Trapped in a job with no future, what to do?

[MUSTKILL]

I've been pretty depressed the past few years because of my job. Not only is the pay insufficient, but I consistently get paid late. When I first started working as an employee, they filed me as an independent contractor even though I only worked for them. Eventually the taxes turned out to be thousands that I'm still paying for today. On top of that, they reduced my pay because now they have to pay taxes legally and I have no medical/dental/anything.

My biggest concern is that I don't have a degree in the field I'm working, but have all the experience. So this makes it extremely difficult to move to anywhere else.
Paychecks are completely consumed by bills so by the time I actually do get paid, I have nothing to save.
I've been playing with the idea of starting my own IT company but I feel like its a huge risk that could ruin me.

Been thinking of saying fuck it and just start driving for GrubHub/Postmates or something but not sure how stable of a paycheck that is. Need some help, bros. Any input is good considering I feel like shooting myself in the head.

UPDATE to anyone who cares:

So I got diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few months ago and the boss hasn't made life easier. Threatening to get rid of me for being late 15 minutes to a client, giving me shit for having a doctors appointment, and so on. I planned on putting my two weeks in tomorrow after having enough of his shit.
Today I went to the doctor for a follow up on my diabetes, but the doctors told me my blood pressure was through the roof and started to freaked out. They immediately hooked me up to an EKG machine and started running tests, even considered putting me in ER.
Apparently the work stress has been so severe that I needed to be put on medical leave and possibly disability. Loaded me up with anti-anxiety medication and sent me to a psychiatrist.
Qualified for disability and am now on medical leave for a month. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[DevilsLettuce]

You should probably quit your shitty dead-end job.

 

[weich]

What type of IT work do you do? I've been in IT for 20 years and haven't seen degrees holding a lot of people back.

I strongly suggest you do not open a business in your current situation.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Being your own boss is a lot of hard work, but is the best decision you can make imo.

Made $900 this weekend, selling hot dogs.

That's more than most of these scrubs paychecks for the month.

 

[MUSTKILL]

What type of IT work do you do? I've been in IT for 20 years and haven't seen degrees holding a lot of people back.

I strongly suggest you do not open a business in your current situation.

Desktop, Exchange servers, network setups, etc.
I went to school in a completely different field and just jumped into IT because of my natural interests and passion for it.
Does an IT degree (CompTIA+, MS, etc) really matter when applying for an IT job?

 

[MUSTKILL]

Being your own boss is a lot of hard work, but is the best decision you can make imo.

Made $900 this weekend, selling hot dogs.

That's more than most of these scrubs paychecks for the month.

Yeah, it really is. I basically do 100% of the work for my clients while my boss collects the check. I probably get anywhere from 10% to 15% of the pay he collects.
Unfortunately, the stress of creating my logo, website, and business cards have me feeling overwhelmed. I feel like I don't have enough time to work the full time job, and create my own business on the side.

 

[JamesRyko]

Nut up or shut up

 

[weich]

Desktop, Exchange servers, network setups, etc.
I went to school in a completely different field and just jumped into IT because of my natural interests and passion for it.
Does an IT degree (CompTIA+, MS, etc) really matter when applying for an IT job?

It could help with management positions, but are not necessary if you have had management skill.

How big is the environment you are supporting?

Edit: Do you have a bachelor's degree or other college degree?

 

[MUSTKILL]

It could help with management positions, but are not necessary if you have had management skill.

How big is the environment you are supporting?

Right now our staff is only 2 people. My boss and myself. We have about 20 clients, each have about 5-10 employees. Mainly small businesses in the LA area. My only other degree is for Court Reporting, which is like a trade degree.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Yeah, it really is. I basically do 100% of the work for my clients while my boss collects the check. I probably get anywhere from 10% to 15% of the pay he collects.
Unfortunately, the stress of creating my logo, website, and business cards have me feeling overwhelmed. I feel like I don't have enough time to work the full time job, and create my own business on the side.

Sometimes you just gotta decide what you wanna do and go all in, bud. Working a full-time job and starting your own business is a TON of work, but it can be done.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

 

[MadSquabbles500]

Are you on LinkedIn? It is apparently so darn important for finding a job, that Bill Gates just bought it for a lot of money supposedly in that other thread.

If it is worth much money, it can probably help you a lot.

 

[DevilsLettuce]

Right now our staff is only 2 people. My boss and myself.

You have a lot of leverage in this situation, as long as you're not afraid to actually walk away. Learn how to use it.


Goddamn you must suck at poker lol.

 

[weich]

Right now our staff is only 2 people. My boss and myself. We have about 20 clients, each have about 5-10 employees. Mainly small businesses in the LA area. My only other degree is for Court Reporting, which is like a trade degree.

You are in a tough position and one that I have been in myself. Your best bet at switching jobs is moving to another consulting firm who supports small business. The harder jump, but one that is worth it, is trying to get into a lower level support position in an enterprise environment.

 

[MUSTKILL]

You have a lot of leverage in this situation, as long as you're not afraid to actually walk away. Learn how to use it.


Goddamn you must suck at poker lol.

LOL. Spot on with that one. Poker has never been a skill of mine. If I just walk away, how am I to pay rent/bills/etc? I'm just afraid I'll burn the bridge in doing so. I don't know how to express the situation without being pissed off.

 

[MUSTKILL]

You are in a tough position and one that I have been in myself. Your best bet at switching jobs is moving to another consulting firm who supports small business. The harder jump, but one that is worth it, is trying to get into a lower level support position in an enterprise environment.

Appreciate the info, weich. Do you know of any good sites to start looking? Indeed.com is the only site I've been looking through currently.

 

[VroomyJeeps]

Being your own boss is a lot of hard work, but is the best decision you can make imo.

Made $900 this weekend, selling hot dogs.

That's more than most of these scrubs paychecks for the month.

You hiring bobby? I used to work a barbeque at a bar and grill with baseball fields. I would go sell burgers and hot dogs during the games. I got to work with a very attractive girl at her beer hut too. Bonus

 

[SFMMA]

Yeah, it really is. I basically do 100% of the work for my clients while my boss collects the check. I probably get anywhere from 10% to 15% of the pay he collects.
Unfortunately, the stress of creating my logo, website, and business cards have me feeling overwhelmed. I feel like I don't have enough time to work the full time job, and create my own business on the side.

I could have created a business card, bought a domain name and began creating an easy-to-do web site on squarespace, and outsourced a logo for less than $100 in the amount of time you've spent on this thread.

Pull yourself up by the boot straps, grow a set of testicles, take up a second gig to support a new gig or handle your bills, and establish some self worth for your dignity and some financial worth for your future.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

You hiring bobby? I used to work a barbeque at a bar and grill with baseball fields. I would go sell burgers and hot dogs during the games. I got to work with a very attractive girl at her beer hut too. Bonus

Look me up on Snagajob.

 

[weich]

Appreciate the info, weich. Do you know of any good sites to start looking? Indeed.com is the only site I've been looking through currently.

I've used Monster, Dice, and craigslist to find jobs in the past.

 

[tehend]

How desperate are you? If super desperate, follow this:

1. Get a gym membership, and a PO box
2. Live out of your car for a few months. You're in LA, the weather is fine.
3. Save every cent. Shower at the gym, laundromat for washing clothes.
4. You already have clients ie your bosses' clients. Undercut your boss.
5. Slowly expand.