[JayCT]

Sorry to hear about your family situation. Have you considered a second job to earna little extra? Good luck, Jay

[seymourct]

Good for you on planning on funding it on your own... again, it is doable...just rough.
Turn the heat down when you leave, turn lights off, don't over buy at the food store, but what you need when you need it... food rots fasts...nothing worse than grabbing that brown apple etc etc, pack lunches, and drink coffee at the office...

Good luck!

[heather121]

I survived on a 32k/year salary for a year and a half in central CT, but it was absolutely a paycheck-to-paycheck existence, and I didn't have a car payment at the time. My rent was $675 w/o utilities there, and unfortunately I don't know if you could find a rent that low anywhere in Fairfield County, even in Bridgeport.

So as others have said, yes its possible, but it's going to suck a lot. You'll get good at finding deals everywhere though (need a piece of furniture? Go on Craigslist!). Good luck!

[pathfinda94]

19years,35k/year,04 vehicle. Dude, that's not bad. Count yourself fortunate and forget about the two bedroom and another vehicle for now. What's the other room for? Games/guest/studies/baby on the way?

[coachkecz]

Originally Posted by hypoxia

Hi,

Also, the reasoning behind getting a newer, reliable car is due to the fact that I'm having transmission problems with my current vehicle. And all of you that own german cars...you know its triple the price of a japenese car/american car to repair, and is just not plausible.


Dan

Given the above, perhaps you should consider getting a used japanese car (think mid-2000's Honda Accord or Civic coupe) rather than yet another jetta. On your budget, you'll need to make some concessions to style.

[hypoxia]

Bump on this.

Still not out, although my salary has jumped almost 10k. Hopefully going to keep going up as time comes.

I've bought a new car, financed some of it and paid the loan off cash and no longer have that car problem. My girlfriend is still able to contribute 3-400 a month...which is horrid I know.

-learning not to rush & I can stay at home for as long as I need now. I figure, save up for a little bit over a year. Put myself on a budget and kind of suffer for a year on not spending so possibly I may be able to have a little over $30,000 in my bank account by around this time next year.

Would like to buy a home instead of rent. Maybe my salary will even go up further by then.

I'm looking at homes.com and there are houses as cheap as 150k...? Not ideal, but...moving out at 22 and having a house instead of renting would be awesome!

Edit: Position in Stamford now.

Dan

[bomgd3]

As a student who lived on $18k/year in Hartford for the last two years (although with no car payment and a reliable Honda), $35k sounds fantastic!

[Stylo]

Stamford area = wicked expensive.

To get anything for $150k you'd have to go up to Danbury (and commute by car - 50-60 minutes), or east to Bridgeport/Stratford/Shelton (and commute by train). And it won't likely be a decent house, but a condo.

[RogerAnthony]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Stamford area = wicked expensive.

To get anything for $150k you'd have to go up to Danbury (and commute by car - 50-60 minutes), or east to Bridgeport/Stratford/Shelton (and commute by train). And it won't likely be a decent house, but a condo.

There are 48 condos listed in Stamford itself for $160,000 or below. Some of them are two bedrooms. I'd bet the OP could find something he likes for a decent price.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by RogerAnthony

There are 48 condos listed in Stamford itself for $160,000 or below. Some of them are two bedrooms. I'd bet the OP could find something he likes for a decent price.

If he wants to live in a tiny dump, sure. Just beware common fees in those old buildings.