Tell me, does my budget need tweeking? Going on 18, working on moving out here in a few months...?

Question

I'm look for a relatively nice 2br whatever in Tucson, AZ that is cool with cats/dogs as boo and Mr. Chip are soooo not gonna get left behind.

Anyways, I'm going to work the job i seek into what I need to make monthly. This is the budget I have "planned"

MAX
Rent $600
Phone $50 *better cell or home?*
Electricity $300
Food $75
Pet Food $35 *$10cat, $15dog*
Gas $100
Save $50 *for emergancies, of course*

Total of $1200 a month with a required full-time pay of $9.38/h which translates to $7.50 take home pay with 20% taken out for taxes. Am i over/underestimating anything, really? Rent I'm hoping to pay closer to $500, but better to plan for the "worst", yes?

And I will move with the money needed to get started. $2000 in trust fund as well as $3000-4000 in my own savings.

Answers/tips are much appreciated, and I know I didn't factor in internet.

Don't need new clothes every month, may put more into the food budget, the savings are there not only to be saved forever, but for emergancies *vet visits and such*

As spoiled as it is, my parents ar taking car of my car although insurance is an issue. Maybe I'll do the bus thing. God did I never know how much living really costs.

Answer 1

You haven't budgeted for entertainment (unrealistic not to).

Sounds like you have it pretty much sorted though and good work being 18 and having savings of $4000!!

Answer 2

Weeeell it's basically ok but I would consider electric to be around $200 (mine's under $100 but it takes practice) and Food is going to be more like $125 / month or more (and that's with some serious discount shopping).

What helps with elecric is spending $50 - $100 and converting the entire house to those new fluorescent bulbs.... It hurts at first but I save an easy $20 / month like that.
Spend another $7 or so and get a water saver shower faucet from Lowe's, install this and save another $10- $20 / month.
Reduce your hot water heater setting to 130 degrees (trust me, that's still very hot).
Another thing is thermostat settings: 78 - 80 in the summer, 64 - 66 in winter (you'll have to wear a sweater in the chill and shorts in the heat, but this saves a lot of money).

Laundry is another $5 - $10 / month but here just add another $50 and that covers a lot of bs then don't forget to put aside $20- $50 / month for clothes and about as much (so maybe $120 / total) for all of the above plus car insurance and repairs.

Oh, cell is usually a little cheaper but you'll have to shop around.
Also on Internet you might get a package deal from cable for basic tv + internet for around $60 / month...

I think rent might kick your butt...
You might check into roommate ads as well, it can save considerable money but it's not for everybody and you can get took too, so idk but it's an idea.

The only other thing is, it really would help to have about an extra thousand dollars cash put aside for the first month so you can cover all the extra nonsense such as security deposits and what not.

At least you have a plan, it's not that far off, best of luck.

Answer 3

you need to budget for clothes (25-100 depending on what you like to wear), entertainment(50), cable?, vet fees,car payment? , insurance , I think your electricity will be less(200) and your food more (150) and don't forget about eating out, your morning coffee at Starbucks? the little things add up too