I actually understand the appeal of MMO's because they make you belong to something in and of itself, they are social groups just like dnd clubs or LARP groups. It offers an experience like no other where you can get along with people because of that one thing you share in common, outside of an MMO you would probably never talk to these people but in the game world you are like two peas in a pod. I don't personnally play MMO's (because I don't have the money or time) but I think they are pretty good in moderation and alongside a more physical social life.corroded said:
The Single Life.
- Thread starter JakalMc
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You will have to learn to budget pretty quick fella unless you can cough up silver spoons on command. Dont throw parties at your own gaff go to others as you'll find out quickly that shit gets spilled.
Dont play mmorpg's on your own if you live alone as you will never see your 'real' friends again. I speak from seeing it curse several friends.
Dont play mmorpg's on your own if you live alone as you will never see your 'real' friends again. I speak from seeing it curse several friends.
Its great, you decide when and what you eat, go out and come in when you want, walk around naked and sleep with whoever you want! Bad thing is you need to support your lifestyle. Also I missed mom a few days ago. I was sick and felt like crap but mum wasn't there to make it better. Seems stupid but they have this amazing ability to make you feel better no matter how bad it is.
I don't know. Like people have said, it is a double edged sword.
I find myself more restricted living alone than I have with my parents. Then again, my parents gave me a great deal of privacy and freedom throughout my life.
As a full-time student who works full-time, I feel imprisoned by bills, tuition, student loans, credit card debt, and all that good stuff. Admittedly, I did make some financial mistakes early on which I'm paying for it now.
I find myself more restricted living alone than I have with my parents. Then again, my parents gave me a great deal of privacy and freedom throughout my life.
As a full-time student who works full-time, I feel imprisoned by bills, tuition, student loans, credit card debt, and all that good stuff. Admittedly, I did make some financial mistakes early on which I'm paying for it now.
This indeed is a precarious pitfall, not only to your waist-line, but also your wallet. But saying that, pigging out on 2 packs of bacon over 1 weekend is SO damn good it's indescribable.Steve Dark said:
Being close to a general supermarket is almost a MUST, unless you can drive, a house mate can do the weekly shop for you, or you're comfortable with ordering online. Otherwise keeping your fridge+freezer topped up can be a real nightmare to manage.corroded said:
Your location can really have a huge impact, both in good and bad ways.
Living near the center of the town/city can be great! Easier to meet up with friends, do your shopping etc...but the temptation of spending WAY too much can be there too.
Living far away in a relatively small area is basically vice-versa of this. You're less likely to blow all your money on drinking for a week, but when you DO want to go out with friends/get into Uni, in some cases it becomes a logistical nightmare of buses, walking and more buses.
I personally find that living near the City Center works out best for me, as I'm relatively frugal with my money, yet can still have a good time with mates now and again. Some of my friends however are miiiiiiiles away from the center, living in a small-ish village yet loving it there.
Combine that with budgeting, complete freedom, having to do the washing up, BACON, and lots of other things.... Independence is basically what you make of it.
As far as I'm concerned, living alone is awesome, but you need to take pains to establish a social network so you're not spending *all* of your time by yourself. That can get depressing quickly even if you're someone who genuinely enjoys spending time alone.
The *best* activities are regularly scheduled ones so they're not interfering with your school work, like sports or band practice.
Moving is probably the hardest part, it's hard to remember all you need stuff-wise to establish your own household. If you're living in a dorm this can be different because some of it is provided for you, but here's a good general list:
Bed (frame and mattress), dresser, nightstand, desk, chair, lamp, alarm clock, shower curtain (depends on whether you have your own bathroom), bath mat, toiletries carrier, pillow, sheets and pillowcase, warm blanket, area rug, garbage can, cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner, laundry basket, clothes hangers, dishes, glasses, silverware, cooking pans, microwave
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD WINTER COAT, GLOVES, HAT, SCARF, A WATERPROOF SLICKER OR RAINCOAT, AND AN UMBRELLA.
