The easiest way to find student information.
You can’t find the right place to live until you know just how much you are able to spend. The budget spreadsheet is a good reference. Keep in mind all of the extra expenses that go along with paying rent like utilities, transportation, and insurance.
Using a credit card monthly to pay your electric bill is not debt management; it is simply building debt. Spend only the money you earn each month on the expenses you need. Use the budget sheet before moving in, while you live there, and after you find the right place to live. Make copies of the budget sheet and use it every month when you pay your bills to keep track of your spending.
When you plan to live off-campus, depending on where you want to live, plan to save at least $35–$65 for an application fee, $200–$1,200 for a security deposit, check the stipulations for it being refundable or not, $50 to get the cable turned on/hooked up, $50 to get the lights turned on and at least $300 to move your things (U-Haul truck rental and packing supplies). You may spend as much as $1000, or less, if friends help you move. Of course, many of these expenses can be waived depending on where you live. And, depending on how many roommates you have, if any, these expenses can be divided up.
MONTHLY INCOME |
||
Job | $_____________ | |
Scholarships/Loans | $_____________ | |
TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME: | $_____________ | |
MONTHLY EXPENSES | ||
Tuition | $_____________ | |
Books/Supplies | $_____________ | |
Rent | $_____________ | |
Utilities | ||
Electric | $_____________ | |
Gas | $_____________ | |
Water | $_____________ | |
Waste Management/Recycling | $_____________ | |
Telephone | $_____________ | |
Cable/Internet | $_____________ | |
Food | $_____________ | |
Transportation | ||
Car Payment | $_____________ | |
Gas | $_____________ | |
Car Maintenance | $_____________ | |
Insurance | ||
Car | $_____________ | |
Renter's | $_____________ | |
Health/Life | $_____________ | |
Personal Maintenance | ||
Clothing | $_____________ | |
Laundry/Dry Cleaning | $_____________ | |
Haircut/Manicure, etc. | $_____________ | |
Debt/Savings | ||
Credit Card Payments | $_____________ | |
Loans | $_____________ | |
Savings | $_____________ | |
Entertainment | ||
Vacations | $_____________ | |
Pets/Pet Care | $_____________ | |
Books, Magazines, Music, DVDs, Games | $_____________ | |
Gym Membership | $_____________ | |
Other | ||
_____________________ | $_____________ | |
_____________________ | $_____________ | |
_____________________ | $_____________ | |
_____________________ | $_____________ | |
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES: | $_____________ | |