JamesH

Alright, its time for me to move out. I make a minimum of $1200 per month, yet I have made as much as $1500 in a month. I work as a waiter, so tips fluctuate and therefore the amount that I make fluctuates. This isn't counting online income.

Anyways, I want to move into an apartment somewhere near Louisiana State University. It looks like I'll need to spend ~$400 for rent. Insurance on my car will be paid by my parents as long as I'm in school. Tuition is paid for by a scholarship, however I need to cover roughly $1100 in books and fees per semester.

Based on this information, do you think I'm financially ready to GTFO? I know gas, utilities, food, and the other random shit that pops up needs to be calculated as well, so check over my numbers:

• Near school, drive a '95 Civic, I'm physically fit (ride my bike to school?) so maybe $75/month for gas
• Utilities meaning electicity and interwebs. Phone should already be included, but I have a cell phone for that. I'm sure my parents will keep paying the little amount they do on the family plan for me. So electricity and water, $100 maybe? I have no idea...
• Food; I weigh 120 lbs however I really enjoy eating. I'm not saying this because its a cool thing to say, I really like going out to eat, and enjoying good food. I'll obviously have to cut down on that, but is $300 a month a good amount for groceries and the occasional dine out?
• Whatevers left will go into the Buy James Beer fund and then savings.

So that adds up to $875 a month, including rent. So I earn ~$14,400 a year, minus 875 * 12 = $10,500. So $14,400 - $10,500 = $3,900 which is enough for books and fees every semester. But not enough for beer and shit.

Do my numbers look about right? I hope not, because the outlook doesn't look good. But look at it this way, I'm assuming I'll make $50 a night average on 6 shifts at work. I can easily make over $100 on Friday and Saturday, especially when the busy season gets here. So if I knew I had to pay bills and I needed the money, I bet I could make $1500-$1750. That would make life a little bit more comfortable.

Thoughts?

+rep to people who give a shit about rep.

-Matt-

You're cutting it close. What if you get in a car accident, drop your laptop, spill water on your phone, etc.?

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jelf

Ya, I don't know about you but I think I would recalculate the numbers and make sure you include all the small things.

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amanda11

Fuck I can't sleep.

Anyways, I suggest you try it ... worst comes to worst, you move back home.

So fucking try it, don't over think.

johnmatrix

get a VOIP phone... a hell of a lot cheaper than a mobile

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pocketrockets

Have you considered living in the dorms the first year instead of off campus? Not sure what the costs are today but when I lived on campus it was quite reasonable and it included all utilities, food, tv/cable and I didn't need a car.

Living in the dorms was probably some of the best times for me as I met a ton of great people and I still am friends with many of them today. Your going to be more isolated residing away from school and find it more difficult to network and meet new people the first year.

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JamesH

@ Matt, good points. Even though I take pride in the way I take care of my possessions, you just never know what could happen.

@ jelf, most of these numbers are just approximations on the high side. I'm not sure if my numbers are correct.

@ amanda, tbh thats some pretty shitty advice.

@ john, I'd need the mobility of a cell phone, so VOIP wouldn't work.

@ pocketrockets, I tried to get a dorm for first semester but I was to late. I'm probably going to get one second semester however I'm also considering the option of getting an apartment (aka this post). At first I didn't like the idea of a dorm, however I'm really warming up to the idea.

-Matt-

Actually, I think Amanda had a good point. Talk to your parents and have an agreement that if you just can't stay on top of your bills that you can always move back into their place.

Things don't always work out the way you plan for them to, so its good to have a backup plan.

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MyOwnDemon

Moving away from home is always a scary thing. I mean, you grew up there - you've become comfortable there. It's security to you and you've grown used to it, but I think you're overthinking it a bit.

Moving out of your parent's house for the first time should be an adventure. You'll make mistakes, but so what? We all do.

