Need help! Moving out on my own and I need to know what all kinds of expenses their are with an apartment!?
Question:I am 19 and moving into an apartment to be closer to campus. My parents don't want me to go so they aren't helping me figure things out at all. I basically just need help thinking of all the different expenses so I can make sure I'm financially ready. I know their are deposits, pet deposits, obviously rent, utilities, cable, internet (not going to have a home phone)... anything else? For an apartment, are their startup fees to setup your utilities? What about cable and internet? What other things do I need to think about? Grocerys, pet food, gas, car, insurance... What else? Thanks!
Answers:
First of all I am going to say,it just depends on where you live each place is different. Maybe while you are looking for an apartment you can ask them what sort of things your rent covers,they may even tell you that before you ask. Some places offer free Internet or cable with rent,while some others offer free utilities,which means all you pay is rent. Most places don't have set up fees for utilities,but that also just depends on what state you live in. I have lived in a few apartments and we never had set up fees for utilities. One apartment I lived in all we had to pay was rent and energy,which most the time only cost about $50 a month,plus rent which was $550 for 2 bedrooms. Most the time for Internet and cable there is a one time activation fee,or a service fee since they need to send a tech. out to your apartment,it doesn't cost too much,maybe around $30. Once again about pet deposit,that just depends on where you are going to live,some places have them and some don't. My old apartment had one that was $300,plus the fist months rent of $550. Other than those things you listed I'm thinking there is nothing else you need to think about when moving out on your own. Maybe a health plan though when you get sick or need to see a dentist,unless you are already on one. I think you have pretty much every thing covered. Maybe you could even think of getting a room mate to help you out with some expenses. Good luck in your new adventure! Sure hope I gave you some good advice!
Dont Forget the Water bill and Electricity bill.
1) rent plus deposit
2) a connection fee for electric ( varies)
3) cable set up fee plus internet set up fee... mine was 200 to get the internet though cable because i have a wireless router
4)gas connection fee
5)food... if your the only one there start out with little food and buy what you can afford
6)you can go to the dollar store to get stuff for your kitchen, like hot pads, plates, glasses
7)get cleaning supplies at the dollar store also, bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner, mops, brooms, ect
most of your bills will come at the start of the month, you dont have to pay them all at once. they will not shut u off if your a week late.
write a budget.. like if you get paid every 2 weeks, write down the bills you will pay on the weeks you get paid.
then you have gas and insurance. some insurace companies let you pay every 3 months.
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