<prompt> Human: Long story short. Grew up without parents, made poor choices, ended up a 26 year old loser with 50 cents in my bank account. I was fired before Christmas and I just finally was able to land another Job which I wont even start for another 2 weeks.I drank and smoke all the time to distract myself from how miserable I was. A few years ago I had taken out a 15 grand loan that Ive paid 6 grand back. A maxed credit card at 3500 that is just accruing debt. I cant afford to pay my own rent due today let alone pay off my debt. My credit tanked, I have no funds, no education or anyone to rely on as I have a single friend, who offered to let me stay with him at his parents house. I declined because his parents think Im some pot smoking loser and theyre right. Although I may have to swallow whatever little pride I have.But please do not mistake me, I am not here to throw myself a pity party. I lacked discipline and guidance growing up but now its time to reap what I sow. I cant blame everything on that and I want to start making things right, right now. Ive enrolled at my local community college and hopefully start a job as a fish monger in a couple weeks to at least have money for food.Ive never sought any kind of financial assistance in my life, but for the first time, I applied for unemployment and food stamps a couple weeks ago. Neither of which I have received, I am still just pending.I have stopped smoking and drinking for the past week cold turkey. I dont want to be a loser anymore, I dont want to have to worry about where Im going to sleep at night in a couple days from now. Even if I do have to face that, I accept it, but I just dont know where to go from here. Financially speaking, what can I do to take the steps to start turning my life around.  <response>: I also grew up without parents or any guidance. I was always alone since I also had no siblings. I learned the hard way on how to do things. I made a lot of poor life choices but managed to pick myself up. Eventually graduated from a pretty prestigious university with a decent degree. I couldnt find any work since I graduated at the height of the recession so I started my own business. I met my future wife and have never looked back. Just remember failing is part of life. The hardest thing to do is to pick yourself up. Once you overcome that, you can pretty do anything. Good luck to you. You can make it, just dont stop trying. 