is spending half your monthly wage on rent doable?

gwynlas

I don't know what your main job is but second the idea of a part time job on top. I did this for quite a while initially doing bar work then agency shifts in my own profession and wish I had kept it up. It's great to have the extra income and doing a couple of evenings work even at minimum wage paying tax would give you more financial freedom. Then there are the social aspects and maybe even free meals on duty if it is that kind of place. Depending on your ahge appearance you could either get work in a trendy wine bar or typical corner pub.

fitnessguy1

@bigaunty. yes i am looking to go back to education if possible. i really think i need to. i think that's the only way i will be able to get into a better paid job right now. as for parents, well they very rarely go away anywhere. on the very rare occasion they may take a trip somewhere but they tend to be very frugal and not spend unnecessarily. i don't want to push them into taking a vacation or trip just so i can cook for my gf. at the end of the day it's their home and i'm just living there.

fitnessguy1

j.e.j. wrote: »

I have (in the past) spent more than half of my take-home pay on the rent, but I wouldn't recommend it.

That said, you should really be getting your own place by your late 20s. It's a bit old to be living with your parents, imo. We've now got a generation of young adults who've been utterly failed by the system, unfortunately. Rents are sky-high, wages low, making rents unaffordable and mortgages just a pipe-dream.

I could suggest maybe getting a second job, if you are able to, and putting the money from that job into savings? Or maybe just looking for a bedsit, if you'd be happy in such a small space?

just having my own space would be ideal. i know i'm not going to get anything amazing but just my own little space would be cool. it is tough when you leave school and don't know what to do. i left school and just worked up until now, but it's always been in the dead end, poor paying jobs because i needed work. in hindsight i should have gone into something that would eventually pay a good wage , but at the time i had no idea. do you get many bedsits that are bills included?

BigAunty

fitnessguy1 wrote: »

do you get many bedsits that are bills included?

No idea. What do the ads on the Gumtree and Spareroom indicate?

Are there even many true bedsits around these days? As in a self contained bedroom/living room, perhaps with a tiny hob, but usually with a shared bathroom? Or is that not what you mean or have I misunderstood this type of accommodation.

I thought the HMO legislation for large properties and planning laws tend to make this type of set-up a lot more onerous and expensive for landlords, plus lifestyle expectations of tenants had changed with many shunning even the concept of a self-contained studio for being beneath them.

You are more likely to get at least some bills included in bedsits compared to other types because some large properties of a certain design that have a lot of unrelated occupants in them (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) now have legislation that forces the landlord to be responsible for council tax.

System

I had a bedsit that was all bill included but by god it was a dive. I ended up there after my ex and i split and i couldn't afford the flat on my own. I felt i wanted my own space at any cost. Let me tell you now it was 7 months of HELL :eek: so bad that decided to bite the bullet and move into a shared house, for £20 less a month. Albeit yes i do still wish i had y own space, but at least this house had everything the bedsit didnt and its much much nicer to live in.

It will do until a)i can afford to move to my own place or b)i find someone willing to live with me

Gavin83

fitnessguy1 wrote: »

@gavin83. yes it would be more ideal to share with gf, but certain things have been making the relationship a bit rocky and nothing to do with my living situation. i have been considering returning to education which may help my situation, but it would mean sharing anyway if i was to move away for education. i was looking into graphic design.

I don't think you should live with your girlfriend and never suggested this. I just think you should live with someone. Flat sharing is the way forward.

JReacher1

Personally if I was earning £1000 a month I would not want to spend more than £400-450 all in (including bills) for accommodation. Go for a flat share, you'll be able to find one where people are your age.

GJ_WRX

A few years ago I was in a similar situation, except I took a lower paid job to change my career path. I was taking home about £1100 per month and had to move out from home as the new job was 60+ miles away.

I started by renting a little cottage with a mate, this was £600/month, we then had power, heating and the killer bill that was council tax. It was ok for a bit but after 6 months it went bad. Living with a friend is a nightmare and I'd never do it again. When he moved out I couldn't afford to stay there so also had to move. I found a share on spareroom and it was the best thing I ever did. My rent dropped to £400/month all in and I made some great friends that I still stay in contact with now.

If you really want some space then go and check out some shares and don't worry about not knowing anyone.

Trixsie1989

My partner and I have a 3 bedroom duplex above a shop that we pay 450 for with all the bills etc in top that comes close to £1k and takes my full wage most months. If we weren't living together there is no way one of us would be able to afford this place on our own or many others for,that matter. We are not on minimum wage, I earn 17k a year and my partner 15k a year and we have one little credit card we pay 50 a month toward. Personally I would save while,you still live with your parents every penny you can, we had 6k saved before we moved out and node you've kitted the place out and paid moving and agency fees there's not a lot left over really. Don't go into a property blind, you need to be able to maintain the monthly rent and especially your council tax as that is an offence and will result in court action if you don't pay it!

fitnessguy1

minimum wage jobs are sh*t but i don't know where to turn in regards to getting better. i have just been in and out of dead end jobs most of my life. it seems like its even harder to get into a better paying job at the moment. everyone is vying for that position.