Living Expenses in the Bay Area: A Shocking Reality

The cost of living in the Bay Area can be staggering! Recently, I took the time to track our monthly expenses as a family of four, especially since our youngest is currently in China with my parents. We thought it was about time to scrutinize our finances in preparation for their return. To say I was overwhelmed by the numbers would be an understatement. And this is while we’re living in the most affordable 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment available!

Breaking Down the Expenses

• 1b1b Rent + Utilities: $3,100
• Electricity, Gas, Internet: $200
• Car Insurance: $120
• Tolls for Husband’s Commute: $120
• Gas: $150
• Groceries (Weee, Daiso, Safeway): $1,000
• Dining Out (once or twice a week): $600 (We could save here, but who wants to be grumpy?)
• Online Shopping (Miscellaneous): $1,500 (This month included many skincare and makeup purchases for Black Friday! This is a flexible expense; some months it’s for short trips, other times for new appliances, clothing, or accessories.)
• After School Care for Eldest: $1,000
• Swimming Lessons: $140
• Math Online Classes: $200
• Phone Bills (for two): $50

And here’s the kicker: this total doesn’t even include other incidental expenses like travel! For example, last month we spent $1,700 on flights to Toronto for Christmas.

Upcoming Financial Changes

On top of that, we’re looking to lease a Model Y soon, with monthly payments of $590 plus insurance at $190. This adds even more to our monthly budget. The most alarming part? When our little one joins us, we will need to move to a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment, which will add at least $1,000 to our rent. Daycare costs will jump by another $3,000/month!

The Reality Check

So far, it looks like our monthly expenses will easily exceed $9,000 and could reach around $13,000 in the near future. 😩 It’s a tough pill to swallow, and living in the Bay Area feels like a financial strain on our family. Every penny is accounted for, and every decision weighs heavily on us.

Finding Solidarity

Is anyone else out there facing similar challenges? Let’s support each other and share our stories. I hope I’m not alone in this! 🥹

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