So you've graduated and ready to move out on your own?

So you've graduated high school and or college and or trade school and ready to move out on your own?
Not so fast pal...let's go over a few things first.

Life is easier and much more carefree when one is not footing 100% of the bills.
And one often takes for granted that other people have done that for you, us, others for years...those other people primarily being parents or a parent or guardian.

So let's get to the point here and break down some basic...I repeat basic monthly expenses, and the income you'll need to generate just to pay them.

1. Rent

Unless you want to live in the hood or hood area around the unemployed and section 8 types, where street crime is high, and moral low...than expect to pay a minimum of $800.00 a month to live in a more upscale area...and $800.00 is the very low end...people pay much higher to live around higher caliber, professionally employed neighbors...$1,500 a month is more realistic...and in some places even that's low...

2. Car



Most out of high school and or college just can't resist getting a new car...just have this thing about 'keeping up with the Jones's, or in this instance, keeping up with other classmates...at a time when image is everything.

a. Payments $250 (average)
b. Mandated full coverage insurance $200 (average)
c. Gas or Fuel $120 a week, depending on driving habits (lots of variables there)

3. Utilities

a. $120 a month average..
Yes, electricity isn't free...and during extreme weather months, expect it to peak to as much as $250 a month or more...now you know why your parents or guardians were always fussing about leaving the lights on and wasting water...(some places charge separate for water as well)

4. Cell phone plan

a. $60 a month, average

5. Medical insurance

Lot's of variables here..depends on if you get coverage through employer or own your own.
So we'll just go with $150 month average...many don't have coverage now...but after 2014, it will be mandated.

6. Food



Yes that's right, food isn't free...but sometimes tastes better when others are buying it for you...but when you start shopping on your own, you will realize how much stuff costs.

Expect to consume roughly $80.00 in food per week...more like $100...that comes out to $14.00 a day..to include fast food, pizza, snacks...and again, many variables here...could be more for some, could be less.
I mean just one fast food meal now can range from $6-$10 bucks...so people who eat out a lot can expect to have higher monthly food bill...those living on their own quickly learn the art of grocery shopping and cooking their own meals.

Anyways, some misc expenses I'm leaving out do to time constraint

a. Auto maintance...tires, common break downs ect
b. Cable
c. Clothing

With clothing...once on your own, style takes a back seat to affordability...

And is why those in school, college, often don't understand why those who work dress more 'practical'...cause when your footing the bills, you have to priorities, and don't have funds to spend $100's on clothing just to keep up with latest trends.

Now to the fun part...let's add up all the basic expenses...



1.Rent 800
2.Auto expenses..to include payments, insurance and fuel $570
3.utilities heat and air $120
4.cell phone $60
5. Medical insurance $150
6.food $400

For a grand total of $2100.00 dollars...

Just for the basics mind you...and I left out plenty of other stuff.

If you want to just be able to maintain the basics of life, that means your weekly check needs to be at least $525.00
If your job doesn't pay at least $525.00 a week, you will find yourself struggling.

Anyhow I hope that helped.

It's reality...and once you graduate or move out on your own..reality will be all over you.

Maybe next we'll go over what some careers pay...