Apartment living doesn't begin when you move into your new nest. Done properly, it begins in the preparation process. We all have to move out some time, or at least we should. Things happen unpredictably. We can't anticipate everything, but you should have a guideline of when you should move out and plan accordingly.
Everyone's situation is different. Depending on your location and life goals, the amount of money you should save varies. I can't account for everyone's circumstances, and while it's wise to plan according to your needs, your needs can always change. So, rather than rigidly coming up with a guideline for every situation which is virtually impossible to account for, all I can do is suggest self-reflection and examine your own life and take it from there.
On the contrary to the popular suggestion of talking to people with similar financial circumstances and goals to get some perspective, I first suggest you figure out what your goals and financial circumstances are specifically. Just because someone has more experience and knowledge than you doesn't mean that that person knows more than you or that their advice is applicable or even sound. Furthermore, if you have no experience being on your own, it's easy to be misguided because you won't always recognize the signs. Sometimes, it's hard to filter what's relevant in your case, which is why I find it beneficial to understand what you want and what your needs are first. How can you be expected to take someone else's advice and use it productively if you don't even know if it's relevant? In many cases, we don't even know what we did wrong until we experience the repercussions. What's to say the adviser hasn't felt the effects yet? You can't anticipate everything, but a little brainstorming can make a huge difference.
The first thing is to find a job, any job. The more suitable, the higher the pay, the better, but don't wait for the perfect or better job to come around. It's not always available. Less of something is still better than nothing. Don't waste your time trying to look for something better unemployed when you have an opportunity to be more productive with your time. No one said that better opportunities won't arise while you're employed. It sure beats sitting at home watching TV. So, first things first: Select the most effective method to find a job in your area, whether it's the newspaper, online ads, referrals, walk-in, employment agencies, internships, etc. I also suggest using multiple methods at once. Your chances of success are greater if you're looking twice as hard. I also believe that the universe works in mysterious ways, and when you put your energy into something, the universe is more likely to assist you in your goals. As much as possible, use the most effective methods. The popular ones are referrals and online searches. The easiest way to obtain a job before the age of eighteen is to hit the retail stores. To expedite the money earning process, consider a waiter or waitress position. The tips generously add up, even in a single night!
The standard recommendation is to save 10-20% of what you earn. I know, I know, it's really hard to do, and it sounds unnecessary because plenty of people get by without saving money. But that's not a sufficient enough of a reason to neglect responsible behavior. Just because you might be able to get by doesn't make it worth the negligence. You never know what'll happen tomorrow. While it's a good habit to save 10-20% of your earnings, I suggest saving more rapidly right before emancipation. Often times the move-in cost includes the first and last month's rent or the first month's rent and the security deposit. You won't know how much the move-in cost will be until you're ready to move out. But you can ask around, check the papers, look at some prospects, or go online and find out what the average monthly rent is in your city.
