neinei

I'm a mother of one girl and can only afford a place that's $1000 or less. In my city, that would be a studio or a room in an apartment or home.

Every time I ask just to see the place, everyone tells me it's for one person only or they're okay with couples or friends sharing a room but no kids. Why doesn't anyone allow kids? I live in California.

In a previous city, we had a one bedroom and shared the one bedroom. I don't see how renting a room in which we share the kitchen and living areas with housemates are any different because we're still sleeping in the same room.

Most of the people renting out these studios and rooms are home owners or housemates renting an apartment and set that rule. Apartment complexes here are way out of my budget or else I would have gone with them. Is it just because people don't like kids? Should I just expect to stay homeless? We currently stay at a shelter every night even though I have money for rent & deposit and am working full-time.

I have a bachelor's in a field that's not in science (although I did take calculus, statistics, English). I know I need to take the basic science classes listed in aamc.org and that these requirements vary from school to school, but how do I get started? Should I start at my local state college?

Also, does the GPA of my non-science bachelor's degree matter as much as my grades in the science classes?

If you have bachelor's degree in something that isn't a science degree, how would you be able to get into medical school? Would you have to get another bachelor's degree but in science? Or would you have to enroll in a 4 year university and take the basic science & math classes? Could you do these basic classes in a city college?

I know they'd have to do really well on the MCAT but the rest of the process in this situation is confusing me.

I have medi-cal through Anthem Blue Cross and live in CA. I am constantly lonely which is causing me to be constantly unhappy. I cry a lot and I don't know why. I would like to seek some counseling but don't know where to start.

Does medi-cal cover counseling for these kind of things? Where can I start or search for a counselor?

1. What carrier do you have?

2. How much do you pay per month?

3. What features does your plan have (minutes, text, data)?

I'm currently on the $35/month plan with Virgin Mobile and get 300 minutes+unlimited text+unlimited data for my smartphone. I love what I am getting for my money, but I'm not liking their customer service and would like to switch carriers (buying a new phone doesn't bother me). Are there any prepaid plans out there that are about the same price for about the same features (minutes, messaging, data) for a smartphone?

We're planning on a trip to China in December (~12/10/13) and will be returning on the weekend on ~1/4/14.

I know if you go on airlines' websites they might have special offers, but do they have them for December? I'm just afraid that if I wait till September or November to see the specials that everything will already be booked. I can't leave in November or the week before because it revolves around my work schedule.

When should we reserve/buy airline tickets? How can I get the best deals?

I got an iPhone 4s from Virgin Mobile USA (at a Target) in the beginning of November 2012.

Over 2 weeks ago, my 3G could not connect to the internet. It keeps saying "Could not activate cellular data network." Ocassionally, beneath that message it also says, "Your are not subscribed to a cellular data plan," which I am because I have the beyond talk plan and I already paid for this month.

I've tried everything to fix it!! Toggling airplane mode, data, location, turning the phone on and off, resetting the network settings, dialing ##UPDATE# (at first it would say service update failed and now it doesn't even say that), resetting the phone, and erasing all content and setting (3 times!!), updating both the software (to ios6) and the carrier settings through iTunes and I still get the same message! I tried to even change the APN settings (but I never found Virgin's APN for the US) so I used Sprint's and nothing too.

I've been talking to Virgin reps over the course of 2 weeks and they still haven't helped! At first they said it was an outage and told me to wait. So I waited, then they told me that they were having an internal system and told me to wait 24-72 hours twice, and I did. Then someone told me my account was in the updated system but didn't know why my 3G still wasn't connecting. They've refreshed and reset my settings and profile on their end and still nothing. I've been on the phone for over 2 hours being asked to do the things I've already done 2983098439042 times and all they do is transfer me between reps, techs, and iCare techs. Not to mention, they even tried convincing me there was an outage a day ago even though my husband's Virgin Mobile iphone 4s worked flawlessly!! As well as my brother's android on Virgin.

I eventually took my phone to an Apple store yesterday and the guy said that the only weird thing is that my phone is not unlocked (it says "false" so it must be locked?) which is obvious because Virgin locks their phones onto their network. My husband's iphone 4s says the same and his is fine. They said there was nothing else wrong with and that they could give me a replacement unlocked Sprint (even though it's not really unlocked like a GSM carrier) but they can't guarantee me that it will even activate on Virgin's network and they're afriad I'll be left with a brick. They also said my phone has no microsim and that sprint's and verizon's iphones have them even though they're a cmda network. Too bad Virgin doesn't even have the sim card.

