I'm sorry you're in this situation. But I'm glad you have a plan. I've been there and it can be hard, but it's 100000% better on the other side.
Last year I lived on my own in Brooklyn. My take home was right around $3000 and my rent was $1350. So essentially 1 pay check per month went to the rent and the other one went to the rest of my expenses. It didn't feel overly tight and I was still able to save a little bit per month.
Assuming I can move up to full time, my take home should be 2475 or so. How much apartment can I afford?
Thinking bills would be: Phone - 50 Insurance - 75 Cable/Internet - 100 Electricity - 100-150 best guess Car - 400. If I refinance I can drop this to 250 or less. Loan balance is 10k.
Most, nice, non-college units that accept large dogs are around 1100. This would leave me with 625 for food, entertainment, gas, etc. It's obviously tight, but is it unmanageable for one person? If the car is refinanced that obviously gives me a lot more wiggle room.
And I'm obviously not contributing to my IRA at this level. I'm generally ok with that in the short term. I do contribute 6% to my 401k, have a 2% match. That will continue to increase until January 2018 when I receive a 4% match. I also get a base contribution of an additional 4% but I'm not certain if that is this January or next.
If I do the high deductible insurance plan, I pay about $12 per paycheck, and my employer gives me $800 in an HSA. Doing the PPO would be an extra $20 per paycheck.
Contemplate your expected out of pocked for the year under both plans, and an "OH SHIT" out of pocket for both plans (i.e. - getting hit by a bus). Determine if you have the savings to get you through either of those events.
Make sure your apartments also cover water, sewer and trash.
Check realtor.com or local realtors to help with housing. They may be able to find you something in your price range that would let you bring Wyatt.
Your local bar association can refer you to an attorney
Get copies of retirement documents for you and for him.
Hugs, and more importantly, power to you. Please let me know if there is anything this internet pal can do from afar.
Like pp mentioned, I have lived off of a budget where 1 monthly paycheck went to rent, the other to everything else. It is absolutely doable, and especially if you pick up a little side gig, like helping another apartment neighbor with chores, pet sitting, plant care during vacations, etc.
I would recommend staying in closer (versus a more isolated location) as that will keep you in the fabric of more social activity.
Change is hella hard. But when the status quo isn't what is best for you, change is critical. Sending you power from across the interwebs gal.
There's a really good choice for only 925, but dogs can only be 40 pounds. Wyatt is 70, and presumably most people would know he's over the limit. But I can't imagine him spending a ton of time in an apartment anyway.
I'm just worried that if I get a place farther out that I'll feel isolated.
Call and tell them you have a larger dog, but he wouldn't be there full time. It never hurts to ask.
I'm sorry your going through this. You said you have a place to stay in the interim, could you stay there for 2-3 months to give you time to find a place that could be a better fit for you?
Post by pinkdutchtulips on Nov 11, 2016 20:46:05 GMT -5
hugs ... i was w/ an unsupportive partner for YEARS !! it took a huge toll on me. only when i left did i feel 'me' come back 24/7. For years people had noticed 2 very different Ts when i was w/ xh and when i wasn't. my then 15 yo niece picked up on it and asked her parents about it. WHOA ! talk about handwriting on the wall.
you're doing the right things, you're strong, you'll come out of this on the other side MUCH MUCH better than you were before.
It's going to be a long weekend. He's being a man child. There's been a few snippy comments but he's trying. Ish. I don't even care anymore. My coworker, who has been in an abusive relationship, is so helpful right now. It's so easy to lose sight of what's really happening.
Post by explorer2001 on Nov 12, 2016 8:21:38 GMT -5
So many hugs. You know I've been there too. It really can be amazing after. Please take care of yourself and rely on the support you have here. PM me if you need anything.
Hugs. I'm sorry you're going through this. I understand the desire to live alone but I just wanted to chime in that you can be independent and have roommates at the same time. I've also gotten majorly screwed with a high deductible insurance plan so I would try to budget for full coverage insurance. Good luck.
Post by hbomdiggity on Nov 12, 2016 13:22:33 GMT -5
I'm sorry you are going through this. I guess you true colors come out when you need the support the most.
I just wanted to say that we've had good luck (renting from owners not large complexes) with waiving pet restrictions, especially since he wont be with you fulltime and you explain he is a trained adult dog.
Post by teatimefor2 on Nov 12, 2016 16:44:26 GMT -5
I am so sorry, Hamster. It sounds like you are doing the right thing.
For your budget, a lot depends on how much of a cushion you have. Is there anyway you could pay off your car? That's a large chunk of your budget.
Hugs. Tight for a bit is okay when you are making the right decision for your future.
Actually, I don't remember where you are based? If it's in Virginia, let me know. We have a rental property that just went on the market and are flexible with large dogs.
More hugs! One rule of thumb is that you want rent to be no more than 30% of your income.
I don't want to be harsh bc clearly you're trying to be helpful (I think), but no shit that's the rule of thumb, but when you're in a tough situation, sometimes that's not always feasible. And she already said what most apartments run and it's more than that. So...I just don't think this actually IS helpful.