Category 2: Housing

Housing is an easy category. I rent a small apartment in a subdivided house. For a mere $450 a month, I get my apartment with electricity, gas, water, sewage and garbage collection included. I’m probably paying too much for this apartment considering where I live, but I didn’t really have many other options, either. In addition to rent, there are very few other expenses related to housing. I include a little extra in the budget that can fall between two other subcategories, maintenance and improvement. I’m not really doing any major remodeling or handiwork around the apartment, instead these cover things like cleaning supplies (maintenance) and hanging pictures (improvement). This category is as basic as it can be.