It's tough! & tougher because your parents have not prepare you to save every dime AND DIRECT YOU To BUY THINGS YOU NEED WHEN YOU GET A place...sheets and towels..
the best freedom at this point would be to find a house with a family and a room to rent....a flat rate like $300 no extra for the utilities...no young kids a older couple...
this will prepare you to get credit established...save everything...be frugle and learn to budget
I would not suggest to get a roommate right away...you need to live on your own and manage..
you can do it but it will be tight and a second job would make it nicer...dog sittin...baby sittin poop clean up..just something to pull in a few extra bucks
no way in the world would you eat that amount of food...you need to learn to cook and eat fresh...fruit..... water...salads...no fast food no coffee...to expensive...
so mindfully you can do it and the biggest step is moving forward...having only what you need and being happy about your new freedom..
You may have to find a roommate. A two bedroom apartment rarely is twice as much as a one bedroom (figure you can get a 2 bedroom for $800 - $900). You also will save on food (two really do eat cheaper than one - you do the same amount for cleaning, but split the expenses, have fewer leftovers to throw out, etc.).
Right now, you're kind of stuck. Don't know how much education you have, but a Certificate or training program at your local Community College might help. $12 per hr. can't pay the bills for an adult life.
Still living rent free with the parents may be your best and last chance to further your education, there are practical 2 years technical degrees that can get you a good paying job.
http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-r...
Min wage workers commonly have to share housing to shave a couple hundred off their costs, landlords commonly want proof that you are earning 3X the monthly rent which equates to $580 if you are doing 40 hour seeks.
why would you need $80-100 a week for food for one person? that's insane - if that includes eating out, you better get used to NOT eating out - you can't afford it - there is no reason a single person needs to be spending more than $40 a week for food and household items - and rent usually does not include electric, maybe heat, cable TV, internet, phone
You are overestimating your food expenses. Get a roommate, learn of cheaper groceries (e.g. Aldi), & live near a bus route.
Better yet, continue to live with your parents and save your money, assuming you get along well.
You'd need a roommate or two to share expenses.
you are stuck, you need either more hours or greater hourly rate or roommates
