How Much Money Do I Need To Live My Lifestyle

Fill in the choices on the next page to see if you can afford your dream life. You might be surprised at how much that life will cost. While local salaries, wages and lifestyle costs will vary throughout the United States, the internal data used in this calculator are national averages. The results will indicate a ballpark relationship between your expenses and the income you will need to support your dream lifestyle.

While local salaries, wages and lifestyle costs will vary throughout the United States, the internal data used in this calculator are national averages. The results will indicate a ballpark relationship between your expenses and the income you will need to support your dream lifestyle.

reality-check Students, imagine you've just graduated from high school or college, and you're about to embark on your life as an independent, adult consumer. Answer these simple questions about what you think your lifestyle will be. Will you take public transportation or drive a new car? Will you cook your own meals or eat out? When you're done (it should only take a few minutes), click "See Reality..." below and find out what kind of income you'll need to support your adult lifestyle.

Shelter (Check the one that's the most likely match)

At home with parents or other rent free
My own apartment in big city
Shared apartment in big city
Own apartment in small city or town
Shared apartment in small city or town

If you plan to share your apartment with roommates, how many roommates do you expect to have?

One
Two
Three

Transportation (Check the one that's the most likely match)

New car (economy)
New car (medium size)
Used car (economy)
Used car (medium size)
Public transportation
No transportation (bike, walk, etc.)

Food (Check the one that's the most likely match)

Mostly at home with parents
Half at home with parents, half at restaurants including fast food
Some at home with parents but mostly at restaurants including fast food
Mostly at home in my own place
Half at home in my own place, half at restaurants including fast food
Some at home in my own place but mostly at restaurants including fast food

Utilities (Check the one that's the most likely match)

Included in rent or free if living with parents
Pay utilities (electricity, water, gas, oil) myself
Share utilities (electricity, water, gas, oil) with roommate(s)

Communications (Check all that will apply to you)

Phone - land line
Cell Phone (basic)
Smart phone
Internet/WiFi

Cable/Satellite TV

Basic (local stations, government, public access)
Standard digital starter with all but premium stations
Top tier digital with premium stations and DVR
Phone/internet/TV bundle

Personal (Check all that will apply to you)

Clothing — Women's professional (suits, etc.) and casual
Clothing — Women's casual only
Clothing — Men's professional (suits) and casual
Clothing — Men's casual only
Haircuts — men
Haircut — women
Cosmetics (mascara, eye shadow and lipstick)

Miscellaneous (Check all that will apply to you)

Regular dry cleaning
Coin/Laundry/Laundromat
Health club
Medical Services (including health insurance, drugs and medicine co-pays)
Pets

Student Loans (Check which of the following is most likely)

I won't have student loans (because I won't go to college or my parents will pay everything)
I will have average student loans
I will have some student loans, but less than average
I will have higher than average student loans

How much do you think you will spend or set aside each month for the following: