Living alone.. how do you afford it?
#74162 - 05/28/04 10:27 AM
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Hey Guys,
I've decided that I'm gonna just look on the bright side of everything.. and I would like to try living alone. But how the hell do you people afford it?!? I'm going to be moving to boston in a few months, which is a VERY expensive city. Rent is outrageous etc.
I am just wondering if anyone here on the boards lives alone, and how they afford cable, phone, internet etc. What is best for someone on their own? Right now I have wireless internet that is very fast.. but I live with four people.. I'm just wondering economical tips for those of us venturing out on their own!
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Hey Spicey,
I've been living alone for nearly 4 years now. I'm 25. I can be rough. DOn't eat out, it's a rip. Bulk buy when things are on mega sales, like TP, canned stuff, cleaners ect.. I make my own sauces and soups; cookies and bread, don't waste your money on that kind of thing. Buy a bread machine! COUPONS COUPONS COUPONS! Living w/ IBS makes things a little cheaper is some aspects because we don't buy junk crackers and pastries, and cookies and red meat!! Red meat is expensive! I don't know what your rent is, but get a good job. You don't want to get stuck paying rent with a low paying job. Consider going back to school first, it's sooo hard to go back, but sooooo worth it in the long run! GOood Luck! Let me know how you're doing!
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Life responds when we risk.
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Hi.. well I will be in graduate school at the same time.. which makes me even more worse of than others, because I won't be able to work all the time..
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When you decide to live alone it's tough going at times, but I think it is well worth it because you learn how to live without a few luxuries that you may be used to now. For instance, when I first lived on my own when I went away to college in Denver, I had a black and white TV (that sat on the floor...no entertainment center) and no cable....2 channels. I had a twin bed, and one of those fold out foam chairs (the kind that folds out into a little bed thingy)....from K-mart I think. Not much else for appartment furnishings. Pretty slim pickens. No money for much entertainment, like movies, concerts, etc. So I worked, rode my bike everywhere or walked or took public transportation when I could afford it or caught a ride with friends. I remember even "rationing" bread slices til my next paycheck because I was too proud to ask for money from my parents. They would have been glad to help me out, but I wanted to do it on my own. That taught me a lot....how to make things stretch, and last, how to budget, etc., etc. I made it and now 14 years later, I have a good paying job, a nice house, a great husband and a nice vehicle and a comfortable life. It's hard starting out, but you will learn a lot. Good luck.
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I love posts like yours. It says it can be done, if you want to, bad enuf. For the young people today the the Key word is DOWNSIZE, and minimalize...............and LOVE doing it!!! If you DO it ON PURPOSE it seems to have so much more meaning in today's world............years ago we "just did it", and didn't look at it as a hardship because it was just part of getting to our goal.
I worked my way thru college, sometimes holding down 3 part time jobs and taking a full load at school. No handouts...It was tough, but I wouldn't have changed it for the world.
Kandee
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Nugget, that's how I did it too. Wrote down every single penny I spent. Set up a budget and meticulously compared what I spent to what I budgeted. The only tough things were the unexpected major expenses like car problems or a new winter coat.
Spicey, I'm not sure there's an easier way. Kind of like with dieting -- the only way I've found that really works is counting calories. But living alone is FABULOUS and was worth every penny I couldn't spend!!!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I wouldn't change how I accomplished things either....it makes us appreciate it more when we have to work our butts off for it.....I didn't get things done as soon in life as some of my friends, but I'm a happy person.
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Well, I Disagree
#74218 - 05/28/04 11:38 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Sorry, guys, but I disagree.
When I was Ashley's age and left home, I got my own apartment in Falls Church (remember, KK?). I hated it. For one thing, it was terribly lonely. Oh, sure, I had the pool to mingle with the other tenants, but who would I share my dinner with? Watch TV with? I hated it.
When I moved to California, I got 3 roommates. WHAT A BLAST! We all shared everything -- all the expenses -- and we had rules, one of which was that we had to cook for a full week, a 3-course meal, different each night. THAT'S how I learned to cook. Then the other 3 weeks it was the others' turns to cook.
We had a great time. And it didn't cost us a fortune. We had a darling 2-bedroom ground floor apartment, right off the pool. It was real close to the Stanford campus. Lots of neat guys there.
Boston is a beautiful city -- some GREAT rowing there! My favorite rowing coach teaches at B.U. I could well imagine moving in with 3 others and sharing all my experiences with them.
Ashley, I think this is not a good time for you to be alone. I'd take on a few roomies if I were you -- and I'd party like mad. You're only young once.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Well, yeah, there's that too!! Can't argue with you, Bev. (Actually I don't dare!!) 
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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