Living alone for the first time.?

Question

Alright, in January '07 I will be going to college, and I will live alone for the first time.
Vancouver, BC is the place, and I had a few questions in mind.
What's the easiest and cheapest way to eat, what can I get to cook, or should I get some instant microwave food.
All that kinds of tips will be appreciated, where to work, where to live how to save money, what should I avoid to spend my money in, etc etc.

Thanks a lot. Best suggestions get 10 points and 5 stars of course.

Answer 1

Wow. Lotsa issues for you to work out. You need to start by answering some basic questions for yourself:

-- How much money will you have to live on?
-- What inescapable expenses will you have? (E.g., rent, tuition, books, insurance?)

When you know what your "disposable" income will be, then look for things where you have control. Take transportation: Any public transportation is cheaper than keeping a car. Riding a bike or walking are cheapest of all. So it's worth spending a little bit more on rent to live close to work and school, for instance.

As for jobs, your choices are going to be dictated by your school schedule and your skills. All things being equal, consider fringe benefits like paid vacation days, sick leave, free or discounted goods and services. If you can get a job with the school where you are studying, that's usually a great deal. It saves you commuting costs and time, and may get you a break on tuition.

As far as feeding yourself, first consider any special nutritional needs you may have (allergies, etc.), then learn how to cook the basics. It takes no great skill to boil spaghetti or scramble an egg. A microwave is a great tool for making things like ramen noodles (one of those cheap basics you can eat every day, with variations). Fresh veggies and fruit are quite inexpensive, compared to anything prepared, carry-out or frozen. Same with meats, although if you are really pinched, you will need to explore all the meat alternatives -- beans and rice, for instance, have tons of protein. There's always tofu, if you can stomach it (I can't). Work in a little indulgence here and there -- some real butter, homemade brownies, an occasional bottle of wine, whathave you -- to keep you happy. You don't want to feel like a prisoner. But, man, watch out for beer. College students the world over go broke and fry their brains on "cheap" beer.

Spend a little time in the cookbook section of the local library and find a good, basic guide, like "Cooking for Dummies," or any one of a ton of cheap-eats books. Make sure you pick a book that is understandable and appealing to you; if you're confused, you won't use it.

Watch out for sodas, chips, snacks, etc. Ounce for ounce, they are very expensive and do your body no good.

Otherwise, you need to think about things like entertainment. Can you live without movies, DVDs, video games, new CDs? If not, put yourself on a fun budget, and explore what you can find for free at the library, and for cheap at used-goods stores.

Also, study the local newpapers, weeklies and entertainment guides. There are always tons of cool, free or low-cost things to do in a great city like Vancouver. You can have massive amounts of fun and meet fabulous people by seeking out the cheapo fun. (Beware of cults; they give away a lot of free food.)

If you have a clothes jones or gadget habit, again, you'll need to put yourself on a strict budget. It's impulse spending that will land you in big trouble. Find out where all the thrift stores in town are, and go there first when you need something. Never buy anything on store credit.

If you can get by without one, do not get a credit card. If you must have one, do NOT use it except for EXTREME emergencies.

Living alone can be disconcerting for someone who has grown up with people around all the time. But it's also a great adventure. It forces you to learn a lot about yourself, and it forces you to go out and make friends. Just don't do anything incredibly dumb, and you will have such a great time during these years that you won't miss money at all.

Answer 2

I don't know your area but I can tell you to keep your parents informed when mid terms and finals are so they can send you "care packages". Those are usually filled with cookies and other goodies from home.

Also although junk food like microwave pizza may be quick, its not healthy for you! Make sure to keep some fruits on hand and microwave popcorn, both are fast and better for you. If you don't know how to cook, you should try your hand at a few simple recipes while you are still at home - learn how to at least cook your favorite meals.
Make sure you bring a can opener, microwave dishes and at least one frying pan and one sauce pan. Even if you don't cook much, you will be glad you have them when you do get a chance or desire to.
Other things easy to fix include soup, mac and cheese and hot dogs.
If you like sandwiches keep some lunch meat and bread handy. And always have a jar of peanut butter in your home - if all else fails peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter and crackers or peanut butter straight out of the jar, all will fill you up.

Places to live- if you don't want to live on campus check out apartments and effiencies near the campus. Something within walking distance would be really good at saving on gas prices and parking fees.

Buy your books when possible used. If the bookstore doesn't carry a used book in the subject you need call around to local used book stores, they may have it. If its not the same edition as the one thats on the course requirements list, check with the professor if he will allow you to use the older version. (sometimes they don't have a problem at all with it).

Well thats all I have, good luck to you, I hope you find college and the whole experience to be memorable and positive!

