Redfin puts median rent at $1,610, so if you’re paying $2,000 a month in rent, that doesn’t seem so out of line – especially if you live in a city with higher rent prices, or if you’re renting a larger unit because you need more than one bedroom.
Housing is the largest expense for Americans. But if you’re spending $2,000 a month on rent and your take-home pay after taxes is only $4,000, you may be in a position where it’s tough to impossible to cover your remaining bills.
The popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule says 50% of your take-home pay should cover your needs, 30% should go towards wants and 20% is for savings and debt repayment. However, such guidelines are not realistic or wise for everyone, so don’t worry if you can’t meet those goals.
Your situation isn’t hopeless. But some changes may be in order so that you don’t fall behind on either your rent or your non-housing expenses.
One thing you can do is create a budget for yourself and try to identify areas you can cut back on. You can use one of several budgeting apps available to make this process easier.
Housing may not be one that immediately comes to mind. But if you live in a walkable area, it may be possible to get by without a car and rely on buses and the occasional rideshare.
AAA puts the average cost of owning and operating a new car at $1,024.71 per month. But even used vehicles can be expensive to own and maintain. So if you’re able to unload that expense, it could help.
You can also look into getting a side job to boost your income. However, if you’re 32 with two kids, your children may be on the young side. And that means childcare costs could eat into your side hustle profits. So you may want to focus on opportunities you can do from home, like data entry.
You can also see if your state has a rental assistance program you can apply for. You may, for example, be eligible for subsidized housing. Contact your local public housing agency to find out more.
Finally, do some research to see if moving to a different neighborhood results in lower rent prices. If you have children in school, moving may not be easy, as it could mean having to switch districts. But if you’re struggling to keep up with your bills, it may be your only choice for the time being until your income increases or other costs of yours start to go down.
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