<prompt> Human: Hey PF. Sorry if this isnt the right place to put it, but I need advice and I didnt know where else to go. Ive been lurking for awhile now dreaming of the day that I get to put money into savings accounts or start saving for my retirement, but I see no way that itll ever happen. I am 21 years old. I have no education probably the education of an eight grader, to be completely honest, I work a dead-end job at a deli shop earning 17k a year, and I have no hope for the future. I was homeschooled from 4th grade to 12th grade. I put it into quotations because I wasnt really taught anything. I can barely multiply large numbers. My mother never really taught me, and I had more days off not learning than I did learning. I have a lot of anger toward my parents and regrets, but I cant put all of the blame on them. I really didnt know until a year or so ago how screwed I was, but I still havent changed. Growing up, I just sat at the computer all day playing games and being on the internet seriously, from like 13-18. I never knew better. I didnt know how important education was until Ive been in a dead end job for 6 years. I dont know what to do, because I know I need to start earning more but I dont know how to begin. Current situation: I am 21 living alone and completely self-supported. My monthly income is 1100-1200 net. My rent is 500, utilities combined are 150-175, phone and internet bill at 50 each. I give 10 of my monthly income to help my sister out. I really dont have money to start school. I dont know how loans work, I dont know how any of this works because I was never taught. What should my next step be? I havent taken my GED because I just know Im not nearly smart enough to do it. Ive done practice tests online just brief questions and stuff, and I havent passed them. My boss says that hes leaving at the end of this year and hes going to make me the manager, which would give me roughly 2200 a month. I have to work 40 hours a week just to make ends meet and going home isnt an option. I need help and advice. Anything you guys can give me will help me a lot. Thank you.Also, I am getting 1400 in tax returns in a week and half, which is going to help me get on my feet, which is also why I am coming to you guys; I need to know the best way to use that money. I was thinking of paying off all of my bills for two months and two months rent. EDIT: Thank you all for the kind words, seriously. It just feels nice that there are people out there who care, since I dont have anyone in my life that I can really confide in and really just open up getting a girlfriend is on my list. Ive shared today what Ive always kept hidden and secret from anybody I know, that Im failing life and failing myself, but you guys really have helped me. Im going to follow all of the suggestions here and Im going to do everything that involves any sort of education. Ill still be around in the following days replying to everybody, but I am coming back at the beginning of 2015, and I am going to list all of the things that I have done. Thank you all and see you later. EDIT 2: Im near tears. You guys are really kind, so thank you. Im feeling really pumped about my future, and thats a nice change, so I feel great right now. Mostly you guys have given me context; I still have a lot that I can do and its far from over. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I cant express enough what your kind words mean to me. EDIT 3: Ive gotten an overwhelming response in favor of Khan Academy. Rest assured that I will be using it to take my GED and then beyond. Im going to take my GED and once that is finished, Im going to reevaluate my position and then consider my next step. As for right now I am thinking of attending a trade school. Welding or plumbing, probably. Again, thank you all for the responses, it really does mean a lot.  <response>: 1. Get GED 2. Get oilfield job 3. Make six figures in a few years 