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Hi there,
If i get accepted to university this fall 2010, i wanted to move out. I know fiances will be hard and it'll be a struggle, so i wanted to hear people's experience on moving out and paying for their own rent. Was it worth it? How was juggling work and school to pay the bills? Can osap be used to pay for rent?
University of Toronto ~ Class 2010
Behaviour, Genetics, and Neurobiology
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I have found being in my own apartment 100000000x better than living on campus or in any sort of shared accommodation/residence. Aside from not wanting to cohabitate with common criminals, I wanted to be on my own to have independence and be able to cook my own meals and live in my own, private space. The money is not a big issue: rent is cheaper than paying for residence, and you'd also get your own space. Of course, you're going to have to work, unless you have money saved up to use throughout the year. Juggling work and school wasn't an issue for me: I did about 25 hours a week of class, 25-30 hours a week at work (sometimes even 40), and the rest of the time was used for doing readings, socializing, sleeping, and all that other non-essential stuff  OSAP money is given to you so that it can be used towards educational expenses. They're not going to audit where every dollar of your loan is going, but if they see that you were granted $5,000 and you take a $5,000 vacation, you can bet they're going to be suspicious.
Carleton University
Bachelor of Arts in Law
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You can indicate on your OSAP application that you're gonna be living away from home and paying for your accommodation yourself. They will give you a lot more money.
UofT Industrial Engineering 1T4
New College Residence
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mowe wrote:You can indicate on your OSAP application that you're gonna be living away from home and paying for your accommodation yourself. They will give you a lot more money. But you're still considered a dependant on your parents, even if such is the case.
Carleton University
Bachelor of Arts in Law
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ARMY101 wrote:I have found being in my own apartment 100000000x better than living on campus or in any sort of shared accommodation/residence. Aside from not wanting to cohabitate with common criminals, I wanted to be on my own to have independence and be able to cook my own meals and live in my own, private space. The money is not a big issue: rent is cheaper than paying for residence, and you'd also get your own space. Of course, you're going to have to work, unless you have money saved up to use throughout the year. Juggling work and school wasn't an issue for me: I did about 25 hours a week of class, 25-30 hours a week at work (sometimes even 40), and the rest of the time was used for doing readings, socializing, sleeping, and all that other non-essential stuff OSAP money is given to you so that it can be used towards educational expenses. They're not going to audit where every dollar of your loan is going, but if they see that you were granted $5,000 and you take a $5,000 vacation, you can bet they're going to be suspicious. Thankyou for replying! I was looking into renting a small apartment for the year, but wasn't sure if i could do it on my own. Did you apply for OSAP as well? I am a bit worried because my parents have no recorded income and are actually not supporting me this school year.
University of Toronto ~ Class 2010 Behaviour, Genetics, and Neurobiology
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sycamore0j wrote:ARMY101 wrote:I have found being in my own apartment 100000000x better than living on campus or in any sort of shared accommodation/residence. Aside from not wanting to cohabitate with common criminals, I wanted to be on my own to have independence and be able to cook my own meals and live in my own, private space. The money is not a big issue: rent is cheaper than paying for residence, and you'd also get your own space. Of course, you're going to have to work, unless you have money saved up to use throughout the year. Juggling work and school wasn't an issue for me: I did about 25 hours a week of class, 25-30 hours a week at work (sometimes even 40), and the rest of the time was used for doing readings, socializing, sleeping, and all that other non-essential stuff OSAP money is given to you so that it can be used towards educational expenses. They're not going to audit where every dollar of your loan is going, but if they see that you were granted $5,000 and you take a $5,000 vacation, you can bet they're going to be suspicious. Thankyou for replying! I was looking into renting a small apartment for the year, but wasn't sure if i could do it on my own. Did you apply for OSAP as well? I am a bit worried because my parents have no recorded income and are actually not supporting me this school year. Yes, I also have OSAP. Why can't you do it on your own? Working with school isn't difficult. Why don't your parents have any recorded income?
