Hey man, I've been in the same situation as you before when I was 17. It's a very tricky time and the best advice is to focus on building your foundations.
So that is:
- A secure base to call your home
- Financial security
- Employment
- Connections to needed services like education establishments, career advice and training
Don't do what I did and just think it will all clear itself up. I was fortunate that where I'm from I had government services available to me to gain places in hostels, the bad thing about these environments is they usually also welcome people that are well and truly dead in the water and going nowhere in life so it was no easy ride for me seeing the bottom of the barrel.
You NEED, emphasis, NEED and I can't say that any clearer, you NEED to be looking for employment. It doesn't matter what it is, so long as you are guaranteed a wage which you can save. The more money you save for that day when you have to start on your own, the better. I had nothing. I'm not sure where you live or what the rates are like in the US but over here, to secure any property suitable for one person you need at least £1000 so that's say, maybe $1500? And that's cutting it slim, maybe £1500/$2000 would be more suitable and you still aren't breaking the bank with that kinda financial support available. The more the better, if you can save more in that time then set no limits, so long as it's covers whatever the costs are to move into a property followed by at least a month's rent in advance. Your job security will enable you to buy the basics to begin with, yeah it's not pretty but some people literally move into new homes with nothing but a rucksack on their back and perhaps a sleeping bag and a TV. I've seen it done before, you work up to owning things. It takes time but you NEED a home first before you can make your house a real home to live in.
Then you need to think about furniture and whether the property comes furnished or not. Work out what the going rate is for rent in your area or nearby areas. Look into what jobs are available and how rich the job market is. Could you rent a room in someone's house, instead of an entire property? If you can, make sure you have your rights covered so to avoid being exploited out of your money and out of the property. Ensure you have a written agreement bound by law wherever you move to. Then you need to think about bills and living costs, so you need to work all this out. How much it would roughly cost for electricity, gas, water and any taxes eligible. Then for your weekly food, transport costs and disposable cash for things here and there.
Finding secured employment is a must. Or at least finding temporary work which you can keep attending just to save up. Without money you will struggle, A LOT.
Failing that, you need to see what sort of services your government may provide. They may support you with housing but don't wait around for them to say yes or no, find this out right away as I know how upsetting it can be relying on the government to offer you a place to stay for the night and the reality is they can't help. It happens to many people so find out what they can do before it gets to the worst possible scenario.
The worst possible situation is you struggle with everything, in which case, fret not, you can always rely on going back to the basics. Get a tent, sleeping bag and all your necessary life saving tools like cooking equipment and tent spares and find a place to lay low for a while. Plenty of people do it like this when they are desperate and yeah, it's no pretty sight but what else can you do? It's better being under something they being out under nothing. Always have a backup plan. In this case, having a tent and all the basic provisions is such a back up plan. Again, money is key here too so you'll need money to support yourself either way.
To reiterate; job, money, saving up. Save up and don't stop. There is no limit. But there should be a minimum of what it takes to secure a property saved up plus more as a precaution. So say, it costs £1000/$1500 to move into a place and everything be secure then onwards, you will need that available to you at the very minimum, and then some to be on the safer side. So, research into local area or nearby areas, cost of rent and living, property available, support from government available.
I advise focusing purely on your situation. You have plenty of time to get things sorted. Don't focus on anything else other than making sure you can support yourself when the time comes. I have a friend who works in a Chinese takeaway under the legal wage for an adult over 25 and he has saved up and travelled Europe on what is basically a child's wage here in the UK, he pays his rent and still lives okay on lower than the national minimum wage. If there are people out there like him, then you can join them and do whatever it takes to get those foundations built.
This is usually the hardest part of life; securing yourself. It sure was my hardest journey to date but you learn so much along the way. Embrace the journey. It only comes once. It's not going to be easy but nothing ever is, what's important is you believe in yourself, you plan ahead and you put your mind toward providing yourself with the future security you deserve. I'll never forget the journeys I went through at your age. I'm hoping you never faced what I had to go through, I got the wrong end of the deal but I accept the fact that I didn't want to do anything about my situation, but YOU can. And if you do then you'll be on the right track!
Think ahead. Take it very seriously. Homelessness is no joke. Start now, offer yourself to employers, even accept lower wages, accept awkward hours, displeasing jobs. Clean restaurants, work in takeaways, garages, local stores, anything that will get you money in your hand at the end of every day. Save it. Keep saving. I hate to chirp on about money because I'm far from materialistic but the reality of this world is, money is everything. It might not be personally and spiritually but physically at least in this world, it means everything.
All the best of luck man, you can do it.
I believe in you.
