Help create a budget for me (New York, York: coupons, to rent, insurance)

[texags02]

So here's the deal. I'm moving to the City in mid-August, and think I've found the place I'd like to live to start (in Long Island City). The choice has to do with commute time, rent, them allowing me to bring my dog, etc. Not being from New York City, it's hard for me to know what kind of jack I'll be spending on groceries, etc. My fiancee and I will both be moving there, and will be sharing a 1 bedroom apt. On a salary of $125,000 (hers is $85k), I need to play around with the budget and see what I've got to work with. So here goes:

Take-home pay: $6,300 (just me)
Rent: $1300-$1500 (my portion)
Utils: $150-200 (my share)
Student loans: $1300/month (yeah...OUCH)
Food:
Entertainment:
Metrocard: $80 (? I think this is right)


Help me fill in the blanks. Feel free to add to it, as I know there's things I've l've left out, etc. Let me know if I'm being smart in terms of rent, etc. Thanks guys.

NOTE: She just bought a new car, and thus is making payments. I've heard parking there is pretty decent, so we might not have to pay for a garage spot. She'd like to hold onto the car, but it's not really a requirement. I have heard it's good to have one if you're in Long Island City. Her payments are $350/month, she's a 29 year old female with a clean record, so I have no idea what full coverage insurance will be.

[texags02]

Come on guys.

[texags02]

Tough crowd today.

[Henna]

This has been covered several times within the past 6 to 8 weeks. Do a search.

Sorry if this isn't helpful. It's just that people probably don't want to answer the same question over and over.

[metropolistraffic]

I don't live in the city, nor do I know the cost of everything.

However, you'd have a good 3,000 left over - I am sure you can buy food and entertainment.

[Rudbeckia]

Originally Posted by texags02

So here's the deal. I'm moving to the City in mid-August, and think I've found the place I'd like to live to start (in Long Island City). The choice has to do with commute time, rent, them allowing me to bring my dog, etc. Not being from New York City, it's hard for me to know what kind of jack I'll be spending on groceries, etc. My fiancee and I will both be moving there, and will be sharing a 1 bedroom apt. On a salary of $125,000 (hers is $85k), I need to play around with the budget and see what I've got to work with. So here goes:

Take-home pay: $6,300 (just me)
Rent: $1300-$1500 (my portion)
Utils: $150-200 (my share)
Student loans: $1300/month (yeah...OUCH)
Food:
Entertainment:
Metrocard: $80 (? I think this is right)


Help me fill in the blanks. Feel free to add to it, as I know there's things I've l've left out, etc. Let me know if I'm being smart in terms of rent, etc. Thanks guys.

NOTE: She just bought a new car, and thus is making payments. I've heard parking there is pretty decent, so we might not have to pay for a garage spot. She'd like to hold onto the car, but it's not really a requirement. I have heard it's good to have one if you're in Long Island City. Her payments are $350/month, she's a 29 year old female with a clean record, so I have no idea what full coverage insurance will be.

Between you and your fiancé your take home pay is 125,000? So, that's like 10,000/month. Don't worry, you won't starve or be bored.

[Viralmd]

That's not what they're going to be taking home - between NY, city and federal taxes...that's going to be about one third of the gross income right there.

[Colokev]

Laundry
Cabs (you'll use them)

Metrocard is $81 a month unlimited

[texags02]

Originally Posted by Rudbeckia

Between you and your fiancé your take home pay is 125,000? So, that's like 10,000/month. Don't worry, you won't starve or be bored.

No, that's just my starting salary. She'll be transferring up there, and her salary will be about $85,000. So a combined salary of $210,000, take-home looking closer to $10,800.

[ontheGtrain]

Do yourself a HUGE favor and ditch the car. You'll save a ton of money and misery. IN LIC you are on the E and V. One stop and your in the city. Have you ever even been here. Do you have any idea what parking is like??????? Food can be 500 a month or 1500? Go to trader joes on 14th street in the city. Great food great prices. Entertainment depends on your tastes. Can be happy hour or the met. What do you like to do is what it comes down to. The money you make is great in texas I guess but here you are going to need to cut coupons. And FYI. It is very, very hard to find a place with a dog. It can be done and you should do it. Having a dog is a wonderful thing but most people are not going to want to rent to you with a dog. But it can be done. Good luck.