Naive Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 I have decided to get my own apartment but here is the problem..... I go to school and work part-time so I do not make a lot of money. The apartment is $825 which is ok but I also have a car payment and a high insurance note since I am 21 So I did my accounting and it turns out I would only stay with about 150 bucks to my name to do whatever I want with. Is that enough or should I not go for it? Do you guys think that it's enough to survive without feeling like I'm in the poor house? I am sorry if this was a long post I'm kidding!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
EC Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Ok $825 plus car payment.... Did you include water, light, cable? Also when you first move in you have to waste loads on groceries, bathroom stuff, kitchen stuff. I mean I thought I was going to be so straight and then I moved out and realized I had to furnish everything from scratch. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 10, 2005 Author Share Posted March 10, 2005 Yeah I counted all the groceries plus electric and gas bill and all the great stuff but I do not know if 150-200 bucks will be enough. I am used to spending without having a limit and I know this will be a BIG change!!! The furniture thankfully will be supplied by my sister!!! Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 150....that is cutting it very close! what happens when your car breaks down? are you ok with NOT going out to eat, movies, anything that requires money? can you live with out hair cuts, new clothes....? any major gifts coming up that you need to purchase? and then there are all those house hold things that you need, but do not even know you need till you do not have one..... like a can opener! Link to post Share on other sites
EC Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Yeah I had calculated all that but only estimates for water, light, gas, cable, phone, alarm. Then all of a sudden the bills started coming in with the actual numbers and I was like ahhhhhhhhhhh! lol then I had to buy paint, pots pans, mustard, toilet paper, little things you don't even think of. lol I am in the same boat as you..After everything is paid off I have only 150 left. But I have to buy my own lunch at work so it usually goes to that or for when I want to go on weekends. But then I hate when something comes up and I never have enough money. Like doctor visists, my contacts, buying a dress to go to a wedding. Dumb things. Its hard and if it wasn't because i have a great boss, I would be really broke. lol I mean if you think you can manage with 150-200 then yeah do it but your reckless spending will definitely come to an end. lol I haven't bought myself a lipstick or a shirt in months. Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Can you find a cheaper place? even rent a room or share a house? i have done the later, and it is kinda nice, cause you are not alone.....which is why it can suck too. Link to post Share on other sites
tanbark813 Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 I personally spend about $70 a week on food, so that's $280 / mo for food just right there (and by "food" I mean what I spend at the grocery store so that also includes cleaning items, cat food/litter, toilet paper, etc). IMHO, I think you should total rent, car payment, insurance, gas money, utilities, food money (estimate at least $50 / week for yourself), then $100 "incidental money" (money used for whatever random bills or emergencies come up). Then take that total and add about $200 that you can just blow on going out, buying clothes, whatever. That's the minimum you should be making if you want to live on your own. Living on your own always costs more than you initially think, and if you move out and are spread too thin to enjoy life, you'll end up hating life and then what's the point in moving out to begin with? Just my two pennies... Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 what about roomies or getting a room in a house? I used to rent rooms in my house (I have a 3 bedroom with a fireplace and a pool all to myself rent free, hahaha) - I would charge like $300-350 including everything (internet, cable, utilities, and like 5 meals a week) and I had so many people wanting to live here with all my dogs and me it was cray zeh. ANd cheap, for the people who wanted to live here! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 10, 2005 Author Share Posted March 10, 2005 The good thing about this place is that there is no lease. I know what you guys mean and that's what has me in doubt but i AM TIRED OF GOING FROM AUNT'S HOUSE TO AUNT'S HOUSE AND KEEPING MY CLOTHES IN MY CAR. It's pretty sad and I can definitely cannot count on my dad since he decided to be a punk again!!!! This way I can have my own place with my rules. Plus as some as you know I am agorophobic and in this place I feel safe, there is no price to that. I think sometimes in life you have to struggle to have a good life, right? EC is it worth it? Link to post Share on other sites
EC Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Naive all I have to say is when I hand over that rent payment..all those 100 hundred dollar bills....It hurts but damn it feels good. I am paying for my freedom. And I stay broke but its a good broke feeling. Theres nothing like getting home, dropping your stuff, taking a hot long bubblebath (with no interruptions)..and then vegging on the sofa eating icecream or cereal all night long. Whatever channel you want however loud you want it. lol I used to go from aunts to aunts house too!!!! And all my clothes was always wrinkled in duffle bags. I couldn't take it anymore. My advice is save a good amount of money before moving out to fall back on and for just in case purposes. Research every detail before making any final desicions. You will be broke for a while until you get in the hang of things.And then have an apartment warming party so everyone can bring you stuff lol ! Link to post Share on other sites
