zuropa_fit
Blue Crack Addict
What does it cost to live in America? Just your soul...
Angela Harlem said:Sean, seriously, consider Australia, dude. The cost of living in the US is insane and out dollar is fairly comparable currently.
Liesje said:West Michigan is INSANELY CHEAP for housing. On the other hand, we have the worst housing market, unemployment, and economy in the entire country.
This is what Phil and I pay. No kids, 5 animals (I'm not including their costs of food). I pay everything but Phil's phone and car insurance (he works part time to cover those two bills). I make less than the national average and I think we live comfortably. We have less than a month's cost in savings, but no car payments or credit card debt. About 100K in student debt, which I pay $440/mo on (just my loans, Phil's are in deferment).
Food: $250/mo??
Gas: for cars? $3.70 yesterday
Rent/Mortgage Payment: rent - $625/mo (refundable deposit $1025)
Car Payment: none, we drive junkers worth less than $2000 together
Car Insurance: about $100/mo for 2 cars on PLPD, this includes our renter's insurance
Utilities: electricity averages $60/mo and gas is like $120 in the winter and $40 or less in the summer
Phone/Internet: Internet and cable bundle is $66/mo, no phone
Cell Phone: Phil's is $40, mine is free b/c it's a work phone
Baby Expenses (Diapers et al): n/a
Clothing: maybe $25/mo when averaged out. I bought a lot of new clothes recently b/c of weight loss but I don't shop high-end
beegee said:
When I was "newly single" I went about six years without health insurance
Angela Harlem said:Sean, seriously, consider Australia, dude. The cost of living in the US is insane and out dollar is fairly comparable currently.
Oh, and you'd also have your baby for free here and get a nice little $5k bonus payment for your wife's um.. labours. lol.
zuropa_fit said:What does it cost to live in America? Just your soul...
Mrs. Garrison said:Here in Southpark, where the cost of living is pretty low:
Car Payment: $875 a month for two cars, one premium sports car the other an economy car both cars late models.
Car Insurance: $1500 a year w/ good driving record (again 2 vehicles)
anitram said:
And to think I looked at most of the American dollar figures and thought what a bargain!
financeguy said:Having visited Australia, I find the concept that that country has a cheap cost of living compared to the US is news to me. Admittedly my experience is largely based on large cities in Australia.
Angela Harlem said:I think the US has unbelievably low housing prices, however.