{{

Utilities and Utilities and Other Extra’sOther Extra’s

Senior AdvisorySenior AdvisoryApril, 2015April, 2015

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 can help Decisions made with a little info can help

you avoid many headaches and can save you avoid many headaches and can save you money.you money.

7 Weeks & Counting7 Weeks & Counting

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 that Ask your landlord for a list of companies that serve your area.serve your area.

Look in the local phone book.Look in the local phone book. There may be choices of different utility There may be choices of different utility

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

your account with a utility company so be your account with a utility company so be prepared – you may need a parent to be a co-prepared – you may need a parent to be a co-signer.signer.

Electric/Gas/WaterElectric/Gas/Water

Depending on location – you may have Depending on location – you may have wood heat, propane heat or electric heat. wood heat, propane heat or electric heat. If you choose to move somewhere that is If you choose to move somewhere that is hot, youwill most likely have air hot, youwill most likely have air conditioning (A/C).conditioning (A/C).

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. This could be shared between some or all of This could be shared between some or all of

your roommates.your roommates. If you have a data plan on your cell phone, If you have a data plan on your cell phone,

you could use your phone as a Wi-fi you could use your phone as a Wi-fi ““hot hot spotspot”” and potentially avoid this cost. and potentially avoid this cost.

Be sure to check your limitations on your Be sure to check your limitations on your data plan if you choose not to have internet data plan if you choose not to have internet in your house or apartment because you are in your house or apartment because you are choosing to rely on your cell phone.choosing to rely on your cell phone.

InternetInternet

Will you have it?Will you have it? Will you share the cost?Will you share the cost? WhoWho’’s name will it go under?s 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 what’s available in Research it and see what’s available in

your area.your area.

BundleBundle

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

Most apartment rentals include garbage Most apartment rentals include garbage in the rent. in the rent.

Most home rentals do not include Most home rentals do not include garbage.garbage.

Just make sure you know if garbage is Just make sure you know if garbage is included and budget for it if it’s not.included and budget for it if it’s not.

GarbageGarbage

Again, these could be additional costs.Again, these could be additional costs. Because California is experiencing a Because California is experiencing a

drought, water is an expensive drought, water is an expensive commodity in some locations. In fact, commodity in some locations. In fact, many cities are enforcing rations. many cities are enforcing rations.

Check into water usage, restrictions, and Check into water usage, restrictions, and cost before you move into an area.cost before you move into an area.

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 don’t plan ahead and do your research.don’t plan ahead and do your research.

Water/SewerWater/Sewer

http://californiarealitycheck.com/

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

Before the next advisory class, ask your parents Before the next advisory class, ask your parents about their utility bills. Find out how much your about their utility bills. Find out how much your parents pay, on average, for electricity, parents pay, on average, for electricity, gas/propane, internet, phone, cell phones, cable, gas/propane, internet, phone, cell phones, cable, water, and garbage. Are we missing any other water, and garbage. Are we missing any other expenses??expenses??

Let’s Review with Let’s Review with Reality CheckReality Check