I've been trying to trade options on the side with what money I can to build extra capital. I've had good runs, like flipping $100->$1000 bucks into like 10-20k, but bad risk management still left me blowing up

Trading like this won't make you money unless you really fucking know what you're doing. Don't bank on it to dig you out, it'll lose you more than it gains.

I work at a shitty retail job, and been here for a year only to get a .10¢ raise.

Get a better job, or get a side gig,, or both.

I've been pretty terrible with education, and can't seem to be consistent. Been looking into alternatives like getting IT certifications, or my compTIA as a start or an entry level service job.

Learn to stick at things - you need to get good at things that you can charge for, and that means getting very good at something. And that takes dedication. Pick something you're interested in and passionate about, and work FUCKING HARD.

Try learning a trade. Plumbing, electrician, mechanic. There are many trade schools around.

Trade school. You'll be making 6 figures or more, and always be in demand.

+1 for trade school. However, two things you should keep in mind:

1. You HAVE to learn how to manage your money, otherwise you'll be blowing through whatever you make. See those 50 y.o. women living in huge houses and having one or two international vacations per year who go broke the moment she loses her job? That's because, while they were well paid, they too were living paycheck to paycheck. So, learn how to manage your money, live well below your means, and put the extra money into something safe for a rainy day.

2. A side hustle is also a good way to get some extra cash - and sometimes it becomes your main source of income. Washing cars on weekends, singing/playing music on weddings, teaching a skill or language - if you have an ability other people don't, and if they're willing to pay you, it could make you some extra money.

Even if you make 100k, with today's inflation it's actually still difficult to save.

Only real way to actually save I'd actually living WELLLL below your means and earning even more than 100k. Or wait for inflation to go back down.

Nah it's just fucked

Trade school is probably your best option, if you want a high paying job without putting yourself in massive debt.

You need a skill that has value in the marketplace. Learn a marketable skill starting tomorrow. One if the trades with a lot of effort on your part will make you money.

Forget the follow you passion bullshit and side hustle nonesense. You will continue to spin your wheels with options trading but hey its the dream that holds most in. We'd all be billionaire traders if it weren't for the losses. Stevie Cohen made his big money in the early days off inside info. Trading is a racket. Goldman sachs is trading off info youll never have. So stick to your stochastics bullshit. Floor trading was a huge racket that most people have no understanding how those pretty dumb parasites made big money at times.

I'm a retired lawyer. People sought out my services when they were fucked and scared. The client was a conduit between me and the insurance company from whom I could squeeze for money that I knew was there. I got 1/3 of all those payouts. That's one way of making money. I was self employed not working for a joker attorney who paid me a wage. In time I ran over most of my competition because I didnt like them much when i had little bargaining power starting out. . No one ever said oh yeah I know maturin, he's a nice guy.

If I was 28 years old I'd probably specialize in a trade. Far less competition. Work my ass off for 2 years learning everything i can. Stop speculating in bullshit like options. Go off on my own after 2 years as independent. Build it up with a few tradesman under me in time. Turning the trade into a business.

As the guys are all saying -get a trade. You will never starve. It takes a while to collect clients if you work as your own business but if you treat them well, they stay and soon you will be turning more people away than you accept as clients.

Consider the unhealthy aspects of the trades and decide which one to go for. None is perfectly injury free because of repeated movements and you will be stuck with the one you choose. Consider your body type and any overuse injuries you have had in sport..

Just pay into a pension early and hard. You will thank yourself for that when you are older and less fit.

To break out of living paycheck to paycheck, especially given your context of struggling with traditional education and a challenging family environment, a focused, disciplined strategy is needed. Here’s a plan based on The Red Pill philosophy, which emphasizes self-reliance, pragmatism, and strategic action:

1. Prioritize Financial Independence: First, stabilize your financial situation. Since you have had some success with options trading, consider approaching this with a more disciplined risk management strategy. Learn from reliable financial education resources—not get-rich-quick schemes. Focus on building a small but steady additional income without the high risk of blowing up your account.

2. Shift to a Skilled Trade or Certification: Given your interest in IT certifications like CompTIA, pursue this aggressively as it can lead to more stable and lucrative job opportunities. IT fields often value skills over traditional educational credentials. Begin with entry-level certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Network+, which can lead to immediate job opportunities in tech support or network administration.

3. Develop Marketable Skills: While pursuing certifications, also focus on building skills that are in high demand. Learn basic coding, cloud services, or cybersecurity fundamentals. Resources like Coursera, Udemy, or Codecademy can provide affordable training.

4. Create a Strict Budget: Implement a rigorous budgeting strategy. Track every dollar you earn and spend. Use budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB to see where you can cut expenses and maximize savings. Since you don’t pay rent, allocate a significant portion of your income to savings or investments that are stable.

5. Seek Higher Paying Jobs: Even with entry-level certifications, start applying for IT jobs. Look for roles in tech support, data center maintenance, or junior network admin positions. These roles often offer better pay and benefits compared to retail.

6. Plan Your Exit Strategy: Given the toxic home environment, plan your move carefully. Save a portion of your income towards a deposit on your own place. Ensure you have enough saved to cover emergencies once you move out.

7. Network Strategically: Leverage every opportunity to network within the IT industry. Attend tech meetups, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Networking can often lead to job opportunities that are not advertised publicly.

8. Stay Disciplined and Consistent: Red Pill philosophy would emphasize the importance of discipline in your daily habits. Stay consistent in your efforts towards certification, job searching, and financial management. Avoid distractions that lead to inconsistent behaviors or spending.

9. Focus on Long-Term Goals: Keep a clear vision of your long-term goals. Whether it’s financial independence, a stable IT career, or moving out, every action should contribute towards these goals.

10. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The IT field is continuously evolving. Commit to lifelong learning to keep your skills relevant and to advance in your career.

By implementing these steps, you are not just escaping the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle; you are building a foundation for long-term financial stability and career success. This strategy requires commitment and resilience, but it’s structured to yield substantial improvements in both your professional and personal life.

The battle most people have isn't income, it's outflow.

First thing first, do you have a budget? If you don't, you'll never get off the treadmill - every increase in income you make will have an equivalent match in outflow.

Second, there are three routes that you can take:

1. Education - this is a risky one depending on what you choose to study. If you pick a useless degree program then you're just tossing money in the shitter.

2. Military - risky as well, because if you do it wrong you're just wasting your life. I took this route, but I milked them for every benefit I could get my hands on.

3. Trades - this is probably the most accessible route since you can go in not knowing shit and get trained through an apprenticeship program. Once you get trained, you'll be able to find work anywhere.