rickhamilton620
has a fetish for terrible cars
You have to repay a student loan when you are not earning very much - poor you. It is a tight budget but if you are disciplined you will be amazed at what you can do. I'd go as cheaply as I can for the rent after all every dollar not going to the landlord is a dollar you can save. Problem comes when you get a partner, unless they are well off - they may not like living in said flat. On the upside two can almost live as cheaply as one.
May I recommend Heinz baked beans on toast, as a very cheap meal.
Hah. Yes I am stuck paying because I'm no longer going to class even half time. If I had it like that, id quit my job and get through the next year with nothing but classes. I can't afford not to work though so slow and steady lol.
So $438.83 a month with just the fixed expenses you've mentioned. Income of $790-$800 per fortnight is $1600 a month leaving you $1161. Less $485 for rent now leaves $676 a month, $338 a fortnight or $169 a week spare. Not a lot, and you may be stretching yourself a bit.
You need to account for car expenses; fuel, rego, maintenance, etc. And unexpected costs associated with the car. What if a tyre bursts suddenly?
You havent budgeted for other variable expenses such as food, entertainment, clothes, and miscellaneous other expenses, so work out how much they expect to cost either fortnightly or monthly.
The $270 a month option would be financially better, but only you know if it works for you lifestyle wise.
Yeah that's what I'm afraid of. I don't like not having extra money in case something would happen, particularly around the car...I tend to have shit luck in that department, and its not like my Accord is a spring chicken...it has nearly 230k on it.