First of all, I am not a US citizen. My first issue arose when I realized that I won't be able to find a job outside the University. Thankfully, I was informed that I am qualified to get a green card which I will be applying for in July (it takes 6-13 months). I think I am very frugal, especially for American standards. I haven't been enticed by marketing or anything here and that's not because of a conscious decision to stop myself but rather I never valued spending money or even thinking about money. However, I always think of what I buy as an investment. Thus I am reaching to this community in order to get some financial advice on how I should approach things. I have read the blog posts for all my questions I just want some personal input.
1) Health insurance. Right now I am paying 300$ to the University for medical care, which is NOT insurance, but it doesn't have any emergency or pharmaceutical back up which I think is important. I have done the math and I know that my chances are slim (and that's why it is cheaper for me to acquire insurance...) but still it's something that this year has been annoying me not to have. Using ehealthinsurance and saying that I am both a college student and a tobacco users gives me the least a 51$ per month insurance, I don't know if this is fair or even manageable? I am asking you for that. Also, as I stated above I don't like paying things monthly, I like investing. Could I get a better deal by paying yearly?
2) I am in the process of getting my drivers license (I know it's late but oh well, I didn't have to pay gas for a year). The car is absolutely needed as here in Virginia a bike is not manageable (I live in my uncles house which 20miles outside campus). I have a budget for 5000$ for the car, Toyota Echo seems the right choice if you ask me. What about the insurance for the car? I want to make some calculations in order to see the overall cost of maintaining a car. I will try and learn more in order to be able to fix it on my own. I also want a manual (the European I am) which is harder to find, but I will be waiting for it to come around.
3) Generally, I have no loans, and I really despise them as a concept. I don't want to own anyone anything. What are some things that you think I have to do in order to have financial security. I really am the person that wants to have everything in order and not think about money, I want to focus in science and that's the only thing. So yeah, what things that need to be taken care of from now haven't I thought. Take into account that I haven't lived in America for long so I don't know what I will eventually need? For example, do you think I should find a job while in college?