Living Expenses!?

Started by megandupe
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megandupe

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To everyone who has been accepted to pharm school already, or is already attending: how are you affording living expenses?

I know its typical to take out loans 🙁 but is it possible to work.... even just a little bit? Or work-study, is that difficult to qualify for if you're an independent?

I've heard of some ppl paying around $700 for rent on loans- yikes! is this typical? I would think that there would be a chunky tax refund since we're paying high $$ for tuition.:xf:

One way ticket to DEBT!!! shoulda married a rich guy!
 
You'll have loans enough to cover your expenses if you don't live extravagantly. You can indeed work during school, but you'll have to see how well you adapt to your particular program. I know when I first started, the thought of working during school frightened me. I've also got a lot of outside activities and a wife and kids, so my case isn't the stereotype.

One benefit others have discussed on here about working is you get to apply your knowledge as you acquire it. Each time you set foot in the pharmacy, it's after you've had another day of lecture, and you've got that much more to learn/apply at work.
 
Just share an apt with people and don't spend extravagantly and you'll be fine.

I live in a large city on the East Coast with a rent of 280 and utilities of 40. You could definitely have rent+utilities of 450 or less if you shared an apt with someone. Food is about 300 bucks a month, less for some people.
 
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It really depends where you live. A lot of people take out loan money to pay for living expenses. Some people have money saved before starting school so they don't have to borrow as much, and other people just work a lot more. Hardly any people work more than 15-20 hours a week but some people do.

It also depends on how much you want to spend... If you want to have extra money to eat at restaurants or go out, then you're going to have to borrow more from loans or work.

It's possible to work 20 hours/week or maybe a little more during school, but if you do work more then you probably won't have much time at all to go out or do as many fun things. You'd just be going to school, studying, and working. Even if you don't need the money is better to work at least a few times per month anyway because it'll be easier to get a job when you graduate if you're not completely inexperienced.

>>> oh yeah, the whole reason it depends where you live is that some cities cost way more to live in than others do. if you live somewhere normal you can probably get a roommate and pay around 800/month for a 2/2 apartment, but if you go to a school like Nova in Ft Lauderdale then the same apartment will probably be about 1200-1500/month (and the utilities + everything else will be more expensive too).
 
megandupe said:
To everyone who has been accepted to pharm school already, or is already attending: how are you affording living expenses?

I know its typical to take out loans 🙁 but is it possible to work.... even just a little bit? Or work-study, is that difficult to qualify for if you're an independent?

I've heard of some ppl paying around $700 for rent on loans- yikes! is this typical? I would think that there would be a chunky tax refund since we're paying high $$ for tuition.:xf:

One way ticket to DEBT!!! shoulda married a rich guy!
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my rent is $900/month (studio), It depends what location is your school at, but also the curiculum. Most people almost 90% of people won't be able to work if they go to a three year program even within those programs there are exceptions! Your loan will end up any where from $70,000-$200,000(close) depending on what school you chose.
 
bacillus1 said:
Just share an apt with people and don't spend extravagantly and you'll be fine.

I live in a large city on the East Coast with a rent of 280 and utilities of 40. You could definitely have rent+utilities of 450 or less if you shared an apt with someone. Food is about 300 bucks a month, less for some people.
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I don't recommend living with someone! You don't know them and during school it is very stressful and you want your space. If it turns out you dont' get along it will be very hard to move out in the middle of school! If you are a guy find a cheap place and live by yourself and if you are a girl find a safe place no matter how much it costs but still live by yourself.
 
veyep said:
I don't recommend living with someone! You don't know them and during school it is very stressful and you want your space. If it turns out you dont' get along it will be very hard to move out in the middle of school! If you are a guy find a cheap place and live by yourself and if you are a girl find a safe place no matter how much it costs but still live by yourself.
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Everyone must live their lives for themselves, but this is terrible advice for most people. It is so much cheaper to divide up the bills with room mates. Money is not everything - but it's a lot. I recommend either finding room mates or renting a room out of someone's house (this is what I do).

The trick is to know yourself - if you know having any room mates is gonna drive you nuts, fine - don't have room mates. But you are gonna pay for that "extravagance". It's not worth it to me.

Edit: I do recommend not being roommates with people in your class though - I love my classmates, but I see enough of them at school, if you get my drift.
 
A very valuable thread for me so far. But does anyone have an advice for someone that will be attending school at a city & state where he knows no one other than himself & by appointment, his interviewers.

The idea of sitting out the first year in a dorm before looking into apts (shared or not) in my second year (if I make it that far ie), is the best I have on my table right now. Wondering if someone has a better opinion.


owlegrad said:
Edit: I do recommend not being roommates with people in your class though - I love my classmates, but I see enough of them at school, if you get my drift.
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With a few exceptional cases, I'm a big fan of such^ a drift.
 
I know that the admissions guy here runs a "room mate" list for incoming and current students. He sends out a form and spreadsheet with all the pertinent questions: smoking? Pets? Study habits? etc, and then you can contact people with similar needs/wants to see if you can set up an arrangement.

I know in my area, it's actually pretty cheap to live (with the exception of gas bills, obviously...). My boyfriend and I split our 2 bedroom apt, and it's less than 5 minutes from campus, with a campus bus (free, yay!) that runs 14 hours/day, and the total is about 900/month (split 2 ways, about 450, including water/electric/gas). Anything more than that and I'd be in deep doo-doo in terms of living expenses though.

You just have to learn to cut back/budget or be okay with working more or taking out more loans (worst option, obviously).

For example when I grocery shop, I go to Walmart (yes, it's evil, but I'm poor!) or stock up when there is a really good sale, like 10 for $10 at Kroger. Cook at home a lot. We only go out maybe twice a month, and instead of going to expensive movies we have our Netflix or rent from the Redbox. I take the bus to save on gas, we turn the heat down at night and when we aren't home, leave lights off, make sure we do full loads of laundry/dishwasher.
 
dazzled, did you come with a duplicate? Because right now, it feels like I have two choices:

1- Either get a girlfriend like you OR;

2- Indirectly fund a student loan CEO his new quarter-a-million dollar house...single handedly.
 
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veyep said:
I don't recommend living with someone! You don't know them and during school it is very stressful and you want your space. If it turns out you dont' get along it will be very hard to move out in the middle of school! If you are a guy find a cheap place and live by yourself and if you are a girl find a safe place no matter how much it costs but still live by yourself.
Click to expand...

It's so much easier to live without a room mate. I would hate to have to deal with a room mate even if it would save money. I like having my freedom and being able to study and sleep whenever I want. If I had a room mate, things wouldn't work out the way I want.

owlegrad said:
Everyone must live their lives for themselves, but this is terrible advice for most people. It is so much cheaper to divide up the bills with room mates. Money is not everything - but it's a lot. I recommend either finding room mates or renting a room out of someone's house (this is what I do).

The trick is to know yourself - if you know having any room mates is gonna drive you nuts, fine - don't have room mates. But you are gonna pay for that "extravagance". It's not worth it to me.

Edit: I do recommend not being roommates with people in your class though - I love my classmates, but I see enough of them at school, if you get my drift.
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It is cheaper, but I think there's a limit to how much you save.

If you live alone, you don't buy as much food for the apartment, you don't spend as much on electricity, heating, and water. You could split the internet, but after all that, the only things you would split in costs would be rent and internet.

Oh and who could forget the extra privacy when you have no room mates?
 
I live by myself now and I think its boring- I dont mind roommates, you just have to be smart about it i guess ie: dont live with an alcoholic. I agree with not living with your classmates tho, I'd max out on their presence.

What sort of federal return do you guys get from paying your tuition?
 
megandupe said:
I live by myself now and I think its boring- I dont mind roommates, you just have to be smart about it i guess ie: dont live with an alcoholic. I agree with not living with your classmates tho, I'd max out on their presence.

What sort of federal return do you guys get from paying your tuition?
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Just so you know, that is not the optimal use of i.e. - e.g. would have been better. Hardly the end of the world but if no one ever tells you, how will you learn?

How I remember:

i.e. - narrows down a more general statement, i.e. clarifies your exact meaning.

e.g. - I like to think of this as "example given" or for example. It is used to provide an example of what you are talking about, e.g. a list.

In almost every case where you think you need i.e. you probably need e.g.
 
owlegrad said:
Just so you know, that is not the optimal use of i.e. - e.g. would have been better. Hardly the end of the world but if no one ever tells you, how will you learn?

