With the way it has been with my family and how dysfunctional they are. I feel like the best was to make my life a little better is just to move out and live on my own like live in my own home and all. The biggest problem my family is all the greed they have. I know all the bills I have to pay and all the responsibilities I need to take care of, but when I try to buy things after I pay my bills (1/2 of my paycheck goes to phone/internet bills in one paycheck and 1/2 for my car payment and car insurance in another paycheck) and other responsibilities (1/4 of my paycheck for groceries both times and I don't even get a chance to eat anything), but I get yelled at by blowing my money on "pointless" things like games and Pokemon merchandise and said I need to be more responsible with my money after I have paid 3/4 of my paycheck for bills and groceries.

This is why I want to live on my own so I don't have to deal with anymore drama with my family, this is why I posted this thread, I wanted to know from anyone have any experience living in their own. Because sometime in the 2nd half of 2016, I'm planning on moving out and getting my own place and I am single so it will just be me living in my own place. Before I go ahead and live on my own, I wanted to know the best advice I need before going out and getting my own place.

I've been married and "living on my own" for 11 years now so I know a bit about it.


1. Do your research. Know what an apartment is going to cost you per month. Know what internet, cell phone, food, insurance, water, power, gas, etc etc etc are going to cost on your own.
2. Put together a budget with all that information and add in your income from the jobs you do. Make sure you earn enough to cover all the previous expenses.
3. Also, make sure to include some sort of savings into your "expenses" so that you have a bit of a reserve fund to work with in case you have an unexpected expense that comes up.

Obviously money is the big thing to have covered first. If you have enough money to cover your expenses then you're good to move out on your own. If not you might have to give in and get a roommate. Obviously this doesn't sound like your first option but it is worth doing if you can find someone worth moving in with.

From what you've said about your home life this is probably a good idea for you as long as you can afford it.

geeogree : That's mostly what I do need to look at, I know that I am aware of the Internet cost and phone cost. What I might do is to get an apartment so that way, I don't have to worry about paying for gas, electric, or any of that, but got to pay for the rent though. My car payment is almost over, I got a car back in Febuary 2014 and I paid payments for 24 months (2 years), by the time I get that paid off, I'll put that money aside to be able to get an apartment for the first 3 months without problems and keep working to stay in the apartment.

So, for the next 6 months, I'm going to research for apartments around my area to see where would be the best place to go, since I'm going to live on my own, a studio or 1 bedroom apartment will make me happy, I don't need any fancy stuff.

Alright, so your car payment goes away which should free up a fair chunk of money which is good. You'll also have time between that ending and getting an apartment so you'll be able to have a damage deposit (I'm assuming because we have those where I live and quite often they can be up to a full month of rent).

As long as you are aware of how small your apartment is going to be and how you are going to be the only person doing everything then you should be fine.


Another thing to think about - you won't have a lot of the normal stuff you are used to having. Do you own any of your own pots or pans? Do you own towels, a bath mat, shower curtain, cleaning supplies, cutlery, bed/bed sheets, etc. How much of this stuff are you going to be able to get from your family and how much are you going to have to buy yourself? Just another thing to think about.

Also, furniture. Do you have a couch, a TV, etc?

IgorBird122 :

I almost did this for similar reasons. (Mostly just wanting to cut those apron strings and get more control over my time in life.) I'm glad I'm not moved out on my own trying to write a book right now, but me, my brother, and best/only IRL friend almost did it! XD

When I sat down and thought about it, to me all that really mattered was the cost of things.

I calculated the following things, which, I bet would be good for you to follow.

Food: about 2$ a meal per person would put me just under 200$ every month.

Electricity: 60$
Internet: 70$
Water: 30$

Gas: 35$

I knew I wasn't going to need TV, and I was pretty certain my food estimates would be correct. At the rates I posted above, and sharing an apartment with my friend a bro. The rent would cost 235$ diveded three ways. Plus expenses = about 525$ per person.

Those are the most consistent expences. It's also worth noting that my bro would have been working for my grandfather outside the apartments, and if he had need to go to the store, or someplace, he'd either have me take him, or our friend, if he was willing. Since I would normally be his ride, he would rarely pay for gas. (I don't know, chip in five bucks for a two hour trip?) But the main thing was. . .

Well.

I didn't feel as a roofer, my job was consistent enough. Plus, I needed a backup plan in case my dreams didn't get fulfilled. So. . . unless I made more money, I didn't see it happening and stuff. Maybe when my book comes out. XP

Hope this is helpful.

I'm thinking if you ask to check a potential roommate's teeth..... they're going to pass on the opportunity and go live somewhere else.

If you live alone, you're going to face a variety of challenges.  Money, first off.  Cheap places depend on what city or country you live in and paying for rent, even for a tiny little loft somewhere, is going to eat up paychecks, especially if you're hourly and not a salaried job.

So start saving now.

You have to figure whatever you're making, rent should take up no more than 33% of your total income.  Then figure out what costs you need for food, monthly or every two weeks, phone, internet, car insurance, gas, car payments if you don't own your vehicle, entertainment, clothes, and other expenses.

Try to get a place that includes utilities, like water, gas, electric, and so on.  Also try to find a place that includes laundry.  You'll only have to pay for soap instead of going to a laundromat or washorama or whatever it's called outside the U.S.

Finally, try to go in with a friend or someone you know.  That will cut costs aggressively and you'll be able to afford something slightly nicer.

It's hard to live alone.  The money runs out the door faster than it can get in.  Do the math, do the numbers, make sure you can support yourself, and go get out there.

