🚀 LifeStarter

First Apartment Budget

How to afford living on your own

📊

The 50/30/20 Rule

50% Needs (rent, food, utilities)
30% Wants (dining out, entertainment)
20% Savings & debt payments

🏠

Rent: The Big One

Keep rent under 30% of gross income. If you make $3,500/month, aim for $1,050 max. Roommates can cut this in half.

👻

Hidden Costs

Don't forget: renter's insurance ($15-30/mo), utilities ($100-200/mo), internet ($50-80/mo), parking, laundry. Budget $300-500/mo extra beyond rent.

🛒

Food Budget Hack

Groceries: $250-350/month is realistic. Meal prep Sundays. Buy store brands. Limit dining out to 2-3x per week max. Cooking is the #1 money saver.

🛟

Emergency Fund First

Before upgrading your furniture, save $1,000 in an emergency fund. One car repair or medical bill shouldn't send you into debt.

💡

Set Up Utilities Right

Call 2 weeks before move-in. Electricity, gas, water, internet — each takes days to activate. Ask your landlord which providers serve the building. Compare internet speeds and pricing before committing.

💳

Build Credit While You Pay Rent

Use a secured credit card for groceries and utilities. Pay it off every month. This builds your credit score which you'll need for a car, mortgage, and even some jobs. Start now.

🎯

Set a Savings Goal

Even saving $100/month adds up to $1,200 a year. Use a high-yield savings account (4-5% APY) instead of a regular checking account for money you won't touch. Small habits compound over time.