Making your BudgetOnce you have your list of desired location and amenities, it is now time to find an apartment based on your budget. If you have not already closely examined and organized your budget, moving can be a good opportunity to apply some basic rules and maximize your paycheck.
Make sure you can live comfortably within your means. Apartment rents are usually your highest expenditure and it's no use having a great luxury apartment with no furniture. Furthermore, trying to stretch your finances on rent can have devastating consequences, including ruining your finances and forcing you into debt. It will cost more money to break a rental lease that you cannot afford.
Start by making a list of your income and expenses. It is easiest to do this on a monthly basis, since rent, your biggest expense, is on that basis. You can use an excel spreadsheet to make two columns, money coming in and money going out.
Monthly IncomeIncome sources may include:
After tax salary, wages and tips from your job
Interest, dividends and capital gains from investments
Royalties, partnerships, trusts
Alimony
Be sure to account for taxes, retirement savings and other withheld amounts. Include expendable income only.
Monthly ExpensesOrganize your monthly expenses by dividing them into the following categories:
Mandatory Expenses (fixed and variable)
Optional Expenses (fixed and variable)
Some expenses will fall into both categories, such as food, recreation, home furnishing, etc, but it should give you an idea of how to can arrange your checkbook to make the most out of your new move.
Look back through your checkbook or credit card statements to identify your regular expenses and identify when and where you tend to spend the most money. Taking a look at ATM cash withdrawals should also give you a good idea of how much you spend on other expenses.
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