't live with my real parents, one's dead and the other one is physically/mentally disabled and lives in a care facility. So I moved in with my aunt and uncle who are now going to get a divorce.

Problems: Everyone in the household seem to hate my guts and I fear that one of them might poison or murder me. Well it's not that bad yet but I sleep with a switchblade under my bed just incase. Here's a couple of BS that I have been through...

- My uncle's room is next to the guy's shower so I'm only allowed to shower once at night. I have to use HIS APPROVED soup and shampoo, because he doesn't like the ones (AXE gell) he also likes to complain about the smell everytime I get out and tell me to stop using so much soap.

- I'm not allowed to use the "girl's" bathroom upstairs but both my aunt and girl cousin can use both bathrooms anytime they wish.

- I'm BANNED from using the downstairs down stairs after 11 because my uncle can't sleep because of the noise. So basically I gotta hold my piss/sh*t in until morning.

- I'm 18 and a senior but I'm not allowed to get a car or licence because insurance is too expensive. Even though I have 4 grand saved in my bank account. So basically I'm the only senior who rides the bus to school.

- All the money I make goes to college fund and I can't take the money out without permission. I get 20 bucks for food and allowance every week.

- I have to take the trashout even if I didn't contribute anything.

- When I see my aunt or uncle with groceries I have to help them carry it in but my cousin can keep watching TV and do nothing.

- I usually clean my own plates and do my laundry. I get yelled at if I don't ask if I can take people's plate to the sink.

- My cousin who's ugly fat and useless who watches TV all day don't have to do anything, she can shower anytime she wants use the down stairs bathroom and she'll be getting a car and lisence when she's done with driver's ed.

- Both my aunt and uncle never go to any of my varsity baseball or concert band but always tries to take me to their daughter's stupid ass concert.

- My aunt said "My dead mother will be ashamed of how disrespecful I am." when I talked back for once her reason was because she said so! she still hasn't appologized.

- Both my aunt and uncle are feminazis and won't drive me anywhere especially to a girl's house and complain about guys like me who don't treat "chicks" with respect. This is seriously hurting my game before I moved I had 4 gfs now i have none.

- I'm not allowed to drink or do drugs but they were both hippies and did tons of acid when they were in college.

- I was caught drinking once and I was forced to go to 20 sessions of pyschotherapy which was a total waste of time.

I tried to make it work by putting up with this sh*t for 3 years and things are just getting worse, I'm really not sure what to do I have relatives back home in Hawaii who I love and took care of me when I was little. Should I call the cops? is this abuse? I'm thinking of having a serious convo and just moving out ASAP.

I'm so confused is this all my fault? I can understand some anger because their marriage is sh*t and they're both pretty weird ppl. I can also tolerate some bias between how they treat their own daughter and a total stranger like me. Is this how normal americans treat their relative? Please someone help!

 

[Roly]

Classic motivation quotes

You know that classic quote - " If life gives you a couple of lemons- make a damn lemonade.

" No matter where you are, there's always people with greater problems than you do."

Dude, your a senior. Hang in there just for one more year. Unless physical abuse is involve, just tolerate their bs for now.

 

[ExploringOne]

First of your situation sucks.

Is it your fault? HELL NO. Life is a b*tch, that's all there is to it. My mother was murdered when I was 9. My father has been in prison since I was 11. So I can relate a little to where you're coming from.

Calling the cops is a bad idea. The things you describe are lousy, but they aren't abuse.

If you have other relatives, ask to stay with them. It might be better for you.

You're 18 now, so you can move out. It's a pain, but it is possible to find a cheap place to live somewhere. Though I don't think this is the best way to go about things.

If your grades are good, then the best thing you can do is go to an away college. Take out loans, and live on your own.

Life is a big pool of $hit. For now, your number 1 goal should be getting good grades so you can go to a decent school.

If you explain your situation to the finacial aid of the school, you might get quite a bit of financial aid. Have yourself declared as an "indendent" student.

Basically, it comes down to two options. Either way, finish high school. Then either get into college, and pursue a better education. OR move out, and find a job.

$4000, you can buy a cheap car for about $1000. Insurance is going to be about $100 per month. You can probably find yourself a hole-in-the-wall studio apartment for $500 a month. If you budget well, you can live off of 4k, with no frills whatsoever, for 2, maybe 2 months. Use this time to find a job. Even something paying $10 an hour, at 40-50 hours a week, it will atleast be enough for you to get by.

The best thing you can do, is go to college.

