MOVING OUT Getting a place of your own

By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HEN STEFANIE SOBINOVSKY moved out of her mother's house and into a place of her own a year ago, she had to make some changes.
"I can't go shopping all the time to buy clothes and stuff. That would be crazy," she said.
Sobinovsky, 20, has to use the money she earns as bakery manager at the Gingerbread Cafe and Sparkle Market to pay bills.
Many young adults eagerly anticipate moving out of the family home and into a place of their own, but it's important they don't underestimate the responsibility they are taking on.
Sobinovsky, an elementary education major at Youngstown State University, was ready for the challenge, but she thinks a lot of people aren't.
Paying the bills
"The hardest part is making sure you have the money to pay all the bills. You have to make sure you're ready to be serious about working and paying your bills. A couple of my friends who moved out on their own weren't responsible with their jobs and called off a lot and kept losing their jobs. You constantly have to work -- you can't take a day off or go on vacation," she said.
Sobinovsky works 40 hours a week during the school year and 50 hours a week during the summer.
"I work constantly because I wanted to be on my own. I like working for things, to be established and have a nice car and my own place," she said.
Living on your own requires a steady income to pay the bills and the willingness to sacrifice some luxuries if necessary, such as Internet access, a cell phone or cable TV. The ability to perform necessary daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and managing money, is also an asset.
Stick to budget
Charity Pappas, 21, moved out of her parents' house when she was 19 because she wanted more privacy and independence. Pappas, a special-education major at YSU, said it's important to stick to a budget when you're living on your own.
"I think the hardest thing is the money factor because you really have to learn how to balance your money. I remember my very first semester there were a couple pay periods where I was living off of $7 for two weeks. I'm telling you, it was God [who got me through it], there's no doubt about it," she said.
A young adult considering moving into a place of his or her own should be financially prepared for initial moving costs, which usually include paying the first month's rent and a deposit, which is usually another full month's rent, and paying deposits to have the utilities turned on. Cash is also needed for food and other necessary items, such as linens and cleaning supplies.
Pappas said it's important not to start relying on credit cards if you're having trouble paying your bills.
"I have one credit card, and I don't want any more. I try to manage it and keep my balance as low as I can, and I always pay my bill," she said.
Alternative living arrangements can help reduce the cost of rent, such as renting an economical studio apartment or a room in someone's house. Splitting expenses with a roommate helps, but if you opt to do this, it's important to find someone reliable and compatible.
Keep it nice
And keeping your apartment clean and in good repair is important if you want to get your deposit back when you move out.
"If you're not willing to sacrifice and work hard, then [moving out] is not a good idea," said Pappas, who works three jobs. "I can't go to the mall and buy $90 jeans, but there are some people my age that can do that. I think that being able to give it all you have is the key, like anything. You have to be willing to do it. It's not going to be a cake walk."