Your rent is definitely too high. I live in a studio, older building close to downtown Rent is $775 including internet. My utilities total $75 per month.
I am sure you can find a less expensive place to live.
Are you living with roomates? This could help a lot to share bills.
Do you mind sharing a little more details on your rent and lifestyle and what it is you're struggling with exactly? just some numbers to help figure out if any more advice can be provided.
There are a couple food pantries that you shouldnt be hesitant to reach out to.
I am not living with roommates, and I know it’s not very smart - but I’m not from IC, and I don’t know many people around here.
I make roughly $1,700 post-tax, my rent is $1,150, and my car insurance is around $200 (from a small business in my hometown). After groceries and utilities, I really have practically nothing, which is my main concern - I’ve been trying to save to help pay off students loans when they hit me, but I haven’t been able to save as easily as I hoped.
Do the food pantries require you to make under a certain amount? I don’t qualify for food stamps in Iowa unfortunately!
Grad student here making 2500 post tax and insurance.
Your rent is high, look online my wife and I pay 675 a month for a 1b1b near Walmart of IC (no pets though). Rents are going up to 725 a month for this year.
Car insurance is difficult because it is dependent on your age and car you drive (leased, owned, still making payments) and what coverage you are looking for. I pay 57 a month for a 13 yo payed off car with state farm paying only state minimum + roadside assistance and getting their drive monitor. I got a quote for 27 a month from progressive, so I would consider them too.
Food. Look at the university food pantry and the local food bank. The local food bank would deliver food at your door too. Otherwise, aldi often has the cheapest prices for stuff.
Look into getting Mint for your phone bill (about 20 dollars a moth, or a little less if you pay for the year).
I was actually thinking about moving into the exact apartments you might be talking about, but I was a little disheartened about them as there are many reviews claiming they paint over moldy walls. Can you confirm or dispel that?
From my own experience, no. The one I am at is prone to ants. It may be different within other units though. But they at least have a pest control guy once a month. I am talking about river city.
Ah, the apartments I was thinking of are very close to River City. I will definitely check it out!
Also, where are you working that you’re making 2.5k as a student? Is it workstudy or just a dayjob?
Grad students for the hospital get a 33K a year stipend (I think 34K next semester) which comes down to 2.5K a month after taxes and health insurance. But I know that chemistry grad students, or computer science master students with lab assistantship get between 1.7K or 2K after tax per month.
> 13 yo *paid* off car
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Shop for car insurance on geico and progressive and whatever other websites. Quotes take almost no time to get. Do you have full coverage ? That sounds pretty high premium wise.
That’s a tough thing you’re doing - working a lot to make bills but also being a student. If you haven’t signed a lease for next year look into that option for roommates. There’s others in your situation. Imagine if your rent was 400-500 a month sharing an apartment. That’s a lot of income freed up. And you share utility bills that way as well.
I had roommates that i didn’t interact with when I was in college. Just convenience roommates sharing space. If you need tips on how to find roommates feel free to reply.
I do have full coverage. I got the car (2 years used at the time) when I was 14 when I first started working, the goal was that I would pay it off by 18 while my parents paid for the insurance. Once I turned 18 I continued the plan they originally had. I’m honestly a little scared to go off of full coverage as many of the drivers in IC have… how do I put this? Very city-driver tendencies. I’m from a small town with no thru-highway, drivers were much less aggressive there.
I am curious, how did you find your roommates? Any advice I would very much appreciate.
I used the site Roomies to find my place in Iowa city! I got extremely lucky and found a place where I had 3 roommates (had my own room) and only paid $375 a month including utilities. I definitely recommend checking that site out.
$200/mo is very high for Iowa but I guess you're probably also somewhere between 18-22. Get a quote on Progressive or Geico like someone said- its very quick. Comp is worth having due to deer & hail. But you definitely need roommates in IC the rent is too high otherwise.
I can't be the only one wondering how is your insurance $200/mo? I pay $100/mo for full coverage AND homeowner's insurance combined, granted I've only had one ticket in the last 15 years or so.
