<prompt> Human: A short and sweet background: Im being kicked out, for religious and other differences my parents have found unable to get over. I knew this was coming and have been painstakingly trying to plan for it. Im a senior in high school and plan on going to college assuming I can afford to apply or taking a gap year to save up money. If you would, analyze my budget plan for moving out.The apartment cost is fixed - a friend is hooking me up, it includes all utilities, even wifi cost. The phone bill is currently 50, I could probably cut some off, but would prefer not. Its pretty cheap as is. My car gets great mileage, is paid off, I dont drive far for work or school, and the insurance would be me paying my parents 100 to stay on their insurance more than what it costs to be on their plan, but about half of what it is on my own. 400 for rent utilities wifi 50 for phone 300 for car 100 in gas per month, 100 in insurance, 100 other 100 for foodgroceries, including eating out 100 for other950-1000 per monthI make, after taxes:300 per month in retail 500 during the holidays800 per month delivering pizzas and covering certain days of a paper routeI will also have close to 1000 in the bank by January.This, theoretically and if I dont get screwed over anywhere, leaves me with 100 leftover every month. Im as frugal as possible, know how to cook fairly well, will be living with a competent college grad and dont have to worry about furniture or anything moving in I live just south of Portland, Oregon for reference. Should I be budgeting more for other? What does it REALLY cost owning a car? I - hopefully - wont have to worry about long term costs and repairs, its right at 100k and Im selling it once I actually go to college.Can I decrease that food cost? Ill eat out every once in a while, but whats your solo monthly food budget like?Thanks so much for your help!Assistant: 200 month for food sounds like not a whole lot for just south of Portland, Oregon. Especially for someone young who is probably not used to cooking for one or two people. I wouldnt be surprised if you exceeded that budget.What does it REALLY cost owning a car? I - hopefully - wont have to worry about long term costs and repairs, its right at 100k and Im selling it once I actually go to college.This is always a big question. Unless youre a mechanic, you cant really tell the difference between a car thats healthy and one that will need a new transmission next week. Actually, even mechanics probably couldnt tell that.Im not wild about you trying to stay on your parents insurance which is probably insurance fraud, btw mainly because it could mean another argument and suddenly you are uninsured. Really, the biggest thing you could do to help your finances is to ditch the car. Get a bike, walk everywhere, public transit, or bumming a ride off friends or coworkers. Take whatever option you have. Human: I agree with you on the instability of his car insurance plan but I think legally he is fine. I know many people in their 20s who are still on their parents insurance plan with no problems. That being said, doesnt 1200month seem high? Mine is half that and my driving record isnt perfect.Assistant: You mean 1200 per year? Im 18, have only been driving for 2 years. Im no expert, but extensive research quotes shows that the lowest plan and this is from weird companies with basically no coverage is 200 a month on my own. Staying on my parents car insurance sucks, but its the only option I can see to keep both jobs.Human: If, as you said in another post, you are down to use public transit Id get another full time job ASAP, quit your current jobs, sell the car and use the proceeds as an emergency fund, and do a gap year to save money for college. If youre earning 800month at the job that requires you to have a car but spending 300month for the car youre really only making 500month.Assistant: If I get another job that nets 600 a month, coupled with my 300, thats 900. Subtract the car stuff but add public transit which is nothing in comparison 200 a year iirc. I like this option supposing I can find a job with normal hours within the public transportation hours and melds with my school schedule.  <response>: Dont be too quick to ditch the car right away even if you think its a smart idea. I drive just two or three times a month and rely on public transit the rest of the time, but when things are tough or random opportunities come up- a car suddenly becomes a means of escape, a source of security and well-being, and your ticket to the next big thing. 