How I remember:

i.e. - narrows down a more general statement, i.e. clarifies your exact meaning.

e.g. - I like to think of this as "example given" or for example. It is used to provide an example of what you are talking about, e.g. a list.

In almost every case where you think you need i.e. you probably need e.g.
Click to expand...

Wow... you took all the time and effort to do that? :laugh:

megandupe, I live by myself too and I agree that it can get boring. But I think it's better than having annoying room mates or people over at your place unexpectedly.

Also, there can possibly be a lot more mess to clean up if your room mate gets lazy or whatever.

At least when I clean up stuff, I'll know that it's my own mess, so it doesn't feel unfair.
 
crazybob said:
Wow... you took all the time and effort to do that? :laugh:

megandupe, I live by myself too and I agree that it can get boring. But I think it's better than having annoying room mates or people over at your place unexpectedly.

Also, there can possibly be a lot more mess to clean up if your room mate gets lazy or whatever.

At least when I clean up stuff, I'll know that it's my own mess, so it doesn't feel unfair.
Click to expand...

It was no more work than any other post. :shrug:

Unfortunately I am that guy when it comes to common English errors - not that I don't make them myself, but if no one ever tells you, how will you learn?

Having a room mate kicks ass. Economies of scale, no? I mean sure it can go the other way too (kicks balls?) but in general I am very happy with renting a room - that's money in the bank.

Whew, I can't believe I typed all that! :laugh:
 
owlegrad said:
It was no more work than any other post. :shrug:

Unfortunately I am that guy when it comes to common English errors - not that I don't make them myself, but if no one ever tells you, how will you learn?

Having a room mate kicks ass. Economies of scale, no? I mean sure it can go the other way too (kicks balls?) but in general I am very happy with renting a room - that's money in the bank.

Whew, I can't believe I typed all that! :laugh:
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At least you didn't have to write it, put it in an envelope, stick it, lick it, send it in, and wait for the next issue to come out :laugh: I thought of a youtube video about how they imagined YouTube would have been like in the 90s or something. And of course, I would have trouble finding it again on YouTube.

So you're implying that having a room mate can be painful? :laugh:
 
crazybob said:
At least you didn't have to write it, put it in an envelope, stick it, lick it, send it in, and wait for the next issue to come out :laugh: I thought of a youtube video about how they imagined YouTube would have been like in the 90s or something. And of course, I would have trouble finding it again on YouTube.

So you're implying that having a room mate can be painful? :laugh:
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Clearly you have never had to mail a letter with stamps that actually require licking. You lick first, then stick. :meanie:
 
owlegrad said:
i.e. - narrows down a more general statement, i.e. clarifies your exact meaning.

e.g. - I like to think of this as "example given" or for example. It is used to provide an example of what you are talking about, e.g. a list.

In almost every case where you think you need i.e. you probably need e.g.
Click to expand...

crazybob said:
Wow... you took all the time and effort to do that? :laugh:
Click to expand...

i.e. = in other words
e.g. = for example

bam!
 
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owlegrad said:
I agree



So you are familiar with them? :laugh:
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Only sorta. Back when I was younger, I didn't use stamps and envelopes very much.

My parents did most of the mailing once I did the writing.

I even remember printers that had a slot for common size envelopes, so you could print the return address and the receiver's address directly on the envelop.
 
crazybob said:
Only sorta. Back when I was younger, I didn't use stamps and envelopes very much.

My parents did most of the mailing once I did the writing.

I even remember printers that had a slot for common size envelopes, so you could print the return address and the receiver's address directly on the envelop.
Click to expand...

Good times. I remember those too.
 
crazybob said:
Only sorta. Back when I was younger, I didn't use stamps and envelopes very much.

My parents did most of the mailing once I did the writing.

I even remember printers that had a slot for common size envelopes, so you could print the return address and the receiver's address directly on the envelop.
Click to expand...
lol i still have a printer like that. i guess most older hp inkjets?
 
lots of blahblahblah and can we not go down memory lane? I am turning 28 this coming month and I am definitely starting to feel old, especially when bob comments with "I remember when stamps were 33 cents..." Yeah, I remember when they were 20 cents. I also remember when gas was under a dollar and I could go to the movies for $2.50. When my classmates make jokes about "I remember when...", I feel very outdated. Just the other day I was working in a group and my classmate tells me he is turning 21 this year. Then I hear some people talk about how they remember 911 WHEN THEY WERE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I am pretty sure I was a sophomore in college when that happened. Can you tell that I am bitter about pushing 30? Then again, I hear the 30-40s are your prime nowadays. If that is true, then bring it on.

