Cost of Living Estimate for Phx, AZ

[PoppySead]

I'd say about the same as the others. I would figure $2000.00 a month for total living expenses. I added a little extra because you never know.

[cab591]

Originally Posted by matyoka

$150 for food a month? You kidding right? Petfood costs more than that brother.

Originally Posted by ReadyFreddy

Eating on $5/day can be done, especially if you're not above cooking some beans, rice and pasta, and shopping smart. And you're small.

5'9", 150 lbs. Poor college student. We've got a lot of ramen, soup, beans, spaghetti (bargain brand), and rice at the house. Drink tap water.

Yeah, it's not the high life, but it keeps it cheap. Today I actually splurged and spent $15 at George and the Dragon, in Phoenix. Love their Shepherd's Pie!

I only get about $12,000 annually, so I've got to make the most of it. I live in a nice part of Chandler, in a house that's entirely too big for my roommate and myself. It's perfectly possible to live in the Valley on a grand a month, you just have to be smart about it and budget well. Basically, if I want to eat better one month, I have to drive less.

$2,000 / month would be easy living, assuming you can budget well.

[observer53]

I don't spend anywhere NEAR 300 a month on food for one person. It can certainly be done for less than that, and not sacrifice nutrition.

[ReadyFreddy]

I kind of chuckle at the "how much does it cost to eat there" questions. People vary so much in that respect. I know a couple that spends almost $300/month at Starbucks alone!

[PoppySead]

Well, I'm one of those who like to have extra for emergencies I guess. If the car breaks down, medical or dental, that kind of thing. You certainly don't have to do it that way, you could probably make it a lot less if you're the lucky sort. lol

[cab591]

@PoppySead: I'm sitting on a savings account for that reason. I only live off of $1000 / month, and spend most of it, but I've got money saved up for things like car repairs or medical costs. I'd say about 1 or 2 grand put aside would cover 99% of emergencies. Anywhere from $1-2k would be good for a single, college-aged individual to live off of (assuming you can budget well).

[ReadyFreddy]

They say you should keep at least 6 months of living expenses in easily accessed savings, though I doubt many college kids do, or even most people under 40, or whatever the age of "if the worst happens I can always move back in with mom" ends.

[matyoka]

I live by myself when in Montana and my weekly groceries cost $100. That's $400 a month guaranteed and I am not eating baluga caviar and drink perrier either...

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by matyoka

$150 for food a month? You kidding right? Petfood costs more than that brother.

That's about what I spend on food a month, unless I'm doing a stockup and then it isn't really much more than that. I guess, if people eat out a lot, it might come to $300 month. I don't eat out at all, I buy sales/loss leaders, use ad matching and coupons. AND I eat VERY well. Very little processed foods, lunch meats, etc..

And my pet food doesn't even come NEAR $150 month. One large bag of Purina lasts my two cats about 7 weeks for around $12. And I pay $10 for a 24 pack of Whiskas that they get once a day...divided. So 'about' $32 mo. just for food. And then, of course, there's litter but that's less than $9 and lasts at least a month. So, maybe $41 a month for the cats? I guess it depends how many pets you have and their sizes?

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by cab591

I'm living here for $1000 / month. Rent is $400 / month (utilities included. I got a pretty good deal). Food costs me about $150 / month. Car payment and insurance are about $350 combined. Then I've got about $100 / month for gas.

I bought a new-to-me car back in December, and am financing. If I had bought something cheap (considered buying an old Merc, BMW or VW for cash), then I would probably spend $50-100 for insurance alone, bringing my monthly expenses down to around $700-800 / month.

So, basically, about $12,000 annually. Could have gotten it below $10,000 if I didn't buy a nice car.

I have almost the same budget you do. I'm renting my mom's guest house for $300 month, inc. utilities, etc., but I give her extra because I can. I spend about $150 mo. on food. My car payment/ins. comes to about $250 mo. but I only pay the insurance every six months so it averages out to $45 month. Gas for the car comes to about $50 month...now. My "have to pay" bills come to about $700 month, give or take a few dollars, and there's always household expenses, etc.. BUT for now this enables me to sock away quite a bit into savings and I HAVE to have that cushion because of all the "what ifs" that can happen.

I survived on $11,000 a year for a very long time, paying higher rent/utilities, etc. but didn't have a car payment back then. I have always been able to save even if just a little at a time.