You should calculate and see if using uber/lyft would save you money as opposed to owning a car. I'm assuming it would if you're only using your car to see your friends.

I would choose living in a dorm and get the car. You will have plenty of time to live in apartments after you done with school! And you can have whoever you want as Roomate. Get the 25k- buy 10k car and invest the rest. Think long term. Spend time figuring out what is really that you want to do after college (if don’t know already).

When "lifestyle" is used in a personal finance context, it's not referring to your social life.

It refers to what it costs to maintain your life: your rent/mortgage, your car payments, what insurance you have, what you spend on bills, groceries/households, daily costs like parking or gas, dependents like kids, etc. etc. etc.

But what's the pressing hurry?

Also current fed. I transferred money from a previous employer with no issue a couple of years ago. That being said, the current management (changed earlier this year) seems to be an absolute nightmare regarding transfers and withdrawals, so unless TSP is in all ways better than anything else you can find, you’re probably better off leaving your money where it is or moving it to an IRA, at least for the next few months or so

Roll into a Traditional IRA and buy lost cost ETF’s.

this is exactly what I came in to say.

When you're in an interview situation and they ask you what salary you're looking for, respond with a variation on "Actually, I'm curious to know what range you're looking at." AND THEN STOP TALKING AND WAIT.

The last time I did this, the lower end of the range was $20K above what I would have said. Whew! Save yourself some time guessing and ask.

Ditch the car and Uber when needed.

If you are moving to another country in 6 months what are you spending $200 a month shopping for? Most of what you own you will most likely sell/toss and buy again over there.

If you eat out less and skip date nights, you can save an additional $1,800 before you move. You could also make date night a time when you both cook a meal from scratch together and curl up on the sofa to watch a movie from one of the $45 subscriptions you pay for.

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Salary range is typically disclosed during a phone interview if there is one to ensure that folks are aware and want to continue. If it wasn’t brought up, you can bring it up at any time. I used to work in HR for years in the Bay Area.

Tsp.gov provides information about the TSP.

And what happens when the new job doesn't materialize as fast as you want it to?

This line of thinking spirals out of control very quickly and leads to multiple payday and personal loans. Your situation will be much worse in 6 months if you address it this way.

I've looked into trying to get a roommate, problem I've run into so far is no one else wants to actually pay rent. They all want to live rent free. Ridiculous.

I don't have a lifestyle, I work and come home, that's about it. Don't go out to eat or drink, nothing.

I just need something to stay afloat long enough until I can get a better job. A temporary fix.

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Could you move further out, get a roommate, or move in with family?

If you're planning to move out of the country in 6 months, why not sell the car now? It will be inconvenient, but you could probably get your transportation expenses down to $250 a month by ubering. That would save you $550. That's another $3,300 for your move.

You don't mention if you need a car for commuting, but if you don't I would encourage you, even more, to get rid of it.

You might also save money by not going out so much with friends. If it's only for 6 months, I think you'll be okay. It will be an interesting experiment for you.

Good luck!

Only expenses I have currently are basic utilities, mortgage, insurance, and car payment. Already cut the rest out.

Bankruptcy should be your very last resort. Switch to the Snowball method for a change. You never know. Sometimes the Avalanche method can be grinding in that you don't see immediate results. Some people like the easy wins the Snowball method brings.

Can't exactly do that one otherwise I'd have no way to get to a job. I live in a rural area, we don't have public transportation here.

> but I fear my social life will tank bc I cannot easily see my friends or do things

Is this the only thing you are afraid of? Not "being able to get to work?" If you don't need a car to work, just get rid of the car and use rideshare. Can you really spend $800 worth of uber in a month?

sell you car and use that money to pay the bills.

you save :

car payment

insurance

maintenance

and get some additional money. to clear with your debt.

finally when you have better paying job you can save something and then start looking for another vehicle.

Four things are really high in your budget -

1. Phone
2. Electric
3. Eating out
4. Internet

Shop around/take steps to reduce usage. There’s cheaper options there that can likely save you a few hundred a month. r/frugal is a good place to look.

If you don’t need the car for commuting/daily tasks like groceries then I would sell it. Get an electric bike or something. You can host more things at your house, ask friends to pick you up, or Uber. It would likely all still be cheaper than your current payment + insurance and gas.

>My partner and I have been trying to get a hold of our budget for a while now, and we're doing okay. The one main thing that is EATING our budget is my car. Between car payment (476 but I pay 550), insurance (103), and gas (~120), it can eat up around 800 a month. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. The public transit isn't that great, so a car is almost necessary. I live in a walkable neighborhood so getting essentials is relatively easy, but I fear my social life will tank bc I cannot easily see my friends or do things.

How much would it cost to ask your friends for rides or Uber to places?