When I was 18 (hahah, wow 10 years ago) I moved out of my parents house with absolutely no plan at all, a crappy job, and little money. Haven't been back since. You'll make it work. Sure, there will be obstacles and unforseen expenses along the way, but just take it as it comes and roll with the punches.

You've got to spread your wings and fly eventually. Time to be independant. Just be a man and go for it.

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erect

That's the best advice you've gotten.

No kids, no spouse, no tuition ... what's the hold up? If you fail, at least it's just you & you're young. Stop sucking mommy's nipples (though I'll attest they are tasty) and make this stand for yourself.

More good advice ... stop waiting tables at ihop. If you aren't skilled enough to get a job waiting at a better place then go deliver pizzas. I used to pull your monthly salary working 1 night a week at a kick ass little cajun seafood restaurant in Memphis (The Half Shell if you're ever in town). When picking remember fine dining != good money ... pick a hole in the wall joint that's been around a long time and dinners average $15/plate. Ooh yea, and the later they are open the better (restaurant alcoholics rock).

Also, pick yourself up a roomate or 3 and start splitting internet, telephone & utilities.

JamesH

The way amanda's advice sounded to me was to just throw myself out there and see what happens. Whether it works out or not, thats a thousand dollars down the drain. I'm all for the 'just fuck it' attitude however I feel this situation needs to be taken seriously.

I will look and more importantly feel like a failure if I have to move back in with my parents. That is something I just won't be able to get over. Because of that, I'm hesitant to move out.

subigo

That's way more than enough. I spend less than $500 a month.

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-Matt-

That was a good post, but tbh while I was reading it I was expecting you to start promoting an ebook or something.

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JamesH

Well sorry to contradict your first paragraph, but I don't work at iHop. I work at a cajun seafood restaurant (ironic eh?). Average price per person is roughly $20. Tonight I saw 3 mother fucking tables, but managed to get $55 (Around 19% average gratuity, not bad). It's just the slow season. Once the summer is over business should start picking back up.

And there is no way in hell I'd be able to afford to move out and live by myself

MyOwnDemon

Sorry to disappoint.

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-Matt-

Yeah, now I'll have to go look somewhere else to buy my next ebook.

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MyOwnDemon

Warrior Forum, Go 2 miles and then make a left. You can't miss it.

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PRandContent

Me! I give a shit about rep especially since I'm new around here

Anyhoo...you forgot furniture, small appliances and groceries. You're attending school so you at least need a comfortable nook to study...have a table, chair, good lamp. What about aircon or fan? Bed? Your groceries? Soap? Blanket? Etc etc etc

Don't move out just because you think it's "probably going to work." Personally, I'd rather stay put, save up, help my parents a bit. I'd rather stay put and have money than move out, realize that I wasn't ready, and then go move back in with the folks.

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erect

That's your problem. You'll never make enough waiting on 2-3 tables per night. I'm going to assume you only have a 2 table section throughout the rush.

I feel your pain & I've been there but there is 1 thing I can tell you for certain ... if your restaurant is good and established there is no such thing as a "slow season". Perhaps some are better than others but you should never have to deal with 3 tables per night. As I said, find a hole in the wall in a good part of town.

Also $20/plate sounds to much like fine dining to me (although the ceiling is much higher than that). If 1-3 things on the menu are higher than $20, that's ok but it should not be the average.

In order for a restaurant to have stable repeat business their prices need to be fairly modest (don't mistake that for cheap). In the ideal restaurant to wait tables, one should be able to head in for a burger and 3 bourbons for ~$20. A family of 4 should be able to get off for ~$60.

Yes I know there are big ballers at this forum that are going to say those prices are too cheap but I'm not worried about them ... neither should you. If your restaurant is considered a luxury place, people won't show up 3 times per week and continue feeding you cash over and over and over ...

If you can't find a place like I am suggesting, go deliver pizzas. You've got the perfect car for it and can roll around all night brainstorming about your internet empire. $100/night after tips, commission & paychecks

-Matt-

Uh, all I saw there was a gay orgy....

