moving out on my owne

[a person with epilepsy]

Sorry if this has been posted before.
I am 30 years old and have epilepsy snice i was 13. I have never lived on my own. Not only have I never lived on my own Ther hasent been verry many days that I have been by my self. I have alsways had some fanily member in the house with me. Do to this I barely ever had to cook for m self, go buy my own food, I have rides to where I needed to get like to stors and places like that. Now I want to live on my own and am scard, scard of being alone, scard of what it will be like to pay bills, wash cloths, go get food, all while I can't drive and not only that I only get $700 a month thats not that much. I dont want to live poor. I would like to have some things like good cable tV, internet, but I am worried that 700 a month will not cover all that. I just wanted some advice from people that have all ready gone through this. because the fear is holding me back from moving. When I see a place all I can think of is wow its going to cost $350 a month for rent, $50 a month for cell phone, $130 for good cable tv and internet so I will not be sitting around bored with nothing to do, $70 for a monthly buss pass thats a total of $600 that only leaves me $100 a month and thats hoping i can find a place for $350 month that includs all and the food stamps I get last a month. one hunderd dollars a month isent that much.

 

[Endless]

Hi, person with epilepsy,

Welcome to the forum!

Gosh, moving out on your own can be scary and stressful, and wonderful all at the same time. Are you worried about being alone, without someone there?

About finances. Do you live in the U.S., England, or elsewhere? It makes a difference in what resources may be available to you.

In the U.S. there is basic Social Security benefits, and I forget what the additional ones are called (for ultra low income folks). A social/case worker can help find more resources for you, too. If you are in another country maybe someone from that country can speak up and help out with more info.

Do you have friends or family members that can apartment-share, so rental costs are lower?

If in the U.S., have you filed for both types of social security? Bus passes are generally free for the disabled here. Does your income source let you earn any money at all? Sometimes there are small jobs done for just a few hours a week that could give you a little more pocket money.

I'm crossing my fingers for you. Having your own place would be great.

 

[Loopy Lou]

hey there and welcome to the site! I'm 24 and currently saving to get my own place, hopefully in the new year. I only earn around £500 a month from my work as i had to cut down my hours, but with disability benefits and tax credits i've worked out i should be able to afford a place at around £400 and that should leave enough money for bills, shopping etc. Pt2 coming up... Can only post short postd on my phone

 

[Loopy Lou]

my advice is to sit in advance and work out absolutely everything you need to pay out, for example i worked out how much i'd need to pay for council tax, water rates, electricity, tv license, telephone/internet, food, insurance and that all this would cost about £300 a month, and then worked out from that how much i could afford to spend a month on rent. Also, definately see if there's any help you could get towards paying for a place. Good luck!

 

[Loopy Lou]

pt3 (sorry about this) also, it might be worth thinking about getting a flatmate and working things out that way. I don't know about over there, but there are an awful lots of bills etc to pay out here, and i think $700 (£470 here) a month would be difficult to work with.

 

[ColmanMac]

That's not fear - it's anticipation & excitement @ your adventure to come - & it is an adventure which is wholly yours & your responsibility- So go for it & fill your boots - comprise a specific income/expenditure account- Don't guess it; calculate it exactly- the person who cocks it up is the one who can't/won't plan it. No matter how much something costs it can always be got better & more cost effective (not cheaper cox cheap = nasty = wasting cash) - Remember 1st law of economics: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch - And have belief in yourself; not doubt- Shout if you need anything!
Col

 

[Loopy Lou]

Also, i know how you feel - it's scary enough moving out on your own for the first time, no matter what age you are, the added ick-ness is that we also have to deal with epilepsy and living on our own.

Maybe you should move somewhere where there is other people around, or people who could come visit you/you visit them easily.

I'm also very nervous about moving out on my own again, especially since the epilepsy is not under control.

Budgeting is the key though. You definately need to work out EXACTLY how much everything is going to cost and then add a little bit onto that, just to make sure.

I worked out that with all my bills and stuff, a £400 flat will cost me about £700 a month. Of course the bills etc that you pay will be different than what we pay here in the UK, so you may be better off than me.