<prompt> Human: About 7 months ago my car had issues to the point of me constantly being late for my job due to car troubles, the managers decided to terminate me and the event produced a very stressful environment between me and the girlfriend. She decided to call it quits with the relationship a couple months later and it was one of the worst moments of my life. I paid with whatever money I had left overcould get to pay the apartments cancellation fee and moved back in with my parents. It was an insanely awkward feeling.I decided at the same time that Id start going back to school to finally complete my HS education and get my diploma, I had a rough home-life in my senior year of High School so I never graduated due to stress my parents were on the brink of losing our home at that time so it was very difficult to focus on classes back then. I was going to get my GEDDiploma back when I was 20-21 yrs. old but sometimes you meet a girl, happen get a better job, and figure that schooling can wait big mistake, I know.Obviously I also had to find work but couldnt find anything with a pay matching my last job driving a forkliftshipping at a hospital supplies warehouse 17hour so I just braced myself and got a job working retail about 3 months back anything to get by. Seeing that first retail paycheck made me feel sick to my stomach.So I have been in school in a GEDHS completion program, close to getting my HS diploma the estimate is that I shall be finished by this coming March and have been working in retail and living with parents while miserably fighting off the flashbacks of the life I was doing fine in for the last 7 years. This has been the most stressful time that I have ever gone through, financially and mentally. I feel like I have failed in a major way being 28 and living with my parents while receiving a retail income. I feel like I am 19 again, and its killing me. Im desperate to have that independent feeling and have my own place but working retail promises no financial stability for living on your own, and seeing other people my age with a great income and their own homes makes me feel like I have fallen in last place in the race of becoming a proper adult.I guess Im just asking for advice from anyone who has gone through the same kind of situation and has bounced back. What steps did you take? After I get complete my GEDHS education, what are some quick college courses I could take that could place me in a job that could promise an income that would let me live on my own? Also how should I be maintaining my money right now? I make about 400-500 every 2 week paycheck and the only bills I pay for are for phonecar insuranceand food costs. I paid off a hospital bill so Im now putting money 200-300 aside from paychecks. Any kind of advice would help, reddit! :Sorry if this is a bit choppy, I have work in about 30 minutes but Im getting desperate and was hoping to have something to enlighten me when I go on my lunch break later. If this is the wrong subreddit for my topic please direct me to a more fitting one, Ive never really asked for advice from reddit before, thank you!___UPDATE___ - Ive been working long hours so Ive only been able to read through all the comments during my lunches. You guys are absolutely amazing, Ive never felt more supported, I believe that this was what I needed, just some support and advice from a few folks that went through some pain as well, but I had no clue so many would respond, I was shocked to see the numbers grow! Im also sorry for some of you who are going through worse, I wish the best of luck to you as you wished me. May the sun break through those clouds in your life.Thank you all so much, I wish I had the time to respond to you all, but my god...theres so many responses. Just know that Ive read almost all of them and will continue to finish when I get time. I also appreciated the tough-truth comments, I really respect that, its definitely a reality check and I wont forget those words. Some of these posts I will keep with me when things get tough, Im also jotting down as many of your tips on college,careers,etc. as I can. I can see why a lot of people go on here for advice! I hope that others who go through the same or worse can find wisdom and guidance from you guys and the amazing responses you have gifted this page. Im sitting in a cold room, alone, yet I feel surrounded by hundreds of good people. Thanks again, friends!  <response>: This all happened to me about 6 years ago. I know how you feel. I had almost identical situation happen to me as did you. All I can say is that it does get better. A lot better. Youll be fine. 