Maybe you accidentally gave me directions to Goober Camp?

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PRandContent

LOL @ gay orgy

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JamesH

Go give each other hand jobs about Warrior Forum somewhere else faggots...

Juuusttt kidding. 2 posts away from 1000 Matt, epic boobz coming?

And thats some solid advice erect. I've thought about finding another place to work, but I love the environment, the management, and the other people working there. Its so fucking chill, but when it gets busy people work hard. And its a lot more laid back, definitely not a 'corporate' style restaurant.

And delivering pizzas would be the shit. I enjoy driving. I'd just , listen to some good music, and drivveeee. But I don't know if it'd be a good idea putting all of those miles on my car.

Fuck, these are some pretty hard decisions...

erect

Fun restaurants to work at are a dime a dozen. It's not really a hard decision to choose better money over people ... you can take people with you. Cash is why we all work so just start looking because you are not making retirement money here.

You need something you can work 2-3 days/week at to get through college. $1200/M is way under the poverty line, no place for a college kid hanging out at WF to be. You're better than that.

NEVER DO CORPORATE RESTAURANTS !!!

amanda11

Fuck your faggot ass, James.

My advice was awesome!

True story: once, I picked up my bags, rented a room in a new city, and went to the casino everyday to play poker (that "was" my job)

So yeah man, spread your wings and fly, security is an illusion.

chatmasta

LOL like bringing down the house

amanda11

Ha ... chatmasta, funny how you should mention that because I read the book like 4-5 years ago, haha.

Bofu2U

Been in that situation myself... how assisting are you parents?

For example, if you get in a jam would they help cover some of your bills for a month or so? Need to know all of your options bud, I just went through this myself.

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TLott

everything will be more expensive than you think. budget an extra 50% for misc shit.

productionhead

driving and sounds pretty chill

pax

120lbs, as in 54kgs?

What the fuck man, start eating.

nachoninja

move out

it'll make you want to make more money

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Sawya

That's if they didn't rent your room out or turn it into a study/gym/ironing room.

sampunk

left home @ 19, moved to a new country. I spent 7 year living like shit. junk food every day and my house is a mess

going to move back next few month @ age 26..life is much better and easier w/ a mom who cook, clean and provide free housing lol

Rage9

I'll tell you what, you won't be any different than 99% of other college students around there. I guess you could say - that's half the fun of going to college is being broke off your ass, finding booze to drink, somehow passing your classes, and scoring. Yes it can, and WILL get stressfully. But hell kick back and just do it, because believe me you'll never forget those days. It also will better adapt you for when your really all on your own after college.

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chatmasta

120lbs? how tall are you?

Janaic

My suggestion: Take out a student load for your tuition, and pay a small monthly payment. OR --

Save some money and pay your first couple months of rent in advance.

I was 18 when I moved out, and I made $9.00 an hour with a local bank. I lived off of Top Ramen and Miller High Life. Then eventually I moved up, now at 20 I have a 3 bedroom house, 2 cars, a quad, a collection of classic muscle cars and everything my little heart desires (which isn't much).


Good luck, you can do it, just prepare.

JamesH

Fuck, meant to type 130*. And I'm 5'7". "you need to eat" blah blah no shit I just don't put on weight. Worked out for a few months straight ate more than I could stomach worth of eggs, tuna, chicken, shakes, gained nothing. But thats for a different thread.

Well I'm going to start looking for another job, and see what I can find. And the general consensus is that I should just gtfo and try it?

Ben89

Forget the VOIP phone, get the magicjack, unlimited long distance calling for 20 bucks PER YEAR. magicJack

alexb

I got my first apartment a little more than 2 years ago making ~$1,000/month, although back then I didn't have a car to worry about. It's entirely doable, but let me give you just one piece of advice:

Don't use your credit card for anything. Except maybe bills. Use cash for everything you can. Trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of grief.

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