by Kelley Gecik

Created on: June 25, 2008   Last Updated: June 26, 2008

My first taste of freedom came at age twenty. I packed up my car and drove six hundred miles to my destination: San Diego, California. I had nothing but a few thousand in my bank account and a car. Within a week I had my own studio apartment four blocks from the beach and a job. Within those first years I made many costly mistakes that I didn't actually notice until I was older. Take my advice and it might save you from what I couldn't avoid.

1. Create a budget..and stick with it!
Every month I create a budget that is based on how much I make. It's a simple equation-money out needs to be equal or less than money in. A budget allows you enough freedom to spend or save for fun purchases, but enough control where you don't have to call your parents for a bail out. What types of things should be in a budget? Well, there are the basics: rent, electric, cell phone, cable, car payment, food, gas. Of course you should have some spending money and some money to put into savings. Beware of the little things that spring up each month. Toilet paper. Razors. Although these expenses seem small, we all know a trip to Target can turn into a mega-spree.

2. Rent somewhere..and stay there!
When I first moved to San Diego I lived by the beach. Four months later I moved, then six months later, then two months later, etc. I have lived in San Diego now for nine years and have moved a whopping 11 times! Some people just like to move, to experience new surroundings or shorten a work commute. Those reasons are fine. Each time I moved though, I lost money from the deposit (usually cleaning fees) and moved into a place where the rent was probably most likely just raised. Often times a landlord will not raise your rent at the end of each leasing period. If I had just found a nice one bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood and just stayed there, I would have saved myself no doubt hundreds, if not a couple thousand dollars.

3. Think long and hard about roommates
Part of the reason I moved so many times was because of the dreaded roommate issue. Roommates are, in theory, a great idea. Split the cost of a place and the bills. Have someone around, or better yet live with some friends. For some people it works. For many, many others it doesn't. Some roommates pay late, others skip out on the bills. Some are very messy, while some are rigidly tidy. Some have a loose idea of what quiet means or think having a party on a Tuesday night is a great idea. Determine if you are a person who likes to

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