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Martian · 12-26-2006, 08:12 AM

Personally, I'd say just don't. Not yet, anyway. As intolerable as your parents may be (and granted I didn't read the other thread referenced here; a link would be a good idea for those of us that missed it) they're still willing to put a roof over your head and food in your belly. As a man who is facing the prospect of supporting myself through school, I sorely wish I had the option.

A year and a half really isn't all that long. You've got your entire life to stress over food and bills and getting the laundry done. For now, I say just enjoy not having to worry about all that shit and think of your parents being sometimes hard to swallow as the price you pay.

...But having said that, I will make some suggestions, if you're hell-bent on moving out. You'd do well to sit down and figure out everything you're going to have to spend. If you're not sure what something's going to cost, estimate higher rather than lower. Factor in all of the expenses that you'll need and then you'll know how much living on your own is going to cost. Once you know that, you'll have a better idea of what it's going to take to make that kind of bread. You'll definitely have to have some sort of job. You won't be seeing very much of your girlfriend for the next year and a half (or anyone else, for that matter) and you're not going to have much down-time. But it is doable.

As a sample, here is a rough budget of mine.

Martian's expenses:

Food - $150 /month (based on spending about $120 every three weeks or so)
Internet - $50/month
Rent - $375/month (an unbelievably low number - don't expect rent this good unless you've got some serious connections or, like me, are very lucky)
Gym Membership - $50/month
Hydro - $50/month
Phone - $60/month (my cell phone, which is my only line at the moment; a landline may be cheaper, but not by as much as you'd think)
Insurance - $210/month
Misc expenses - $200/month (cigarettes, gas, eating out, junk food, etc)

Total - $1145/month

That's about what I expect to pay on a monthly basis to maintain my current standard of living which, if I'm going to be frank about it, isn't really all that hot. Next to that, I set my income. I make $9/hour and have the luxury in my line of work of flexible hours; I can work as few as 30 or as many as 60 hours per week. In an average week, I put in about 40-45, which means my income is about $1200 after taxes. That means I tend to break even for the most part; some months I come in a bit under budget, others I'm a bit over.

You can cut your expenses to under a thousand if you get a roommate and do without a car; you'll be able to split the utilities by half and food will be cheaper (the more people you buy for, the less you end up spending per person). If you can do without internet at home and just use it on campus instead, that'll reduce your budget even more. You may be able to get by on $600-$700 per month, although that'll be tight living.

12-26-2006, 08:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Personally, I'd say just don't. Not yet, anyway. As intolerable as your parents may be (and granted I didn't read the other thread referenced here; a link would be a good idea for those of us that missed it) they're still willing to put a roof over your head and food in your belly. As a man who is facing the prospect of supporting myself through school, I sorely wish I had the option. A year and a half really isn't all that long. You've got your entire life to stress over food and bills and getting the laundry done. For now, I say just enjoy not having to worry about all that shit and think of your parents being sometimes hard to swallow as the price you pay. ...But having said that, I will make some suggestions, if you're hell-bent on moving out. You'd do well to sit down and figure out everything you're going to have to spend. If you're not sure what something's going to cost, estimate higher rather than lower. Factor in all of the expenses that you'll need and then you'll know how much living on your own is going to cost. Once you know that, you'll have a better idea of what it's going to take to make that kind of bread. You'll definitely have to have some sort of job. You won't be seeing very much of your girlfriend for the next year and a half (or anyone else, for that matter) and you're not going to have much down-time. But it is doable. As a sample, here is a rough budget of mine. Martian's expenses: Food - $150 /month (based on spending about $120 every three weeks or so) Internet - $50/month Rent - $375/month (an unbelievably low number - don't expect rent this good unless you've got some serious connections or, like me, are very lucky) Gym Membership - $50/month Hydro - $50/month Phone - $60/month (my cell phone, which is my only line at the moment; a landline may be cheaper, but not by as much as you'd think) Insurance - $210/month Misc expenses - $200/month (cigarettes, gas, eating out, junk food, etc) Total - $1145/month That's about what I expect to pay on a monthly basis to maintain my current standard of living which, if I'm going to be frank about it, isn't really all that hot. Next to that, I set my income. I make $9/hour and have the luxury in my line of work of flexible hours; I can work as few as 30 or as many as 60 hours per week. In an average week, I put in about 40-45, which means my income is about $1200 after taxes. That means I tend to break even for the most part; some months I come in a bit under budget, others I'm a bit over. You can cut your expenses to under a thousand if you get a roommate and do without a car; you'll be able to split the utilities by half and food will be cheaper (the more people you buy for, the less you end up spending per person). If you can do without internet at home and just use it on campus instead, that'll reduce your budget even more. You may be able to get by on $600-$700 per month, although that'll be tight living. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame