I created this page as a page that I would have found useful as a high schooler or as someone starting out in life. Second hand living and just different economics and outlooks on that.

I am working on compiling a list of the cost to do this stuff. start up cost is under 5K. I feel like the car would be fairly high. It's just interesting to think about cost of living economics etc. Because if you just have roommates and you bought the car out right and then you only need to furnish your room. You can probably do that for another $1,500 with the furniture. The electronics, the clothing, all that stuff.

Other useful pages 

Page I setup for where to Donate Things but also could be a good place to get things Free or cheap :)  

Page  for Student Discount

Page for  Low Income  Resources 

Housing

 It would probably be best to have a roommate or a few so all you have to cover is just one room in a house or apartment vs getting a whole place on your own.  It looks like the cost of a roommate is anywhere from $300 to $500 + a month! the cost of living has really gone up a lot the last few years. But that does include unities etc...  I looked at https://www.roomies.com/ and https://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/ to see what was out there. 

Health insurance 

When looking at the options Obamacare or ACA sliver plan with a cost sharing restriction would run $39 a month based on  $28k a year for a net income based on the age of 30 years old.  Apply at www.Heathcare.gov

Here is a calculator with more info https://www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ 

Education & Career 

Go to a community college and try to learn some sort of skill that will pay you above market wages so that you can be setup for success down the road don't go to college for something that their is no market for or you wont make any money at because then all you have is a paper and dreams of getting a student loan bailout because you got scammed at a young age. For Career and job info I have this page. 

Clothing household things 

Clothing and other housing household things  like books, electronics for the kitchen, house, lights, furniture, garage sales, salvation army and other second-hand shops would be ideal places to look for these types of items. Half price books for media and books, but they're fairly expensive. Library book sales for other things that are highly reduced price. 

I have more info about it on these pages  Donate Things but also could be a good place to get things Free or cheap. 

Computers, TVs and other electronics 

Midwest computer brokers is the ideal place to go. You get fairly recent electronics that are operational, nice laptops, etc. At bottom of the barrel prices.

 http://mcbia.com/ Located in Walford you can call them at (319) 845-2075 Buy Dell Latitude laptops there they are tanks. 

Cellphone 

You can get an unlocked cellphone for around $100 to $300 I like Motorola but many other options are out there. Then get Google Voice with Red pocket wireless 

https://www.androidcentral.com/best-android-phone-under-100  NUU A23 Plus unlocked  on Amazon for $85 

So it's an interesting philosophy and game to play on the economics of second hand living. But on a lot of things you're better off. Just getting it second hand if you can let someone else take the depreciation the risk the big hit with the money.

Cell phone $35 a year

The best deal out there spend $750 get Join the Calyx Institute after the 1st year its $500 each additional year for unlimited 5G internet. On the back end it runs on T-Mobile network 

https://calyxinstitute.org/

Internet up front $750 yearly $500

Links and more info

How to Start Out or Over on a Shoestring Book by Annie Jean Brewer https://annienygma.com/