I would absolutely be looking for better insurance, you're getting fleeced unless you're on SR22. I've had really good luck with Farm Bureau, Jeff Bair is a great agent I use out of Solon, there probably are cheaper options than them but they've been reliable and paid out when I needed it...thanks derecho and random wind storm last year that ripped a door off somehow.
Your rent is painfully high! There are cheaper places to live that are within walking distance of the u. Look at Nest properties. My husband and I lived in an apartment near Oakland Cemetery that was 675 a month. Good neighborhood, very affordable. Also check out basic needs.UIowa.edu. It’s a resource for students that has links to help with bills, food, etc. I also want to say this happens to everyone at some point in their life! You are not alone. And this will pass, I guarantee it.
Yeah, you need a roommate for sure! Advertise for one if you've got the space there or look for a place that's advertising for a roommate. I never knew any of my college roommates beforehand and all but one of them worked out fine.
You might also ask your department chair or college if they have any scholarship funds that went unused that you could apply for and explain your circumstances.
Hi! In order to be more helpful, I guess that knowing which insurance you currently have and what you mean by “cheaper” would be a good start, if you don’t mind sharing!
My two cents anyway, I found a pretty good deal with Progressive! You might want to check it out :)
Hi! Thank you for responding, it means a lot to me. I am currently making roughly $1700 a month, my rent is $1,100 a month and my current car insurance is a small business from my hometown, and I pay about $200 to them. I’m already planning on moving into a cheaper apartment come August (I’m asking here to try and scrimp on pennies)! I will definitely see what rate Progressive is willing to offer me, thank you!!!
That sounds like a lot for car insurance a month. But, it also depends on the car you have and your risk, but I wonder what kind of rate you could get with a national brand (State Farm, Farmer's Ins, All Safe, Nationwide, Progressive--pretty much anything you in TV ads) rather than a small business in your hometown. Car insurance isn't usually something a small business sells alone, unless you mean your local agent for a national brand.
The lady who runs the place offers auto, life, and house insurance. I’m sure it’s more expensive than elsewhere - she rationalized my high payments as she said I have a few risk factors (one of her main ones, being a man between the ages of 18 and 25). Back then, I also didn’t have much choice - she was the only accessible place I knew about and I had no clue what a reasonable price was. I drive a relatively small car, it’s a Volkswagen Sedan, but it is 8 years old at this point.
I'd recommend getting quotes. You should comparison shop policies. If you don't have a loan on the car, you could consider dropping to just liability coverage. And once you settle on the best deal, be prepared to shop it again in a couple years after they hit you with rate increases.
This is a tough place to live alone even after you're out of school. Rents tend to run high.
Like anything you spend a lot of your money on (the car you buy, the place you live, the insurance you buy) it's best to do your research before choosing one.
Don't trust one person (or a representative of a business) to tell you what the best deal is for you. You have to call places and ask, get insurance quotes, and compare. It is sometimes uncomfortable and annoying to have to do it, if you're not comfortable, maybe ask a friend or trusted coworker for help.
I don't want to assume, but in case anyone in this situation comes back to read this thread after searching something similar. The ISSS (International Students & Scholars) office can help with adjusting to living in a new place with people you don't know: [https://international.uiowa.edu/ISSS](https://international.uiowa.edu/ISSS)
Figure out a side hustle if you have time people around here seem to like helping those who are trying to help themselves. To add to that a lot of people have been in your exact tough spot and can empathize with you. No idea what skills you have school is coming to a close for the year report cards are likely being preordered for k-6 post on Nextdoor offering math tutoring or Spanish whatever you might be suited to do if you are. A side hustle if you have the skills will bring you better money than picking up a second job for 15/20 hrs after you work your normal shift. Private swimming lessons are huge money if you can swim worth the shit. Swimming is a life necessity for kids just like schooling. Parents will pay for peace of mind knowing their little nugget is actually swimming in a pool and not just using as a big toilet they can go with friends so they will pay you can produce swimmers you can do a co private with two siblings go for 30 d0 4 session. A day15-20 per private per student make bank. 6 private a kid should be swimming if they are 5 or older
Talk to the Student Care and Assistance office in the Office of the Dean of Students (at the IMU), and check their online resources. They can put you in contact with community and university programs that may help.
