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Okay so here's the deal: my mother doesn't drive and my dad works 24/7. Ever since I could speak I have had to mooch rides off of my friends anytime I wanted to go anywhere. Last year My brother got his driver's lisence and my parents bought him a red convertible which is a really clunky car but it is still a car and it runs, which is good enough for a 16 year old. It was majorally annoying to sit at home every weekend after my friend have canceled their plans with me (my friends have recently all become obsessed with their boyfriends and started ditching me for the guys) and be stuck at hoem while I watch my brother peel out of the driveway in his car. I get my lisence this weekend, and my parents refuse to even think about helpign me out with a car. I have no problem with buying one myself at all, the only thign is that I live in a small town and have been EVERYWHERE (which isn't much) looking for a job, and no one is hiring. It's a vicious cycle: no car, can't get a job, no job, no money for a car. I am going completely insane over this and I just needed to vent. I know that life is not always fair, but honestly, how fair is thsi when my brother gets like C's and D's and I have straight A's and I actually have extracurriculars which often require me to find rides with friends for competitions and things. UGH! I know I probably sound like a brat right now, but I'm going crazy and needed to vent.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 02:57 pm: Edit

Try not to pay much attention to what everyone else is doing. There's little justice to be had in the realm of "wanting a car" when you don't have the money. You've heard this before, but a car really is a HUGE sponge which can easily soak up a lot of money and more time than you have. A car will not transform your life into bliss, but it will complicate it more than you can imagine.

If you are fortunate enough to live in a place where walking and biking are possible and safe, either one can make you feel a lot better about your situation.

Most colleges are set up for pedestrians----classes, food, laundry and entertainment are usually within walking distance. Once you get out of college and find yourself stuck in traffic on your way to a job that provides you money for car payments, you will find yourself actually yearning for that simpler pedestian lifestyle.

If you live in one of those places where it seems a car is absolutely necessary to function, try and understand that it is such places that are the problem---not the people who are trying to cope with having no car. You did not design such a place, so try not to blame your unhappiness on not having a car.

By Demingy (Demingy) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 03:35 pm: Edit

Kiwee, I can empathize. I wasn't even able to get my license until after I was 20 (looong story, but it had nothing to do with the law), and my boyfriend had the same problem (except he had to wait even longer due to his hectic schedule). It is really tough having to bum rides, especially since it doesn't take too long for people to get tired of it and just start excluding you.

From what you say, it does seem rather unfair that your brother got a car and your parents aren't doing the same for you. Maybe they can't afford it (and the insurance). No matter the reason, I do feel for you.

Maybe you can work something out with them as far as using their cars.

By Insanity (Insanity) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 03:14 pm: Edit

I JUST GOT MY LICENSE IT! IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I'M GOING TO HAVE A PARTY BECAUSE IT WAS MY FOURTH!!!!! TRY! AHH! I'M SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!

By Fenix_Three (Fenix_Three) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 04:53 am: Edit

Tell your parents that you're gonna borrow your brother's car when you have school-related activities that you need to go to.

By Isaman (Isaman) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 11:09 pm: Edit

I just got my license today ...and I agree with Insanity. It feels pretty damn good .

By Gidget (Gidget) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 01:07 pm: Edit

congradulations to you!