I think you really need to sit down and brainstorm jobs and careers you actually want that are lucrative. It sounds like you don't know what you want to do, and maybe it's because you haven't researched enough jobs out there. You should search on google a bunch of different jobs pertaining to different fields like healthcare, beauty, marketing, law enforcement, universities, etc. There are hundreds of different jobs in each of these fields to choose from. Start making a list of what type of environment you would like to work in, for example, office, outdoors, hospital, animals, clinics, retail, etc. Then ask yourself this question - do I want to be standing or sitting mostly while I work? You need to ask yourself these detailed questions in order to narrow down your search. Use the internet to look up job websites for any openings in your area. You should take advantage of your free college and go at least part time and get an associates degree or bachelors.

And if that job is really 3 hours away, then no, obviously that is much too far for a job that is only part time. By the way, the 3x rent rule must be a new York thing because I've never heard of that being an actual legal rule. People usually say you should make 3x the rent but its only a guideline or advice or "should", its not something that you have to do, at least not where I live. You can also get an apartment with roommates, just make sure you screen them well and they are compatible with your personality.

Ask yourself what you want to be doing in 5 years - is it cosmetology? Really ask yourself and think hard about what it will really be like. Many times the idea of doing something isn't the same as actually doing it. I learned this the hard way when I went to school for phlebotomy - yikes.