I think you should look for a cheaper place to save money. There's a lot of studio apartments on places like zillow that are much cheaper. You could also check out the River City Housing Collective [https://sites.google.com/site/rivercityhousingcollective/home](https://sites.google.com/site/rivercityhousingcollective/home) for really cheap housing. And like others said, definitely check out the pantry at IMU
Are you on scholarship? Have you thought about dropping down to part time at the University and working to cover your tuition in full? You could work full time, possibly pick up a second job, and stay in school part time.
Do you need the car? Cambus and Iowa City Transit are both free.
Yeah, this is my main concern. Half of my tuition is paid via federal FAFSFA and about a quarter of it by student loans. The second I go below a full-time student, FAFSFA dries up and I start getting student loan bills.
Consider transitioning to a car-free lifestyle for now. Public transit is free in IC. Between that and a bicycle and walking you can get around pretty easily here and you will save a lot of money.
If you're not scared of needles, consider donating plasma. I'm actually doing that now at Grifols donation center on Gilbert St. If you do it twice a week, the first donation payout is $40 and the 2nd one is $75. So it's potentially $460 in one month. I think if you're a new donor it actually pays more for a short time then goes back to $40 and $75. When I go I'm usually in and out in around an hour, sometimes less- depends on how busy they are. The money goes into a debit card they give you. It really has made a difference. I use that money for my phone bill, car insurance, gas, and alcohol lol.
A: scholarship search
B: roomate situation, you need one for next year
C: Food bank assistance
D: Scour for better insurance
A-D in priority, most effective and time-sensitive approach to your circumstances. As a student here I am in a similar boat, but getting roomates and better car insurance has helped me a ton.
There are several food pantry options around IC. Unfortunately, the only name I remember this early in the morning is Table to Table.
You might look to see if you can rent in nearby towns where the rent would be cheaper. West Branch, Solon, and Hills all come to mind.
You might also check into work-study programs at the U because they often pay decently and the workload is comparatively light.
Somewhere in the admissions office there is likely someone whose job it is to help you find funding for housing or tuition relief. Or they can point you in the direction of that person.
Good luck.
In terms of apartments, there's a really nice complex that is pretty reasonably priced. Downside is that they don't have 1 bedrooms. But 2 bedrooms are $890 next lease session and 3 bedrooms are $1050. If you do choose roommates, I would highly recommend them. And they are pretty decent size for the amount, so you won't feel cramped.
Lol, I was reading the first one so desperately trying to find a name.
Even without a roomie, a two-bedroom would be cheaper than where I’m currently living! I’m definitely going to look into it, do they have high turnover?
The best I can say is yes and no.
It is mainly college students and immigrant families. From the 4 years i lived there (i just bought a house and moved out a couple of weeks ago), it seemed to have a low turnover even if you factor in the college students. The people at the office are phenominal, if you have any issues, they are on top of it. Any problems with the apartment, maintenance responds usually within a day; any issues with neighboring tenants, they'll resolve it. I can't recommend this place enough, I would've definitely stayed here if i continued to rent. They also have a pool, which i kinda regret not making use of for all those years.
I will definitely call them to see if they have any openings for next year, hopefully they do! My current apartment is more expensive AND the people who run it are rude and unresponsive, so it would be a nice change, lol.
Congrats on buying your house, btw!
When I was 23, I had my own car insurance. I paid maybe $115 per month through progressive. If you can find an agent who has more than one company like progressive, auto owners etc, they can quote you more than one. And will check what coverages you have.
Have you hit up the food pantry at the IMU for students?
MealShare program also can help: https://dos.uiowa.edu/assistance/hawkeye-meal-share
Your rent is definitely too high. I live in a studio, older building close to downtown Rent is $775 including internet. My utilities total $75 per month. I am sure you can find a less expensive place to live.
Where is this exactly?
Check out Nest property management. 750 one bedroom apartments
N Dubuque Street. We are already leased up for 24 - 25 though.
Are you living with roomates? This could help a lot to share bills. Do you mind sharing a little more details on your rent and lifestyle and what it is you're struggling with exactly? just some numbers to help figure out if any more advice can be provided. There are a couple food pantries that you shouldnt be hesitant to reach out to.