Good luck.

If you need advice, or moral support don't hesitate to pm me.

 

[The Forms]

That's a real **** situation man. But the bright side is that you should be graduating in just a few months now, right?

By this time in your senior year you should have made a college decision. So you ARE moving out of town for school, right? If I was you I would leave for college and just never come back. Taking out the loans is a *****, but knowing you never have to put up with that kind of treatment is well worth it.

Regardless, once you're done with school, you can get out and never look back. So the best thing to do would be to just hang in there.

And if it is THAT bad, you're legal, so you have every right to go out and get your own apt.

 

[Desdinova]

Go get yourself a job and move the fvck out. Also, you might want to pick up a book called "Toxic Parents" (if you can ever get out of the house).

You're 18 for chrissake. There's no reason for you to be treated this 5hitty.

- I'm BANNED from using the downstairs down stairs after 11 because my uncle can't sleep because of the noise. So basically I gotta hold my piss/sh*t in until morning.

This part of it IS abuse. Here's some links:

http://www.nospank.net/couture3.htm

http://www.gambling-portal.com/news/Father-of-2-Charged-with-Child-Abuse.html

 

[Wyldfire]

Do you have any other relatives you could live with? Friends? You are 18, so you CAN leave there the second you find another living arrangement.

Some of the rules aren't unreasonable...like having to take out the trash, not being noisy after a certain hour and helping out. It's not right that your cousin can be lazy, though.

The bathroom issue makes no sense. I can understand asking you to not shower after a certain hour because it can be noisy and wake people up or keep them awake...but there is NO reason you should be forced to hold it if you have to use the bathroom. It's a health risk for a person to do that and perhaps if you bring up to your Aunt and Uncle that holding in urine and/or bowel movements can lead to serious and EXPENSIVE health problems they might lay off the bathroom rules.

It is a burden to have to take on the expenses and responsibilities of another child. Your Aunt and Uncle are probably resentful of the living parent who has mental health issues. That doesn't mean they should take it out on you. If you aren't planning to go to college immediately after high school then there is Job Corps. They help you get your diploma, drivers license, can train you in different careers and if you want to go on to college and complete their program they will help you get things done. Since your parents aren't supporting you and you are 18 I'm sure you would qualify. There are rules and chores...but freedom and you are treated with respect. My older son really struggled in high school so he went to job Corps for less than a year and got his diploma before he would have in high school. He went to the movies every week, they had a gym and rec room, weight room and tons of activities. He made some very good friends there as well. If your current situation is as bad as you say and you honestly aren't doing anything to warrant them to be harsh with you then I would definitely try to find other living arrangements.

 

[Vulpine]

Change your view/frame of this situation - first and foremost. These people took you in. By doing so, also took on a lot of other baggage in order to put you up. And you want to complain about... uh... what, exactly?

Do you pay rent? No? Then you are freeloading. You have to play by their rules, period. When you go to someone's house as a guest, you have to honor their rules. YOU are a guest in this home. You have no right to complain since you do not pay rent.

If you don't like it, leave. But, you'd be a retard for doing so.

You are not a victim, in fact you are very fortunate. I know, if I was in your Aunt and Uncle's position, I would be quite slighted by a lack of appreciation. Where would you be if your Aunt and Uncle HADN'T taken you in? Believe it or not, they are doing you a huge service. I see a few things like "respect", "obligation", and "responsibility" being taught here.

An older relative once fielded my complaints about my conditions when I was your age. They realigned my frame for me (straightened me out) and left me with two old addages that will never fail me:

Never pass up a free meal.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

I didn't understand the "gift horse" saying until later in life. Long ago, horses were auctioned and traded like cars are today. When you look at buying a car, you "kick the tires". You look at odometer readings, pull the dipstick to check the oil, and generally inspect the car for damage and indications of wear. Well, with horses it was the same deal. Any potential horse buyer would look the horse over and look for any defects. Horses need teeth to eat, and bad teeth meant the horse wasn't going to last very long. So, it was common to open a horse's mouth to inspect it's teeth to see if buying the horse was a wise investment.

However, when a horse was given for free... it's a FREE horse. Regardless of the quality of the gift, it's still a gift. To look a gift horse in the mouth is rude and unappreciative - blatent disrespect to the giver of the gift. Furthermore, when you look for faults in a gift, you may find them - and by doing so may also lose sight of the fact that it was a gift... free, and far better than if you didn't receive the gift. The saying is popular because in not only encompasses "count your blessings", but also implies "don't offend those that (attempt to) help you".

