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I'd like to hear from people who live in NJ if this is possible.
I've tried it, its hard, Im still struggling. I cant afford to have my own apartment.
Im making adjustments as I go by.
I'd like to hear Im not alone in this.
Please share your budget ideas, how to save on cel phone bills, cuponing, thrifting... whatever makes it survival.
It's not easy, but it's possible, and you are definitely not alone. You may not be able to afford a fancy apartment, especially in a fancy town like Randolph, but there's things you can do...
- Get a no-frills cell phone plan.
- If you pay a utility bill, be sure to turn off all unnecessary appliances and turn heat/air conditioning down when you leave your place for any significant amount of time.
- Get a solid, reliable, beater car, like a 10-year-old Camry or Accord in decent shape. Shop around for gas using a website like Gas Buddy. Prices vary wildly.
- Pick up a Sunday paper each week for coupons. Most major supermarkets in the area double coupons.
- Find your nearest Aldi's. No other food store offers the good quality items they have for the dirt-cheap prices they charge. Bring your own bags, a quarter for the cart, cash or a debit card, and prepare to save mucho $$$ on food.
- If you have credit card debt, call the banks and nicely ask if your interest rates can be lowered. You'll be surprised how often this works. (Try to minimize credit card debt, however, as it's very easy to quickly drown in the debt.)
- If you watch TV, go for a minimalist cable subscription or a basic streaming Netflix plan. The fancy packages cost lots of $$$.
- If you have yo make a major purchase (TV, furniture, etc.) look for clearance or open-box items for steep discounts. If those aren't options, haggle on the price. Many dealers will play ball on most items (don't expect it to work on an iPhone 6S or a PS4 though).
It's not easy, but it's possible, and you are definitely not alone. You may not be able to afford a fancy apartment, especially in a fancy town like Randolph, but there's things you can do...
Good luck...
oops just updated my profile info. I no longer live in Randolph of course!!! :-)
My parents are frugal. Mortgage/rent aside, since I guess it's obv. you should try to minimize rent, here are their expenses:
- utilities: $100/month
- internet: $30/month
- cell phone: $10/month They use prepaid, Pageplus is $80 a year for 2000 minutes. There are others that are around 5cents a minute. For long calls, they use skype
- gas: $100-$120/month
- food: $400/month
So you're looking at $650/month in fixed expenses for a family of 4. Say you find a place for $1000 a month (if cheaper, you can put that to entertainment or clothes budget), you're looking at close to $20K a year in expenses. It can be done, but you won't have fun. My parents are pretty lame people.
It's not easy, but it's possible, and you are definitely not alone. You may not be able to afford a fancy apartment, especially in a fancy town like Randolph, but there's things you can do...
- Get a no-frills cell phone plan.
- If you pay a utility bill, be sure to turn off all unnecessary appliances and turn heat/air conditioning down when you leave your place for any significant amount of time.
- Get a solid, reliable, beater car, like a 10-year-old Camry or Accord in decent shape. Shop around for gas using a website like Gas Buddy. Prices vary wildly.
- Pick up a Sunday paper each week for coupons. Most major supermarkets in the area double coupons.
- Find your nearest Aldi's. No other food store offers the good quality items they have for the dirt-cheap prices they charge. Bring your own bags, a quarter for the cart, cash or a debit card, and prepare to save mucho $$$ on food.
- If you have credit card debt, call the banks and nicely ask if your interest rates can be lowered. You'll be surprised how often this works. (Try to minimize credit card debt, however, as it's very easy to quickly drown in the debt.)
- If you watch TV, go for a minimalist cable subscription or a basic streaming Netflix plan. The fancy packages cost lots of $$$.
- If you have yo make a major purchase (TV, furniture, etc.) look for clearance or open-box items for steep discounts. If those aren't options, haggle on the price. Many dealers will play ball on most items (don't expect it to work on an iPhone 6S or a PS4 though).
Good luck...
All excellent suggestions.
A couple more:
Try and keep the heat down lower, even when home, just put on a sweater or two.
Cook as many of your own meals as you can. Dining out and take out are pricey. You can't cook for yourself so much more reasonably.
Buy as much meat as you can fit into your freezer when it's on sale.
If you have storage room, stock up on canned goods, dry goods and paper products when on sale. Shop Rite's Can-Can sale is great for this.
Browse yard sales and flea markets. There are tons of online yard sale sites through Facebook where people sell all kinds of gently used items. Also check out the Salvation Army thrift stores.
I'd like to hear from people who live in NJ if this is possible.
I've tried it, its hard, Im still struggling. I cant afford to have my own apartment.
Im making adjustments as I go by.
I'd like to hear Im not alone in this.
Please share your budget ideas, how to save on cel phone bills, cuponing, thrifting... whatever makes it survival.
Yes. You will need to cohabitate in some fashion (roommates, significant other, or otherwise). Not possible to afford your own apt in North Jersey on that unless you go west of Dover
- Liability insurance only on a cheap car that gets 20+ MPG (buy with under 100k miles in the 5-7k range).
- split utilities/cable/internet (more then 1 roommates saves a little here)
- No smart phone (or buy/bring a smart phone and only use wifi, dont pay for a data plan). Use one of the cut rate carriers and you should be under $20 a month.
- buy in bulk/on sale where it makes sense to do so (non-perishable)
- think about any repetitive things you can out of your lifestyle that will make a difference over time (smoking, daily DD coffee, buying lunch at work, etc).
Not gonna be living the good life, but can be done. Especially if you are out there a bit in the Dover area.
Im loving all these tips they are very helpful.
I was once without a car for about 6 months.
I learned how to use public transportation in New Jersey, which is really a feat, an uphill battle, since NJ Transit is really unrealiable, with the exception of the private Bus LakeLand, that one safe my life many times during the winter. Luckily Lakeland route goes to where I work!!
I did get to save to buy a car, a 2002 Camry!! It took me six months, the whole winter. I survived. Learned a lot about NJ Transit routes, how they suck, should be another story/thread.
I also bought a bike and did get to use it during the summer time. Saved me $$ on gas. I did not have the courage to use my bike during the winter time, as I hate the cold weather. Maybe I'll work up my courage to ride in the snow someday.
Please keep these ideas coming. Im loving it, Im glad im not alone in this.
You live in one of the most expensive states, you are not alone. People who make more than you are struggling, many leaving the state. I can afford to live here, but it doesn't mean I should. I am looking for ways out.
You live in one of the most expensive states, you are not alone. People who make more than you are struggling, many leaving the state. I can afford to live here, but it doesn't mean I should. I am looking for ways out.
That's really great idea moving.
however... Im sure the OP wants to talk about surviving on 28K a year in NJ.
Commuting on a bike does help. I've seen many around on route 46 in Kenvil and surrounding areas. Keep it up.
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