<prompt> Human: First off, Im living in a small town in the Southeast Area of Kansas. The main reason I ask this question is because Ive never lived on my own before and want to know exactly what to expect and any advice that I can get to make sure that I am at least a little prepared. The situation Im currently in:Gas for car: maybe 30 a month.Phone bill: 60 a monthCar insurance: 50 a monthI also just graduated, so Ill also have student loans coming in the next few months.Obviously, Ill be looking for somewhere cheap, and ideally with most utilities paid, so most likely an apartment. Id really like to live alone, but I realize that I cant get everything I want. I guess what Im asking is what kind of advice would you all have to offer me when it comes to finding a place, things to pay attention to when renting an apartment, about how much I should try and save up for, and anything else you can think of that would be useful. Obviously, Ill take a look at the finance trackers in the sidebar to help me out. Im really just scared and looking for some help. Edit: thanks for the advice everyone. I promise to respond to all of them as soon as I get to a computer. I really do appreciate it. And yes, my brother is paying me low right now, but the restaurant has only been open less than a month and hes increased my pay weekly, so in a couple months, Ill likely be up to 100 a day. My friend informed me of an apartment complex with utilities paid and 500 a month in rent, so Im going to look into it tomorrow. I sincerely appreciate all input. Ill report back. Edit 2: for those suggesting and asking why I dont search for a job within my degree, its because I graduated this past summer with a degree in education. By the time I graduated, schools were pretty much done hiring in my area. I am currently attempting to get my sub license so I can try to do something with that for now. Edit 3: I really appreciate all the above Ive gotten here. I know Ive not been responding as much as even Id like, but its pretty time consuming to do so from a phone. I talked to my bro and hes gonna bump my salary up and give me an hourly wage. Also, Ive talked to a couple friends and they said I could crash with them if I needed. Youve all been really helpful and it means a lot to me. Thank you all. Edit 4: So, its an incomplete list, but here is what I have put together so far. Assistant: If youre working any more than 27.5 hours per week, your brother is in violation of federal minimum wage laws.Human: Its a family owned business. In Kansas, they dont have a minimum wage to pay their family members. Assistant: Minimum wage law is federal. Some states set minimum wage laws that are stricter andor set a higher minimum wage than the federal law. I cant locate anything saying that employees related to the business owner are exempt. Does anyone else have a source on this?Human: NMW applies to all workers, with certain exceptions such as: those under the age of 16 apprentices under the age of 26 during their first year of apprenticeship those who are genuinely self employed family members working in the family business people working and living as part of a family e.g. au pairs voluntary workersEdit: Im am idiot. I misunderstood as well as linking stupidly. I apparently dont have to be put on payroll. Ill need to talk to my brother tomorrow I suppose. I posted a new link to what I meant to refer to.  <response>: This is from the UK : 