Answer 3

I love spegettios and sandwiches all that stuff. Lunch meat is always a good choice. Hamburger helper has lots of different stuff and tuna helper you can always put that in the fridge and it wont be like your eating the same thing everyday. Cereal is great too. If you like Ice Tea thats a cheap way to go on beverages and those crystal light packages so you arent blowing your money on pop. Buying bags of those frozen chicken patties and things like that you put in the freezer last foreverrrr.... get a george foreman. Working really depends on you. Maybe you can sign with a temp service at first. That normally ensures you that you will be working full time hours if thats what you need or you can request part time. You can take temp to hire jobs so you can make sure you like it before you have to worry about hating it, switching jobs, and missing your rent. Saving money is hard. You kinda have to find your own thing to help you do that. I am just now getting good at it lol. But if you spend the extra money on cable it really will encourage you not to spend extra money going out and doing stuff. When you get a job set up direct deposit and get a debit card. You can tell your bank that you want like say... $100 dollars out of each check to go into savings. That way you dont have to hit up the atm for cash and take out more then you need. Good luck to you!!!

Answer 4

Learn to cook basic things like chicken, rice, vegetables, etc. Cook large meals that freeze well so when you're in a rush you can just defrost a portion to eat. It's the same as having microwave meals, but better for you and cheaper. Walk or bike places if you can. If you don't have a roommate, definitely splurge on a good stereo. You'd be surprised how quiet an apartment can get when you're by yourself. Also, you can drown out your noisy neighbors, which I can almost guarantee you'll have.

Answer 5

Well, first of all, congratulations!!

Vancouver is fabulous. If you can, live in the dorms for at least your first year... and use the university's eating plan as well.

For your room, I'd recommend a small cube refrigerator and microwave. Buy good snacks... like popcorn and diet soda. God knows, you'll definitely be gaining a few lbs your first year with pizza and pizza and... uh, pizza everynight.

As far as spending money goes, I always asked myself this question:

1. What do you really, really want and can't live without?
I'd think about it for a few days and if I dreamt about it, it meant that I DID really want it. So-- I bought it. It helped cut down on a lot a spur of the moment purchases.

Have fun. Relax. Work hard. And make good friends. Oh,... and of course, Enjoy!!

Answer 6

First off, don't buy microwave food. It's too expensive and not very nutrituous. Eat out, if you can, only 2 to 3 times a week, just to get out. Buy foods that will last (pasta - though not very nutrituous either). Tea was my best beverage because it was so cheap (moreso than soda)
Hang out on campus. Computer labs and common areas are great ways to meet people.
Buy a bike. Live close to campus because those parking spaces are costly and it was always hard to find a space and then you're late for class. You're in Vancouver, so you'll have to rough it walking (ouch!)
Get a laptop....be mobile! That's how you meet people so you're not stuck in a dorm or apartment like I was :(

Answer 7

I live in Richmond BC, just south of Vancouver and I suggest looking for accommodation in the Marpole area as there are some older walk-ups there that are fairly reasonably priced. Marpole is just North of the Oak st Bridge bordered by Marine Dr, Granville st, Oak st and say 57th ave. Also there are a fair few basement suites in Richmond and they are all above ground as there are no actual below ground basements (it's a misnomer I know). Cooking is up to you, but it is a lot cheaper to buy food and cook for yourself and you can save a lot of money that way. I have a lot more to say so why not message me through Yahoo answers.... Good Luck....Hope this helps.

Answer 8

If you will be living alone, then you evidently are not planning on living in a dorm. TV dinners are much better than they used to be. Watch for specials at grocery store. Will you have access
to a freezer? Take turns cooking & sharing with friends (we all get tired of our own cooking). Try not to eat out a lot (even junk/fast food can get expensive. But do splurge and get yourself a good restaurant meal occassionally. Don't let it become a drudge. Invest in a good cookbook for cooking for one or two. I am not familiar with BC so can not suggest places to
live or work. Do watch for distance in cummute between college, home & work. Best of luck on your new adventures!

Answer 9

Good Luck on your adventure, I decided to live with my parents for college, havent started though. It seemed the cheapest option for the time being. I would recomend planning out your drive, try to cut down on the miles you drive. This will save you money. Find the closest grocery store, shop there. Try to find a place as close to your college as you can, this will cut down on gas. You could get microwave things to eat, I love the easy mac, but it isnt practical. You could make meals ahead of time, and refrigerate them, and eat them for a week. Try to find a job that will be leniant on work hours. Dont do minimum wadge, it sucks. Just try to be as efficent as possible, with electricity, food, gas, and anything else you can think of. All of that will help you in the future.
I hope this helps from one high school grad to another.

Answer 10

Okay, first avoid Doodads (things like jewelry you don't need, an expensive car, fancy boat, etc.) for a while. Eat sensibly - fruits, vegetables and lean meat, drink water (cheaper than other forms of drink). Those suggestions alone should save you some substantial money- which you can invest into a business venture or real estate.