What you are doing here is looking a gift horse in the mouth. Oops - your gift horse's teeth are rotten. Your gift horse won't last much longer, so appreciate it and use it while you can. What are you going to do? Complain to the gift giver that their gift sucks? :nono:

Perhaps you can see things differently now.

I had a friend once whose little brother took full advantage of the help his parents were offering. He stayed in the basement, came and went through the back door, and basically was a ghost as far as his parents were concerned. He didn't impose, helped when he could, didn't eat much, and offered to pay the electric bill as a token gesture of "pulling weight". He got two jobs from 18-23 and saved, saved, saved. He didn't have sh!t for a social life, and I rarely saw the guy. Well, I found out why he was such a shut in. It turns out, he moved out of his parent's house straight into his own home. The kid never rented. Since he didn't have to pay rent, 90% of his pay went directly into savings. I kick myself for not doing the same when I had the chance.

Good luck with your situation.

 

[Shiftkey]

Don't worry, pretty soon you'll get your acceptance letter to Hogwarts and become a famous wizard!

Sorry, couldn't resist lol

In all seriousness...

- I'm 18 and a senior but I'm not allowed to get a car or licence because insurance is too expensive. Even though I have 4 grand saved in my bank account. So basically I'm the only senior who rides the bus to school.

- All the money I make goes to college fund and I can't take the money out without permission. I get 20 bucks for food and allowance every week.

If you're 18, you don't need their permission.

Should I call the cops? is this abuse? I'm thinking of having a serious convo and just moving out ASAP.

It stopped being abuse when you became an adult. Get the fvck out of there NOW. Don't confront them, don't talk to them, just find an apartment without giving any hints, pack your stuff in secret, and leave without saying a word and never look back. If you want to let out some anger, leave a note.

 

[Wyldfire]

Vulpine...to an extent you are right...but you have to admit...not letting him go to the bathroom in the middle of the night if he has to go is pretty screwy, senseless and just plain mean. It's also dangerous. Holding in urine can cause NASTY infections, even death if you have had a lot to drink. Holding in bowel movements can cause severe damage leading to a colostomy. The other things he mentioned were not unreasonable...but not being allowed to go to the bathroom when he needs to go IS unreasonable.

Also...he should be able to get a license whenever he wants to providing he pays for it himself. They don't have to let him drive their car or pay to insure him...but he can go get his license himself.

 

[Vulpine]

Vulpine...to an extent you are right...but you have to admit...not letting him go to the bathroom in the middle of the night if he has to go is pretty screwy, senseless and just plain mean. It's also dangerous. Holding in urine can cause NASTY infections, even death if you have had a lot to drink. Holding in bowel movements can cause severe damage leading to a colostomy. The other things he mentioned were not unreasonable...but not being allowed to go to the bathroom when he needs to go IS unreasonable.

Wyldfire, he knows the rule. No using X bathroom after X time. Since he knows the rule ahead of time, he can plan accordingly. For example, use the bathroom before bed. It's really a no-brainer.

It isn't going to kill the kid to pack a crap until morning. And, being that he's a male, there are other options besides flushing a toilet when he needs to take an emergency squirt.

The rule isn't abuse. The kid isn't a victim. In fact, I applaud the "parents" for being strict. He'll be better off for it. The fact that "calling the cops" is even mentioned is ridiculous and a testament to how whacked our society has become.

 

[Wyldfire]

As a strict parent myself (4 kids ages 6, 16, 18 and 20), I demand quiet after a certain hour as well. I expect my kids to take out the trash, clean, do chores, do their own laundry (except for the 6 year old), etc. None of them have their license because I flat out told them I will not pay for their insurance. When they ask for something they don't need I tell them to get a job. If they leave a soda can laying around I don't buy more soda for at least 3 months. When they were little and broke the rules I grounded them to their bed and they could only read, do homework or study...no toys. They could get up to bathe, eat and use the bathroom. I'm big on responsibility and I have good kids because of that. None drink or do drugs or smoke. None have kids or have been in any kind of trouble. I've raised them on my own, too...and my kids behave better than the vast majority of kids from two parent homes.

