How do people get by on their own?

[heatspreader]

It's time for me to move out on my own. I cannot stand it here anymore. But the problem is when I add up all the bills, after that it doesn't seem like I would have very much left over for food. I know millions of people are living out on their own just moving out of their parent's house, and their salaries couldn't that much better than mine. Maybe it's my lack of experience or i'm just not adding things up right. I just feel like I couldn't make it.

[lana111]

Ive been trying to get out for sometime and Ive thought the same thing. The only thing I can tell you that people tell me is that you find the money somehow and make it work.

 

Ive done calculations for myself and If I moved out Id have about $50 to myself for the month thatd Id probably want to put into my savings anyway. Just super.

[heatspreader]

The only thing I can tell you that people tell me is that you find the money somehow and make it work.

 

They make it sound like money grows on trees

[Mythical_Suicide]

Make a strict budget and live by it. That is how most people survive. Things are usually tight especially at first as you are learning to adjust but budget, budget, budget. That's really all I can tell you.

[High5girl]

Number one rule....don't live above your means or move into a place you can't afford. It will only put you deeper into debt.

 

If possible save money b4 moving out. It sucks moving out and not having a dime to your name to even buy toothpaste.

 

Sometimes moving in with a roommate is one way to help cut back on the bills. Talk up front about what is going to be paid or who pays what.

 

The best advice I can give is to start saving money now while you are still at home. Start buying things for "your new place"

Yeah, the one you don't have yet.

what I did was bought items when they were on sale. Soap, dryer sheets, dishes, towels...you get where I am going with this.

That way, when I moved into my new place, I didn't have to run out to buy these things b/c I already had them.

While buying these items upfront, browse thru places to live. Some apartments offer specials on rent or a security deposit.

But again, don't move out if you have a chance to stay home and put alittle money aside.

[george237]

If you don't make a ton of money you find a cheaper place to live, prob solved.

[High5girl]

If you don't make a ton of money you find a cheaper place to live, prob solved.

 

Either that, find a better job or go back to school to further your education so that you can make better money.

Some places offer free heat or electric.

If you are in a hurry to move out, can't wait and don't have the funds, don't expect your first place to be something in Beverly Hills.

I'm on my own with a child. Barely making above min wage. I'm doing it on my own, but have to cut alot of corners.

As I said earlier or above, best bet is to save a bit of money. Enough to pay a few months rent. Have odds and ends purchased b4 moving.

 

if you go with a roommate, make sure this person is someone you can tolerate and trust.

[ErikT]

Ive been trying to get out for sometime and Ive thought the same thing. The only thing I can tell you that people tell me is that you find the money somehow and make it work.

 

Ive done calculations for myself and If I moved out Id have about $50 to myself for the month thatd Id probably want to put into my savings anyway. Just super.

 

Cut expenses or increase income....

 

Can you get a 2nd job so you have more $$$ coming in each month?

 

Also, take a look at your bills and see what you can cut out. It is all about making sacrafices. If you want to be on your own, are you willing to give up cable TV? Or internet access (Free wi-fi at a lot of places? Or cell phone (or less minutes per month? or going out?)

 

In the beginning it is going to be tough. I lived on Mac and Cheese (with just butter because I couldn't afford the milk) for a few months. You can eat a box a day on $50/month!

 

The longer you stay where you are at and save money, the better off you will be. However, do think that just because you have some $$ in savings, that it is going to be easy. Easier - Yes. Easy - No.

 

Some people do find a way to make it work. Others (most?) find a way to go further and further into debt.

 

Live within your means. Stick to your budget. Don't borrow $$ or use credit cards for day to day expenses.

[catfeeder]

Some people opt to start out with just a room in a boarding house, others team up with roommates--which can bring its own set of problems. Some parents want their kids out badly enough to help subsidize on a declining scale; for instance, 50% first month, 40% the next, 30% the next and so on. Some pay their kids' first month, last month plus security.

 

All of this can put in perspective how good we've had it while living with the folks, and it can help you to humor them their silly quirks or lousy rules while saving up the money to move.

