Help with this economics journal! Today, you're going to consider what it would take to put together a budget that would enable you to live on your own. Try to answer the questions below as you write.

Before you begin, list the expenses you might have if you were living alone, and estimate how much you'd need to budget each month to pay for them. You may have to research local housing prices and utility costs to make this as accurate as possible. Ask for some budget figures from people who are already living on their own. Once you've done this, make categories for your expenses. Then, total up your monthly budget to see what you'd have to earn in order to live on your own.

1. How much would you have to earn each month to cover your living expenses? Does this seem like a realistic income for you?
2. Did anything about your estimated monthly budget surprise you?
3. What kinds of preparations and sacrifices might you have to make to live on your own?
4. How does the prospect of moving out seem in light of this budget?