Living Solo Costs?

[abcqwerty123]

Hello everyone! So, I am trying to remove myself from my current atmosphere. I currently live with my depressed/abusive/alcoholic father and I want to leave and finally remove my last abusive relationship, but I have never lived on my own before. I was hoping that everyone could give me a quick roundup of how much living costs are for you (single person with 2 medium dogs), where you live, and if you like where you live. I just don't want to make the mistake of leaving just to find out I cannot afford it and then having no backup. So yah, if I can get some info on living alone, that would be awesome! Thank you in advance!

[Demosthenes_]

From what I know it varies from region as well from urban, suburban, and rural areas.

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx

This calculator gives an estimate on the cost of living in most cities. I compared where I live to what the calculator says and it seems fairly accurate.

Your life style definitely depends on how much you will be spending.

 

For me, I spend an average of $775 a month to live, eat, transportation and maintenance, but I also have two other roommates which is considered to be the cheapest way to get by where I live. For someone to live by themselves (1 bedroom apartment/house), rent and utilities would likely double for the individual, but may save a lot of money on transportation, so it depends on you. As for your dogs http://www.aspca.org/adopt/pet-care-costs this table suggests it is the minimum cost, but I cannot say since I have never owned a pet. If the chart is true, your cost of living could be from $1600/m to $3000/m in a single bedroom. If you have 3-6 roommates, you could see that number halve. Again, the cost of living depends on your region and your living conditions/tendencies.

[TheMatrixHasMe]

Sounds like this a healthy and positive move for you.

 

 

Maybe I'm missing something,  but how is gathering information about anyone else's expenses, location, help you ascertain what your needs are?

 

Anyway, if you check in your local supermarket, craigslist.org, or zillow.com, you might be able to find a living arrangement that suits your budget, needs, and preferences. You will need to determine if heat, hot water electricity is— or isn't —provided in your monthly rent bill? Is here a laundry facility on the premises? Is it coin operated? If so, how much will that cost? Also, having two dogs may drastically limit your rental options since some landlords do not allow pets. So that sweet cheap little apartment or apartment share that would allow you to get the hell out of your current situation might not allow pets.

 

Often times rentals require the equivalent of three months rent paid in advance. First months rent, last months rent. and then a month for a security deposit. There may be a lease or agreement for you to sign. 

 

Also, It might help to list all of your current expenses, and your current income. 

You want to figure out how much does it cost to feed your dogs per month?

How will you pay for vet bills if they get sick?

Do you have a cell phone/smart phone?

Do you mind eating pasta/ ramen noodles frequently if you can't afford to feed yourself?

Are you a drinker? If so then that can get pretty expensive too.

[TheAuger]

I'm sorry about your abusive situation, TLF.  You've made a good decision in deciding to leave!  Now do it!

 

Try to find an efficiency apartment (where your landlord pays your utilities) for less than 1/4 of your income.  I currently pay $550 per month and I have no electric or gas bill.  This is very often your largest expense.  Preferably your apartment has a washer and dryer that isn't coin-operated...Pets are going to be a limiting factor -- likely your landlord will charge you up to $25 - $50 per animal...!  Consider giving them up for adoption...Hey, you said 'solo'!

 

I try to spend less than $200 per month on groceries / eating out.  Eating out for lunch or by yourself is a huge waste of money -- people are literally eating their potential retirement savings.  A slow cooker / crock pot is a really good investment for a bachelor.  There are tons of crock pot recipes online -- make it up the night before, keep it in the fridge and then cook on low all day while you're at work. If you're unsure how to cook, then check out youtube.  I like Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course.  Vegetables are cheap -- don't be afraid to eat the same healthy foods day after day -- fuck variety!

 

Clothing -- I will only buy clothes (besides socks and underwear) at quality consignment stores.  Even season ending sales at retail clothing stores and big box stores are marked-up 20 - 30% of what the garment actually cost the retailer.  I recently bought 6 khaki shorts (IZOD, GAP) for $30.  Consignment stores are very selective, unlike Goodwill and Salvation Army, but you should still look for stains and rips.

 

A membership to a warehouse buying club (like Sams Club or Costco) may be worth it for buying dog food in bulk.  Sometimes feed stores have bulk buying discounts.

 

Shelter, food, clothing -- everything else is extraneous!  Other advice -- throw away your TV (I haven't owned a TV since 2006) and forget cable bills.  Sell your console system and games -- read more books instead.  Pay off your credit card in full every month -- credit cards have predatory lending rates sometimes approaching 30%...!  Gym memberships are often a good value if they're between $30 - $40 per month -- good for psychological health and less than healthcare for preventable diseases.

 

Consistently a common theme in interviews with self-made millionaires is that they live below their means.

 

Its possible to live on $700 (or less) per month where I live.  Take your savings and build up an emergency fund of 3 months living expenses (in a separate account and don't touch it), then invest in a ROTH IRA (you're now able to buy and hold gold tax free), saving fiat in money market funds for a future business venture, Bitcoin, playing the dating field, or donating to the show...!

[abcqwerty123]

From what I know it varies from region as well from urban, suburban, and rural areas.

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx

This calculator gives an estimate on the cost of living in most cities. I compared where I live to what the calculator says and it seems fairly accurate.

Your life style definitely depends on how much you will be spending.

 

For me, I spend an average of $775 a month to live, eat, transportation and maintenance, but I also have two other roommates which is considered to be the cheapest way to get by where I live. For someone to live by themselves (1 bedroom apartment/house), rent and utilities would likely double for the individual, but may save a lot of money on transportation, so it depends on you. As for your dogs http://www.aspca.org/adopt/pet-care-costs this table suggests it is the minimum cost, but I cannot say since I have never owned a pet. If the chart is true, your cost of living could be from $1600/m to $3000/m in a single bedroom. If you have 3-6 roommates, you could see that number halve. Again, the cost of living depends on your region and your living conditions/tendencies.

 

Thanks for all the info man! I will check out those sites after I finish this message.

As for roommates, I know people enjoy roommates and it saves money, but I need to live with just myself and my dogs. But ya, thanks a bunch and I shall check out those links soon! =)

 

 

 

Sounds like this a healthy and positive move for you.

 

 

Maybe I'm missing something,  but how is gathering information about anyone else's expenses, location, help you ascertain what your needs are?

 

Anyway, if you check in your local supermarket, craigslist.org, or zillow.com, you might be able to find a living arrangement that suits your budget, needs, and preferences. You will need to determine if heat, hot water electricity is— or isn't —provided in your monthly rent bill? Is here a laundry facility on the premises? Is it coin operated? If so, how much will that cost? Also, having two dogs may drastically limit your rental options since some landlords do not allow pets. So that sweet cheap little apartment or apartment share that would allow you to get the hell out of your current situation might not allow pets.

 

Often times rentals require the equivalent of three months rent paid in advance. First months rent, last months rent. and then a month for a security deposit. There may be a lease or agreement for you to sign. 

 

Also, It might help to list all of your current expenses, and your current income. 

You want to figure out how much does it cost to feed your dogs per month?

How will you pay for vet bills if they get sick?

Do you have a cell phone/smart phone?

Do you mind eating pasta/ ramen noodles frequently if you can't afford to feed yourself?

Are you a drinker? If so then that can get pretty expensive too.

 

 

Thanks. I believe it will be a great move, I just want to make sure I do it correctly and don't end up on the street or anything.

The reason I want other peoples expenses and location is because I currently live in Southern California where it is very expensive and to me, a terrible place to live. There really isn't anything out here I like aside from the great internet, which I am sure I can find in many places. So I wanted to hear where other like minded people live and what they thought about the area, as well as living costs because some areas have different costs then other areas.

Anyways, thanks a bunch for the information. Pretty much, my essentials are, food (cheap is fine), dog food, a way for filtered water, cheap cell service, and good internet. I don't drink, smoke, or do any of that. I don't really go out much but I plan to save a lot of money for situations such as dogs getting sick. But ya, I don't really need much, and I enjoy taking my dogs out often, so being cooped up in a small place isn't really a big deal for them because I will make sure they get out all the time.

 

 

I'm sorry about your abusive situation, TLF.  You've made a good decision in deciding to leave!  Now do it!

 

Try to find an efficiency apartment (where your landlord pays your utilities) for less than 1/4 of your income.  I currently pay $550 per month and I have no electric or gas bill.  This is very often your largest expense.  Preferably your apartment has a washer and dryer that isn't coin-operated...Pets are going to be a limiting factor -- likely your landlord will charge you up to $25 - $50 per animal...!  Consider giving them up for adoption...Hey, you said 'solo'!

 

I try to spend less than $200 per month on groceries / eating out.  Eating out for lunch or by yourself is a huge waste of money -- people are literally eating their potential retirement savings.  A slow cooker / crock pot is a really good investment for a bachelor.  There are tons of crock pot recipes online -- make it up the night before, keep it in the fridge and then cook on low all day while you're at work. If you're unsure how to cook, then check out youtube.  I like Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course.  Vegetables are cheap -- don't be afraid to eat the same healthy foods day after day -- fuck variety!

 

Clothing -- I will only buy clothes (besides socks and underwear) at quality consignment stores.  Even season ending sales at retail clothing stores and big box stores are marked-up 20 - 30% of what the garment actually cost the retailer.  I recently bought 6 khaki shorts (IZOD, GAP) for $30.  Consignment stores are very selective, unlike Goodwill and Salvation Army, but you should still look for stains and rips.

 

A membership to a warehouse buying club (like Sams Club or Costco) may be worth it for buying dog food in bulk.  Sometimes feed stores have bulk buying discounts.

 

Shelter, food, clothing -- everything else is extraneous!  Other advice -- throw away your TV (I haven't owned a TV since 2006) and forget cable bills.  Sell your console system and games -- read more books instead.  Pay off your credit card in full every month -- credit cards have predatory lending rates sometimes approaching 30%...!  Gym memberships are often a good value if they're between $30 - $40 per month -- good for psychological health and less than healthcare for preventable diseases.

 

Consistently a common theme in interviews with self-made millionaires is that they live below their means.

 

Its possible to live on $700 (or less) per month where I live.  Take your savings and build up an emergency fund of 3 months living expenses (in a separate account and don't touch it), then invest in a ROTH IRA (you're now able to buy and hold gold tax free), saving fiat in money market funds for a future business venture, Bitcoin, playing the dating field, or donating to the show...!

 

Thanks man. I am learning and planning it right now. I cannot do it soon, but I am beginning my savings and searching for a place to move and all that fun stuff.

Sorry, but I won't give my dogs up for adoption. I would rather stay here then do that because me not being able to afford them isn't there fault, no reason to punish them. Here, they have it great. Great/healthy food, pretty big yard, down the street from a park where we go play all the time, and even though my dad is a depressed drunk, he loves and treats them fantastic.

I definitely have to invest in a crock pot. I also love to cook, and all of my recipes come from the internet, whether it be youtube or just random searches.

Clothing is an issue for me. I don't buy clothes. I haven't bought clothes in from 5+ years. The only stuff I get is when I get a lucky gift from someone, so all of my stuff is haggard and beat up. I just always look at it like, my money could be better spent then trying to look all pretty for society, but I know I need to learn to actually spend money on clothes.

The dog food I currently get is a pretty healthy one and isn't too expensive. I also get it through petco online and if you have an account through them, you get free shipping and crazy discounts. I get emails everyday with new discounts. I buy wet canned food and mix just a slight bit of hard food in, and I spend probably about 100$ per month. Maybe a little less, that was just a high guestimate.

I currently have a tv, but I don't use it really. I turn it on right before I go to sleep for about 10-15 minutes just because it helps relax me, but that is pretty much it.

Anyways, thanks a bunch for all the information. I am going to continue to save and do more research. I want to be fully moved out and self reliant within the next 6 months, year at the latest.

[AustinJames]

Salt Lake City is the best kept secret in The West (don't tell anyone I told you).

 

Cheap rent, low crime, nice people (mostly libertarian), tons of jobs, thriving counterculture, beautiful setting, lots to do... I could go on.  I hated this place when I moved here, but then I pulled back the "Zion Curtain" and fell in love with the place.

 

I pay $700 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in a GREAT location with good amenities-- pool, fitness center, volleyball court, greens, parking, internet.  Two dogs live with me, and pet rent is $25 each, bringing the cost up to $750.  I have paid as little as $450 for a decent studio in a good part of town.

 

Deseret Industries is the thrift store of my dreams-- a bunch of rich Mormons getting rid of their stuff makes for good business, I guess.  Like you, I'm NOT a big clothes shopper, but when I need them I usually go to the DI where I can get a shirt, pants, and shoes for ten dollars.  It's also great for furniture, electronics, appliances, bicycles, and pretty much anything you can think of.

 

Not far from SoCal either. Good luck!

[WorBlux]

Midwest city

 

Recently in a studio 320/month + 44/month internet + 35-60 electric bill. - 420 a month

Right now splitting 1000/month three ways (350 is my share) for a three-bedroom house. More bills but splitting them means about 420-430 a month.

 

Groceries - 70-80 per week (350/month), but you can definately get below this if you cook alot and avoid alchohol. (I cook 1/2-2/3's of the time and good wine/beer was my slurge item.

 

Fuel - 50/month

 

Entertainment - 50-60 a month, enough for a few CD's , redbox rentals, books, steam games.

 

Free bonus - 50-100 a month,

 

Buffer - 15% or more is you can manage. I manages to save about $8000 over 18 months (about 1/3 of my income during that time) and used to to finish my last year of college.

 

 

You may have trouble getting a unit of your own with no rental history and not cosigner. I ended up paying the entire 6-month lease + deposit on the studio up front in order to get in.

