I'm trying to figure out if I can move out and pay for an apartment.?

Question

I need someone to help me figure this out. I'm going to college 4 mornings a week right now and I'm working minimum wage ($6.15) at the moment at a Hot Topic but I'm working as a seasonal employee because I thought I was going to be caught up in school more, so I'm switching to full time. My girlfriend and I want to move in together and she's working at a restaurant as well and I have been thinking of all the budgeting to be done.

I was trying to do the numbers myself, but do you think we'd be able to get an apartment of our own? It seemed very likely to me but I think I need the opinion of people who know this stuff better. And yes... we are both young... 18 years old, but we are both the kind of people who are more mature and responsible than everyone we know, we both work hard and we both want to try start a life of our own.

Not trying to be rude but I don't want any negative, you're too young live with your parents for a few more years stuff cuz I've already heard it. = /

Answer 1

the best thing is to have a budget set up and also have at least 4 months of rent payments in the bank, if u dont ur never going to make it trust me i last 8 months out there and had no money for anything else cause i didnt budget right.

Answer 2

We would need more information about your income and what pricing is available for apartments, so I will just tell you this: In a small rural city I was able to move out the day I turned 18, and I had already saved up 500 bucks to get an apartment. The deposit was $175 and the rent was $250 a month. The place was a dump, but it was a home. I was making $6.75 working at a fast food place. I got by relatively comfortably with no roomate or girlfriend (my girlfriend was still 17). You just have to make a budget. Figure out how much you will make, and make sure that if push comes to shove, you can pay the rent by yourself for a month or two just case you and the girlfriend break up. Try not to lock into a really long rental agreement if possible. If you only have a temp job, it isn't recommended that you get an apartment though.

Answer 3

Look for income based housing in your area... if you look hard enough you can usually find decent apartments. That would at least get you started. As a rule of thumb I wouldn't spend more than 30-40% of your income on your rent. Although it doesn't appear that you both will be bringing in that much money. I would look for a different job that pays more, I'm not sure if it is possible but I would try. You two could also consider finding some other people to live with and maybe rent a house it may decrease the bills a bit. Good luck and congratulations on being mature enough to actually think of budgeting your money...its a very rare quality in an 18yr old. Once you do find a place stick with your budget and you'll do fine!

Answer 4

Well, I agree with you, you can live with your girlfriend and have a whole apartment for you self, and a whole night for you 2. But think well, will you manage with money? Do you have enought for now...and the future. Your still studying so don't let this problem take your mind off studying and only focusing on your apartment. I'm young as well, but you need to know something. Your still 18 and what if you stop seeing your girlfriend? Then your left all alone in your apartment and probably want to move back with your family. If you still want to rent it, check stuff out before you do, check prices and how much will it cost you for everything! And don't rent an apartment which is far away from home or school. Think of that too

Answer 5

I did it. I was 18 and my man was 19. We both worked here in CA making 6.75 an hour and went to school as well... 5 years later, we still have our apartment and are doing well. It is a little tough at first because you have to budget your money. I am not sure what rent is where you live but I imagine it is much more affordable here as we pay 775 a month for a one bedroom and that doesn't include utilities. But you have to figure out your other bills, car insurance, gas (for the home and the car), food, phones, internet, electric, extras like cable cell phones. But really you can do anything you put your mind and heart to. I mean we had to pick up a second job at times, or work overtime too but it soo worth it.
Best of luck... you CAN do it!

Answer 6

I alway get a kick out of young people who think they know more than everyone else. You said you have already heard it all, but your not listening. All you hear is BaBaBa when someone is trying go give you good advice. If you were mature you would understand what people are trying to tell you. You really need to think about whats it going to cost. You will have power, water, rent, phone, cable and internet, food and personal supplys, when was the last time you went shopping for a weeks worth of food? Gas, car insurance and maybe a car payment. You will need first and last and deposit for a rental. You will need furniture, towels, bedding ect. You will also need a deposit on the water and power bill because you are a renter. Then you all the things that go with school. And what happens if one of you get sick for a week and fall behind in your bills or one of you loses their job or your car breaks down. Playing house sounds like lots of fun, but it is really a lot of hard work. Think about it and I mean really think about. Good luck on what ever you decide.

