As far as housing goes, you might just want to find a room for rent in a local newspaper or website. I believe apartments.com has a search option for “room” and not the whole apartment or condo. You’ll want to look for a close location to your school, that will help save commuting time and money.

Then, look into Ca Gov programs for housing reimbursement. You’ll probably have to fill out some forms and stand in some long lines, but if you can get reimbursed a couple hundred dollars, that’d help a little.

You could probably also get help with food through gov programs, aka food stamps. It will help out a lot with staples like bread, milk, eggs, etc. Let’s say you go through two gallons of milk a month, 3 loafs of bread, and two dozen eggs; that’s $18 a month, $216 a year. Everything adds up.

Also, to save on food, don’t dine out. It’s SO expensive!! Even if you order the “cheap stuff.” Packing your lunch (or if your school provides it) will save so much money. And, stay away from the vending machine. If you spend $5 a week at the vending machine, that’s another $260 a year. When you go grocery shopping, it’s best to bring a list. Plan out a few dinners, breakfasts, and snacks, and make a list before you go to the store. It will take a few minutes to do, but it will save you time at the store and money in your wallet.

The third link I put up has a big list of services and aid you can get, including cash, transportation, housing, food, and health.

Even with all the aid from the gov, you will probably still have to get a job (or sweet talk your mom into giving you an allowance). From my years and years of working, I’ve found one of the BEST ways to make a lot of money is to work in a restaurant. Look for a big, busy, popular restaurant near your apartment and/or school. You’ll want to apply for a position that gets tips; server or busser are the best. Then, just show up to work on time, and bust your a$$ and you’ll start making bank in no time. My husband and I both worked in restaurants, he was a busser for a busy place in Waikiki, Hawaii. He would walk home each night with more money than the managers! Most places will require you to work at least 3 shifts a week. If you work one week night, and two shifts on the weekend, you could bring in anywhere from $150 – $300 or more each week.

That, along with any gov help you can get, should be able to support you.

Check with your school’s administration or counselors. They may have more information and support for you.

Also, if you have a car, look for ways to save on your gas and insurance. It’s usually not the big expenses that cause money problems, it’s the dollar here, 50 cents there, that sneak up on us, so also watch the small expenses you spend.

Good luck!