conversation: User (NoMealPlan): "Finally graduated and want to move out my parent's house Immediately. However, I have no idea how to go about paying back student loans in a way that will allow me to live alone. Buying a new car before i start work on the 21st. \n\nI worked it out seeing that i'd bring home about 2168$ a month. When i think about loans, rent, utilities, car insurance, phone bill, food, etc, I wonder if I can actually do it living alone... help please?  "
  Self: "It doesn't matter how many bedrooms your apartment has. It matters how much money the rent is. And please don't get a new car. Buy a used one. And what is your monthly loan payment?"
  evolutionape (evolutionape): "And does OP even *need* a car? Possibly...but I’ve heard many people who could easily get by without one say that they **need** one. \n\nWhen I suggest considering public transportation, they often react quite viscerally...even mocking the idea. \n\nWhen I ask why they actually need the added expense of a car, they struggle to find a clear answer other than “I need to be able to get around!”\n\nAgain, it’s likely that OP does need one...but I thought I’d raise this point in case it helps anyone considering an expense that’s commonly viewed as something you’re “supposed to” have. "
  Self: "Yep, good point. I did not have a car for 10 years, but I lived in the NYC area."
  User (NoMealPlan): "I live in GA. A car is necessary. Also my car recently got totaled from a hit and run. The insurance company gave me a check for it so thats why I'm getting another car"
  Self: "There you go, then."
  