I don't know what to do now!! I can't return the phone to Target since it's past 30 days and i lost the receipt. I don't even know if anyone would buy this phone like this (as I can't spend another $500 on a new phone).

Anyone having the same issue? Anyone got it fixed? Can someone help? I know this is long but I'm so frustrated. I have to pay my next bill next week and I don't want to if it's going to continue to be like this. That'll close my account but I'll still have no phone. Please don't suggest to go on a contract. I know their phones are cheaper on contract but their plans are generally more expensive and I don't want to be tied down for 2 years.

I can only call and text (no imessage).

I really, really want to travel. I have SO many places I want to experience. I have a 5 year old daughter that I would also love to bring along... although school is going to be something I have to figure out.

My workplace has accrued paid time off so I probably will never have enough for international travel (it gets capped off so it doesn't roll over forever). Also, I've only been working for about 4 months and this is my first job out of college (office assistant). I want to start travelling this summer (in another 4 months).

Should I quit my job to travel? They may require me to quit if they don't approve of a month or more of travel.

Should I try to get a TESOL diploma instead and live in a different country every year?

I don't have a home but I do have $420 in student loans every month. No car payments, credit card or other debt either.

I went abraod for a year in high school and LOVED it. I didn't go during college due to financial and family obligations and I regret it terribly. I get so sad imagining my 20s go by without travel.

Should I risk my job and stability for adventure? PLEASE HELP!! I'm torn!

I REALLY want to travel around the world and experience other countries.

I'd like to go once a year for a month, but how can I do this with work? My current job said they may only give me a maximum of 2 weeks, which we don't think is enough time considering the cost of airline tickets, lodging, etc.

I was even considering quitting my $12/hr job, travelling, getting some minimum wage job when I return, save and go back. My husband's employer is the same race as him and it's very common and understandable for them to go back to their home country for 3 months at a time, so taking 1 month off wouldn't be a problem.

We have a 5 year old, so I'd like to stick with a 1 month vacation rather than working in another country for a year or more.

Has anyone else been in the same situation? What should I do?

I noticed that my monthly car insurance bill increased by about $40. When I called my insurance company to ask why my premium went up (since there were no accidents, changes in cars or policy/discount changes), the rep told me that it was because of the "state." I knew he meant government and he said it's been happening all across the country but the increases are highest in California, New York, New Jersey and Florida. I live in California.

Has anyone else experienced this? Can someone explain to me in specifics what the government may have done that lead to the increase?

I have the white iPhone 4s with Virgin Mobile USA and it can't connect to the internet even though 3G is displayed on top. It keeps saying "Could not activate cellular data network." I've contacted customer service about 8-10 times in the past week to fix this and all they do is say email this person, and I do but they either never respond to my email or stop responding. Text messages and calls are still working.

I've tried the following:

-Soft reset

-Hard reset

-Turning it on and off

-Airplane mode

-Toggling the cellular data

-Turning wifi, location, bluetooth, data off and turning airplance mode on, turning off the phone and back on, and returning to normal settings

-calling ##873283#

-Resetting the network settings

-Resetting all settings

-I am current on my payments so that's not the issue

It's still not working! I'm going to call them on my lunch hour today but is there anything I can do in the meantime to get the internet working again (in case they issue a "ticket" to have it "looked into")?

I don't have wifi and my work computer does not have iTunes.

I was wondering how a credit score is determined when you first use your first credit card with no prior credit history.

Does your score start from zero and builds up to 800 or do you start at 800 and it gets lower when you borrow (use the credit card) and goes up when you pay it off?

I just don't understand how the initial score after you borrow money is determined.

I read Fall of Giants by Ken Follett and absolutely LOVED it! I've requested the second book in the series at the library but until then I need new books to read. I tried to read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett but it wasn't interesting so I stopped.

I've enjoyed most of the Sarah Dessen books too.

Things I don't like: fantasy, sci-fi, and gore (so no vampires, magic, etc.)

I'm thinking of getting a Nora Roberts book or Stephen Kings.... What are your suggestions for good books to read? What book were you unable to put down?

I'm 22 by the way.

I have two questions, both regarding the digestive system.

The first is: when do we get hungry (as in stomach rumbling hungry)? Is it when our stomach is empty or when food has completely gone through the digestive system?