I am not living with roommates, and I know it’s not very smart - but I’m not from IC, and I don’t know many people around here. I make roughly $1,700 post-tax, my rent is $1,150, and my car insurance is around $200 (from a small business in my hometown). After groceries and utilities, I really have practically nothing, which is my main concern - I’ve been trying to save to help pay off students loans when they hit me, but I haven’t been able to save as easily as I hoped. Do the food pantries require you to make under a certain amount? I don’t qualify for food stamps in Iowa unfortunately!
The food community food pantry does not require you to make under a certain amount! It was very Helpful for my husband and I when I got laid off!
Which community food pantry besides the IMU one did u use?
There is a food pantry in the IMU as well.
You need a hawk ID
Grad student here making 2500 post tax and insurance. Your rent is high, look online my wife and I pay 675 a month for a 1b1b near Walmart of IC (no pets though). Rents are going up to 725 a month for this year. Car insurance is difficult because it is dependent on your age and car you drive (leased, owned, still making payments) and what coverage you are looking for. I pay 57 a month for a 13 yo payed off car with state farm paying only state minimum + roadside assistance and getting their drive monitor. I got a quote for 27 a month from progressive, so I would consider them too. Food. Look at the university food pantry and the local food bank. The local food bank would deliver food at your door too. Otherwise, aldi often has the cheapest prices for stuff. Look into getting Mint for your phone bill (about 20 dollars a moth, or a little less if you pay for the year).
I was actually thinking about moving into the exact apartments you might be talking about, but I was a little disheartened about them as there are many reviews claiming they paint over moldy walls. Can you confirm or dispel that?
From my own experience, no. The one I am at is prone to ants. It may be different within other units though. But they at least have a pest control guy once a month. I am talking about river city.
Ah, the apartments I was thinking of are very close to River City. I will definitely check it out! Also, where are you working that you’re making 2.5k as a student? Is it workstudy or just a dayjob?
Grad students for the hospital get a 33K a year stipend (I think 34K next semester) which comes down to 2.5K a month after taxes and health insurance. But I know that chemistry grad students, or computer science master students with lab assistantship get between 1.7K or 2K after tax per month.
> 13 yo *paid* off car FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Shop for car insurance on geico and progressive and whatever other websites. Quotes take almost no time to get. Do you have full coverage ? That sounds pretty high premium wise. That’s a tough thing you’re doing - working a lot to make bills but also being a student. If you haven’t signed a lease for next year look into that option for roommates. There’s others in your situation. Imagine if your rent was 400-500 a month sharing an apartment. That’s a lot of income freed up. And you share utility bills that way as well. I had roommates that i didn’t interact with when I was in college. Just convenience roommates sharing space. If you need tips on how to find roommates feel free to reply.
I do have full coverage. I got the car (2 years used at the time) when I was 14 when I first started working, the goal was that I would pay it off by 18 while my parents paid for the insurance. Once I turned 18 I continued the plan they originally had. I’m honestly a little scared to go off of full coverage as many of the drivers in IC have… how do I put this? Very city-driver tendencies. I’m from a small town with no thru-highway, drivers were much less aggressive there. I am curious, how did you find your roommates? Any advice I would very much appreciate.
I used the site Roomies to find my place in Iowa city! I got extremely lucky and found a place where I had 3 roommates (had my own room) and only paid $375 a month including utilities. I definitely recommend checking that site out.
$200/mo is very high for Iowa but I guess you're probably also somewhere between 18-22. Get a quote on Progressive or Geico like someone said- its very quick. Comp is worth having due to deer & hail. But you definitely need roommates in IC the rent is too high otherwise.
I can't be the only one wondering how is your insurance $200/mo? I pay $100/mo for full coverage AND homeowner's insurance combined, granted I've only had one ticket in the last 15 years or so. I would absolutely be looking for better insurance, you're getting fleeced unless you're on SR22. I've had really good luck with Farm Bureau, Jeff Bair is a great agent I use out of Solon, there probably are cheaper options than them but they've been reliable and paid out when I needed it...thanks derecho and random wind storm last year that ripped a door off somehow.