Make sure you know how to do laundry and cook before you move out. It's especially beneficial to find a few friends you can swap meals with, because cooking for one person is nearly as expensive as cooking for several--you save money if you buy bulk food and cook rather than eating single-serving stuff. If you can't find meal-swappers, GET TUPPERWARE and learn how to cook big batches of stuff like chili. I'd also advise you to learn to like eating (and it can be done), stuff you can get dirt cheap like bags of dried beans, lentils, peas, and rice. Avoid pasta and ramen--if you're a guy, you'll start losing muscle mass, and if you're a woman, you'll swell up like a balloon. Eat rice (brown rice for preference) and beans with the cheapest meat you can get.
If you can con your parents into getting you starting groceries, make them get you SPICES AND SEASONINGS first--salt, pepper, garlic, dried onions, hot sauce, cinnamon. These are expensive to buy, but they last a long time and can make boring food much more palatable.
If your meals are provided as part of your tuition, they will be gobs of starch with very little else, which means you have to learn how to approach the buffet with an eye toward getting protein, fat, and vitamins while avoiding as much starch/bread as humanly possible.
In particular, know in advance whether you'll have access to a kitchen. If you don't, a microwave and/or a hot plate are ESSENTIAL. It is unspeakably annoying to get home after your shift/class/late night study session and discover that you can't just heat up a can of soup. Granted, a LOT of the stuff surrounding the college is likely to be open 24/7, but not all of it, and you will NOT want to brave frozen streets in a snowstorm at two in the morning to get a sandwich.
Oh, and last piece of advice: FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN DO WITHOUT A CAR AND THEN DO IT. It is a HUGE unnecessary expense while you're in college and it is NOT worth it. Even if you don't have car payments you still have to pay for gas, insurance, repairs, and parking. Get a bicycle and use the bus system, because once you get the ring in your nose you are screwed. If you already have a car, sell it. I'm serious about this. Refuse to live anywhere that isn't within easy walking distance of public transportation no matter HOW tempting it is. You will probably spend several years living on the edge of financial ruin and unless you are exceptionally money wise the car WILL put you into the red.
Oh, and remember that "easy walking distance" still needs to apply when it's pouring or 20 below.
The *best* activities are regularly scheduled ones so they're not interfering with your school work, like sports or band practice.
Moving is probably the hardest part, it's hard to remember all you need stuff-wise to establish your own household. If you're living in a dorm this can be different because some of it is provided for you, but here's a good general list:
Bed (frame and mattress), dresser, nightstand, desk, chair, lamp, alarm clock, shower curtain (depends on whether you have your own bathroom), bath mat, toiletries carrier, pillow, sheets and pillowcase, warm blanket, area rug, garbage can, cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner, laundry basket, clothes hangers, dishes, glasses, silverware, cooking pans, microwave
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD WINTER COAT, GLOVES, HAT, SCARF, A WATERPROOF SLICKER OR RAINCOAT, AND AN UMBRELLA.
Make sure you know how to do laundry and cook before you move out. It's especially beneficial to find a few friends you can swap meals with, because cooking for one person is nearly as expensive as cooking for several--you save money if you buy bulk food and cook rather than eating single-serving stuff. If you can't find meal-swappers, GET TUPPERWARE and learn how to cook big batches of stuff like chili. I'd also advise you to learn to like eating (and it can be done), stuff you can get dirt cheap like bags of dried beans, lentils, peas, and rice. Avoid pasta and ramen--if you're a guy, you'll start losing muscle mass, and if you're a woman, you'll swell up like a balloon. Eat rice (brown rice for preference) and beans with the cheapest meat you can get.
If you can con your parents into getting you starting groceries, make them get you SPICES AND SEASONINGS first--salt, pepper, garlic, dried onions, hot sauce, cinnamon. These are expensive to buy, but they last a long time and can make boring food much more palatable.
If your meals are provided as part of your tuition, they will be gobs of starch with very little else, which means you have to learn how to approach the buffet with an eye toward getting protein, fat, and vitamins while avoiding as much starch/bread as humanly possible.
In particular, know in advance whether you'll have access to a kitchen. If you don't, a microwave and/or a hot plate are ESSENTIAL. It is unspeakably annoying to get home after your shift/class/late night study session and discover that you can't just heat up a can of soup. Granted, a LOT of the stuff surrounding the college is likely to be open 24/7, but not all of it, and you will NOT want to brave frozen streets in a snowstorm at two in the morning to get a sandwich.