The second question has to do with fat storage. Say you eat a chocolate bar and you don't eat again until your stomach is rumbling. When the chocolate bar is being digested, does the body use the fat in the chocolate bar immediately for energy? Or does it store it as fat and use it later when needed?

So when your stomach rumbles again, has your body completely digested the chocolate bar and used it's fat contents or has it stored its fat contents and digested the rest?

So I understand that when your brakes start squeeking or squealing that they need to be replaced. If they're screeching (like metal on metal) than it's now damaging the rotors.

I have a 2002 Hyundai Elantra and every morning when I start driving my car, it screeches (like metal on metal) for the first 2-3 times I push the on the brakes. After that, it doesn't make any noise at all. No squeaks or screeches; just like as if they had no problems. Does this mean I need to replace my brakes even if they sound like metal on metal for the first 2-3 times?

I will have them checked out just in case, but I'd like to know why they're like this and have some idea of what's going on beforehand. Thanks!

So I have several questions on fashion, or at least, I need some advice...

I've been losing weight (lost a little over 30 lbs), and am still losing weight, and now want to venture into wearing clothes that are a lot more stylish... I was very limited in what I could wear before because I was so huge.

I have a very curvy figure.... my butt is the widest part of my body and my chest comes in second, with a small waist. So, my first question is, do you think it would be okay to start wearing skinny jeans (I'm a size 14 now)?? My concern is that it'll only make my butt bigger but I can't seem to decide for myself...

Here are some other questions that kind of trail off from that:

If I should stick with bootcut jeans and pants, how do I wear boots? I think it's ugly to wear them under the pant leg....

Is it ugly to wear leggings with flats? I have a pair of leggings that aren't cut at the angles (so they wrap all around my feet). I was thinking of wearing them with a dress and flats for work but don't know if i'd look silly.

Do you know of any products that can keep my hair tangle and frizz free that I can get at a local drugstore? My hair is super frizzy and has a lot of fly aways that just don't seem to tame.

Last question, do you think it's a good idea to learn how to use a sewing machine? Since the weight loss, I was thinking of tailoring my slacks for work instead of repeatedly buying new ones. I've also thought that this would allow me to buy clothes from the thrift store and redo them for cheap. Is a sewing machine easy to learn and use?

My husband's green card expired and he was allowed to renew within only 3 months prior to the expiration date, and he did renew it. He is currently in the process of renewing his green card and has received a letter from USCIS that allows him to work for an additional year from his green card's expiration date while the "removing of temporary residence" (it was a 2 year green card) is being processed. His driver's license has expired and he still has a valid passport to use as a picture ID. Can he renew his driver's license? Btw, we reside in CA.

We've been to two DMV offices and got different answers. The first person said his passport is no good because it's expired, but it obviously is not. The second person didn't give him a reason why, she just said we can't. A third person said he needs to renew his green card. A fourth person on the phone said he only needs his passport and letter that states his status is extended for that one year.

If this helps, he does have an unrestricted social security number; the same as mine and I'm a US citizen.

What does he need to renew his driver's license? By law, should he be able to with the letter and a valid photo ID?

How does the work schedule work for people during residency? Do they have a set schedule? Are they supposed to show up at a certain and keep working until they're told they can go home?

Also, can doctors pick their own schedule? Or at least negotiate with wherever they choose to work (private or public)?

I ask because I am planning to go to medical school but I already have a daughter (4 years old) and am married to a husband who work 10-11 hrs/day, 6 days a week (he's a cook). I will be away during medical school and I plan to leave my daughter with my parents and husband so I can have as much time needed to study. However, I would like some time to spend with my family during residency and afterwards. I don't mind working 80 hours a week, but can I pick a schedule that can give me time with my family? I'd like to help her do her homework, go to see her sing during Christmas, etc. I don't want to be absent from her entire life. I would love to be able to start early (like at 5am) and go up till 4-6pm. I'm an early bird so this doesn't bother me.

I want to go to medical school but I got my BA in another discipline (not related to science). I have completed the required math courses, and am assuming the core writing classes would cover the English requirement, but I need to take the general science classes (bio, chem, ochem, etc). I was planning to take these classes at my local city college because it's cheaper than to go back another 4 years for a BA in a science field.

From your experience or of those you know, is it possible to use my current BA, take the science courses in my local community college, take the MCAT (and if all grades/scores are well) that I get into a medical school? I understand that community involvement or working makes the application more appealing, but I'd like to just know that the basics are taken care of.