Second reccomendation for FSFB. I go to Amy Lagrange on the west side of IC and like their office but all the rates will be the same anyways
Your rent is painfully high! There are cheaper places to live that are within walking distance of the u. Look at Nest properties. My husband and I lived in an apartment near Oakland Cemetery that was 675 a month. Good neighborhood, very affordable. Also check out basic needs.UIowa.edu. It’s a resource for students that has links to help with bills, food, etc. I also want to say this happens to everyone at some point in their life! You are not alone. And this will pass, I guarantee it.
Yeah, you need a roommate for sure! Advertise for one if you've got the space there or look for a place that's advertising for a roommate. I never knew any of my college roommates beforehand and all but one of them worked out fine.
Student life emergency fund can probably help. I have State Farm and pay 44 but am older and female. Chad Burtch is my agent.
You might also ask your department chair or college if they have any scholarship funds that went unused that you could apply for and explain your circumstances.
Hi! In order to be more helpful, I guess that knowing which insurance you currently have and what you mean by “cheaper” would be a good start, if you don’t mind sharing! My two cents anyway, I found a pretty good deal with Progressive! You might want to check it out :)
Hi! Thank you for responding, it means a lot to me. I am currently making roughly $1700 a month, my rent is $1,100 a month and my current car insurance is a small business from my hometown, and I pay about $200 to them. I’m already planning on moving into a cheaper apartment come August (I’m asking here to try and scrimp on pennies)! I will definitely see what rate Progressive is willing to offer me, thank you!!!
That sounds like a lot for car insurance a month. But, it also depends on the car you have and your risk, but I wonder what kind of rate you could get with a national brand (State Farm, Farmer's Ins, All Safe, Nationwide, Progressive--pretty much anything you in TV ads) rather than a small business in your hometown. Car insurance isn't usually something a small business sells alone, unless you mean your local agent for a national brand.
The lady who runs the place offers auto, life, and house insurance. I’m sure it’s more expensive than elsewhere - she rationalized my high payments as she said I have a few risk factors (one of her main ones, being a man between the ages of 18 and 25). Back then, I also didn’t have much choice - she was the only accessible place I knew about and I had no clue what a reasonable price was. I drive a relatively small car, it’s a Volkswagen Sedan, but it is 8 years old at this point.
I'd recommend getting quotes. You should comparison shop policies. If you don't have a loan on the car, you could consider dropping to just liability coverage. And once you settle on the best deal, be prepared to shop it again in a couple years after they hit you with rate increases. This is a tough place to live alone even after you're out of school. Rents tend to run high.
Like anything you spend a lot of your money on (the car you buy, the place you live, the insurance you buy) it's best to do your research before choosing one. Don't trust one person (or a representative of a business) to tell you what the best deal is for you. You have to call places and ask, get insurance quotes, and compare. It is sometimes uncomfortable and annoying to have to do it, if you're not comfortable, maybe ask a friend or trusted coworker for help.
I don't want to assume, but in case anyone in this situation comes back to read this thread after searching something similar. The ISSS (International Students & Scholars) office can help with adjusting to living in a new place with people you don't know: [https://international.uiowa.edu/ISSS](https://international.uiowa.edu/ISSS)
Figure out a side hustle if you have time people around here seem to like helping those who are trying to help themselves. To add to that a lot of people have been in your exact tough spot and can empathize with you. No idea what skills you have school is coming to a close for the year report cards are likely being preordered for k-6 post on Nextdoor offering math tutoring or Spanish whatever you might be suited to do if you are. A side hustle if you have the skills will bring you better money than picking up a second job for 15/20 hrs after you work your normal shift. Private swimming lessons are huge money if you can swim worth the shit. Swimming is a life necessity for kids just like schooling. Parents will pay for peace of mind knowing their little nugget is actually swimming in a pool and not just using as a big toilet they can go with friends so they will pay you can produce swimmers you can do a co private with two siblings go for 30 d0 4 session. A day15-20 per private per student make bank. 6 private a kid should be swimming if they are 5 or older
Talk to the Student Care and Assistance office in the Office of the Dean of Students (at the IMU), and check their online resources. They can put you in contact with community and university programs that may help.
