If that's movin' up then i'm...

[Seven Force]

Moving out you guys! :lol

Around Feburary i'm going to be out on my own for the first time. Getting my own place and having to pay for it out of my own pocket. I'm pretty exicted and somewhat anxious. What was it like for some of you when you first had to go out on your own? I'd like to hear about it. Got any tips my parents might have forgotten to tell me?

[Crimson Ghost]

I was cold and hungry for a while. Don't spend all your money on pot

[MetalMilitia]

I spent all my money on booze and take away food :(

Decent food it way more expensive than you expect so try not to buy stupid things (booze, pot, etc) or too much food so you wont be able to eat it before it goes off.
Secondly washing your clothes if fucking hassle so get used to wearing the same stuff for several days in a row.
finally if you are moving in with other people make sure they are not complete tossers.

[glowbelly]

learn how to cook 2 casserole/soup/stew type things so you can always have something in the fridge. chili is a good thing to learn how to make and it's cheap (and easy).

don't spend all your money on cable/highspeed internet/phone service, etc...pick one and pay for that.

know that utility companies are usually pretty lenient when it comes to paying your bills. the catch is YOU HAVE TO CALL THEM and tell them when you are going to be late. they'll take $5 from you if that's all you can afford and won't shut your shi-crap- off if you tell them what's up.

get a babysitter because there's still no way that you are 20 and a 13 year old can get into too much trouble on his own.

[kahljorn]

Never get into the habit of eatting out often, like they were saying. Not only will it make you fat but it costs a ridiculous amount of money for certain levels of unsatisfaction(it pisses me off so much when the food i order tastes like shit). Also, when you go grocery shopping try to just buy food for the next three or four days, try to plan out meals(especially if you buy alot of fresh food). You'll save money and probably be healthier. I think the thing we waste money on the most is food.

[glowbelly]

ALWAYS HAVE RICE IN YOUR CUPBOARDS

[Guitar Woman]

Get a Crock Pot and I guarentee you will never go hungry ever.

[glowbelly]

always ask your babysitter to do the dishes

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Keep receipts, and know your money. You should be able to tell somebody how much cash is in your checking account. As others have said, keep a strict budget. Maybe write out a budget at the beginning of every week or every two weeks (however you get paid), and account for all of your habits, be them soda, coffee, cigarettes, or speed.

Cut down on those habits.

And Kahl is right, don't eat out. That is a killer. If you have even a little bit of time to cook something big and live off of it for a few days, you should always do that. I need to start following this rule. :(

[KevinTheOmnivore]

And Asian women will only break your heart and put you in therapy. So stay away from them, too.

:(

[Supafly345]

Gearge forman grill and frozen meat. Lasts forever and is always nutritious. 10 minute meals with canned mushrooms.

[mburbank]

1.) Your parents are going to move and not leave a forwarding adress.

2.) It's all downhill from here. How fast you go depends on you. Sometimes. Other times it's all about who's ever pushing you.

3.) We all die one day.

4.) Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.

5.) Prison is even worse than you've heard.

[ziggytrix]

fuck the Foreman grill, beg someone to buy you a Cuisinart one as a housewarming gift - it's so much easier to clean up, with the removable griddle/grill and you can cook anything on it - it's awesome.

[mburbank]

Don't listen to him! I fucked a Foreman Grill once and it was AWFUL! I'm still peeling.

[sadie]

shi-crap-
:lol

don't fall into the credit card trap, regardless of how enticing it may seem. budgeting, i agree, is crucial. if you don't have the money for something, don't buy it. plan for expenditures.

and regardless of how much you end up hating your job, don't quit until you have one to replace it. and don't rely on your band's jobs to pay the bills.

and don't move in with anyone you want to remain friends-forever with.