 

Biggest thing to avoid--the credit card trap. Sure, it's almost considered a right of passage, but lots of people never get out from underneath the unholy debt--but to the observer, we don't always know how much debt people who appear to live 'the good life' actually shoulder.

 

I didn't liberate myself from roommates until my late 20s. Up until then, best advice I can give would be to live with more than one--it depersonalizes things and keeps some pressure out of your cooker if someone is a control freak or if someone moves out.

 

Lastly, if you can swing 2 jobs or lots of OT, your new goal is a real motivator to stockpile some savings and give up some stuff you might believe you can't live without.

 

In your corner.

[alli]

It depends on where you live. I used to rent an apartment & had 2 roommates because the rent was like $800/month. Meanwhile, in some smaller towns around here you can rent a house for half that cost.

 

Get a couple roommates & you will only be paying 30% of the rent, bills & utilities. That makes things much more financially capable.

 

If money doesn't grow on trees why do banks have branches? haha. I stole that from somewhere, maybe someone here.

[Daligal83]

I would also check out the cost of studio apartments. Some of them can be really cheap. And like another poster said, see if you can find a place that includes utilities in the rent. That makes it a lot easier to afford everything and not get behind in bills.

[heatspreader]

Thanks everyone for your help

[shes2smart]

How I Lived Alone On A Notoriously Meager Radio Salary:

 

For 5 years I lived in an efficiency apartment. One room 12'x20'.

 

I drove an old (and paid off) car and was a stickler about regular maintenance (if you keep up with regular maintenance you can avoid big, unexpected repair bills and often times catch problems early)

 

No dining out...not even fast food.

 

Bean Burritos are your friends -- can of refried beans, tortillas, onion, cheese = dinner for a week for about 5-6 bucks.

 

The library is your friend -- books, DVDs, CDs -- all free!

 

I got real good at finding things to do for cheap or for free

 

I sewed most of my own clothing instead of buying ready-to-wear...gave me something to do and got me fairly cheap clothing. My sewing machine was a gift.

 

If I saw anything I "had to" have, I waited 24-48 hours before buying. A lot of times, by the time that time I had passed, I'd forgotten what I thought I "had to" have.

 

Finally, something I did that, in hindsight, was key to future security. I treated saving money like paying a bill...wrote a check and sent it the financial institution that held my savings account and told myself it was another bill that HAD TO be paid...and I kept my savings account at a bank that was not convenient to get to and did not have an ATM card to access it. If I wanted to take money out of that account I had to go to some effort -- and that gave me time to really think about what I was doing. Often it was enough to deter me and leave the savings untouched except for real emergencies.

 

I think most people go through a period of living with roommates first, though. I moved from my parents house to an apartment with my college bf & his roommate, to an apartment with just me & my bf and then I lived alone when we broke up. (I was 27 at the time)

[Mythical_Suicide]

 

Finally, something I did that, in hindsight, was key to future security. I treated saving money like paying a bill...wrote a check and sent it the financial institution that held my savings account and told myself it was another bill that HAD TO be paid...and I kept my savings account at a bank that was not convenient to get to and did not have an ATM card to access it. If I wanted to take money out of that account I had to go to some effort -- and that gave me time to really think about what I was doing. Often it was enough to deter me and leave the savings untouched except for real emergencies.

 

That is a really good idea I must say. I never would have thought of doing something like that.

[laisla]

these are really good tips.

 

i do not live on my own, but i used to work at a second hand shop (value village). one thing i can tell you is that you may be able to find some really nice items for your place if you look around, are patient, and have an imagination. i would see cheap desks, bookcases, cds, books, kitchen items, etc. all the time. some were in good condition, others were a bit of fixer-uppers. but the greatest part of it is that they were CHEAP! now some people are willing to buy used clothing-some aren't. however if you do look around this kind of store, sometimes they sell completely new items, with the tags still in them. we once had a tonne of NEW victoria's secret stuff. i couldn't believe it.

 

also the dollar store offers some really good things. don't buy things at wal-mart before you check this place out. it has a lot of kitchen items you will need for very cheap.

 

good luck.

