Someone asked me the other day how I went through college and was able to make it financially while paying for a child so I figured that was a great blog topic. The first thing I told her was I am just naturally a saver. Anyone who knows me knows I am very cautious with my money. If I buy something you can bet it was on sale or I used a coupon. Today at my family Easter we were actually playing family feud and the question was "What do you call someone who is careful with money?" and my brother answered "Kylie." I guess you could say I chose the right profession.
From the time I found out I was pregnant I strongly believed that no one should have to pay my way or my child's way through life just because I got pregnant at a young age. It was my decisions that had got me to that point so I needed to be responsible for my actions. I know this isn't possible for everyone but I knew it was possible for me.
I have had a "real" job ever since I was 15. Every paycheck I received I put half into a savings account which was going to go towards college. Thankfully my mom is the one that got me started in this ritual. By the time my senior year came around and I found out I was pregnant my savings had built up. In order for me to afford to pay for my college on top of having a child and living expenses that meant I had to do my first year of college online so I could live at home rent free and work to save money. This was one of the biggest sacrifices I have ever made. When fall came around and all of my friends were going off to college and meeting new people while I was at home and taking online classes (which is so much harder than actually going to classes) that was painful. But I knew it was my only option, and the light at the end of the tunnel was, that would be me next year.
I worked and saved money for the whole next year. College time came around and I found an apartment which was 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom for $550 plus utilities on top of that. I found a daycare which was $4.25 an hour for Mason. I was also paying for my own college. A couple weeks before I left for college I received court papers. Mason's father was taking me to court for full custody of Mason. (Funny timing wasn't it?) I hired an attorney and had to put $3500 down the day I met with her. There went 6 months of rent. That is the reason I only went to Northeast for one semester and had to move back home and get back to working while I finished my degree online. My degree had quite a few classes that weren't offered online at Northeast so for my last semester of college I took 2 classes through Northeast online, 1 class through Northeast at the extended campus in O'Neill, 1 class through Central Community College, and 1 class through Northern State University. That was quite that hassle but I was determined to graduate from college in 2 years. If you ever need tips on how to get through online college I am your girl! I was a pro by the time I graduated.
I don't think I have any secrets to making it through college financially with a child. I can sit here and tell you to buy things on sale and use coupons but the real answer is sacrifice and a good work ethic. I promise you there will be better days ahead once you have graduated college. I have made a lot of sacrifices to make it on my own but I wouldn't change any of it. It has made me so much stronger and a much better person. I graduated high school at 17, college at 19, and bought my own house at 20. You can do this!
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