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Utilities and Utilities and Other ExtrasOther Extras

Part of the Personal Finance Unit We Started in Part of the Personal Finance Unit We Started in FebruaryFebruarySenior AdvisorySenior AdvisoryApril 28, 2014April 28, 2014

You will be graduating soon. You will be graduating soon. It may becoming real that you will be on It may becoming real that you will be on

your own or have more responsibility.your own or have more responsibility. LetLet’’s try to think and plan ahead.s try to think and plan ahead. Decisions made with a little info go a Decisions made with a little info go a

long way.long way.

Seven Weeks & Seven Weeks & CountingCounting

When you rent – always ask if any When you rent – always ask if any utilities are included.utilities are included.

This can make a big difference one way This can make a big difference one way or the other.or the other.

Rent might be higher for a place, but it Rent might be higher for a place, but it includes water, electric and garbage. includes water, electric and garbage.

ASK QUESTIONS!ASK QUESTIONS!

UtilitiesUtilities

Ask your landlord for a list of companies.Ask your landlord for a list of companies. Look in the local phone book.Look in the local phone book. There may be choices to shop for price – There may be choices to shop for price –

or you may be limited to one.or you may be limited to one. You may need a deposit and/or credit to You may need a deposit and/or credit to

open your account.open your account.

Electric/Gas/WaterElectric/Gas/Water

Depending on location – you may have Depending on location – you may have wood heat.wood heat.

Do some research on your area to see Do some research on your area to see what the average heating and A/C bills what the average heating and A/C bills are. are.

You may be shocked when the first bill of You may be shocked when the first bill of the winter/summer comes.the winter/summer comes.

Heat & A/CHeat & A/C

This may be your cell phone or a land This may be your cell phone or a land line.line.

Discuss with roommates and decide.Discuss with roommates and decide.

PhonePhone

This can be costly.This can be costly. Could be shared between some or all of Could be shared between some or all of

your roommates.your roommates.

InternetInternet

Will you have it?Will you have it? Will you share the cost?Will you share the cost? Whose name will it go under?Whose name will it go under? Shop around! Shop around! You can save money. You can save money.

Cable/Satellite TVCable/Satellite TV

Some companies will bundle your Some companies will bundle your services.services.

AT&T – phone, cell, Direct TV & InternetAT&T – phone, cell, Direct TV & Internet Comcast – cable, internet & phoneComcast – cable, internet & phone Research it and see whatResearch it and see what’’s out there in s out there in

the area to where you are moving.the area to where you are moving.

BundleBundle

This is another item that can be included This is another item that can be included in rent.in rent.

Just make sure you know and budget if Just make sure you know and budget if itit’’s not.s not.

GarbageGarbage

Again, these could be additional costs.Again, these could be additional costs. Check into these before relocation.Check into these before relocation. Water can be a flat rate or by the amount Water can be a flat rate or by the amount

used. These bills can be shocking if you used. These bills can be shocking if you dondon’’t plan ahead and do your research.t plan ahead and do your research.

Water/SewerWater/Sewer

http://californiarealitycheck.com/

Go through this expense website and do Go through this expense website and do several different scenarios to see how several different scenarios to see how much these things cost. much these things cost.

LetLet’’s Review with s Review with Reality CheckReality Check