Tony Beffa

I help people renting find the right time to move out

Category Single Couple Per Child Notes
Rent/Mortgage $1,200 $1,800 +$0–$300 Add per-bedroom for kids; mortgage could be $2,000+ with taxes
Utilities (electric, water, gas) $200 $250 +$30 Higher in extreme climates
Internet + Streaming $80 $100 0 Netflix, Spotify, etc.
Groceries $450 $800 +$200–$300 Depends on age and diet
Dining Out + Coffee $250 $400 +$50–$100 More for social or travel lifestyles
Transportation (gas, car, etc.) $400 $700 +$100 Car payments not included
Car Insurance $100 $150 +$0–$75 Teens increase cost significantly
Health Insurance $400 $800 +$250–$350 ACA Marketplace or employer-based
Medical Out-of-Pocket $75 $150 +$50–$100 Checkup, dentist, emergencies
Clothing & Shoes $75 $125 +$40–$80 Seasonal and back-to-school surges
Household Supplies $60 $90 +$20 TP, soap, cleaning
Home Repairs/Maintenance $100 $150 +$0 Homeowners only
Subscriptions & Apps $30 $50 +$0–$10 Gym, apps, tools
Entertainment (movies, golf, etc.) $100 $200 +$50–$100 Trips, hobbies, events
Vacations & Travel $150 $300 +$100–$200 Spread over 12 months
Childcare/School $500–$1,500 Daycare or after-school care
Emergency/Buffer Savings $200 $400 +$100–$200 For car issues, job loss, etc.
Retirement Savings $300 $600 0 Aim for 15%+ of income
Debt Payments (Loans, Cards) Varies Varies 0 Can range $0–$500+
Miscellaneous (gifts, donations) $50 $100 +$20 Holidays, birthdays, etc.
Household Type Monthly Total Yearly Total
Single Adult ~$4,100 ~$49,200
Couple (no kids) ~$6,300 ~$75,600
Family of 3 (1 child) ~$7,500–$8,000 ~$90k–$96k
Family of 4 (2 kids) ~$8,800–$9,500 ~$105k–$114k
Category Details
Emergency Fund 3–6 months of expenses saved (~$15,000–$30,000).
Stable Income Steady W2 or self-employment for 2+ years.
Down Payment 5–20% of home price saved (~$15,000–$60,000+).
Credit Score 680+ for decent rates (740+ ideal).
Home Maintenance Buffer $2,000+ yearly or $150/month set aside.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Below 36% is ideal.
Comfortable Rent Budget If current rent is <30% of income, use that as a base for mortgage affordability.
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