need advice on husband

[ShallowShrek 0]

husband is coming with his visa. my question if any can help is how will we live. what are living expences? I live with my brothers and never been on my own. now that he's coming we are on our own. guys /gals who live alone help me out by telling me how much to earn at a job that will help you out with rent/food/bills/? when people come from other countries how do they manage living please thank you.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

The cost of living depends on where you live. Get a paper and see what the average monthly rent is for the apartment size you need and go from there. Work a budget:

Rent___

utilties(electricity)____

gas____

insurance___

water___

phone___

ect ect

add those up and see how much you need every month to live, then you will know how much you need to make

[Dakine 26]

husband is coming with his visa. my question if any can help is how will we live. what are living expences? I live with my brothers and never been on my own. now that he's coming we are on our own. guys /gals who live alone help me out by telling me how much to earn at a job that will help you out with rent/food/bills/? when people come from other countries how do they manage living please thank you.

To many variables to try and estimate what it will take you to live on. Starts with location [cost of living where you are] and goes to annual income for both of you.

[broma25 2]

forgive me for being blunt, but isnt this something that should be done before the visa.....seems like a lot of wasted money if you have the visa and cannot afford to live together when he arrives!

[Jeraly 4]

To give you an idea, my hubby earns just over $30k a year - we pay $725 rent a month (Palm Springs California) and live in a pokey one bedroom apartment that consists of a tiny kitchen and bathroom and a medium/small bedroom and living room. With the cost of gas for his van and the credit card bills we have drummed up to get our life together started (buying food and cleaning things for our home along with basic furniture) his weekly income without overtime isn't enough and won't be until we change the car for one that does more than 12mpg and pay off some of our debts.

If you are still living with your brothers, I would recommend you start saving and maybe buying basics for when you move out - laundry/dish detergent, cleaning cloths/sponges, cans of beans/veg/meat - things that won't spoil but that will give you a headstart.

You could also try talking to your family about how much they pay?

[2ond journey 0]

I guess this is why they have A.O.S. You will get your husband there, and cant support him, while others can and dont get them here. system is good.

[Ling Ling 22]

husband is coming with his visa. my question if any can help is how will we live. what are living expences? I live with my brothers and never been on my own. now that he's coming we are on our own. guys /gals who live alone help me out by telling me how much to earn at a job that will help you out with rent/food/bills/? when people come from other countries how do they manage living please thank you.

Ahhh to be young and in love.

Others will berate your question for being naive, but I will answer your questions.

Q1. What are living expenses?

A1. Living expenses are whatever it takes to sustain a healthy living environment.

Q2. How much to earn at at job that will help you out with rent/food/bills?

A2. Earn as much as you can to have as large of a home in as safe of a neighborhood as you would like and can afford.

Earn as much as you can for as much food and other bills as you need and can afford.

Q3. When people come from other countries, how do they manage living?

A3. They plan before they come here. Some already have the finances to sustain their needs, others work their a$$ off.

Seriously, you and your spouse need to do some serious thinking and planning.

Just because everyone thinks the USA is the land of opportunity, does not make it so.

It's a rough world out there, and people fail everyday. More people are homeless and added to welfare everyday. More people end up in jail everyday.

A new marriage, a new country, possibly a new language, and absolutely new responsibilities...THESE are the reasons the government

assumes you and your husband will become burden to the public.

I have no doubt that everyone on this forum is wondering what kind of visa your husband has...and how he was able to get it.

Some of us might sound harsh, but life is harsh....and YES, I am angry that an adult would bring another adult here without having a plan for living expenses.

I'm sure there are some community based services that can help you put together a budget and a plan. As others have said, there really are too many

factors to consider (location, age, education, language, health, experience, etc) to be able to tell you that you need X dollars.

Good luck, and hope you get it together.

Edited August 17, 2008 by Ling Ling

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

Everyone here is giving solid advice. You need to look around at where you live and how much your family pays in normal expenses. This is going to vary from state to state and city to city. Get work, save up what you can and start to get things you need ahead of time. I was lucky in that I am already established where I live and we didn't have to do 'too' much once Kris got here.

[filirican 3]

love is not cheap!

[Mononoke28 135]

It's basic math. The best way is to do what others have said, make a list of all the expenses you will have, you can get an idea based on what you pay now with your brothers. If you think you will be short each month, then it's time to get a better paying job or a second one.

That's it. It's not brain surgery.

Diana

[TracyTN 237]

forgive me for being blunt, but isnt this something that should be done before the visa.....seems like a lot of wasted money if you have the visa and cannot afford to live together when he arrives!

[*JG* 2]

Wow....are you in for a big surprise. Living on your own is very expensive.

Good luck to you.

[ginger1981 0]

Even with a decent salary it is still very expensive and I'm not left over with much after pay day on Friday (I do my bills as soon as I get paid so the temptation to spend money I don't have is removed).

The advice above is all sound, and there are many things to consider. For my monthly expenses, I have listed bills below that I typically pay:

Rent - $725 (and this is very inexpensive for a 1 bedroom in Chicago...and a safe area to boot)

Electricty - approx $40

Gas - approx $20

Cable/Internet - $65

Cell phones - $115

Food/Cleaning Supplies/laundry - $150 - $200

Transport (no car...I rely on public transport) - $75

Credit Cards - $400

This doesn't include stuff that comes up occasionally like friend/family birthdays, or fun stuff (like my husband's concert tickets or my registration fees for running races), or new clothes when needed.

This is just my list...it varies from person to person. If you have a job w/o benefits you'll have to factor in medical/dental insurance, and if you have to get a car the cost of fuel and general upkeep. I would start by writing down a list of your own projected expenses, and figure out what type of money you will need to make to sustain that lifestyle. If things don't add up you might have to go without certain things for a while (like take public transport as opposed to buying a car if possible) or find alternatives (shop for new clothing at consignment or thrift stores).

To be honest, it is very likely your husband will not be working for the first few months...and even up to the first year of living in America. Unless he has substantial savings, the brunt of the financial burden is going to fall on you. I would speak to your brothers and discuss a financial plan...if they aren't of much help the YWCA and other charitable organizations often offer help with figuring out a budget and finances that would be tailored to your area and your particular situation.

I wish you the best!

Lindsay

[ladybee 0]

hello well here's what I think 1. find a job 2. save some money 3. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS( please)

a few months your spouse may not be working so you will have to hold the fort. So think positive dont let anyone make you feel bad. The american dream can be achieve,believe in yourself and spouse.

[Hanna&Mohamed 0]

forgive me for being blunt, but isnt this something that should be done before the visa.....seems like a lot of wasted money if you have the visa and cannot afford to live together when he arrives!

Some people can be so rude!! I wish u the best of luck!!