So starting money is based of lifestyle. Its a random roll, for high its 4d6x500. High lifestyle is 10,000 a month. If you have 1 month of high and roll really well you get up to 12,000. If you have 1200 left over from your resource spending spree, you can turn that into +12 to your roll or 6,000 in starting money.

High is the only lifestyle where this works out I think, I think its kinda funny.

All correct, and only works for high.

OSUMacbeth

Not free, but cheaper than 10,000 . You laid out 11,200 for 6,000 cash, so total cost of 5,200 . (EDIT: Well a bit cheaper than that because you are getting more back on the rest of your roll too. ) But if you don't find work right away and make the first month lifestyle payment you are risking having a 10,000 debt while living in a medium lifestyle.

What Shinobi said.

OSUMacbeth

*shrug* Average starting for Medium is 1,400, which is damn close to 2,000. Hell Street truely is free money. Except, like i said you are on the hook for your first month's rent. Unless i missed something you can't just walk away and downgrade from a lifestyle debt free. So 10,000 of the 11,800 net is already spent. Unless you are feeling lucky about getting a few good rolls when you skip rent.

EDIT: Oh, and that 1,200 you didn't spend at chargen now has to buy gear at street prices instead of list.

P.S. On the other hand one thing i didn't noticed addressed is group lifestyles, and what the starting is suppose to be for those PCs. I'd be inclined to only give the full starting to the PC who undersigned for the lifestyle with their SIN. All his roomies i'd only give 10% starting money. Or maybe Street money?

Oh, and if you do walk away from a lifestyle without the cash-in-hand to pay off your debt you best either have the SINner Quality or a kind and gentle GM.