Step #2

Find an Apartment and Estimate Utilities

This may be your largest budget expense.  Find an apartment in your city through newspapers in the library or using the following links.  Remember that “extras” usually mean a higher rent.

Apartment.com
www.apartments.com

Moving.com moving.monstermoving.com/Find_a_Place/Department/Find_an_Apartment/

Online Newspapers

Monthly Rent  is $

I chose this apartment because
 

Print out a floor plan of the apartment.  What furniture will you need?  If you have to purchase any furniture, this needs to be included in your monthly payments.  Use the following links (or you may search the web) to find furniture that you can purchase on a one-year installment plan.

JC Pennys www.jcpennys.com

Rooms To Go www.roomstogo.com

Pottery Barn www.potterybarn.com


Total Amount of Furniture on Payment Plan    $

Divided by 12 monthly payments                  $

                      X 15% interest                             

Monthly Furniture Payment is                       $

For this assignment, you will include Electricity and possibly Water (this may be included in your monthly rent) in your utilities bill.  If Water is not included in your monthly rent, estimate $120 a month for utilities.  If Water is included in your rent payment, estimate $100 a month for utilities.

Cable/Satellite is optional.  The following link will give you costs for cable. You must fill in your apartment address, click “Continue” and then select “Cable/Satellite” on the left-hand bar, and select “Compare” button.

Relocation Central
http://www.relocationcentral.com/login.html


Use the following link to select a phone service.  Keep in mind that your monthly payment does not include long-distance calls.

ConnectMyPhone.com
www.connectmyphone.com

Monthly Electric and Water Payment is         $

Monthly Cable Payment is                           $

Monthly Phone Payment is                          $

            Total Utilities Payment is               $

After entering amounts in your spreadsheet,
please submit Step #2

For the other items in your budget (other than food), estimate your monthly expense and enter that amount in the appropriate cell.

When Step #2 is completed, PROCEED TO Step #3