So, my parents never explained any of this to me and just did it all for me (they seemed to try to get me to be as dependent as possible for some reason). Needless to say, I'm trying to become more and more independent. I just don't have a lot of money. I think between last May and next May I'm estimating $18,000 or so (that's after taxes/SS/retirement etc., medical/dental/disability insurance are paid for). I have zero debt of any kind nor do I have anything like car payments. My rent is $5346 a year, so not terrible, but a little high for my income (although for some strange reason, my neighbor pays less...but it might because he's disabled/low income?).

My first issue is my car insurance costs the same as my medical, dental, and I think even renter's insurance combined. I have AAA, so I feel like I should call them for a quote? And if they have a better rate, do I just call my other insurance agent and cancel? My policy is due to renew in two weeks!

My second issue is I have food allergies, so either I have to have a restricted diet or I have to pay more than other people for food. There's really no alternative unless I want to be sick all the time. Most "cheap" food have what I can't eat in it. I can't have casein at all, which is a protein in dairy (and I think beef as well). Lactose free dairy doesn't help. It has to be soy, coconut, almond etc. So I have to either buy the more expensive alternatives or go without milk, butter, cheese, chocolate, 95% of dessert items etc. A lot of snack items, nutritional bars etc. have milk in them too. So I try to wait for sales and stock up (non dairy milk and butter last way longer and cheese does too to a certain extent) but things like GOOD non dairy cheese is expensive regardless. I'm looking into local Foodnets and the school I work at has a similar program for students/staff (we live in a low income area) so maybe I can save money on a few things that way?

Another bill that's too high is cable. All I need is internet! And 15-20 mbs is more than adequate! And I have to pay $75.67 a month for it? I might be okay with less although I'm not sure they sell less. The issue is, do I go buy a router/surfboard to save money renting one? I might move in a year and if I use cable again, it may not be with the same service so I might have to buy or rent another so I don't know if it's worth it. Unless I get a cheap surfboard, a year will probably just pay back the purchase of the equipment and not save me that much. I have no idea if I can switch to another service or not or if I want to have anything installed.

Also, socializing requires little purchases here or there: coffee, a couple drinks, food etc. So does this mean I have to stay home and never socialize or never get anything to eat/drink when I go out? I feel like I need to be punished for being poor and never have more than what's absolutely necessary ever again.

Also, being a musician/composer/academic I belong to a union and lots of societies. I don't think I can afford to be in everything anymore but how do I choose? I don't want to screw myself by "snubbing" the wrong organization. Am I supposed to still be in the international society for my instrument? Now that I'm not a student it's EXPENSIVE. Do I stay in the union? I need to pay dues again if I am. I don't regularly play union gigs, but what if I do? These societies look really good on my CV. Usually more important for university jobs, but if any high school gave a crap about education and weren't in it solely for the money, someone with my education/background would be worth it.

I have a website too. It's too expensive to maintain, but I get traffic there and get emails through it so I need it (or a less expensive alternative).

I just hope one day I can leave this state, finally become a certified teacher, and with my education, should be able to make 2.5-3x as much a year my first year. Getting certified and finding a job in the state I'm in right now is difficult to impossible. Besides, there are no jobs here for my boyfriend at all so we have to move! I'm just being punished for being stupid as a 19-year-old (was originally getting a degree in education) and not being able to see the future. How stupid of me to think I'd want to teach at a university instead of at a high school! I guess I didn't think I'd have the confidence to teach that level...but I certainly don't at a university! Right now I'm just a para...and I work seasonal/part time for the city...AND I play gigs/transcribe/arrange music for some extra money and it's still not enough! My jobs are stressful enough for me that I really can't push myself to do more than 40-45 hours a week without cracking. I did that this summer (50-55 hours I believe) and I was losing my patience and getting angry which CANNOT happen. I'm just...I'm doing the best I can, and it's still not good enough!

If anybody has advice on cable, belonging to societies, having a website, car insurance, etc. I would greatly appreciate it! My parents are kindly helping with cable and the website, but I really want all these bills to be mine by next spring.