It sounds like there are 3 bathrooms in the house...two upstairs and one downstairs. He is saying that he is not allowed to use ANY bathroom after 11pm. There is NO valid reason why he can't go downstairs in the middle of the night if he wakes up and has to go to the bathroom. It would be one thing if he stomped and slammed things around when he went...but if he went quietly just to go to the bathroom there just is no good reason why they have a rule against using the bathroom after 11pm. People get sick and have to throw up or get the diarrhea. There are plenty of ways to instill discipline, responsibility and respect into a child without expecting them to hold their bodily refuse in the process. There's just no logical or arguable excuse to do that.

 

[Desdinova]

Vulpine, while I agree that if his aunt and uncle are paying for his shampoo and soap that they have the right to choose what he uses, there's quite a bit that I don't agree with. One example:

- My aunt said "My dead mother will be ashamed of how disrespecful I am."

What the fvck kind of a woman would tell this to a child? She has no respect for him nor his deceased mother. She deserves a kick in the box.

If CCKazi pays for his own 5hit, his aunt and uncle should have nothing to b1tch about. But I'd bet any money that they'd still tell him what to spend his money on, or even try taking it away so they can control what he spends his money on. Just because he's legally an adult and makes his own money, it doesn't mean the control will stop.

I'd still advise him to move out.

 

[djbr]

- All the money I make goes to college fund and I can't take the money out without permission. I get 20 bucks for food and allowance every week.

Get out!

EVERYTHING you listed is not really great, but they can do it. The house is theirs. But if the money YOU make has to pass through THEIR aval for anything, get out.

 

[djbr]

$4000, you can buy a cheap car for about $1000. Insurance is going to be about $100 per month. You can probably find yourself a hole-in-the-wall studio apartment for $500 a month. If you budget well, you can live off of 4k, with no frills whatsoever, for 2, maybe 2 months. Use this time to find a job. Even something paying $10 an hour, at 40-50 hours a week, it will atleast be enough for you to get by.

Damn, high school graduates earn quite well in USA.

If you get something like R$ 600 (US$ 286) per MONTH around here, consider yourself lucky.

 

[Vulpine]

Do you know this guy? From the looks of the , I suspect that this kid is an ingrate and obnoxious. His sense of entitlement is skewed. It's a logical deduction that the kid is a fuxup and needs some heavy-handing - not coddling.

And just look at you guys! "Oh you poor, poor, opressed little boy. Let's get health and human services involved!" All of his complaints are from an 18 year old spoiled brat. Do you think for one second that he's oppressed? I grew up on a farm, man. Did I whine and cry like this when I had to feed and water a barn full animals twice a day, fux around in the hen house collecting eggs before school, and spending the weekends shoveling sh!t, building cages, and butchering animals for the same $20 allowance? No, because my single mother was sleeping while I was at school, and working at night. Things had to get done.
__________
Problems: Everyone in the household seem to hate my guts and I fear that one of them might poison or murder me. Well it's not that bad yet but I sleep with a switchblade under my bed just incase. Here's a couple of BS that I have been through...
clue: the kid sleeps with a switchblade under his bed
- My uncle's room is next to the guy's shower so I'm only allowed to shower once at night. I have to use HIS APPROVED soup and shampoo, because he doesn't like the ones (AXE gell) he also likes to complain about the smell everytime I get out and tell me to stop using so much soap.
his soap stinks, and the man of the house (who pays for the soap) doesn't care for it. Problem?
- I'm not allowed to use the "girl's" bathroom upstairs but both my aunt and girl cousin can use both bathrooms anytime they wish.
quit being a slob, stop peeing on the toilet seat, flush after you take a dump, and maybe you wouldn't have these problems
- I'm BANNED from using the downstairs down stairs after 11 because my uncle can't sleep because of the noise. So basically I gotta hold my piss/sh*t in until morning.
Learn how to be "quiet" and this wouldn't be an issue
- I'm 18 and a senior but I'm not allowed to get a car or licence because insurance is too expensive. Even though I have 4 grand saved in my bank account. So basically I'm the only senior who rides the bus to school.
And probably the only senior with $4000 of their own money in the bank
- All the money I make goes to college fund and I can't take the money out without permission. I get 20 bucks for food and allowance every week.
Where is the problem? If you could spend your money on crap, you probably would, wouldn't you? Instead, you have $4000 in the bank.
- I have to take the trashout even if I didn't contribute anything.
For only $20 a week, free rent, free electricity, free water, and free food! The injustice!
- When I see my aunt or uncle with groceries I have to help them carry it in but my cousin can keep watching TV and do nothing.
Your fat-ass cousin isn't much help, take it as a compliment.
- I usually clean my own plates and do my laundry. I get yelled at if I don't ask if I can take people's plate to the sink.
Sit there until last and someone will take your plate for YOU.
- My cousin who's ugly fat and useless who watches TV all day don't have to do anything, she can shower anytime she wants use the down stairs bathroom and she'll be getting a car and lisence when she's done with driver's ed.
Daughter versus "guest". Get over yourself. "Usless" is why they don't carry groceries.
- Both my aunt and uncle never go to any of my varsity baseball or concert band but always tries to take me to their daughter's stupid ass concert.
Noone likes to watch a jackass perform, unless it's a donkey show in Tijuana.
- My aunt said "My dead mother will be ashamed of how disrespecful I am." when I talked back for once her reason was because she said so! she still hasn't appologized.
She doesn't need to apologize. If you can't see that, then perhaps your dead mother WOULD be ashamed of you.
- Both my aunt and uncle are feminazis and won't drive me anywhere especially to a girl's house and complain about guys like me who don't treat "chicks" with respect. This is seriously hurting my game before I moved I had 4 gfs now i have none.
They are your aunt and uncle, not your chauffers. Call a cab.
- I'm not allowed to drink or do drugs but they were both hippies and did tons of acid when they were in college.
They don't want you to be the screwed up junkies they are/were.
- I was caught drinking once and I was forced to go to 20 sessions of pyschotherapy which was a total waste of time.
They don't want you to be the screwups they are/were.