[the_dudefather]

learn to love no frills value groceries,

[Marc Summers]

I get a student discount at this supermarket i go to (like 5% off or something), so I usually buy like a pound of chicken a week or so, plus veggies (under $1/lb for most), and bananas are like 30 cents a pound, and then there's like milk, bread, oj, whatever so if you plan out what you'll be eating then it should be ok. I usually end up spending around 10-20 bucks a week on food :/

[SUFFER]

get a job that pays under the table , don't always eat out , figure out a way to get other people to buy you beer
or you can just marry an old dude and scare the shit out of him so he has a heart attack
just make sure he puts everything in your name
and remember its ok to spend all your money on pot if your going
to sell it for profit .
other then that learn to shop for bargains

[The Retro Kat]

THAT SKULL IS SMOKING A CIGARETTE, WHAT A BADASS!

[Mr. Fugo]

:lol

[ziggytrix]

get a job that pays under the table

DON'T do this. I work with a guy who did that, and when the IRS finally caught up to him he was pretty much fucked for several years.

[Dr. Fu]

Your parents are going to join the Federal Witness Protection Program. You will never hear from them again.

[Chojin]

Dr. Fu, where did you get that delightful signature.

[Emu]

imageshack.us apparently

[Dr. Fu]

Dr. Fu, where did you get that delightful signature.
i can do it













i can do it nine times

[the_dudefather]

pizza belongs in a triangle

[sadie]

watch out. it's the pizza police.

[Slinky Ferret]

Oh boy where to start.

1. Do not move out if you are already in debt!!!

2. Do not move in with your best friend, or someone you cannot communicate well with, it can have disasterous effects.

3. As others have said, don't get an expensive internet/phone/tv package. You do not need it!

4. Learn how to cook simple meals such as omelettes (you might call them tortillas), pasta dishes, jacket potatos, stir fries, curries and perhaps a roast dinner or two - for impressing people (ask your mum she should be able to help).

5. Do not move in with anyone that you love or care for, you will end up hating them.

6. Independance can be a little disapointing after a few weeks of staying up to 4am (just because you can), sometimes its very lonely. Keep your friends close and don't be afraid to invite your parents round from time to time. This has added bonuses of your mum cleaning and cooking for you and your dad slipping you extra cash. :)

7. Last but not least, invest in a good saucepan, frying pan, plate, scales, knife and fork and cooking utensils. Practice cooking especially basics like rice and potatos before you go. Jacket Potatos are good comfort food.

I nearly forgot. Takeaways are extremely expensive and they soon add up. Laziness with cooking results in laziness in other areas of your life. Cooking is a good stress reliever. Also take books and torches for when your electricity runs out. Also don't forget to change your sheets. Have at least 2 of everything so you can wash one lot of bedding while you use the other. I may remember more later...

[Dr. Fu]

one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine

[Seven Force]

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I really appreciate it. :) That's why I love this place. I should mention that i'll be by my lonesome with no pesky roommates, so i'll have the run of the house, as well as any/all expenses.

Can anyone give me an idea on how much to spend TOPS on food? I think I could live off of Top Ramen or Campbells until things get better, and all these other foods mentioned sound pretty pricey too. I've haven't had fast food in a long time, and I plan on not breaking that record anytime soon. No drinks necessary, I love water.

And Asian women will only break your heart and put you in therapy. So stay away from them, too.

:(

Never. :tear

always ask your babysitter to do the dishes

This is actually good to know.

What's with all the posts about spending my money on drugs? I don't know about the WACKY lifestyle you all lead, but i'm clean and sober. :lol

And Dr. Fu, you really need to stop posting. >:

[Lotida]

Good Luck Seven Force! :)

[Seven Force]

Thanks Lotida! :)

[SUFFER]

figure out how much everything else is going to cost first , then you can calculate how much you need for food , and also be sure to have money left over "in case of emergency"
and if your not spending money on drugs or doing them then it should be a whole lot easier to figure out where it is your money does go

[Slinky Ferret]

:) I'm sure you'll be fine. Just don't get a credit card. :)