Board 8 > Budgeting to move out

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How much money do you really need on a monthly basis for food and stuff? My budget would have me at about 600 bucks of cash every month

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What is and stuff

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what does "and stuff" mean?

It depends on your location i'm sure but 600 is way more than enough for a single person for food for a month. Heck you could eat out twice a day for that much

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I live alone in Chicago and I pay about $250-300 a month for food/groceries. That doesn't include ordering ubereats or stuff, just going to the supermarket.

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i think what everyone is trying to say is, if that 600 needs to include rent and utilities, you're gonna have a tough time.

if that 600 is after rent/utilities, you can probably manage.
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Yeah after utilities and rent.

Was on the way out the door so I was planning on explaining more.

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Just trying to move out of my house on a modest income. After rent, internet etc I think I'd have like 500-600 left over. This isn't including my saved money/other assets.

I just have been very depressed lately and I think getting out of my parents house might help.

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If I really want to I can spend somewhere between 50-70 a week on groceries. This is without accounting for eating out/social events. You can easily spend this amount if you cook most of your meals. Chicken, pasta, eggs, veggies, etc. As soon as you start adding in other things the price goes up dramatically. If you budget your rent/utilities/car payments and you're left with 600 it's definitely doable but you need to live a super frugal life

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I've just kinda never lived independently so I'm both really nervous about living alone and I don't really know how to budget. I already live frugally and shit so I think I'd be okay..maybe

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Well thankfully my car is all paid off so my only bills are insurance.

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Well if you take it seriously you can do it! Just remember your budget the next time you stop for a meal of fast food and realize you can spend a quarter of the price for a healthier meal. You can budget all you want but keep it in the back of your mind that something as simple as a flat tire can put you in a rough spot

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Aecioo has solid advice.

$600 a month is a good amount left over. Just be mindful with your funds and you're good.

If anyone is putting a lot of fear into you about it, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll be fine. Just enjoy it.

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USDA food spend averages: https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/media/file/CostofFoodJan2021.pdf

Note the 3rd footnote (need to add 20% for 1-person household). So for a male age 19-50, monthly food plans would be approximately: Thrifty $230; Low-cost $300; Moderate $380; Liberal $460.

These numbers honestly feel high to me. Like I basically buy everything I want and still end up closest to the low-cost amount.

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Just panhandle on Plain St if you need some cash

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Cook for yourself in bulk and freeze food for later use and you can live on virtually nothing. So just have more than nothing and you'll be fine!

greengravy294 posted...

I've just kinda never lived independently so I'm both really nervous about living alone and I don't really know how to budget. I already live frugally and shit so I think I'd be okay..maybe

it's normal to be nervous but you should try and look at this as an opportunity to expand your skills and learn a lot of new things. There's a lot of "busy work" that's required like cleaning, laundry, maintenance, cooking everyday, shopping etc that you might not even realize needs to be done normally when your parents handle some or all of it.

Rather than avoiding these tasks, try and proactively identify them and figure out how you will learn how to do them regularly. This will help you a lot in the long run.

I've been living away from my parents for like 10 years and i still havent figured out that that you should Make Your Bed

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Don't forget about the cost of filling your new space with stuff (bed, sofa, table & chairs, etc.). And renters insurance.

You should really think about using a spreadsheet and making a budget. Money coming in versus costs going out (rent, utilities, cable/internet, food, entertainment/hobbies, insurance - car, renters, or otherwise).

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Colegreen_c12 posted...

what does "and stuff" mean?

It depends on your location i'm sure but 600 is way more than enough for a single person for food for a month. Heck you could eat out twice a day for that much

I spent $150 a month on food when living alone but granted I am an easy to please person who was fine with a tombstone pizza every day. $250 shouldn't be hard to maintain though.

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