You don't have one single complaint here that warrants concern from, well, anyone.

Because it's easier for a guy to complain about and blame women for all their problems than it is to take responsibility for the part they play in their own misfortune. If guys on here spent even a quarter of the time taking an honest look at their mistakes and poor choices that they do biotching about women they would realize that they would get much further in life by focusing on themselves. Afterall...the only person you can ever change is yourself...and that is and will always be the key to success.

*Erhem* I don't have much more to add.

 

[Create Reality]

Go buy a car and get insurance.

Then promptly tell them to fock off and go to hell if they say anything about it.

And if they piss you off good one day, know there is a place for you to use STINK BOMBS, in their KITCHEN! Blame it on their cooking

 

[NHY]

I'm so confused is this all my fault?

If there is only ONE thing you learn from reading other people's replies, ONE thing you remember, it should be this; No matter how bad things are ( or how you THINK they are ) ITS NOT YOUR FAULT!!! Blaming yourself for this is extremely dangerous and destructive!

I only show my face here occasionally so I don't know you. However, that being said, the only problem I have with them is the whole toilet thing. I suggest you listen to what the others have said, if you have to go, then GO, even if you get caught and given out to, it is far wiser then holding it and it can be EXTREMELY bad for your health.

Other than that, I'm going to have to agree with what the others said in tell you that you act like an spoilt brat. They could have easily refused to have taken you in. I don't know how your biological parents treated you before all this happened but if I'm right, I guess they were WAY too soft on you! Lets see;

- I'm 18 and a senior but I'm not allowed to get a car or licence because insurance is too expensive. Even though I have 4 grand saved in my bank account. So basically I'm the only senior who rides the bus to school.

- All the money I make goes to college fund and I can't take the money out without permission. I get 20 bucks for food and allowance every week.

Thanks to them, you have saved 4 grand for college, more than what I've ever had any time in my life so far! People these days are raised to SPEND SPEND SPEND and screw saving! You should be thanking them, it might not seem right at the present time but trust me, you will thank them someday for that!

- I usually clean my own plates and do my laundry. I get yelled at if I don't ask if I can take people's plate to the sink.

It's a little thing called MANNERS, I too would think of it being rude if someone takes my plate to wash it when I'm not finished with it!

- My cousin who's ugly fat and useless who watches TV all day don't have to do anything, she can shower anytime she wants use the down stairs bathroom and she'll be getting a car and lisence when she's done with driver's ed.

- Both my aunt and uncle never go to any of my varsity baseball or concert band but always tries to take me to their daughter's stupid ass concert.

So what? Your the GUEST in the house, shes THEIR CHILD, she gets preferential treatment due to this. I know that sounds harsh but its the truth, you got to accept it.

- Both my aunt and uncle are feminazis and won't drive me anywhere especially to a girl's house and complain about guys like me who don't treat "chicks" with respect. This is seriously hurting my game before I moved I had 4 gfs now i have none.