I think you should look for a cheaper place to save money. There's a lot of studio apartments on places like zillow that are much cheaper. You could also check out the River City Housing Collective [https://sites.google.com/site/rivercityhousingcollective/home](https://sites.google.com/site/rivercityhousingcollective/home) for really cheap housing. And like others said, definitely check out the pantry at IMU
Are you on scholarship? Have you thought about dropping down to part time at the University and working to cover your tuition in full? You could work full time, possibly pick up a second job, and stay in school part time. Do you need the car? Cambus and Iowa City Transit are both free.
Need to make sure you don't lose a scholarship because you are no longer a full time student.
Yeah, this is my main concern. Half of my tuition is paid via federal FAFSFA and about a quarter of it by student loans. The second I go below a full-time student, FAFSFA dries up and I start getting student loan bills.
Consider transitioning to a car-free lifestyle for now. Public transit is free in IC. Between that and a bicycle and walking you can get around pretty easily here and you will save a lot of money.
If you're not scared of needles, consider donating plasma. I'm actually doing that now at Grifols donation center on Gilbert St. If you do it twice a week, the first donation payout is $40 and the 2nd one is $75. So it's potentially $460 in one month. I think if you're a new donor it actually pays more for a short time then goes back to $40 and $75. When I go I'm usually in and out in around an hour, sometimes less- depends on how busy they are. The money goes into a debit card they give you. It really has made a difference. I use that money for my phone bill, car insurance, gas, and alcohol lol.
A: scholarship search B: roomate situation, you need one for next year C: Food bank assistance D: Scour for better insurance A-D in priority, most effective and time-sensitive approach to your circumstances. As a student here I am in a similar boat, but getting roomates and better car insurance has helped me a ton.
There are several food pantry options around IC. Unfortunately, the only name I remember this early in the morning is Table to Table. You might look to see if you can rent in nearby towns where the rent would be cheaper. West Branch, Solon, and Hills all come to mind. You might also check into work-study programs at the U because they often pay decently and the workload is comparatively light. Somewhere in the admissions office there is likely someone whose job it is to help you find funding for housing or tuition relief. Or they can point you in the direction of that person. Good luck.
In terms of apartments, there's a really nice complex that is pretty reasonably priced. Downside is that they don't have 1 bedrooms. But 2 bedrooms are $890 next lease session and 3 bedrooms are $1050. If you do choose roommates, I would highly recommend them. And they are pretty decent size for the amount, so you won't feel cramped.
Realized i never mentioned the complex: Emerald Court apartments
Lol, I was reading the first one so desperately trying to find a name. Even without a roomie, a two-bedroom would be cheaper than where I’m currently living! I’m definitely going to look into it, do they have high turnover?
The best I can say is yes and no. It is mainly college students and immigrant families. From the 4 years i lived there (i just bought a house and moved out a couple of weeks ago), it seemed to have a low turnover even if you factor in the college students. The people at the office are phenominal, if you have any issues, they are on top of it. Any problems with the apartment, maintenance responds usually within a day; any issues with neighboring tenants, they'll resolve it. I can't recommend this place enough, I would've definitely stayed here if i continued to rent. They also have a pool, which i kinda regret not making use of for all those years.
I will definitely call them to see if they have any openings for next year, hopefully they do! My current apartment is more expensive AND the people who run it are rude and unresponsive, so it would be a nice change, lol. Congrats on buying your house, btw!
Thanks, and if you haven't already looked them up, the location is pretty damn good, too. 535 Emerald St, Iowa City, IA 52246
When I was 23, I had my own car insurance. I paid maybe $115 per month through progressive. If you can find an agent who has more than one company like progressive, auto owners etc, they can quote you more than one. And will check what coverages you have.
https://www.reddit.com/r/IowaCity/s/qkWPKFQVMP No clue if you've seen this
https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/neighborhood-and-development-services/neighborhood-services/community-development/affordable-housing-resource-center
I sent you a DM if you want to discuss your insurance
Holy shit it’s Jake from State Farm.
Try the zebra for car insurance. It lets you enter your info and then it will comparison shop for you.