<prompt> Human: UPDATE: Woke up this morning with 60 new comments in my inbox .! Every one has been read, and considered, and I really appreciate the effort that some of you are making to help me out. I printed some worksheets for him to read and consider, as well as lists of essential first-day items. I also ordered him the same book I got my baby sister when she few the nest Good to Go which is sadly out of print. My sister says its been a lifesaver a few times. A used copy will have to do. Something else Ive been doing is having him prepare my easiest recipes for the family, so he can learn them, and giving him big jobs to earn money, such as detailing our cars last weekend. Ive also been giving him ideas for small businesses he can run himself during the summer to make extra cash. I accept that this will happen if hes determined. Hes an adult now. I just want him to think about the stuff thats unpleasant to think about, so he can formulate a plan. In a perfect world, he gets a trade while living at home and saving money. Then hell always have that trade to generate income while figuring out the big picture. ---Canada My stepson hates living by his moms rules and thinks the answer is getting a place with his girlfriend. Weve all been there. His dad and I have tried to explain just what goes into living on your own, but hes positive if he could just get a job thats right, no job he could do it. Does anyone have a few spreadsheets of the things you need for your first apartment, as well as a budget for a 17 year old 18 in 6 months thats realistic? I know what we pay is different from what hell pay, and Im out of touch with whats required these days for initiating utilities, getting an apartment, etc...Im not trying to stop him, that will just make him want it more. I just want to present him with real numbers and real expectations in a nice tidy format. Thank in advance, sorry if this is off-topic.  <response>: Check the minimum wage in your province. At 11hr, that will gross them 3300mo if they both work full time. Theyll probably take home 2800 to 2900 of that.At least in Ottawa, that amount for 2 people stinks, and thats if they both work full time. Good luck! When I was 18 working minimum wage, it was very tough to consistently get over 30 hours with one job. Im not saying this necessarily applies, but pothead 17 year olds dont tend to have the best work ethic. They may find themselves taking home closer to 2200mo at minimum wage. With 1 bedroom rents easily surpassing 1000 depending on where you live, living becomes a real squeeze. Working multiple jobs will do the trick, but that wont be very fun for them. 