Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

So my younger brother has finally agreed to get his life together. He is 21 years old, works 90 hours a week, somehow has no money so he dropped out of college, and a few thousand $ of credit card debt. This weekend his girlfriend broke up with him and I guess he realized he has to get himself together.

I've been wanting to help him for so long but you know if someone doesn't want to help themselves there is no point. Well today he called me for help

We came up with a plan to pay off his debt within 1 year. I can lend him the money now and have him pay me back to save a lot of money on interest, but am not sure if it is better to just make him pay more and learn a serious lesson. What do you think?

He is also going to go back to school in January at night (community college).

So now we need to find him a new job. He works at 3 different jobs right now seriously 90 hours a week. He is taking a test for Park Police in November. But, I told him he has to find 1 f/t job for now(instead of 3 p/t jobs) so he can have his nights free for school. So, I need to know places that pay pretty decent (like $10 an hour) and have benefits, maybe even tuition reimbursement in Suffolk County.

So far I have:
Home Depot
UPS

Thanks for your ideas.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

instead of u give him the money to pay off the debt, would u want him to go through a dept counseling program. it won't ruin your credit

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I think he should pay it off to the creditors.

What about hospital security. I think they are unionized as well. I have heard that Home Depot is a good place to work (I think they have tuition reimbursement too)

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I think he should pay it back to the creditors. You are still helping him out so much by planning out how he can pay it back in a year.
I have also heard really good things about Home Depot. Also, what about all of the businesses in the Industrial Park in Hauppauge?
Good Luck!

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Julz, it's awesome that your brtoher woke up and decided to get things together, and even better that you are willing to help him.

BUT having been there myself, I would not loan him the money to avoid interest charges. IMO, paying it all over time will help him realize how serious it is. You also don't want to become his lender and not his sister, it could ruin your relationship.

Good luck!

ETA: i hear Starbucks has good benefits.

Message edited 10/16/2006 8:28:43 AM.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Hospital security is a good idea! What about gov't jobs like the post office? I think usajobs.gov is the website. Also, I think there is a suffolk county police test coming up in the spring. Did he do 2 years of college before dropping out?

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Fedex - They are pretty flexible.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

the debt places ususally ruin your credit.

and if you lend family $$, the rule is never expect it back!

I think he will learn his lesson if he has to pay back the $$, with interest.

but you are a great sister for helping him!

maybe he can do chores around your house (mow the lawn/paint?) and you can give him $$ that way?

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I suggest that you DO NOT pay it off for him. Trust me. Buy him the book "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey. A much better choice. He will learn so much. My entire family did. It's great that you want to help but on't put yourself out there like that and give the easy way out. He is 21 years old. It's awesome that he has you to help though. UPS, Lilco, Con Edison, Post Office, all good jobs. They are greatif you start young like him. Good luck to you guys!

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I don't have any ideas for jobs, but I just wanted to say DON'T PAY OFF HIS BILLS. Even though he will be expected to pay you back, he won't learn the same lesson. When I was about 19 I got myself into credit card trouble and my mom bailed me out, I swore I'd never do it again, but a year later guess who had more cc debt. It wasn't until I paid them off myself over time that I realized how difficult cc debt is—the building interest, the danger of making minimum payments etc. You take this stuff for granted when someone just bails you out of your problem and therefore you are bound to repeat it. Good luck to him.

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Message edited 11/29/2007 4:25:44 PM.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

what about at a hospital??

they usually have openings in so many areas, that his qualifications would fit somewhere.... he'd have a good chance at making more than $10/hr, there's flexible schedules, and most likely tuition reimbursement depending on what he's going for; benefits... and that experience can usually transfer into a bunch of other fields.

i wouldnt lend him the money though- there's too much opportunity for things to go wrong- its just not worth the family drama.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Trader Joe's pays pretty well and the hours are flexible.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I'd like to echo NOT to lend any money!!! You are a great sister for offering, but if you do, you should consider that he MAY NOT pay you back. To prevent the damage to your relationship, and so you can still stay around to help him, I would say work with him to define a plan for him to pay it off.

Can he work in the University? most university jobs don't require you to pay tuition if you go to the same school - that can really help him.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Thanks for the suggestions.
He applied at Home Depot, Costco, and a place my mom recommended.
I called his credit cards with him and got them to lower the amount he owes

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I agree with everyone, no lesson will be learned if you are doing lots of legwork fo him, he is 21 years old, let him figure this out. You are just enabling him and you will FOREVER be trying to dig him out of his problems (granted I think it is sooo very nice of you, but you aren't helping him)
Anyway.. have him take the civil servant test. Good luck to HIM

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

What about Civil Service???

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

LOWES pays pretty well and they are opening up all over Long Island!!

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I work for Walgreens and I think our assistant managers make $14/hour but I'm not sure of they require and associates now or not. It's worth an inquiry though. Pharmacy techs also make decent money too and Walgreens will train you, no previous experience necessary.

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

Maybe Starbucks or IKEA? I know Starbucks has awesome benefits and IKEA has good benefits with a good pay.

My brother is in the same boat and he worked for both till something career wise opened up.

Good luck!

Re: Trying to help my brother - need some job ideas

I know the Post Office hires seasonal employees around the holidays. The pay is pretty decent and if they like you they will probably keep you on after the holidays. There is a USPS Facility in Melville where they hire what they used to refer to as "Casual" employees (not sure if they are still called that - it's been awhile). Although you work "full time hours", you don't get health insurance.

It is also close to SUNY Farmingdale if he ends up going there for school.

I made some good money one summer during college working for the USPS.

Good luck to your brother!