You sound like a player / bad boy type to me. Think about this, do you REALLY treat girls with respect or do you just use them? Maybe YOUR on the one who is harming the girls. Read The Game, in it everyone who becomes a player type ultimately ends up feeling empty as a result. Maybe they are trying to save you from that.

Also, for the love of Christ, GET RID OF THAT SWITCHBLADE! They would NEVER do anything like try to kill you! You are just being paranoid! Also, I try and be there for your cousin, even if she is lazy as hell! They are about to get a divorce, you say, she is going to get her world blown to pieces! She is going to need SOMEONE other than her parents to seek comfort in during this.

Another thing, if you think your situation is bad, think about this; How would you feel if your family is like a ticking time bomb that your waiting to explode into a mess of alcoholism once every month? How would you feel if you had to stay at home and mind your sister while they go drinking which leads to father sneaking out later, telling you not to wake your mother, she wakes, blames you for the situation, goes out looking for him and several hours later comes back 5x times WORSE?

How would you feel if YOU had to miss on a LOT because of their behavior? Have that in your head now? Thats MY situation I was on about. So quit complaining about yours, a lot of people out there have it a lot worse than you do. At this point I'd like to add that I'm thankful for coming across this topic as its after making me think about my own situation as well, we both a have right to be a little p***ed off but we should be greatful for what we have as well!

All in all, remember to be thankful for what you have and good luck with everything.

NHY

 

[dj ben2]

although i agree with wyldfiry to an extent if my parent or aunt/uncle treated me like that i would be seriously depressed and be contemplating suicide right now

 

[ExploringOne]

Damn, high school graduates earn quite well in USA.

If you get something like R$ 600 (US$ 286) per MONTH around here, consider yourself lucky.

^^^Can earn, many for whatever reason, don't though.

When it comes to income levels, things are relative. With a college dergee a person should have no problem at all making atleast $15 an hour, and easily alot more.

Besides, just because a person has a highschool degree, or a college degree for that matter, it doesn't mean they have brains. A person with a brain, should be able to make $10 an hour easily. (The one exception to this rule, are the illegal immigrants, I feel for them, they work twice as hard for 3 times less.)

For me to live reasonably, not in the slightest luxury, I need to have about $2000 in clean income per month. ( I suppose I do have some standards, although my car sucks :-( )

I am curious, where do you live?

 

[djbr]

Besides, just because a person has a highschool degree, or a college degree for that matter, it doesn't mean they have brains. A person with a brain, should be able to make $10 an hour easily. (The one exception to this rule, are the illegal immigrants, I feel for them, they work twice as hard for 3 times less.)

And they still work less and earn more than in their home countries. Trust me, I know TONS who would LOVE to go to USA. People who work in rural areas, work all day long, HARD work, earn something like US$ 45 per month, without no government support (illegal job). See if your "3 times less" isn't still A LOT more than that.

There is a reason people go to USA in packs.

Also, brains are sh1t here. No one cares. The job market here is full of mistrust. You show the credentials, that is all. Labor laws here screw employers' asses, so they have to be careful.

BTW, going without college here is not an option. At least for someone who wants to live reasonably.

For me to live reasonably, not in the slightest luxury, I need to have about $2000 in clean income per month. ( I suppose I do have some standards, although my car sucks :-( )

I am curious, where do you live?

I live in Brazil. Great women, amazing (and cheap!) food, hot weather, really beautiful places, but REALLY bad earnings.

This is an ingrate country. You work your ass, government takes it all to the lazy, and you get the rest. But there are many good things. If you want to live a frugal lifestyle, here is the place.

US$ 2000 here is a PARTY. For a single guy, damn, you would live like a fuxing KING! But without college, no way! Unless you open a business. But let me remind that running business here is a lot more difficult than in USA. You pay around 40% in taxes, and public services sucks.

I really love when I see some american complaining about getting a job. I work here to have the US$ 286 per month I mentioned, if I am lucky. And I am in college. If I were not, then I would be really lucky to have the same job. But that's because I did not finish (yet).

I thank god everyday my mother is amazing and do not bother me one inch, thus I live with her (and my brother and sister) without problem. Of course I help her as much as I can, so everything is fine. As my father is dead, I do the manly stuff, such as making the cars run fine, and all. Manage the bills... this kind of stuff. We get along pretty well.

I live very very well here, but we still work pretty hard to maintain the quality of living. I used to complain, but come to think of it, I am fortunate. But still, people in the USA have no idea how good they have it...

To the original poster: man, if you do not like it, get out. Get a job! With US$ 10 per HOUR, I would live very very well.