Budget Issue: Working in Moorpark, living in Sherman Oaks comfortably on 65K (rent, home)

[amu621]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

You mean 50 miles a day, right?

No, the land-lord of the sublet spot isn't answering, it's 90 miles each way to my parents' place in Orange County.

[cal-K]

I would stay with Old car, own apartment, keep savings goal.
Since you are still young, start saving early will give you more advantage on compound growth.

I, myself start saving 20+% of my gross income since I started working, and I see the advantage of the growth.
Once your principle grow to a decent number you can reduce the percentage, then you can start on your apartment and car.

Personally, I try to avoid roommate and get a small studio or 1 bedroom, reason is that 1st you don't know what kinda people you gonna get, 2nd is that if you rent a 2 bedroom, you are paying extra when your roommate move out and that will screw up your financial plan. unless you can find a 2 bedroom that you can afford to purchase and rent the extra room out, that would be a slightly different situation.

I brought my first bimmer in my late 20s and lease the last and current bimmer.
My last bimmer lease was close to $1000/month, It was one of my reachable dream car, but also almost 50% of an apartment down payment.
And remember that is not the only extra thing you are paying for, your registration fee and insurance will go up, your gas bill will go up, since you'll probably have to use premium gas.
Also your maintenance cost will go up, not sure about Audi, at least bimmer has that covered.
Plus, there will be other end of lease fee if you didn't cover that up front.

So good luck =)

[mrsltd]

LIVE IN MOORPARK! You can go to Sherman Jokes on weekends.

[SandyCo]

To the OP, it's interesting that no one has said you should go for the new car. That might be a sign. If you want a gold digger, an Audi probably won't be enough of a status symbol. If you want a real woman with a sensible head on her shoulders, save your money for now.

I also recommend that you live as close to where you'll be working as possible; otherwise you'll be too tired and too broke to enjoy the night life and dating you want! You can always drive to more lively places on the weekends.

My company has been saying we'll move offices for at least the last two years, and it still hasn't happened, so don't hold your breath on your company moving any time soon.

[cal-K]

I just re-read ur OP and SP.
Seems to me a lot of things are what ur expecting to happen.

You expecting to get a 65k job. So I assume u don't have the job now and even with the said job, i won't even consider to get a new car til you pass probation at the very least.

I don't know what profession you are in, but a 30% rise in 2 yrs seems to be a bit dreamy
Also, seems like you are living with ur folks now and expenses will be higher once you live by urself.
You also have to factor in ur social spending. Even if you are not into clubbing.
Happy hours with friends and co-workers, dating, all cost money.
The cheapest date I've been cost around $60, and that is just dinner w/o alcohol!
Even cruising in ur car alone will cost gas.

So until u set foot on a concrete ground. I would suggest you to stay with ur honda and live closer to work alone.
You will have a happier life!!

[jessemh431]

The savings and all that jazz, yes I agree with. Moving closer to Moorpark? No, unless it's right around CSUN because of the young college vibe. I'm in the same boat with you that I can't stand living in the suburbs and so far removed from everything. If you're gonna be in the valley already, don't drop even further to a place like Moorpark. The only acceptable place in the valley for someone with any remote love for urbanity is Sherman Oaks. Definitely the best place to be young in the valley, if you have to be in the valley

[jm1982]

Instead of the big Audi payment, get a bucket and spend the rest on "professionals" ..These girls don't even care if you own a car.

You can probably even find them in Moorpark so you save money on gas.

[damian.shay]

OP Audi isn't enough to impress women (or men) in this city anymore you need to go for a Porsche at the minimum, who cares about debt at least you'll be getting some (sarcasm of course)

[jm1982]

I'd go for something a bit bigger though...maybe the Porsche SUV would do .

Then it can double as housing and you will be "saving" money on rent.

[damian.shay]

Originally Posted by jm1982

I'd go for something a bit bigger though...maybe the Porsche SUV would do .

Then it can double as housing and you will be "saving" money on rent.

Actually those Porsche Cayenne's are pretty small inside, I'd say go for a new Range Rover the full size one