-> RB> $17k ever. And so our financial positions were different
-> RB> from the get-go. You also had credit cards to fall back on,
-> RB> I have relatively  poor credit and cannot get a credit card.
-> And with your attitude the odds are you will never make
-> much more then that.
You hit the nail on the head.  As much as I dislike this thread, Ryan 
needs to take time to consider why he's having all these problems.  I'm
sure the attitude here is reflected at work, and an employer isn't going
to say, "give that raise to Ryan, he's a hard worker."  Most likely
he'll remain in the entry level complaining about working for "the man"
and dragging everyone elses moral down with him.
-> RB> (2) Your statement that we should just get up and move is a
-> RB> lot different when  you are renting instead of living in a
-> RB> house. I'm trapped in a lease of one  year, which is the
-> RB> standard length of a lease around these parts.
-> Trapped?  Not quite, if you want out of a lease there
-> are several ways.  Some legal, some questionable, some
-> illegal.  As I have said there is always a choice
There are many legal recourses to breaking a lease.  Most landlords
won't refund a security deposit, but will rarely go after someone who
has no assets for the unpaid portions.  When I lost a job, back when I
was first married, I had to break a lease to move to where I could work.
The landlord didn't like it, but his option was my not paying the rent
and his having to evict me.
-> RB> Also, keep in mind that we are living in an information
-> RB> economy. Perhaps you  have had the fortune of holding down a
-> RB> few good IT positions, and so you are  way more marketable
-> Let me ask you something, do you know how much a truck
-> driver can make today?  I know several who made over
-> $50K last year.  Is that an IT position?
Truck drivers, even entry level, make a considerable amount.  Most make
more then I do.  Most of the larger companies will even train drivers
who don't have a CDL but meet the minimum qualifications.  Namely JB
Hunt, Schneider, Willie Shaw, US Express and others.  Loaders who work 
for van line companies make between $14 and $22 an hour depending on the
job. Of course, you have to pass a drug test first for either job.
 
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