My personal "Moving in" situation

This sounds too risky, it's way in the future you'll be doing this, you might hate each other, money is tight, etc. I would be quite hestitant. Anyway. You're mostly asking for budget advice so...

Originally Posted by deadally

I figured we could get away with 50$/week on food,

This seems way too low to me. Every place you live is going to be different. But when I was a student, I ate pretty cheap, Equality and Noname where I could, lots of food in bulk, no alcohol, and I was spending about $100-150/mo after taxes, toilet paper, toothpaste, and cleaning products. Plus a bit more for the occasional night out. If I couldn't borrow a friend's car to load up, I'd be spending at least $40/week on "booster" foods like fruit, bread, milk, etc. to keep me going between these $100 super-trips.

Two people does bring efficiencies, and you could eat cheaper than I did via ramen and pancakes, but I'm betting there'll also be the times you want to eat well and enjoy yourself. Budget more for food. Especially given the price inflation these days.

At a minimum I'd say $300/mo for the both of you, to give yourself some fat for a few drinks and one night out a month. Better would be to have both of you track your own expenditures these days.


Re budgets, try to estimate these items:

Tuition
Mandatory fees for healthcare, lab expenses, etc.
Textbooks
Taxes
Any big-ticket items you'd need to buy (fridge, cutlerly, etc?) Maybe you can get some of this cheaply
Rent, TV, utilities, etc
Food, household goods
Entertainment budget - Clubs, Teams, Nights out, videogames, etc
Car - Including gas, insurance, and REPAIRS.
Clothing
Christmas gifts
Travel?
SaveMoney (if possible)
Emergency cash (if possible; maybe your parents would bail you)
Add a contingency like 10%

Jam it back in, in the dark.