from TV to silverware (thanks to my parents). I have a steady job working with kids. I am making $800 a month, and The apartment only costs me $400 since I am splitting the cost with my room mate. Thats with electrical and water. But I am still a nervous reck and feel I am not ready. Is this just me getting the jittters or what?
2006-09-13 06:15:02 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Any major life change will make you nervous! It's a huge step to leave your parents home and start out on your own. Congratulations! You'll be fine. Just a word of advice from someone who's been there & done that--get your room mate to sign a contract that states they will pay exactly 1/2 of the cost of the rent, light & water as well as heating! With out something in writing you may be setting yourself up to have a major headache as well as a few really big bills. Do the same with the telephone and television bills as well as any other things you decide you need once you are moved in. It also helps to have a clear set of rules about things like who's doing the cleaning & when, when each of you can have guests over & how much notice you have to give the other person, as well as how the grocery bill will be divided--are you each providing your own food totally or are you going to split it 50/50?
Good luck!
2006-09-13 06:29:29 · answer #1 · answered by tkltafoya 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So, half of what you make in a month is towards rent...you won't have anything left, because there is food, gas, personal items, movies, going out, bills (ahem) the gas in the winter time...etc. A rule of thumb you should really take seriously is that you should only spend about 25% of your monthly income on rent. You will be house poor, that's what my dads calls that when someone has just enough money to pay for their rent. And I'm guessing by your wording of "only $400" is that you live somewhere where it isn't cheap to live. All I can say, is that you will be spending all of your money on rent and you will be more jittery than you are now after realizing that you don't have any money to do the things you used to do when you lived with your parents.
2006-09-13 13:39:56 · answer #2 · answered by Goodbye 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have a tough time, sorry to say, have you thought of other personal expenses like traveling to work, clothing, food, eating out occasionally, insurance, cable TV, Internet service, wanting to spend some money for yourself and savings so someday you can move up. I take it this $800 is after taxes or you are REALLY in trouble don't do it...!!! And what happens if your roomate decides to move out, loses her/his job, or doesn't pay when they are supposed to? Or you have to wait a few months to get a new roomate..what will tide you over? Don't put a phone in your name that someone else will use and make sure you have some savings in case YOU lose your job. I would certainly prepare better for this $800 is nothing today if you have any expenses. Think About it...
2006-09-13 13:35:44 · answer #3 · answered by calming 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have everything under control. You will be just fine. When I first moved out, I cried the first night because I got a bit home sick. It will take a little time to get used to but trust me, you will love it! The only thing I can think of that would make me a bit nervous is the room mate. If you completely trust this person, then stop worrying, everything will be fine. Have fun! But if you have any doubts at all, then I would rethink the whole moving in together. Good luck!
2006-09-13 13:26:17 · answer #4 · answered by mageta8 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you need to try to find out just what it is you are nervous about. Moving out on your own is a big step, but a necessary one we all have to go through sooner or later. Sounds like you have all the basics covered, so is it wondering about your roommate? Only time will tell. If you REALLY feel there's something not right here, talk it over with someone who's opinion you respect and try to find out what the problem is. It's absolutely normal to be frightened of the unknown. Perhaps considering the new freedoms you will have, and the opportunities to grow. It is often easy to mistake high excitement with high anxiety.
Good luck, Have fun with this new chapter of your life.
2006-09-13 13:29:21 · answer #5 · answered by The Oldest Man In The World 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, just the jitters. You will love all the freedom you have once you move. I bought a house last year, moved from my parents place to my own house, never had an apartment before. I was crying the day before I had to move because I was scared, I loved my room, was nervous. After I moved, it was the best thing ever. Don't worry, you will love it!!!! If you hate it, you can move back home!!
2006-09-13 13:24:15 · answer #6 · answered by hello 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
try not to worry... we all struggle when we first move away from our parents house. The anxiety will be there until you get settled into your new place and get used to making payments and handling your finances. Its a big re-adjustment, but it sounds like you have thought things thru by getting a roomate to help you out. Hang in there,, those jitters will go away!! Good luck w/ your new place!
2006-09-13 13:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
babe its just jitters, ok so you will be paying 200 dollars a month in rent hell ya!! thats great not to mention making 800 a month, thats good... just dont worry about it... just remember this, credit cards are good and bad... just remember that... and also dont have too many bills because you wont be able to pay them all... hope this helps
2006-09-13 13:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by Leah 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
as a rule of thumb, your rent/mortgage should only be about 25% or less of your monthly gross, not your net income!
2006-09-13 13:33:45 · answer #9 · answered by City slicker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