Want to move out, need suggestions

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JamesH

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Jun 25, 2006
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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.
 


You're cutting it close. What if you get in a car accident, drop your laptop, spill water on your phone, etc.?
 
Ya, I don't know about you but I think I would recalculate the numbers and make sure you include all the small things.
 
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.
 
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.
 
@ 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
JamesH said:
@ amanda, tbh thats some pretty shitty advice.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
MyOwnDemon said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

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

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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JamesH said:
Tonight I saw 3 mother fucking tables, but managed to get $55 (Around 19% average gratuity, not bad). It's just the slow season.
Click to expand...

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 :rasta: all night brainstorming about your internet empire. $100/night after tips, commission & paychecks
 
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