EDIT: I would like to add that this bitterness will pass after my birthday. In truth, I am sort of looking forward to getting older. People take you more seriously. If was I single, I would be excited because older women would finally want to date me... not that they didn't want to date me in the past :meanie: Just saying...I wouldn't have to "prove" my worthiness to date older women.
 
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rxlea said:
In truth, I am sort of looking forward to getting older. People take you more seriously. If was I single, I would be excited because older women would finally want to date me... not that they didn't want to date me in the past :meanie: Just saying...I wouldn't have to "prove" my worthiness to date older women.
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:laugh:
 
Here is a fun comic by The Oatmeal about when to use i.e. and when to use e.g. There are some great grammar comics on there. As a fellow fan of proper grammar I love that you took the time to comment on that. lol


And secondly, I hear you about this:


rxlea said:
lots of blahblahblah and can we not go down memory lane? I am turning 28 this coming month and I am definitely starting to feel old, especially when bob comments with "I remember when stamps were 33 cents..." Yeah, I remember when they were 20 cents. I also remember when gas was under a dollar and I could go to the movies for $2.50. When my classmates make jokes about "I remember when...", I feel very outdated. Just the other day I was working in a group and my classmate tells me he is turning 21 this year. Then I hear some people talk about how they remember 911 WHEN THEY WERE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I am pretty sure I was a sophomore in college when that happened. Can you tell that I am bitter about pushing 30? Then again, I hear the 30-40s are your prime nowadays. If that is true, then bring it on.

EDIT: I would like to add that this bitterness will pass after my birthday. In truth, I am sort of looking forward to getting older. People take you more seriously. If was I single, I would be excited because older women would finally want to date me... not that they didn't want to date me in the past :meanie: Just saying...I wouldn't have to "prove" my worthiness to date older women.
Click to expand...



I am 29!! It's ok. 30 is the new 20. 😀
 
I've lived w/ a roommates and alone.

I must say... me and my roommate had the most ridiculous crazy experiences living together. It was so damn fun, but I've become quite okay w/ solitude and rather enjoy my time alone.

I think this Fall, I'm going to live alone for the first year... in a rather expensive area where I'll be able to meet a lot of other non-pharmacy students bc I don't know the area at all. It will give me the best opportunity to really get the full campus experience.

After that first year, I'll decide whether or not to get a roommate (classmate or not; i'm indifferent). I've dealt w/ messy roommates and it drives me freaking crazy, and I'll pay that extra amount to live alone and maintain my sanity.

I kinda advise everyone to live alone for their first year, at least.
 
rxlea said:
lots of blahblahblah and can we not go down memory lane? I am turning 28 this coming month and I am definitely starting to feel old, especially when bob comments with "I remember when stamps were 33 cents..." Yeah, I remember when they were 20 cents. I also remember when gas was under a dollar and I could go to the movies for $2.50. When my classmates make jokes about "I remember when...", I feel very outdated. Just the other day I was working in a group and my classmate tells me he is turning 21 this year. Then I hear some people talk about how they remember 911 WHEN THEY WERE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I am pretty sure I was a sophomore in college when that happened. Can you tell that I am bitter about pushing 30? Then again, I hear the 30-40s are your prime nowadays. If that is true, then bring it on.

EDIT: I would like to add that this bitterness will pass after my birthday. In truth, I am sort of looking forward to getting older. People take you more seriously. If was I single, I would be excited because older women would finally want to date me... not that they didn't want to date me in the past :meanie: Just saying...I wouldn't have to "prove" my worthiness to date older women.
Click to expand...

I find myself forgetting how old I am. It started happening after I turned 22...
 
2411t said:
I've lived w/ a roommates and alone.

I must say... me and my roommate had the most ridiculous crazy experiences living together. It was so damn fun, but I've become quite okay w/ solitude and rather enjoy my time alone.