Carleton University
Bachelor of Arts in Law
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Rank: Posteur Expérimenté
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Guess i was just worrying that i wouldn't have enough money to handle it on my own. I was working part time during my first year of university, about 25 hours a week. I found a bit difficult sometimes to manage my time properly and ended up pulling all nighters to finish some assignments. It wasn't the greatest for my health, so i am hoping with better time management skills that this year will be different.
My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary.
University of Toronto ~ Class 2010
Behaviour, Genetics, and Neurobiology
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sycamore0j wrote:
My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary.
That sounds very sketchy. Most cash only businesses operate with cash because they're doing illegal things, and cash is harder to trace... No accusations or anything of course.
Queen's Engineering Class Of 2014
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isaac wrote:sycamore0j wrote:
My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary.
That sounds very sketchy. Most cash only businesses operate with cash because they're doing illegal things, and cash is harder to trace... No accusations or anything of course. Ha ha , i just realized it may sound that way. It's a very legit business, they own a small food stand on the street so there's not that much room for a till. All transcations are processed by hand, so there is no way in keeping track other than the total sum at the end of the night. Its become troublesome for me to explain on osap why my parents recorded income on their t4 is 0.00 I can't really put a number there because it would mean i'm falisfying documentation.
University of Toronto ~ Class 2010 Behaviour, Genetics, and Neurobiology
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I have lived in three different apartments:
4 bedroom apartment - $405/person+utilities
1 bedroom apartment - $625+utilities
1 bedroom apartment - $775+utilities
I would recommend finding a place that includes utilities as long as it isn't ~$50-$60 more than what other apartments (+utilities) would be. Check out the included appliances, and definitely get an apartment with laundry, makes things a lot easier.
Queen's '10
Ryerson '11
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sycamore0j wrote:isaac wrote:sycamore0j wrote:
My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary.
That sounds very sketchy. Most cash only businesses operate with cash because they're doing illegal things, and cash is harder to trace... No accusations or anything of course. Ha ha , i just realized it may sound that way. It's a very legit business, they own a small food stand on the street so there's not that much room for a till. All transcations are processed by hand, so there is no way in keeping track other than the total sum at the end of the night. Its become troublesome for me to explain on osap why my parents recorded income on their t4 is 0.00 I can't really put a number there because it would mean i'm falisfying documentation. This is illegal.
Queen's '10Ryerson '11
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Ooosh wrote:sycamore0j wrote:isaac wrote:sycamore0j wrote:
My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary.
That sounds very sketchy. Most cash only businesses operate with cash because they're doing illegal things, and cash is harder to trace... No accusations or anything of course. Ha ha , i just realized it may sound that way. It's a very legit business, they own a small food stand on the street so there's not that much room for a till. All transcations are processed by hand, so there is no way in keeping track other than the total sum at the end of the night. Its become troublesome for me to explain on osap why my parents recorded income on their t4 is 0.00 I can't really put a number there because it would mean i'm falisfying documentation. This is illegal. Are you saying your parents own on of those hot dog stands? If you don't mind me asking, what kind of revenue do they make per year? I've always been curious.
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sycamore0j wrote:Guess i was just worrying that i wouldn't have enough money to handle it on my own. I was working part time during my first year of university, about 25 hours a week. I found a bit difficult sometimes to manage my time properly and ended up pulling all nighters to finish some assignments. It wasn't the greatest for my health, so i am hoping with better time management skills that this year will be different. That's just down to a good budget and good time management. I've had no issues with working 2 jobs alongside school. Quote:My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary. So they're committing fraud? Why are they not paying taxes?
