Moved 3,000 Miles Away From Home At 18

The day after I graduated high school with my college prep diploma I started my new job working at a local cell phone repair shop. My girlfriend's brother gave me a good reference so I started right away without any experience and began working full time. In Florida minimum wage was $8.05, I was making $8.50. It wasn't until 6 months later I noticed my girlfriend becoming distant. I realized I was spending less and less time with her and focusing too much on my job. She always wanted to go on trips and travel. I simply couldn't take the time off. I had to be a hard worker to live up to her brothers referral.

^my desk at work

Long story short a week after our two year anniversary she broke the news that she has been hanging out with another guy from work. I handled it pretty well at first. I kept working and focusing on money. I was now making $11.50 plus a commission. I started working 60 hours a week. I didn't spend any money on anything besides gas and sooner or later ended up with $5,000 in my savings account.

I bought a new car for $2,000 (my dad was nice enough to cover the rest, I had very good grades and he knew how hard I work)

I bought my 2009 Subaru Impreza and decided it was time for me to move away and take a little vacation. Bend, Oregon was my destination.

I thought it was a good idea to purchase a plane ticket. I didn't tell my parents until last minute when I asked for a ride to the airport. I slept on my friends couch who I met online for about a month until I ran out of money. I couldn't find a job because nobody wanted to hire somebody without transportation (I left my car in Florida)

I didn't even have enough money for a plane ticket back home. I had to ask my dad for money to cover the airfare.

I flew back to Florida and stayed for about a month.

I had $500 to my name... I calculated the estimated gas cost to drive from Florida to Oregon... it was only $300. That gives me $200 for food until I can find a job.

I packed as much as I could into my compact sedan and drove off. I only had clothes and shoes. It took me 4 days.

If I should continue my story please give me a comment, upvote, and follow me! Let me know if you guys have any questions thank you!