Help me go over my budget for an apartment? Anyone? Is $250 enough for food and whatever??

Question

I am thinking of moving out out of my moms house and I am working out my budget.. so far this is what I have...

I get about 1200-1300 a month, but 1200 is the absolute lowest I ever make.

Rent - 629 (Includes all utilities but water)
Water - 15 ( Flat Rate )
Car Insurance - 100
Gas - ~80-90/Month (might be less since I am moving closer to work)
Cell Phone - 70

That leaves me with $306 - I am considering getting High Speed Internet and Digital Cable, but that would only leave me with about 210. Is 210 enough for food and stuff (Tp, Toothpase, Deoderant, ect) or should I skip the interet and cable? I can live with dial up if I have too, I used to have it before, and its like what $10 a month? I might just fork out the $30 a month for internet instead, that way I can download TV shows and put them on DVD's?

What do you guys think? 306 a month enough for food and stuff?

Answer 1

When you first move out you should only worry about what you really need. After a couple months you'll be able to tell if you can afford some luxury items(such as high speed internet)

Answer 2

not if you eat they way I eat, lol. and will you eat out ever? Want to ever see a movie? Want to buy any new clothes on occasion?...My best advice is, however expensive you think things will be, they'll be worse. :) Good job creating a budget, that's better than most people do in their first move out...but also consider life's emergencies...car could break down, might need to buy some cold medicine, or pay a medical copay, might have to buy someone a birthday present (or mother's day present, don't forget mom when you move out...

Soooooo...what I would say is cut back to the bare bare bare minimum...go with dial up, skip the cable live like a miser for awhile...save up on those months when you get a little extra...set that aside and when you can pay up front for the high speed or the cable without it touching your regular budget, reward yourself...hey maybe if you go without the tv you'll find the joy of books and real conversations with friends...but if not, tv will still be there when the money lines up.... Good luck...

Answer 3

Depends on where you live. Honestly though... I don't think its nearly enough. Stuff comes up all the time. I make nearly three times your posted earnings monthly and I am pretty good with money and I still go over my budget. I have a car, 1000k rent per month, insurance, etc. I don't have luxuries though. Just plan carefully. They have calculators online to help you. There is much we don't see that comes up. If it came to food on the table I'd skip comforts you don't have to have like internet, etc. At least until you save up. Start slow and build it up. Trust me... been through this. The problem is everything looks great on paper until you test it out for real. Also, what about Electric? Don't you pay that? Cell phone $70!!! You must be young if still at home... what could you possibly need to pay $70/mth for a cell phone for. Priorities man... learn em now otherwise you going to be in for a real shock. Just being honest man.

Answer 4

I feel that $306.00 dollars can definitely get you by with food and personal items if you shop smart. One way is catch your retail store when their having large sales and specials. Use coupons this will double your savings. You could even save on your electric and gas if you practice cutting back. Avoid leaving lights and other utilities on when your not using them. Control your heat by not leaving it running all day long only use it when you really need it . You can save a little more by being smart. Try and shop at cheaper stores like Aldi's, family dollar, Deals alot of them stores have groceries and they only charge $1.00, $2.00 for their foods and you get alot more food that way. Another thing you could do is every time you get paid put a little money to the side for emergency. Or Take some of the money from your $306.00 and put it away for when you really need it. Do this every pay period and your extra money will double if you do not spend when not necessary. Open a checking or savings account alot of banks will let you open up a A $25.00 bank account. I hope that I have helped you and it wouldn't take much to learn how to save and use wisely. I know since its only going to be you. You can do it . Good luck. mrshllnthny

Answer 5

I moved out on my own at 22 after doing the miltary and job hopping for about a year. Living on 350 dollars a month sucks and is hard so if you want to make it find a better job or wait till you have enough cash reseves to survive.

Answer 6

Don't give up the high speed internet, then we wouldn't get to answer great question such as this one. Just eat off the dollar menu at McDonalds or wWendys for a week for 2

Answer 7

THE WAY I SURVIVED ON SIMILAR MONEY IS I BOUGHT A SMALL 19FOOT TRAILER AND THE PARK WHERE I AM CHARGES 325. PER MONTH. AND THIS IS CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. THE TRAILER SPACE HAS A SHED FOR STORAGE AND 325 INCLUDES EVERYTHING EXCEPT ELECTRIC WHICH IS QUITE REASONABLE AND PROPANE WHICH IS REASONABLE. THERE ARE STILL CHEAPER SETUPS BUT I LIKE TO BE CLOSE TO EVERYTHING.THE TRAILER SPACE WHERE I AM WOULD TAKE A LARGER TRAILER BUT IM SINGLE AND THE 20 FOOTER IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR NOW. MY TOTAL PAYMENT IS ABOUT 365 PER MONTH OR LESS. ANY WAY THATS MY TALE. THERE ARE USED ( GOOD CONDITION UNITS AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON OCCASION BY OWNER ) IN YOUR SITUATION IT WILL BE TIGHT AND REMEMBER THERE IS ALWAYS A "SNAKE IN THE GRASS" REGARDING AN UNEXPECTED BILL.

Answer 8

Broadband in England is than dial-up.I think you would just about have enough. If you Make your food at home it will be cheaper.Ask friends and family for second hand furniture. Curtains etc. Ask a friend to share with you ,but choose carefully.

Answer 9

My bf and I shop at Costco and spend $200 a month on food for the 2 of us. It's more then enough for us. Just don't eat out and use your money visely and you should have more then enough and not have to sacrifice the internet.

Answer 10

Over the years I've had plenty and not even close to enough.
Just do it.
"Living alone is almost like being rich", Sue Grafton
Once your there in YOUR place you'll do what it takes to make it happen.

Good luck