Carleton University
Bachelor of Arts in Law
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I loved living on my own, only tip - DRUGGIES MAKE AMAZING ROOMMATES! ARMY101 wrote:sycamore0j wrote:Guess i was just worrying that i wouldn't have enough money to handle it on my own. I was working part time during my first year of university, about 25 hours a week. I found a bit difficult sometimes to manage my time properly and ended up pulling all nighters to finish some assignments. It wasn't the greatest for my health, so i am hoping with better time management skills that this year will be different. That's just down to a good budget and good time management. I've had no issues with working 2 jobs alongside school. Quote:My parents have their own business and they work mainly with cash. They do not file how much money they make because they believe it to be unnessary. So they're committing fraud? Why are they not paying taxes? If it's under a certain point and the business is not of a certain age they aren't legally required to file it as income, this is common practice among land lords, I think the period is only one or two years after the business opens though, and serves the purpose of allowing the business extra funding with which to stabilize. Also! Should you end up in the Windsor area you can get a decent apartment for 500 or rent a room for 150, maybe 200 inclusive, so as you can see it really depends on what school you go to.
University of Toronto 2014. Official Student Awards Studio Ghibli Fanclub.TADA!
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Ooosh wrote:I have lived in three different apartments:
I would recommend finding a place that includes utilities as long as it isn't ~$50-$60 more than what other apartments (+utilities) would be. Check out the included appliances, and definitely get an apartment with laundry, makes things a lot easier. Thanks, i've definitely started looking at places to rent in the GTA region. Prices seem to range from 450 - 800$ for a room. It doesn't look too bad, thanks for your reply. ederoo wrote:
are you saying your parents own on of those hot dog stands? If you don't mind me asking, what kind of revenue do they make per year? I've always been curious.
I'm kind of embarass to say this, but yes my parents do own a hotdog stand. As an estimate, i think maybe around $70, 000 - 80, 000(mom and dad) a year. I understand that it is illegal to not report your income, but there's not much i can do about it. It is my parent's decison and i do not understand all of the rules and policies regarding hot dog vendors. We still pay a licensing fee a year though.
University of Toronto ~ Class 2010 Behaviour, Genetics, and Neurobiology
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sycamore0j wrote:I'm kind of embarass to say this, but yes my parents do own a hotdog stand. As an estimate, i think maybe around $70, 000 - 80, 000(mom and dad) a year. I understand that it is illegal to not report your income, but there's not much i can do about it. It is my parent's decison and i do not understand all of the rules and policies regarding hot dog vendors. We still pay a licensing fee a year though. Nothing to be embarrassed about, my man, especially with that income. Let's just all be proud of what we have : )
UofT Industrial Engineering 1T4New College Residence
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mowe wrote:sycamore0j wrote:I'm kind of embarass to say this, but yes my parents do own a hotdog stand. As an estimate, i think maybe around $70, 000 - 80, 000(mom and dad) a year. I understand that it is illegal to not report your income, but there's not much i can do about it. It is my parent's decison and i do not understand all of the rules and policies regarding hot dog vendors. We still pay a licensing fee a year though. Nothing to be embarrassed about, my man, especially with that income. Let's just all be proud of what we have : ) I couldn't have said it better  .. Both my parents are unemployed and we are not on welfare.. cash would be pretty hard to get for me.. but theres nothing you should be embarrased about..
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Thanks, it definitely helps. I've always felt kind of embarass to say that because...well it doesn't seem too much of a glorious job.
University of Toronto ~ Class 2010
Behaviour, Genetics, and Neurobiology
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sycamore0j, theres a difference between OWNING a hotdog stand and WORKING at a hotdog stand.
The moment I raise enough capital, I'm buying one of those f*cking chinese food trucks. I'll just hire some illegal immigrants to operate it and understate my income to revenue canada since everything is paid in cash.
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ederoo wrote:sycamore0j, theres a difference between OWNING a hotdog stand and WORKING at a hotdog stand.
The moment I raise enough capital, I'm buying one of those f*cking chinese food trucks. I'll just hire some illegal immigrants to operate it and understate my income to revenue canada since everything is paid in cash. LOL
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