Good luck.

I wont be able to do anything like this until I get a job and that wont be for a looong time so I'm all jealous and what not but it's great that you are taking things into your own hands, and though it will probably take a while to get accustomed to living on your own, after a while things are going to be much better as long as you don't mess up.

I can totally relate to where you are coming from with regards to wanting to be on your own. As soon as I turned 18 I moved out of my house and went on my own, although I went to college so that made moving away that much easier. I've never looked back either.

Just keep in mind like was mentioned before. Do your research online and check out what everything costs. It's really expensive to live on your own, and with no one else to depend on, things can get stressful.

Sounds like you have a lot of these responsibilities already, so it shouldn't be too big of a transition. Although I would suggest finding a roomate you trust to help share in the bills. A close, responsible friend hopefully. That way you don't have too much burden put on you early because life can suck if you are living paycheck to paycheck.

Let me know if you need any tips/advice. I've been around the block before, and even moved cross country 2200 miles from where I grew up after college.

You are have me a lot of Good advice and I'll listen to these so that way nothing screws up

What I planned to do is with the two paychecks I get a month, once I get my car paid off in February, I can move my car insurance with my first paycheck (where I pay my cell phone and Internet bills) so that way I have a whole paycheck I can set aside for my apartment.

Jordanv78 : About what you said about finding a roommate, it might be a little tough to get one, because if you know me irl, I am a little self-centered, to trusting someone might be a little chore for me.

baileyface544 : Yeah, I do live in New Orleans and it is quite expensive here because it being a huge tourist destination, but I can look at a few other cities around Louisiana like Houma or Baton Rouge and find a much cheaper apartment, if not, then I'll try out of state, but not too far.

TitaniumOxide :
Ghostbear1111 : You two also gave out a lot of interesting information as well.

IgorBird122 :

If you decide to look out of state, East Texas is very close and often pretty cheap.
I know from Nacogdoches you can get an all bills paid efficiency for like $350 a month if you don't mind a small space. 
I believe the complex is called North Park. It's not the nicest place, but it's cheap, and only a 3-4 hour drive to New Orleans.

Lufkin and Livingston have some really cheap places as well, and are fairly close.

IgorBird122 : Oh I understand. It's always hard to trust people. But you must have a friend or someone that you can trust enough to move in with. You could also look through some ads to see whats available. There's always people out there looking for roommates.

It was just a suggestion, because living on your own gets super expensive, especially depending on where you live.

I left my mother's home about 4 years ago. Too much drama and while I had my own room I was being forced to sleep on a couch in the living room. There were things I disagree and I didn't like the way they would control my every move. So, I took my check and moved to a motel room and lived from motel room to motel and eventually they understood my position and helped me get my own place. I moved from there recently after 2 years and got my own place entirely on my own. Here is my advice to you. Are you happy? Is there anything else you can do to make things better at home? If you're answer is No. MOVE. Don't be afraid and take risks. That's life for yah; you have to do what makes you happy whether you struggle or not. And I did struggle and found myself homeless at times but, never did I regret my decision as I was a person of my own. Now, with that be smart about moving out and the fact that you already stated that you will be waiting another six months is very wise of you:
1- Look online for rooms if you don't have enough for deposit, rent, installing electricity and water.
2- Keep a list of how much you make a week and a month.
3- When you look at apartments ask all fees and final amount to move in. Ask what electric and water company they use
4- Call those companies and find out what you need to start service and all fees and total amount involved and what the late fees are and disconnection fees should that happen later on.
5- write all of that down with details 
6- Start saving, no more games, no more nothing. Save each penny you can.
7- You may need a UHaul- if so find out how much, or find someone who can help- try to minimize expenses
8- Budget all your expenses and if needed over estimate your bills by $10, $20 so that you're not in a choke hold and have some room to breathe should emergency occur- which THEY will. Expect the unexpected.
9- Look online for non profit organizations that help- Don't be shy don't be proud- food banks fed me for a good three months! Some help pay your bills. Some electric companies allow you to sign up to a list where other consumers can help pay for your bills- take whatever help you can. 
10- If you have friends, other family members that truly care about you; mention your plans and allow them to help you.
11- Don't be stubborn, Don't fall inlove with a place; stay faithful to your budget and primarily needs.
12- One thing I learned the hard way- try to move close to your job should your car decide to go to car heaven- Yup been there and it sucks.
13- Yard Sale- get rid of all you can and make some money. You can always buy it later.
14- Cut down all expenses you can now.
15- Groceries- be a smart shopper. It sometimes means that you have to buy certain things in one place and other items elsewhere. Places like Publix with Buy One Get One Free- never pass on those when you have money and is something you will eat. Use online Coupons.

Just understand that it will not be easy. I cried a lot and found myself in a terrible position for a very long time and had to leave college for a year but, I wasn't smart I didn't save up I didn't look at my options until looking for options was all I had. But, know that it is SO MUCH WORTH IT. I can NOT for the love of me not leave on my own. I love the sense of freedom and having my own. It's an amazing rewarding feeling. Since then, I have learned a lot and I have helped homeless people all I can. I love it. I love my home (not the building itself) just knowing that wherever I go I can build a home and take care of myself. This step has tremendously changed my relationship with my family. It is all awesome now and I couldn't ask for more. I still struggle as unexpected things and expenses never stop but, I analyze the situation, find solutions, ask for help, and keep on. 

I think it is a huge step and very necessary when your peace, happiness, and mental/emotional well being is at stake.
You can do anything you set your mind to and if you plan ahead, things would be much easier.