In here will be included tips on budgeting, setting up a home, cooking, choosing and keeping a mate, job choice, and other assorted topics. Feel free to jump around as needed, and skip what is not. This is a tool, one of many, to help build strong, independent, successful adults.
Here is some information about my lifestyle, that I can provide suggestions on.
I live a frugal life. I live in Ames, IA so life is not particularly expensive in comparison to big cities or the coasts. Average rent here is about $600 a month for a one bedroom. I have a skilled labor position. I have a BS in Mathematics from Iowa State University (ISU), but I have not yet found an opportunity to use it. Upon graduation from college in 2008 I worked a serious of fast-food-style jobs until getting my CDL. I now drive public transit for the local bus company, Cy-Ride.
I have minimal debt. My parents gave me the old family car for graduation. I was able to graduate without college student debt. I got a great debt-free start to my adult life. If you are so blessed, so much the better. If not, the debt-reduction principles discussed later will still apply to you. I will repeat this again, but NEVER get into credit card debt. I have none, and plan to keep it that way. I do have medical debt. My job does not provide health insurance, and until right now it has always been to expensive for me to buy independently ($430).
My family life is simple. I live 1200 miles away from my immediate family, so there are few pressures to visit on the weekends, but it is more expensive when I decide to go. I generally shoot to make it home once a year or so. I was married briefly, but failed, and am now a statistic. More on that later. Anyway, I acquired medical debt from that, but that is all that remains. Currently I have a guinea pig for a pet. I have thus far decided that the expense of dogs and cats was more that I wanted to spend. I think the average cost for a dog per year is life $1200, plus food. Cats are less expensive, but I currently choose to prioritize other things. I do have a roommate, G, a lovely retired lady. I will discuss late why I think this is a wonderful plan.
My current vehicles are a 2006 Chevy Impala. It gets about 26 miles to the gallon. It has fairly severe body damage to the rear driver door, a non-functional radio, and no electrical power to the doors. It needs some image reconstruction, but the basic functionality is awesome! I have a 1960s-era beach cruiser bicycle. Like the car, it could use some image revamping, but basic functionality is great. Lastly I have a 2011 moped that I am desperately trying to get ride of.
I go to church (yes, every Sunday). I go to the Evangelical Free Church here in Ames, and have since April 2013. I believe tithing is an important part of my life, as is church participation in general. I recently switched churches so am taking this opportunity to re-examine my church life. I am, therefore, exploring various church activities. Sunday school is my primary ministry, pre-K is my calling! However, I am also dabbling in Greeting and Camera ministry.
I think these are the basic building blocks that I base my budget and life around. I can always add more later.
