Title: How Much Rent Can I Afford to Pay Based on Income & Monthly Budget?
Headings: How Much Rent Can I Afford to Pay Based on Income & Monthly Budget?
How Much Rent Can I Afford to Pay Based on Income & Monthly Budget?
How Housing Fits Into Your Larger Budget
Housing as a Percentage of Your Income
Zero-Sum Game: A Holistic Look at Budgeting
Reframe the Question to Spend Less on Housing
Beyond Rent: Other Housing Related Expenses
Utilities
Municipal Fees
Parking
Amenity Access
Renters Insurance
Furniture and Decor
Security Deposit
Moving Costs
Ideas to Afford a “Reach” Home
1. Bring in a Housemate
2. Earn More Money
3. Negotiate Lower Rent
Final Word
Make
Money
Manage
Money
Save
Money

Content: Utilities
When you look at any prospective home, find out which utilities are included with the rent, if any. Because utility costs add up quickly. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars each month when you total your bills for: Electric
Gas
Water and sewer
Internet
Home phone
Cable TV
Those last two make easy expenses to cut to save thousands each year. Just a thought. Bear in mind that utility bills vary dramatically between homes. One home can easily cost you double or triple the gas, electricity, and water bills from another seemingly similar home due to energy efficiency differences or different energy pricing between municipalities. Before moving into a home where you pay your own utility bills, ask for copies of past utility bills from each season to get a sense for the costs. Municipal Fees
Some cities charge separate fees for trash pickup, recycling, and other basic public services on top of the taxes they already collect. Double check if a municipality double charges fees on top of taxes before choosing a place to live.