Moving Out?

[Random Hero]

im 18 and wanting to move out, i was wondering what kind of support is available finiancially. I have a part time job and hopefully it will turn into full time. It's just i have no idea how i would manage to pay for my own place (most likely a flat). Anyone done this before and know? Mom said that you get benefits etc, and i agree they're useful, but with the new costs such as poll tax, those benefits end up going back into their pockets (their being the government). Please help me understand this, thanks :)

[Emz26]

How about you wait until you definately have a full time job and can afford to move out instead of relying on handouts from the government. I had to wait until I was 24 until I could afford to move out and get my own place.

[stuelwell]

what about joining the services. there you can move out, have a full time job, and have more friends than you can shake a stick at(for life). i myself did the same when i joined the royal marines. and look on the bright side at least you wouldnt have to scrounge off the state

[Hawkwalk]

you are unlikely to get any benefits as you will be working and the Poll Tax was scrapped about the time you were born.

[hotpink]

its good that you are thinking about things sensibly. depending on where you live flats will vary in rent, say �400, then you've got c tax, say �80, a bond to place on your flat �400, your gas, electricity, water rates, tv licence, phone line... then there's furniture, and all the little things will really add up to a lot! (kettle, potato peeler, pots and pans, cuttlery etc). then you will have to fill up your cupboard with food, cleaning products and toiletries. it can be done, but as advised, don't do it untill you really can afford to do it. (ps, it is very scary having your own place as a young adult... if anything goes wrong... its down to you)

[redcrx]

You need to get to a stage where you can afford to pay for this, why not see if a friend will flat share with you if you are really set on leaving home? Or start saving up hard until you are in a full time job and in a better position to fund a flat or house. Most of us have been in that situation and its just a fact of life that you need to be responsible and save up for things.

I wish it was as simple as asking for a handout when we cant afford something we want. If you do find a way can you ask if anyones willing to buy me the new sports car i have my eye on, I cant afford it on what i earn, and then of course Id need help with the tax, insurance and petrol costs. :)

[Random Hero]

thats the thing though, my own mom is charging me �80 a week to live at home, and im not even allowed my girlfriend upstairs cos of an incident when i was 14 involving a locked door lol.... i know it's costly but i need to do something cos she is ruining the last part of my teenage years. i want to save up properly but i cant if she keeps taking so much,

[redcrx]

Talk to your mum, explain that you are wanting to save for a place of your own. Perhaps she will come to a compromise with you. But be aware that your own place would cost a lot more than �80 a week.

Oh and just because you are paying your way at home doesnt entitle you to have your girlfriend in your bedroom, you do still need to abide by your mums rules in her house.

[lady_p_gold]

Just out of interest why are you only working part time ? What a lot of people do is have a house share where you all pay towards the rent, I used to do this and share a bedroom between three of us, that made it just about affordable. Regarding the 'poll tax' well it is not going back into the government's pocket really, it is paying for your police, roads, refuse collection and all the services you use.

[emmagleb]

Ask yourself whether you can afford it by 150%.

Take the monthly cost of living (rent, services, food, council tax, internet, travel, clothes etc) and add 50%. If you have that much money a month to spend, then you can afford it. The trick is to live TO your means, not beyond them. By having that 50% extra, you have something to fall back on if you get into trouble.

Alternatively, go to universtiy. Student loans for rent, a better education, and away from home. At 18, I moved 160 miles south to the University of Portsmouth, and have never looked back.

�80 a week is high for home rent. At university halls of residence, that will cover rent, council tax (ineligable) and service rates - the same as at home but out of home. And it being a universtiy complex, problems are defaulted to the uni (ie - maintenance). Something to think about??