What were some of the things that kind of blindsided you as far as costs? I want to get out of my house and i think i might be able to handle it, but i know that there are things that i might not be able to think of while sitting in the room my parents have provided since i was a little one. I've already bought my own car, computer, and a few peices of furniture that are around my room, but i really don't want to have to come back to them with my tail between my legs. Any advice for someone going out on their own?
Well look into Renters insurance.. That way if something happens your covered I ay 100 bucks a year for 20,000 of contents covereage.. When I moved out I though I had everything Furniture lots of little things... But look around think of everything you use everyday and once a week and once a month.. All those little things you will need and take for granted... I am still spending 50 bucks a week on getting things i need and have been out for 4 months.. And there is no end in site of the things I need....
pretty much everything. i had a little over $1200 saved up, and thats all pretty much gone all ready. find a roomate, itll make everything much easier.
What really got me was spices food and be a little expensive at first, because you have to buy bigger things but they last, Ex a 10 lb bag of rice, which lasts but cost a little more at first but pays off, just try to be creative and mix things up, so you dont go nuts from eating the same thing everday, like ive made my own BBQ sauce out of moxie, whiskey, and a few other secret spices, it basicly tastest like spicey caramel some items i have found indespensable, A rice cooker i got for 20 at kmart, its freaking great!, basicly you can use it like a stew pot, which is good because i dont have a stove, also a hot plate and a pan to cook or things if you dont have a stove, other wise your golden
food surprised me a little bit. I like the cheapo grocery stores like Aldi's and Save-A-Lot. I didn't think about things like towels, curtains, blankets, rugs, ect. But if you get those things a little at a time you should be good.
First, get a somewhat secure job so you can rely on having a certian income in order to budget. Second, find a place with lower rent/payments than average or what many people will suggest based on your income. Most everywhere I've lived I've payed much less rent than my peers even though I have had pretty decent apartments. You'll thank yourself when you see what $ you save compared to your peers paying higher rent. Of course roomates are a good idea although, after living in a fraternity in college I prefer to live alone except for the occaisional temporary roomate. Third, don't be too eager to buy appliences/furniture, until you get settled in and realize what you really would like to have. You can actually survive on very little of that stuff. This may sound petty, but weather proofing windows and doors can actually save a lot of heating and cooling costs. Especially since many lower priced apartments tend to suffer from poorly sealing windows and doors. Many places (everywhere I've ever lived) don't charge for cold water use either. If you are going to live in an apartment building ask yourself whether you prefer a warmer or cooler environment. Basement apartments tend to be cooler in warm weather but are cooler in cold weather and the flip side for top floor apartments. Also, personally, although I was independently living as a graduate student for 5 years making about $12,000/year. It was easily doable but there were occaisions for example when my car died and the bill would be like $1,000 that my parents kindly offered to help me out, which I was always greatful for. Hope my advice helps out more than just serving as random babblings