Oh, and last piece of advice: FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN DO WITHOUT A CAR AND THEN DO IT. It is a HUGE unnecessary expense while you're in college and it is NOT worth it. Even if you don't have car payments you still have to pay for gas, insurance, repairs, and parking. Get a bicycle and use the bus system, because once you get the ring in your nose you are screwed. If you already have a car, sell it. I'm serious about this. Refuse to live anywhere that isn't within easy walking distance of public transportation no matter HOW tempting it is. You will probably spend several years living on the edge of financial ruin and unless you are exceptionally money wise the car WILL put you into the red.
Oh, and remember that "easy walking distance" still needs to apply when it's pouring or 20 below.
The single life is really overblown.
In my experience it's nothing more than a never ending string of beautiful girls, decadent parties, martinis, one night stands, keg stands, benders, backdoor entrances, private tables, bottle service, cornucopias of cash and jewels, naked women in mink stoles and golden bracelets inset with rubies, pinky rings, three piece suits with french cuffs and platinum cuff links, Bentleys, Aston Martins, yacths, Cristal, '98 Bordeux's, beluga caviar and belinnis to accompanying that 10th straight sunrise you're now witnessing.
That's it really. I wouldn't get too hyped about it.
In my experience it's nothing more than a never ending string of beautiful girls, decadent parties, martinis, one night stands, keg stands, benders, backdoor entrances, private tables, bottle service, cornucopias of cash and jewels, naked women in mink stoles and golden bracelets inset with rubies, pinky rings, three piece suits with french cuffs and platinum cuff links, Bentleys, Aston Martins, yacths, Cristal, '98 Bordeux's, beluga caviar and belinnis to accompanying that 10th straight sunrise you're now witnessing.
That's it really. I wouldn't get too hyped about it.
You win the thread.tendo82 said:
Back to the OP, I'd say that, as long as you have a job and friends, living alone is really fantastic.
Jaka, being on your own is both the greatest thing, and the worst thing in the world.JakalMc said:...What are the perks? The pitfalls? Is it true freedom?
So, to any bachelors (or bachelorettes) out there, give me your opinions and share with me your stories.
I was 19 when I decided that college wasn't for me, at least, not yet, so I moved back to the town where I went to High School, got a job and an apartment with some friends. It was great. Complete freedom, we drank beer for breakfast, smoked all the pot we wanted, had great parties, etc...
Since my job didn't pay that much, money was tight, but as long as you didn't dwell on how much you were making, it wasn't a problem. Living within your means sucks, but if you can do it, it shows that your mature enough to provide for yourself and not need anyone's help.
After a year of that, I got a job in Long Beach, California, working for a cable company. Since I didn't have a college education, it was really hard to get a job that paid me well enough to live on my own. I found that job, moved out, and lived very well. I was 21, living in my own apartment in SoCal.
The one mistake that I made was purchasing more than I could afford with credit cards. The company that I worked for was utilizing outsourcing quite a bit, and eventually, after three years there, my job was outsourced and I was laid-off. Again, not having a college degree was a big stumbling block. I had gained a lot of valuble experience, yet lacked the degree to get a better job.
I've now moved back to Wisconsin with my mother, am going back to school in January, finishing my degree and moving right back after I'm done. My point is this, enjoy it, but keep your focus and spend your money wisely. If you have a credit card(s), use them ONLY for emergencies, not to impress a girl you might fancy with an expensive dinner. I don't want to sound like I'm preeching, but hopefully giving you advice through my story.
Enjoy your freedom, but don't feel like you're all alone. Your family and friends will always help you if you ever need it.
PS...
Try not to do the Thursday to Sunday party schedule too often...it'll take a toll on your health. As fun as it is, do it once ever six months or so or you'll pay the price
Lol i hear that- i spent an entire night looking though everycupboard repeatedlyWeedWorm said:Wish i had my own place
My brother has his own place though, so i just go there and get stoned. Theres never anything to eat though, which is a bad combination when youve got weed.
