38 more days...

There are 38 more days until Austin turns 18. He keeps telling us he's going to move out. He's going rent part of a 4-bedroom home for $300 per month. That includes EVERYTHING.

Everything...Car insurance (on his own is going to cost $400 per month [AT LEAST]; and he'll be lucky to be able to pay per month and not all up front) Food...well, he knows about Aldi, so...maybe $100 per month. Then there is gas...seems he's moving approximately 8 miles away from where he works...so let's figure that at $75 per month. More if he stays in college. A cell phone...a MUST HAVE, of course. Let's say he can get one for $40 per month...but I bet there won't be unlimited texting and 2,500 minutes per month! Yeah, because he won't be on the family plan we have now when he moves. I assume that the generous soul who is offering this house at $300 per month is paying for water, cable and electric...because why not...those things are cheap!

We're up to over $900 per month. Of course he hasn't bought anything for his new digs...like a bed, sheets, towels, toilet paper, water bottles (he will not drink tap water) or a dresser for his clothes. He does own a TV, entertainment center and Xbox. That will go. Geesh, I didn't even consider laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Maybe he's going to give up hygiene to save money.

Now, the best part...at a forty-hour week, he will gross $1,048 per month at his minimum wage job. Let's see, the government will take...40% of that for taxes, medicare, social security...so, he'll bring home around $630 per month. And you adults reading this, you know that's an over-estimate.

We wish him luck. When he figures out how to pay $900+ worth of bills with $600, I will be sure to post another blog letting y'all know how to do it!