Monthly Expense Breakdown

Here is the ideal monthly expense list one should have month to month

​

1. Rent: Lower the better.  Ideally well under $1000 for just yourself in a room or studio apartment depending on area.

2. Renter’s insurance from Lemonade - 1 policy for $5

3. Internet Plan (Preferably 1 GB plan with modem rental) - $100

4. Water/Sewer/Trash - Taking shorter showers is key ~ $100

5. Electric Bill - Using Time of Use to save every kilowatt ~ $100

6. Cell phone Bill – Mint mobile with unlimited data, 1 line for $30 ($360 plan paid upfront)

7. Gas - ~$100 per month when using Costco gas stations and the Gas Buddy app (assume remote job for less driving miles) 

8. Food for 1 person (Food Pantry Diet + other food from budget grocery stores) - $300

9. Auto Insurance (Full Coverage w/Towing through Geico) - $100 for average adult with no history of accidents

10. Streaming Apps: <$15 (Hulu for $1 a month, Max for $3 a month, Peacock for $20 for a year, etc. only during Black Friday sales)

11. Miscellaneous Health/Toiletries/Cleaning Supplies (This can fluctuate for various reasons per person) - $50 for the average Bachelor

 

Total: Approximately $1900 for a single person in 2025 using the numbers above.

​

These expenses can absolutely be higher or lower depending on many factors, but $1900 is a general standard of expenses for someone living in a room in any major city in 2025.

​

​