Create a Budget for Basic Life Expenses

All of the answers below can be found through research on the internet, reading local newspapers, catalogs, magazines, apartment guides, or asking people who should know. These activities link to a number of resources for finding the costs of living expenses. If you live in a rural or more remote part of the U.S., you may find more accurate costs in the newspaper, catalogs, local stores, and through other local resources. Check with your teacher or counselor.

Your rent per month: $ $rentpermonth (from your previous apartment research).

Apartment Utilities

Call your local utility companies (or ask your sponsor) to estimate your monthly utilities. The numbers are in the phone book. If you have or want a cell phone, be sure to include that cost in "telephone" below.

Find out what the approximate monthly costs are for the following, then click "Calculate" to get the yearly totals.

Gas:

Electric:

Water/sewage:

Telephone:

Daily Food Cost

Estimate your food cost per day. You can create your own estimate or use the "Go Find It" link. Keep in mind that eating out is 3 to 4 times more expensive than eating at home.

Enter your daily costs, then click "Calculate" to get the yearly total.

Daily food cost

Clothing Costs

Estimate your clothing costs. Use the "Go Find It" link to shop online. Add it up: how many shirts, pants, etc. will you want in a year?

Estimate monthly costs for each category, then click "Calculate" to get the yearly amounts.

Work

Shoes

Casual

Coats and hats

Formal or professional

Active wear (camping, sports, etc.)