[lost1607307474]

I'm 20 years old and a full-time student and I live away from home. After paying bills and buying food I have nothing left over. Each week when I get my small paycheck it alllll disappears and goes towards bills, car expenses, food, and uni fees. It's HARD! Some weeks I don't even get enough food because I don't have enough money. Mooch of your parents as long as you can, and save up money.

[CaptainPlanet]

Yes it is getting a lot more difficult.

 

People can afford it because they either:

 

1) land a good job.

 

2) have an older boyfriend or someone who supports them.

 

3) hustle or sell sex in some way; working for tips, admin at a sexist company ect.

 

4) their parents help them out.

 

5) they are poor while living out.

 

I'd say there are a certain number of males with none of the above who constitute a corner of the population pie. They can be largely ignored. However you are certainly not the only one.

 

Males or unattractive women really do have it a lot harder in the world. Hence they move out of home latter. Nothing to feel bad about so long as you keep your eyes on your goals.

[lost1607307474]

Males or unattractive women really do have it a lot harder in the world. Hence they move out of home latter. Nothing to feel bad about so long as you keep your eyes on your goals.

 

So attractive females have it easy? Ha! "Males and unattractive women really do have it a lot harder in the world." This is quite ridiculous. I think I am attractive and I am a female... I don't have it easy - what the hell!

[shes2smart]

That is a really good idea I must say. I never would have thought of doing something like that.

 

It only works if you're really lazy and driving accross town to raid your savings account is too much effort.

[CaptainPlanet]

So attractive females have it easy? Ha! "Males and unattractive women really do have it a lot harder in the world." This is quite ridiculous. I think I am attractive and I am a female... I don't have it easy - what the hell!

 

When you are looking for part time University friendly hours in Australian they certainly do. I didn't say easy, I said easier.

 

In America it is different in terms of how the wages work. Studies have shown young women earning more than young men, for fewer hours worked. You are trying to apply a general concept. Instead have a look at the facts. Which I won't go over because I am too lazy right now.

 

I'm not saying that women generally have it easier. Just that in the USA, early in life, they certainly do. As early life can impact latter life it does impact ones ability to leave home. While I understand it is not PC to say what I did say. I think it is a little known or accepted fact. Most men won't speak about it as they fear being labeled gay or woman haters or having a gender identity disorder. I have no such fear. Like wise I have no such fear in saying that women have a much easier time working through University.

 

After that it does enter a bit of a Grey area. Which means I am really not sure. You can call my ideas ridiculous all you want. I am the type of person who searches for answers. I don't simply accept what I am told should be the right answer. That everyone is equal. I know we're not. I might be wrong but at least I am giving it a shot.

 

I believe University age - working through University - in that regard moving out for the first time women do have it a lot easier. As mentioned on the list described above there are other reasons why women move out earlier.

 

Hence why I believe a man should not feel bad, among other reasons for living at home until latter in life. If he decides that is what he wants to do.

[Anthropic]

I saved money on furniture in my first place. Went with the old sleeping bag bed, cinder block table and milk crate chairs. Sweetest apartment I ever lived in.

[thejigsup]

I have three jobs.

[heatspreader]

I have three jobs.

 

I would like to get a second job but around here i'm lucky to have my first one.

[shikashika]

Well I think if you are moving out of the parents house, the best thing to do is to get a roomate.

 

I've gone back to roomates situations even after living alone for a while because I wanted to save money.

 

I guess in some places, it really is getting harder and harder to get jobs.. all depends on where you live. I see on here that some people can get a one bedroom for as cheap as $800 per month?? ha! That would be nice, where i'm from you pay $700 to share!

 

And, is living with your family that bad? If you are going to be living to te last penny each month, is it really worth it?

 

For me, going into debt is the last thing I want, so i would get 4 jobs if i had to. Easeir said than done, but otherwise you just have to live within your means... like getting rid of a car, or a cell phone.

 

have you sat down and looked at the money you bring home each month and what expenses you have?

[heatspreader]

And, is living with your family that bad? If you are going to be living to te last penny each month, is it really worth it?

 

Well, it could be a lot worse, but you would have to understand the house I live in. Their is practically no privacy due to the way it is built, and I can hear everything that goes on at night and i'm a very light sleeper. I'd rather be poor and maybe be able to sleep than have money and live here.