Saving for an apartment with no roommate.

[Tcassidy4]

I am looking to move out of my current apartment without my roommate, i have a lot of problems saving, and i think i know what i need but i would like to run this through to make sure.
-I live in north Texas.
-I currently work 30 to 40 hours a week. (the unstable hours makes it hard to predict)
-I make 8.45 an hr
-I am wanting to save for a car (around 4000 or so, also planning on liability insurance)
-I have little to no professional clothing(so maybe 600$ for shoes as well)
-I am feeding two people. (~200$ 2x a month)
-Gas is costing me about ~140$ a mo. (this is boyfriends car)
I am not sure what to predict for my electricity, water, internet, cable, is that even everything?
Health bills? i put off going to the doctor even though i really need to go.
So i basically need a HUGE reserve. I worry all the time if something is going to happen, and i don't have a backup.
If i left anything out I'm very sorry, let me know what more i could add to help you. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[snafu]

Are you a student working PT? Are you wanting to ditch the BF and live on your own? What can you do to increase your income as the figures you give are not enough to pay all your expenses. Something unexpected like a toothache could dump you on your kiester. With unstable hours, you certainly need an emergency fund. That's 3-6 months income in savings that you don't touch, don't 'borrow' from unless you're unable to work, lost job, unemployed, ill etc.

Most landlords ask tenants for rent + damage deposit which is often the same amount as rent. Utilities like electric often ask for a deposit for new service Plus non refundable fees to start new service. Food prices have been going up and I see fuel/gas for the car has increased yet again. You might need to shop for new roommates if those currently are not working out.

[bjl584]

Can you elaborate on why you are feeding two people? Do you have children?

[BMEPhDinCO]

So let's break out those numbers:

You make (at least) 30*8.45 = $253.50 per week = $1014 per month. Taxes will take out around 12% (but you should get a refund every April). That means you bring home around $890 every month.

Expenses:
$400 - groceries (this is WAY too high for your income, you should only feed yourself, if this is including BF, what does he bring to the table? if it's a child, you qualify for welfare, use it)
$140 - gas

This leaves you with $350. That is not enough for an apartment by yourself and all the other expenses.

My suggestion, try and fit in with these expenses:
$120 - groceries
$70 - gas*(or bus pass)
$160 - electric, water
$40 - general savings
$20 - health savings
$10 - prepaid phone
$15 - professional clothing
=$435

This leaves you with $455 for an apartment, still a stretch but I know it's doable as I've had one for that before. You can't get cable and you can't get internet. If you work more hours (so up to ~$70/week more), that needs to be added to savings and perhaps $20 a month for "fun" (ie going out). When you get a tax refund, add that to savings.

You can get clothing from thrift stores for much cheaper, a pair of basic black pumps, a black skirt, black pants, two button down shirts, 3 other "nice" shirts will get you through a week at work and should cost less than $100 at a thrift store.

Finally, you need to figure out how to boost your income. Can you pick up more shifts? Can you get another job? Even delivering pizza on the weekends would help, although you need a car for that.

If you do share anything with BF, please add that in.