I'm 18, moving out, and need advice before I tell my parents

Nicely done Odus.
Communication is key

I was on my own at 16 so this is coming from personal experience. I don't think you have a realistic budget or any idea of all the things that can and will go wrong. I see rent, phone, gas bill and a ridiculously low amount for food. What I don't see is toilet paper, paper towels, laundry supplies including quarters if you don't have a machine, cleaning supplies, shampoo, soap, haircuts, makeup, entertainment, OTC medicine, etc. What happens if you get sick and miss a day or more of work? You will have less money for bills and in the worse case might be out of a job. Then there are all the things we don't think we will need to pay but might. Speeding tickets, parking tickets, late fees, banking fees, and the list goes on.

I wish I could have lived at home and gone to college but I didn't have an option to stay in my parents house. Unless you have some horrible home environment I would stay as long as you can and save as much as possible for when you do finally move out.

The reason you have to include parents income is think about howeasy it would be for every 18 year old to not claim their parents help, obviously need financial aid, and then their parents give them money after

Yes, I would be upset and I would try to talk them out of it and so will your parents. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't move out. Tell your parents you would like to schedule a time to talk about something important to you. Pick a time when you and your parents are rested and in a good space to have a conversation. Tell your parents your plans and the specific date you plan to move out. Show them on paper your budget. Expect resistance! Show respect by listening to their arguments and not interrupting. Stay calm. Tell them you appreciate their concerns and you will consider their arguments. Ask to meet again in a week. If you haven't changed your mind then let them know you are moving ahead with your plan. Let them know you love them and you don't want there to be bad feelings. Tell them it is important to you to feel their support. Acknowledge that it is a scary time for both of you but it is also an exciting time.

Now, you have to be realistic about your ability to financially support yourself. What happens if one of your roomates decides to move out. You and your other roomate will have to cover the rent. Don't expect your parents to bail you out. It is cheaper for them and you if you are living at home. It is not their job to financially support you so you can play house. Ideally, it would be good to save your money for another six months to a year and then move out. Good luck!

I live with my parents until I was 23 and when I did move out I already had my career but could not believe how fast expenses add up. I even split my rent in half with my SO everything was actually down the middle but it was still ridiculously expensive. I would suggest waiting.

i moved out when i was 18, and consider it normal to do so.

do what you want to do. I dont know your parents, so no idea how they will feel, they will probably miss you, but you are 18 and it's not abnormal to live on your own at that age.

i disagree with the ppl who suggest you live at home during college, however. I know people who live at home and they usually still seem "stuck in high school." Unless you want to live at home, I wouldn't recommend doing so just so you can save some money on rent.

$350 really isn't that much, considering you will probably have a blast. You have to invest money in life, and if you know moving out will allow you to grow and improve as a person, i say go for it!

ps: my mom was very depressed when I left, but she also encouraged me to move out because she knew it was best for me. I even studied abroad in another country in high school. I was 15 and practically moved out lol. I had one of the greatest times of my life btw.

talk to your parents, see what they think about it. work with them to create a realistic budget. If you are living close to home, that may easy their anxiety about the situation. Maybe they will be willing to help you out. Some people on here have good points, but I live on my own now and I love it. If you can do it, do it. You seem responsible.

Ok, yeah I understand you wanting to be on your own, I wanted to be out of the house by the time I turned 19.....but I ended up getting kicked out 2 months before I actually turned 19, and now I'm living with my boyfriend. I love it, but it's so much responsibility and money. I had over honestly 5 grand saved when I started, now with buying my own car, paying for school myself, rent and other bills, I'm down to living check to check. If you're parents are on good terms with you living at home for now, take advantage of it. I don't regret living on my own, I regret not being smart with my money and the downside of us being teenagers, we jump in and buy what we want, not what we need....if you REALLY believe you're ready to be on your own, then figure out a budget beforehand so you don't go broke within the first month or two and try to keep shopping and eating out at a bare minimum. And as for the car insurance, you'd have to talk to your parents about keeping your car insured under their name and keep the address on your license at their current address. The only reason my insurance is as cheap as it is now is because it's listed under their name and when I get my license, I have to keep my old address. Just sit them down one day and ask what they think about it....don't tell them you've been thinking about it, ask them what they would think if you decided to move out anytime soon.

I know I just rambled on a lot but I hope you find some helpful hints in there somewhere. Best of Luck to you!!!