[Preechr]

Once you do whatever it takes to get what you want and succeed once, it gets easier to do it the next time... and it gets progressively easier every time you do it. You're young. I'm not all that young anymore, and I've been around the block a few times. I understand what the big picture looks like from your perspective, and I know for a fact that it's impossible for me or anyone else to explain life to you in a way that will wind up being helpful for you.

You just have to do it.

Federally mandated wages just aren't an answer. Life's hard. It was meant to be. Doing it, either well or badly, is it's own reward.

Think of it this way: You're not mentally prepared for money yet. Money is a terribly complex thing, though it's also sublime in it's simplicity. The main thing you need to be doing at this moment is assessing your desires and comparing those to your ability to attain them and the resources available to you to do so. These are all variables. Set up an equation using these variables and then make it work to the best of your ability.

For instance, we're talking here about your payscale. The one you have now is one of those resource thingys. The better one you do not have yet falls into that ability catagory. You say you can't attain your desires in this regard because your location obstructs your ability to increase your resource base. While I could argue with your assessment of the situation, I won't. Let's say you're right. As I said: MOVE.

You counter that your desire to move, which would facilitate the increase in resources needed to achieve your desires, is similarly obstructed by your present resources. How about this: Reallocate either those resources or your desires and you're all set. At your age, I think I'd recommend the former over the later. Save decommissioning your dreams for later in lafe.