On my own. Help wanted.

A

aric s

New member
So, things aren't working out with my family, and in order to ensure that she doesn't find me again, I'm renting my own place. I also found a job (praise heaven) that pays 9 an hour and is close to the school I go to. (yes it's part-time) To go with that, I found a basement that I can rent for 250 a month and comes with electricity, water, a bathroom, and cable television. (yes I know the person who lives there... well) So I was wondering if anybody could help me out with the details. But here's what I have worked out so far...

6:00 wake up and get ready for school (pack a lunch and a snack)

2:10 get out of school and go to work

4:30 leave work and get home

4:45 have fun

8:00 do homework

11:00 go to bed

So that's two hours of work every day of the week, and that would get me about 700 a month. Here're the bills

700 subtract 10% for taxes (I'm a kid so it's less)
630 subtract heating (50)
580 subtract food (150)
430 subtract needed items (230)
200 subtract for financial pillow (100)
100 subtract for having fun (100)

In addition to this, I already have 3000 dollars saved up. 1500 of which is going into my brother's medical bill when I beat him with a bat before I leave. Is there anything else that I forgot?
 
Sounds to me like you'll be having trouble in no time flat. I'd try to work more than two hours a day. Living paycheck to paycheck is hard, especially since you won't have medical insurance, dental, or anything else in case anything should happen to you. You don't have a car, so you'll be walking everywhere. I dunno. It doesn't sound like the best idea to me.
 
I managed to get myself into financial trouble by not budgeting properly. I worked out my money in the same way as you. I made sure I had enough money but none left over.

Mags is right, so many things happen in life that you can
 
Dude moving out is a big thing you will realzie how much money you really need, my payments are worse than yours, i have a jeep, computer, internet, phone, insuance, invesments, all bills, and i make 2200 a month, myself im moving home, but than again im saving up for school....watch urself you will truley reazlize why you need money, and you friends kinda take of your house, my friends coem to my house whenever, even if im fuckin my girlfriend, so watch youself and of course good luck.
 
2 hours a day is fine through the week, I think you could add just a few more hours on the weekend to ensure the extra money though. I'd never say add too much, since you're still in school, so again, just a couple more hours on Saturday and Sunday, if possible.

Oh, and 1500 is a pretty cheap medical bill. My younger cousin broke his thumb while here last summer and the combined bills from the ER, doctor, services provided (consisting of a poorly wrapped cast), and x-rays equalled close to $1000. That was just one thumb. Thought I'd share that. ;)
 
First thing, forget beating the brother with a bat before you leave. The satisfaction might make you feel better, but only till you get the bill. Save all the money you can.

As for your schedule, you didn't include time for cleaning up and things like laundry and fixing meals, etc. Things you will be doing for yourself now.

Don't count on having fun on a daily basis. That just isn't how the real world works. Unless you are talking about just sitting around bullshiting or being on the computer, etc. Try shooting for quality fun time not quantity. And enjoy the small moments of joy that just happen every day.

My last recommendation is to always be broke. If your friends ask for some money, be broke. Never let them know how much money you have on you or in the bank. They will take advantage. Since you will be living with someone else, think of a place to hide your wallet every night before you go to sleep. A place that someone would wake you up to get to it. Better safe than sorry.

Good Luck!
 
The people who's basement I'm living in said that, so long as I keep up with working, they'll help me with any financial troubles such as a broken nose or a twisted ankle. Oh, and I work very close to where I go to school and sleep. So walking's no problem (but I have a bike with studded tires anyway)



Read how I budgeted again. Notice how I put 300 into things that I may need. This includes things like a bike repair, or a hospital payment... things like that. Also, I put 100 into savings, and anything that I would have left over from my "things needed" list. Then there's my "have fun" money, which can be cut into if necessary.
 
He can go fuck himself. For all the shit he put me through, 1500 is so fucking generous that I nearly ripped open my skull after I left the money.

But thanks for the reassurance that I gave him a royal fucking over. :tongue:

BTW: I still have my Dad to turn to if push comes to bull charge.
 
First, already done, I haven't received a bill and I stole the computer I PAYED FOR from the house.
Second, I never really did have too much fun any day of the week when I was living with my mother and step-father. So, not much change there.
Third That's good advice (always appear broke to your friends so they don't mooch)
Fourth I understand that I need to hide my wallet. But thanks for the reminder.
Fifth Luck? FUCK luck, it's never been on my side and I don't fucking need it. (well maybe a lil') But I won't admit it if it does decide to come my way.
 
This may be a heavy load to drop on you now, but you'll need to face this eventually: your future. Your career and your life. I'm not saying universities are the only way to obtain it, but you really need a skill, some training, experience or accomplishment under your belt if you wish suceed in our vicious dog-eat-dog existance (unless you have the good fortune of having a close family member who owns a rich company). My advice to you: focus as much time and energy into your education as you can. If you do well enough in high school... especially in the last two years and kickass on the various college entrance/placement exams, you may get scholarship money which will make college life a million times better. Some people say high school is the best time of your life... I suspect they never went to college. Going to college is where it's at. There are kickass parties and many other great experiences to be enjoyed. It's also one the most important things you can do for yourself, careerwise. This is something down the line in few years, not now, not yet. But I'm saying it to motivate you do what you have to do now: do well in school.
Addendum:: I forgot about paperwork. Paperwork (forms and applications) is the lesbian sister of mandatory meetings. It's tedious, long and painfull, but it is something you must become proficient at. College applications, financial aid application, exam registration... etc, etc, ad naseum... are the sentries of resources crucial to your quests. Don't procrastinate!
 
Back
Top