Question: Living alone for the first time.? Alright, in January '07 I will be going to college, and I will live alone for the first time.\nVancouver, BC is the place, and I had a few questions in mind.\nWhat's the easiest and cheapest way to eat, what can I get to cook, or should I get some instant microwave food.\nAll that kinds of tips will be appreciated, where to work, where to live how to save money, what should I avoid to spend my money in, etc etc.\n\nThanks a lot. Best suggestions get 10 points and 5 stars of course.

Answer: Wow. Lotsa issues for you to work out. You need to start by answering some basic questions for yourself: \n\n-- How much money will you have to live on? \n-- What inescapable expenses will you have? (E.g., rent, tuition, books, insurance?)\n\nWhen you know what your "disposable" income will be, then look for things where you have control. Take transportation: Any public transportation is cheaper than keeping a car. Riding a bike or walking are cheapest of all. So it's worth spending a little bit more on rent to live close to work and school, for instance. \n\nAs for jobs, your choices are going to be dictated by your school schedule and your skills. All things being equal, consider  fringe benefits like paid vacation days, sick leave, free or discounted goods and services. If you can get a job with the school where you are studying, that's usually a great deal. It saves you commuting costs and time, and may get you a break on tuition.  \n\nAs far as feeding yourself, first consider any special nutritional needs you may have (allergies, etc.), then learn how to cook the basics. It takes no great skill to boil spaghetti or scramble an egg. A microwave is a great tool for making things like ramen noodles (one of those cheap basics you can eat every day, with variations). Fresh veggies and fruit are quite inexpensive, compared to anything prepared, carry-out or frozen. Same with meats, although if you are really pinched, you will need to explore all the meat alternatives -- beans and rice, for instance, have tons of protein. There's always tofu, if you can stomach it (I can't). Work in a little indulgence here and there -- some real butter, homemade brownies, an occasional bottle of wine, whathave you -- to keep you happy. You don't want to feel like a prisoner. But, man, watch out for beer. College students the world over go broke and fry their brains on "cheap" beer.\n\nSpend a little time in the cookbook section of the local library and find a good, basic guide, like "Cooking for Dummies," or any one of a ton of cheap-eats books. Make sure you pick a book that is understandable and appealing to you; if you're confused, you won't use it.\n\nWatch out for sodas, chips, snacks, etc. Ounce for ounce, they are very expensive and do your body no good.\n\nOtherwise, you need to think about things like entertainment. Can you live without movies, DVDs, video games, new CDs? If not, put yourself on a fun budget, and explore what you can find for free at the library, and for cheap at used-goods stores.\n\nAlso, study the local newpapers, weeklies and entertainment guides. There are always tons of cool, free or low-cost things to do in a great city like Vancouver. You can have massive amounts of fun and meet fabulous people by seeking out the cheapo fun. (Beware of cults; they give away a lot of free food.)\n\nIf you have a clothes jones or gadget habit, again, you'll need to put yourself on a strict budget. It's impulse spending that will land you in big trouble. Find out where all the thrift stores in town are, and go there first when you need something. Never buy anything on store credit.\n\nIf you can get by without one, do not get a credit card. If you must have one, do NOT use it except for EXTREME emergencies.\n\nLiving alone can be disconcerting for someone who has grown up with people around all the time. But it's also a great adventure. It forces you to learn a lot about yourself, and it forces you to go out and make friends. Just don't do anything incredibly dumb, and you will have such a great time during these years that you won't miss money at all.
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