My L.A. Budget (Rodeo: mattress, lawyer, closing)

[uptown_urbanist]

If you're coming from London than you'll be in the position of thinking things in LA are cheap - much different from so many others who end up being shocked at the prices!

I think you can do $25 a week for groceries here, too, assuming you don't have super expensive tastes. Maybe factor in a little more for these first few months (unless you don't do much cooking at all) to get some of those basic cooking essentials (spices, olive oil, etc.), although I guess with a roommate situation you can probably just share some of that stuff.

[Green Irish Eyes]

Other costs to consider would be [paid] memberships on casting websites, perhaps new headshots (if the ones you have are considered "out of market"), postage to mail out said headshots if you're agent-hunting (currently $1.00/envelope) -- all that good stuff .....

[Green Irish Eyes]

Just a reminder, folks, that the OP is asking about expenses to plan for when she arrives in Los Angeles, not about jobs, visas, housing, etc. Let's try to stay on topic, please.

[nmnita]

how can your car insurance be taken care of, you have no idea what it will be in So California? I would agree, with the others, you are probably not quite ready for the move..

I also am not certain how you will eat on $25 per week, do you live on canned beans and oatmeal? Recently a reporter from one of our local papers did do a story on eating on $30 per week. She was able to do it, but said she could never do it long as she ate hardly any healthy foods.

Someone not too long ago from the east coast was on here asking exactly the same thing you are. Could she survive for 3 months on 8,000.00? and the answer was pretty much the same, good luck!!! Think about the cost of gas as well as the rest of the expenses..

Nita

[timelesschild]

If you shop at the 99 Cents store, you can eat on $25/week, if you are careful. A can of soup is $1, a package of crackers is $1, and for a single female, this is 2 meals' worth. They have fresh produce there as well. Some 99 Cents stores have better grocery sections than others, I find.

3 meals/day x 7 days = 21 meals/week. That means just over $1/meal. For the month, it ends up being 90 meals, or maybe $100, as she says she is spending now. I recommended that she budget $150 for the month because people need other things besides the food: cleaning products, laundry detergent, toilet paper, and such. All that can be gotten from the 99 Cents store as well.

For a budget that is so tight that toilet paper is a debatable point, I would be skeptical.

[lbcguy]

I think you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position because you mentioned no support structure to rely on. Most people have family they can rely on when things go bad so they can survive until they get back on their feet.

I have a friend in the LA film industry and he tells me it is brutal right now in terms of the work outlook. The bad economy has heavily impacted the local economy so you better have a great skill set or connections to get you a decent job.

I think the budget you listed is solid for a 6-8 month period if no major mishap befalls upon you. I would tell most people that the plan you have is not practical for a permanent move and is a recipe for failure. I would personally recommend you triple your savings before considering this move.

Having said all that I do compliment you on being willing to take a big risk to go after your dreams. If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way through the hardships you'll encounter.

[Clinton167]

Ok, you make some good points and thanks to everyone who has given advice. I'm going to increase my budget for spending money so it's not as tight, though I am used to being careful with my money. I cannot think why I would need more than $100 per week to spend, unless I'm being irresponsible, buying things I don't need, partying etc.
There is no way on earth I can triple my savings before I move. I would have to be saving for the next ten years! An actress friend of mine recently moved out with $6000. Things are tight for her, as with actors in general, but she is waiting tables, auditioning, and she is doing just fine.
I don't know what to tell ya about the grocery shopping. I normally stock up on wholemeal pasta, brown rice, frozen vegetables, milk, oatmeal, bread, cheese and turkey for sandwiches and a couple of vegetable soups. Maybe it's an actor thing - we're used to being frugal and don't really eat that much, the girls anyway. Lol. I don't know.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Again, the one thing I would tweak is the savings. Up it to at least 10K. More would be better. The rest of the budget seems OK. When I was first on my own I lived off of plain old bean burritos and plain lettuce salads. Once in a while I'd splurge and add in cheese. LOL!

[impala666]

100$ a week so you don't buy make-up or clothes.
Your budget is way out. You will spend $100 a week on gas/parking.
I know three professional british actors who came to LA to take prime jobs each one spent a minimum of $50,000 to set up.
For a US kid to roll into town and do a few auditions is one thing being a professional from another country is another.
By the way when/if you start to work here you pay tax and become a resident you will loose all rights to NHS health care unless you maintain residence in the UK and pay NI contributions.

[yukiko11]

You can rent a room in a private home for 3-400/month. Paying 1000 is pretty high, especially since you are not a citizen and if you don't come here on a work visa, you won't be able to get a legitimate job.
As for being an actress, don't take offense, but there are million people in LA who are just like you.
If you don't have a portfolio with acting or theatre experience, and professional photos you don't have much of a chance.
As you said actress, I am assuming you are a woman. If you are young, stacked and spectacular looking you may be able to get some extra work in videos and such, and you will certainly be approached for straight and gay porn. And you may be able to earn pretty good money as a cocktail waitress, or at a place like hooters.
Many people here prey on people like you, so you have to be very careful who you associate with. You will probably be approached by somebody who can "make you a star" if you will only pay 3,000 for professional pictures to make a great portfolio.
Anybody who wants money is a con artist.
Please be careful about who you associate with and your safety.
I wish you the best of luck.