Answer 7

You are right budgeting is hard. I think that just because you are asking how to budget proves that you are ready to try living on your own. Living with your parents suck.
Kay so the best thing that I have found to do when you are starting out is the envelope system. You get a ton of envelopes and that is where you separate your money. examples: Food, Gas, Haircuts, Gifts, etc....
Now for bills when you are getting your first apartment, I don't know where you live but in most cases you need a deposit (last months rent), and first months rent. Then you need money for water, electricity, basically whatever utilities are not included in the rent, you will also need money for unexpected things like if your car breaks down. The best book for budgeting I have found is "Rich on Any Income." I hope things work out for you good luck. :)

Answer 8

You seem very mature to me. You are being very responsible in looking at the budgeting before you get in over your head.

Okay. You make $6.15 per hour if you work 40 hours per week that will be $246.00 You probably get paid every 2 weeks so your gross amount would be $492.00. You will then need to subtract your taxes which based on 22% would be $108.24. Are you paying for insurance or anything like that that is an automatic deduction from your pay? If not your take home pay should be $383.76 for a pay periord which will bring you to $767.52 for the month. You didn't let us know what your girlfriend makes. based solely on you income of this amount you need to subtract insurance (car or medical), average rentals in your area, (are utilities included in the rent) if they are not then you need to talk to some people and find out what the average electric, cable, phone and any other utilities are. You then need to subtract groceries. It is very expensive but if you stick to your budget the two of you should be okay. Don't live above your means. If it means you have to rent a studio instead of a 1 bedroom or a 1 bedroom instead of a 2 bedroom to stay in your budget then you will just have to sacarifice the extra room. You have to cut back on eating out and a few other things for the first couple of months until you can get an accurate account of what it is going to cost you every month. I suggest that you also look into rental insurance. It is not expensive and it is well worth it. If the two of you work hard you can make it. Its a big step and you are going to feel over whelmed at times but it will get easier. Just remember to keep the lines of communication open with your girlfriend. There are going to be things that you are not going to like that she does and the vice versa. It will take time to get accustomed to one anothers habits and quirks. I wish the two of you the best of luck. Welcome to the adult world. Oh one more thing. Once you enter the adult world by moving out and moving in with someone. They don't let you go back. You are pretty much stuck then living in the adult world. So make sure that you are ready and that she is ready. I think you are though. I also think that you are going to do just fine. :-)

Answer 9

There's a basic calculator to determine how much rent you can afford.

35% of your income = rent, utility bills, renter's insurance
15% = car, insurance, gas
25% = other living expenses - clothing, food, cell phone, internet, cable, etc.
10% = savings
15% = debt

So, if you're working full time, you can afford rent and bills totalling $344 per month. (That's assuming your car payment, etc. and other expenses fall into the categories above. If you owe a lot of debt or have an expensive car, you'd have less available for rent.)

Don't forget to factor in moving costs and deposits for the apartment and utilities (if you've never had them in your name before.)

Please don't move in together because it will be convenient financially. This is a huge mistake and will no doubt end in trouble.

If you want to move out, share an apartment with a friend or another student.

Answer 10

Well a budget is a personal thing, and depends on what you need, want and style of life. Set up an excel spreadsheet with income vs expenses income you already know expenses would be rent, electric, cable, water, sewer, garbage (if applicable) internet, car, insurance, food (cannot go without) heat (if not included) gas , cleaning expenses, laundry etc. As stated depends on your lifestyle and costs associated with where you live. Sit down together and figure out your needs, wants, etc and go from there. and Good luck to you both and many happy years