Also something I found really useful; get your furniture off Craigslist. it's dc.craigslist.org if you've never been...under classifieds there's a thing for furniture. They have tons of stuff, great for the first time moving out.

 

Also, when you get your power turned on you can request a plan where they average out the last six months of power use so your bill will stay consistent. It'll change a little every six months but for the most part you'll know what to expect.

 

just wait a year and buy a condo or something.
what's the rush?

 

You may also have things like homeowner's association, garbage collection, snow removal and parking fees. I've got 3 of those 4 here at my townhouse in Reston.

- Jeremy (jnn4v)

 

Most landlords dont pass off stuff like that to renters... the cost of owning a home, like property taxes and condo fees, should be part of the rent.

-Renter's insurance is CHEAP and totally worth it. It not only protects you against burglarly, it often also extends to certain forms of liability like assault or slander. Some landlords actually require that you have renter's insurance (although it does not protect their property).

-Food is huge, if mom and dad are filling the fridge right now.

-Water is almost always included, electricity and gas usually aren't. WATCH OUT for electric baseboard heat and electric hot water. Those will kill you if you are paying the electricity bill, as you most certainly are ESPECIALLY if your home is heated with electricity.

-There's tons of cheap furniture out there. You won't make it on Queer Eye for a few years with your decorating skillz but that's OK. You're probably going to move more than a few times before you buy a place that you'll keep long enough to really worry whether the furniture matches.

-Get your internet with your cable, step up to a really good cell plan, and don't worry about a landline. Landlines are a waste of money for many people, especially single guys.

 

Now this could either make you or break you.

and if it breaks, you're gonna be SOS. it's back to living with the parental units for alimony payments.

 

Renter's insurance is definitely a good thing. I had my car broken into when I was living in an apartment and the renter's insurance covers it. And they pay you what you paid for any items stolen. for GEICO

 

I think y'all forgot the beer and entertainment budget!! For all those parties you are gonna be having. Good luck, Chad!!

 

Dont forget about the Security Deposit......A lot of places ask for a security deposit that is equal to one months rent , but some places will lower or let it slide if you have credit.

 

Oh yeah, its not always a safe bet that you will get all of your deposit back even if you don't break anything. Be sure to read the lease really well, cause sometimes when you move out they have fews for things like, steam cleaning the carpet...etc... Usually they write it in the lease that these move out fews will be deducted from your security deposit.