Graduating soon, opinions needed.

[yamaha]

So, I'll be graduating in July of 2006 from PTI with a associates degree in Network Administration and Computer Forensic's. I've been living with my parents mostly and paying off my school loan 300-400 dollars a month at a time. I've paid off about 8,000 so far. As I will be graduating, I will be turning 21 in June. My questions are, should I continue to mooch off my parents and put some money towards them for food, water, cable, etc, and just save up some money and then move out in a year? Or should I move out after I find a full time job after my internship at the Science Center, still paying for school, and having stupid **** like rent, food, etc. I really dont like to mooch off them as they have done alot for me to help me get where I am at this point. Im making around 800/month after taxes and put away another 200 a month. I have close to 2,000 save up right now. So, what would you do?

[soullesselantra]

well, depending on cost of living there, you could always move into an apartment or small house and get a friend or two to split the costs...

[Vampyrate]

here is what i would do. sit down with your parents and see how they feel. if they think that it would be best for you to save up a little bit longer and try to get a starter home, then do it. if not, then just grab yourself a place to live and continue what you are doing. im pretty sure they will be understanding and let you stay a while longer if you are the only one paying off the loan for school

[yamaha]

They are totally cool with it. It's mainly them and myself, and they are gone on the weekends. So, I may be staying for a few months.

[th003g]

stay and save your money....
renting sux....
save for a downpayment on something you OWN

[Vampyrate]

^i strongly second that... after i get out of school, that is what my parents and i have talked about and have come to terms with

[th003g]

as an example here's my situation...
10k in student loans....
bring in...~40k a year before taxes...
live in hella costly area....
at home with 'rents....
use the money i would've put toward rent to a Co-op...which is partially mine (father and I 50/50, got approved using my income)... pay my cell, CC, car insurance, clothes, food when I eat out... thats it...
that way I have money for the toys in my life....(LCD HDTV, S/C, vacations for 'rents and once in a while myself)
the other way would've been....
pay 1200 in rent for an apt I DON't own, meals, furniture, etc....in addition to the above...
this way I still have somehting thats mine that will go UP in value through the years... instead of paying someone else's mortgage.... i am paying my own...

[ArunSenior04]

Damn yamaha i didnt know you were into computers. Comp Network-related professions is a one of the most wanted fields out for then next decade or so. My mom is a network admin/system analysis/engineer for NSA. To work there you have to get a top secret security clearance (takes 12-18 months.) I saw her 04 taxes, and on her w2 she had a gross income of over $85K. Im sure she makes more now. And Im sure shell be making a whole lot more when she gets her certification this May, and becomes her own contractor rather than being contracted out.

[robs02elantra]

Yeah, definately stay with your parents for a year. If they are anything like my parents, they were eager for me to get out and become financially stable, at the same time, they knew when I moved out life would be really different for them and they were willing to hang onto the good times for a while longer just so that they had some good memories to leave on. If your living at home for a while after school, it gives some good times with your family when they don't have to bother you about school, and when you can just relate on a more equal field. It's a much more stress free and awesome time with some of the best people that you will ever live with.

I say, stay at home for the year, save up some money, and be really set when you leave home.

[ArunSenior04]

How about you and Evan get an apt?

[yamaha]

That would be like the odd couple. Only stranger, and more fun.

[ArunSenior04]

And more pics for crazy photochops....:)

[Vampyrate]

move to wise, va... things are a lot cheaper here and your bang for your buck. i managed to talk to a guy that can do some welding for me for 50bux flat out... and i would love to have a roomie here so i can get a dog and move off campus

[drmarks82]

My company is looking for a Direct Mail Programmer in Forest, VA. The pay is great(I'd rather not say how much, PM me if you really want to know) and the cost of living is amazing. A new apartment complex is leasing two bedrooms at $600 a month. I try to talk Super into it every few months, but he likes the NoVA area better.

Save up your money for a few years and buy a house. The average house price down here is $150,000.

Anyways, it was just a thought. PM me if you have an interest!