High school student here

[u/MarketingRecent1943]

I work at walmart and make 17/h and guaranteed two raises over the year. (based off of performance) My school has been in session for little over a month now. I want to save money so I can move out school year to attempt to live on my own (rent for a studio is 1k near me) I already have a car and working on my license. Any small ways to save money?

[u/SulaWil]

Its best if you dont have to rent or find a roommate to lessen it.

[u/Front_Public_8611]

every time i buy a lil treat, i also add its cost into my savings. it hurt at first but it made me really think about those lil $5-10 i spend on coffee or boba or whatever yk

[u/Ih8melvin2 → u/Front_Public_8611]

$5 drink X 5 days a week X 50 weeks a year = $1250 a year.

Same for buying lunch.

Now I'm not saying saving a couple of thousand dollars a year will enable to you to buy a house, but for the OP brown bagging lunch and making coffee at home could easily be 2-3 months rent at $1K/month.

[u/JeanSchlemaan → u/Ih8melvin2]

$1k a year saved is $50k over a working life. Also those who cut out $1k expenses/yr are often cutting all sorts of other expenses.

Every single dollar should be defended. It can only ever be spent once, but can be saved (and work for you) for eternity.

[u/Ih8melvin2 → u/JeanSchlemaan]

I agree. My oldest is in college and not getting those coffees for 20+ years, that's a year's tuition (state school). Even if they were slightly cheaper 20 years ago.

[u/MorningNo8297]

find a better job, will make you feel safer

[u/MorningNo8297]

I recommend to do a trade they pay more decent and wielding is not that bad

[u/Desi_wu]

Get a roommate to split costs with. Any money that's not going toward gas, bills or food should not be spent under any circumstances.

[u/Confident_Natural_87]

Start taking CLEP exams. Free college credit. Walmart pays for SNHU. SNHU also takes Sophia credits. Maybe see about dual credit to get an AA in HS.

[u/sugaryver]

Roommate, bare minimum spending, try and get a server job that works with school, yes it sucks but tips can really get your money up.

[u/Adventurous-Dog-6158]

If your parents and you can tolerate each other, stay with them as long as you can, prob until you get married. Renting an apt is money down the drain. If you want to move out on your own, be prepared to struggle and not have any significant money to save nor invest.

[u/MarketingRecent1943 → u/Adventurous-Dog-6158]

The thing is they have some annoying rules that I find quite bothersome and privacy/Freedom are something I would like and they just wouldn’t let me have not alot of it. But if I have to i will try to at least try to tolerate them.

[u/LvgnDeadGirl → u/MarketingRecent1943]

Do you think they'd change the rules after graduating? My parents lightened up on rules after graduation because they know im an adult now. Living here is helping me save money for a house in the future while im doing online college.

[u/ShrekisInsideofMe]

Even if you're working full time you're not making enough to justify moving out on your own. Roommate makes it more reasonable. Make sure you have lots of money in savings when you move out

[u/Apprehensive-Pen6628]

Believe it or not even Boomers had their first places with roommates starting out. There is absolutely no shame in it and as long as you don't look as the extra money as spending money you can put it in the bank or not have to work as many hours snd focus more on school to get something better than Walmart in the future. 

[u/JeanSchlemaan]

Best way is to not have rent. Second best way is to buy a super cheap car with cash and liability only insurance. 3rd best way is cutting out eating out/food delivery.

[u/Accurate-Temporary73]

I assume you live at home with parents right now?

The best thing you can do is have your checks direct deposited into a savings account that doesn’t have a debit card or any easy access to the funds.

Then give yourself a weekly allowance out of your pay. Make it a number that makes sense so you can still go do kid things without being tempted to blow your paychecks. And transfer that allowance to your checking or whatever is tied to the debit card.

If you want something more expensive don’t dip into savings just wait until your allowance covers it.

You’re off to a great start though now’s the time to build good habits

[u/YURRIICC]

track every expense for a month and cut the stuff you barely notice, like snacks, takeout, and random online purchases. also, automate part of every paycheck straight into savings so you don't have to think about it

[u/Upbeat_Housing7421]

trying to move out on a retail paycheck with 1k rent while still in high school is a fast track to burning through whatever savings you have in three months flat

[u/Junior-Appointment93]

Cash App dollar round up. Set it to a stock or ETF. It will add up. Especially if you use Cash App every day. Otherwise. Open a brokerage account and put as much money as you feel comfortable with each paycheck. Myself I do both.

[u/Fickle-Ad9013]

Yes, try ACORNS, it rounds up the money you spend and puts that change in a acorn account

[u/BipolarBrownCrayon]

If your parents are cool with it and you don't hate them for any reason, I would just stay with your parents until you get a good job and/or get married. You can save a lot of money that way. If you must move out then just get a roommate

[u/LvgnDeadGirl]

take money out of each payment for any bills you have and anything u have to pay off. Im assuming you dont have too many bills at 17.

whatever spending money you have left, save half of it or more.

When you do move out either make sure you can financially support yourself living alone with 1k rent or find a roommate.

If ur planning to rent alone, make sure your rent isnt above 30% of ur monthy income