LittleMiss Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Living on your own is hard. Trust me! I make barely enough to cover all my bills. If I stayed with $100 extra every paycheck I would be lucky. Unfortunately that's not the case. Remember that bills fluctuate, especially the light bill during the summer. I've already grown accustomed to my lifestyle. I'm used to going without new clothes and luxury stuff. It does feel good though to go to my house and do whatever I want and whenever I want. I love my freedom, and I am definitely paying for it. Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 is there any possible way that you could but a condo? it is practically the same as renting, except you own the place, and instead of rent, it is a mortgage. There are many types of loan programs, and affordable housing programs. can you tell i used to sell real estate? I CAUTION you on moving in anywhere without a lease! it sounds very great and "no-strings-attached", but you can get taken advantage of very easily with out the terms pratically spelled out. ( i do landlord-tenant complaints now!) Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 10, 2005 Author Share Posted March 10, 2005 Originally posted by laRubiaBonita I CAUTION you on moving in anywhere without a lease! it sounds very great and "no-strings-attached", but you can get taken advantage of very easily with out the terms pratically spelled out. ( i do landlord-tenant complaints now!) How is that? Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 Oh they can up the rent without giving you notice. They can charge a 'damage deposit' and not give it to you back by making fake excuses about you doing damage. They can toss you out because a family member wants to move in. Read up on your landlord-tenant laws and then make sure your landlord follows them to the letter, including giving you a lease. Oh, and don't forget tenant's insurance in all your costs. I would not try to coast on only $150/mo after expenses. I agree with the others - try to find a place where you can rent out part to other folks. Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 typically it is security deposit issues. do a move in and move out inspection, noting any Pre-existing deficiencies, both you and land-lord sign and date it. and the same when you move out. put in writing the monthly rent, and what it includes.i.e...electric, gas, water, etc.... have when the rent is due, where you pay it to, how much notice you need to give to move out. also have what YOU as the tenant, are responsible for, and what the landlord is responsible for (property maintinance wise). Stuff like that. Put everything in writing!!! any repairs requests, always follow up with a letter as confirmation and for your records. Link to post Share on other sites
Rosewilt Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 Do you have a place in your parentshouse??????? A lease is to PROTECT THE TENANT. Dont go somewhere that can take advantage of you. You said you were agorophobic- what's that? Living by yourself is EXPENSIVE. I was just telling ppeople in another forum just how expensive life in NYC is. i am sure wherever you are that things are still money...150 bucks goes in one day. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Originally posted by Rosewilt Do you have a place in your parentshouse??????? Unfortunately I don't. I have no idea what is in my father's head but he has totally gave me his back. My mom passed away some time ago. You said you were agorophobic- what's that? I am scared of being by myself and I constantly get panic attacks if I am by myself. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 I did not get apartment do to my bad credit I have to admit, I am bummed out. I really need to find a place but I can't seem to be able to. I found this other place but they also want to do a credit check so I have a feeling it's just going to be another let down Link to post Share on other sites
EC Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 You have bad credit or young credit??? Can anyone Co-sign for you? Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 What about finding a room for rent/living with friends/having a roommate? THen you can explain your sh*tty credit... Also if you rent from a private owner, they are usually more lax about credit checks. Like, my friend's mom owns 3-4 houses in the area and rents them out, and she never does credit checks. She even offered me a studio apartment/house thingy she has that hasn't had a tenant in 2 years. There are a lot of options besides those cheesy apartment complexes. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Originally posted by blind_otter What about finding a room for rent/living with friends/having a roommate? THen you can explain your sh*tty credit... Also if you rent from a private owner, they are usually more lax about credit checks. Like, my friend's mom owns 3-4 houses in the area and rents them out, and she never does credit checks. She even offered me a studio apartment/house thingy she has that hasn't had a tenant in 2 years. There are a lot of options besides those cheesy apartment complexes. Yeah, I've been trying to find a place that is owned by a private owner but it seems that now a days everyone does credit checks and stuff, it really sucks!!! My credit is just messed up!!!!! I've had it since I was 18 and I just ruined it Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Spock Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 All you need to move into your own place is a shower curtain and toilet paper. Unless you want to live in a flophouse, you're screwed in terms of apartments. See if you can get into low income housing, where they just take a percentage of your income. Or part of a house. Like a basement suite. An illegal one-they are less likely to mess with you because you can report them to the IRS for undeclared income. Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Originally posted by Mr Spock All you need to move into your own place is a shower curtain and toilet paper. When I first moved out I had a futon and a dresser. Nothing else. Actually I had a futon MATTRESS and a dresser. I slept on the floor and had no other furniture in the apartment and I sub-leased it from the girls who had lived there because I, too, have horrible credit.... so I was sending this chick a check every month because it was in her name on her credit but she wanted to move home for the summer. For a while I moved like a gypsy from place to place every few months, and at one time when I was doing drugs all the time I lived out of my car. People can definately live in crazy circumstances. You don't know how little you need until you really force yourself. I was basically kicked out with no one to help me, so I HAD to do these things to survive. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 HI GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what!!!!!! I got the apartment!!!!! I am so happy!!!!! I got it! I got it! The lady told me that my credit was not as bad as I thought so that's great!!!!!! Finally my own place The first thing I thought was, "I have to post this on LS" Yes I know I am a LS freak Link to post Share on other sites
Barby Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 COngradulations! Is this the original apartment you mentioned?!?! I'm sooooooooooooooo HAPPY for ya! WOOOO HOOO for naive!! Link to post Share on other sites
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