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Yeah, to add on to what was said before.....
Do not think FOR EVEN ONE SECOND, that you will be an E-3 or E-4 after bootcamp.
It wont happen that way. I know things are a lot easier in the Army than in the Marine Corps (my branch) but they are not just giving away rank like that.
Even so, as an E4 with less than one year in service, you will be making 1827 a month BEFORE TAXES. So when you think about it, that will actually leave you getting paid about 700 per pay check. If you subtract 650 per month for insurance and your payment, that leaves you 750. Subtract 80 for your cell phone, 100 for cable/internet at the barracks, 300 for gas (assuming 50 per tank, with 3/4 of a tank per week, then 1/2 a tank on the weekends) and that leaves you with 270. Out of that you have to buy your fast food on the weekends (no you will not eat every meal at the chow hall, whether you think you will or not), then you have to buy your clothes, cds, dvds, and other random BS you want for yourself. Dont forget that you also will need to buy things to go inside your barracks room. TVs, clothes, blankets, towels, shampoo & such.
If you like beer, you will have to factor in some money to pay for beer and the hotel out in town so you can sneak off base and drink without getting in trouble **WHICH I DO NOT APPROVE OF OR ADVISE YOU TO DO***
After all of that..... what money will you have left over to spend on your girlfriend?
Even better.... what money will you put into savings?
Not to be an ass, but even at your age, you need to think about putting some money in savings each month.... hell even 50 bucks a month is a start.
Disclosure: I am a Sgt (E5) in the Marine Corps. I have been in for just shy of 5 years now. I know a thing or two about military life as well as the differences between what I expected before boot camp, and what I found out was reality after boot camp.
Like everybody else here, I want you to have your camaro and enjoy the hell out of it.
BUT, i do not want you to ruin yourself financially because you cant afford the car. You dont want the repo man to come get it from you, and you dont need to be broke every day because you cant afford to pay your bills
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