[Omega 3 snake oil]

You are all smart, I piss money away like it smells like asparagus.Paying about $900 for a studio in a nice part of Toronto. Insurance and parking about $200 for a car I barely drive. Metropass $130. Yoga studio $120. Food, $400 easily--I'm a growing boy.Everything else, lots and lots. I shop online, I like nice stuff. Supplements, FDR membership. 

[abcqwerty123]

Salt Lake City is the best kept secret in The West (don't tell anyone I told you).

 

Cheap rent, low crime, nice people (mostly libertarian), tons of jobs, thriving counterculture, beautiful setting, lots to do... I could go on.  I hated this place when I moved here, but then I pulled back the "Zion Curtain" and fell in love with the place.

 

I pay $700 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in a GREAT location with good amenities-- pool, fitness center, volleyball court, greens, parking, internet.  Two dogs live with me, and pet rent is $25 each, bringing the cost up to $750.  I have paid as little as $450 for a decent studio in a good part of town.

 

Deseret Industries is the thrift store of my dreams-- a bunch of rich Mormons getting rid of their stuff makes for good business, I guess.  Like you, I'm NOT a big clothes shopper, but when I need them I usually go to the DI where I can get a shirt, pants, and shoes for ten dollars.  It's also great for furniture, electronics, appliances, bicycles, and pretty much anything you can think of.

 

Not far from SoCal either. Good luck!

 

Wow man, that actually sounds pretty awesome! I am definitely going to look into the area out there! May I ask though, what is the weather like? Does it get super hot? I loooveeee cold. If it gets really cold, that is fine, but I hate the heat lol. Out here, we rarely get rain, no snow, lowest temps are usually in the 60s but even then, it is very rare, and half the year its close to 100. I hateeee it!!!

 

 

Midwest cityRecently in a studio 320/month + 44/month internet + 35-60 electric bill. - 420 a monthRight now splitting 1000/month three ways (350 is my share) for a three-bedroom house. More bills but splitting them means about 420-430 a month.Groceries - 70-80 per week (350/month), but you can definately get below this if you cook alot and avoid alchohol. (I cook 1/2-2/3's of the time and good wine/beer was my slurge item.Fuel - 50/monthEntertainment - 50-60 a month, enough for a few CD's , redbox rentals, books, steam games.Free bonus - 50-100 a month,Buffer - 15% or more is you can manage. I manages to save about $8000 over 18 months (about 1/3 of my income during that time) and used to to finish my last year of college.You may have trouble getting a unit of your own with no rental history and not cosigner. I ended up paying the entire 6-month lease + deposit on the studio up front in order to get in.

 

Cool. Where is Midwest City? Like, what state?

 

 

You are all smart, I piss money away like it smells like asparagus.Paying about $900 for a studio in a nice part of Toronto. Insurance and parking about $200 for a car I barely drive. Metropass $130. Yoga studio $120. Food, $400 easily--I'm a growing boy.Everything else, lots and lots. I shop online, I like nice stuff. Supplements, FDR membership. 

 

Yah. Hopefully I will get to that point with my income where I can live like that, but I am just barely starting out so my income will be nonexistent-very small. But even still, out here, find an apartment or house to rent for under $1,200 is as close to impossible as can be. The apartments down the road from me, for 1 bedroom, are $1,400. It is insane.

[AustinJames]

May I ask though, what is the weather like? Does it get super hot? I loooveeee cold. If it gets really cold, that is fine, but I hate the heat lol. Out here, we rarely get rain, no snow, lowest temps are usually in the 60s but even then, it is very rare, and half the year its close to 100. I hateeee it!!!

 

It's definitely not that hot.  Here's a site that gives a pretty good idea of the climate:  http://weatherspark.com/averages/31629/Salt-Lake-City-Utah-United-States

 

"The warm season lasts from June 12 to September 11 with an average daily high temperature above81°F. The hottest day of the year is July 22, with an average high of 93°F and low of 67°F.

The cold season lasts from November 20 to February 25 with an average daily high temperature below 47°F. The coldest day of the year is December 30, with an average low of 22°F and high of 35°F."

[RyanT]

I’m in the UK so probably not all that applicable…sufficed to say it’s expensive.

 

Been living alone for about 15 months now and did find it a bit of a culture shock,

 

A big mistake I made was to go through an initial 'honeymoon period' where I was enjoying having my own place,

while carrying on with the spending habits I'd developed before. Little things like a meal out here a takeaway pizza

there, books and DVDs from Amazon, all add up, by the time it hit me I'd taken a decent chunk out of my savings.

Which with bills and everything I'm only just gradually putting back. 

 

Other than that though, hasn't been so scary