I think this Fall, I'm going to live alone for the first year... in a rather expensive area where I'll be able to meet a lot of other non-pharmacy students bc I don't know the area at all. It will give me the best opportunity to really get the full campus experience.

After that first year, I'll decide whether or not to get a roommate (classmate or not; i'm indifferent). I've dealt w/ messy roommates and it drives me freaking crazy, and I'll pay that extra amount to live alone and maintain my sanity.

I kinda advise everyone to live alone for their first year, at least.
Click to expand...



This is my plan too. I figure if I want a roommate after my first year I will know who I can and who I can't live with by that time.
 
rxlea said:
lots of blahblahblah and can we not go down memory lane? I am turning 28 this coming month and I am definitely starting to feel old, especially when bob comments with "I remember when stamps were 33 cents..." Yeah, I remember when they were 20 cents. I also remember when gas was under a dollar and I could go to the movies for $2.50. When my classmates make jokes about "I remember when...", I feel very outdated. Just the other day I was working in a group and my classmate tells me he is turning 21 this year. Then I hear some people talk about how they remember 911 WHEN THEY WERE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I am pretty sure I was a sophomore in college when that happened. Can you tell that I am bitter about pushing 30? Then again, I hear the 30-40s are your prime nowadays. If that is true, then bring it on.

EDIT: I would like to add that this bitterness will pass after my birthday. In truth, I am sort of looking forward to getting older. People take you more seriously. If was I single, I would be excited because older women would finally want to date me... not that they didn't want to date me in the past :meanie: Just saying...I wouldn't have to "prove" my worthiness to date older women.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I remember when I turned 30. My sister gave me a card that said, "if you haven't make a significant contribution to Science before you turn 30, [Open Card] You never will". That was 1995, almost 16 years ago. I hear 50 is the new 30. :laugh:

If the general trend is longer life, I don't expect to hit my midlife crisis until I retire.
 
Busta919 said:
Ah yes, I remember when I turned 30. My sister gave me a card that said, "if you haven't make a significant contribution to Science before you turn 30, [Open Card] You never will". That was 1995, almost 16 years ago. I hear 50 is the new 30. :laugh:

If the general trend is longer life, I don't expect to hit my midlife crisis until I retire.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'll ever hit my midlife crisis. I've looked like a 16 year old since I was 16. Waiting for it to pay off someday.
 
bacillus1 said:
Just share an apt with people and don't spend extravagantly and you'll be fine.

I live in a large city on the East Coast with a rent of 280 and utilities of 40. You could definitely have rent+utilities of 450 or less if you shared an apt with someone. Food is about 300 bucks a month, less for some people.
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sheesh, i spend double what you do (own studio $1k, food $700-$800). loans cover it all just fine, but my paycheck from working covers my fun money.

restaurant week killed my wallet though, my one friend went out and blew like $600 on alone...in one week. that was epic.
 
confettiflyer said:
sheesh, i spend double what you do (own studio $1k, food $700-$800). loans cover it all just fine, but my paycheck from working covers my fun money.

restaurant week killed my wallet though, my one friend went out and blew like $600 on alone...in one week. that was epic.
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$700-$800 on food?! 😱 What are you buying, gold-plated bananas?!
 
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pharmschooler said:
$700-$800 on food?! 😱 What are you buying, gold-plated bananas?!
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i eat out a lot, what can i say...to be fair, i live like in an "assassin's apartment" with a simple desk, a mattress on the floor, and like 2 wooden chairs. don't you just love my priorities? hahaha
 
confettiflyer said:
i eat out a lot, what can i say...to be fair, i live like in an "assassin's apartment" with a simple desk, a mattress on the floor, and like 2 wooden chairs. don't you just love my priorities? hahaha
Click to expand...


It's refreshing to see that not everyone is trying to save every single penny along the way instead of enjoying life.

👍👍👍👍👍 for you!

Also, the gold-plated bananas comment made me lol. 😛
 
Passion4Sci said:
What was your maximum allowable federal loan amount, do you remember?
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I think it's in the neighborhood of $45k/yr (cost of attendance), and the aggregate limit is somewhere north of $182k for stafford (i think).

ok ok guys, i don't spend $800 every month, only on a good month 😀. I tried being cheap a while ago but I figured if I got gunned down or beaten to death by one of philly's famous "flash mobs" I'd be regretting that decision.
 
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