(no subject)

[nohanii]

I want to be free of my parents, and that means being financially independent. Over the last week or so, I've been trying to hammer out a plan for reaching this goal by the end of 2009, ideally sooner. I just don't want them to have leverage over me anymore. In the past, they have threatened not to pay for my college education if I did anything as insignificant as getting another piercing or a tattoo (even a small one!). Here's the kicker -- I hadn't even mentioned anything about wanting more piercings or a tattoo! Two of my friends were getting tattoos, so they threatened me before I even said anything about maybe wanting one. It's stupid stuff like that. I want to be able to speak my mind on important issues (like last week's Prop 8 mess) and not be afraid of them pulling a stunt like that. I am essentially a good, obedient, respectful daughter (get good grades, graduating this spring, don't do drugs or get in trouble...), and it kills me when they try to control me like that. I love my parents, but they need to let me make my own choices, my own mistakes. That, and I'm 21; I really ought to be on the road to financial independence anyway, yes?

Some things that I will need to be able to pay for myself:
Apartment : ~$1500/month
Healthcare: ?? 
Auto insurance: ~$600 every six months
Groceries: ~$100/month
Utilities: ~$200/month give or take
Am I missing anything else?

Of course, roommates will make the financial burden much easier by cutting the cost in half or even in thirds. Hopefully, whatever job I manage to land once I've graduated and moved back up north will provide me with health insurance after a few months. 

And then I can get my small tattoo or belly button piercing... which one to get first?

Comments

[subluxate]

Simba and Nala as a couple always disturbed me. They should be half-siblings.

That said: you, Geena, and I talk about apartment-sharing sometime?

[aidenlane.livejournal.com]

If I was at my desktop right now (which is in California while I'm in Iowa), I'd copy all the categories my dad and I worked out when I tried to determine what I'd need to make to live in Irvine. If you want, I can still copy it when I get home, just to give you ideas on possibly things you'd want to include in your own budget. Not saying that you'll need much else, but being prepared seems like a good idea. My dad and stepmom both know personal finance and they told me to make sure to save 10% of your income each month and try to save enough so that you could live without a job for six months. (Something I hope to be able to do once I get a job though now that there is talk of moving, I'm not sure how getting my own place will work).
Controlling parents = bad. Boo. Um, I've never been a fan of belly button piercings, mainly because it rarely gets shown off while ear piercings allow you versatility in accessorizing. So if those are the two choices, I'd say a small tattoo. I plan to get one in April.

[honeystix.livejournal.com]

That would be fantastic! I would really really appreciate it if you would do that. If all works out, I may be getting an apartment with my sister and her girlfriend, so that should take care of the roommate issue. And yes! to the savings. I've already been without a job for nearly two months, so I know what it's like to run low on funds (not fun!). My parents will help me out now if I really need it though.

[moxymojo.livejournal.com]

hmm..i've thought about getting those before too but i'm a wimp. it took me years of talking/thinking about it before i finally got my ears pierced. *lame*

Hmm...is it ok with you if I talk about my own financial worries too? Since you are in the same boat and all.

[aidenlane.livejournal.com]

Rent
Utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity)
Laundry (if you don't have machines in your own place)
Toiletries
Groceries
Car (AAA, insurance, oil change, maintenance savings, registration)
Cable/internet
Health insurance
Renter's ins.
Student loan (I have one)
Savings (10% of income)
Retirement (think for the future)
Misc (fun savings for things like movies or music)