1Housing & Food2Transportation, Clothing, and Digital3Other Expenses4Results What type of lifestyle do you want to live in your future? What type of career will you need to live that life? “Reality Check” is a way to see into your future. Fill out the following survey to estimate what type of future income you will need to enjoy the lifestyle you would like to have. Reality Check uses national averages to create a realistic estimate of what your future income will need to be to enjoy the life you would like to lead. While local salaries, wages, and costs will differ based on which part of the country you live in, “Reality Check” should be used as a learning resource and not a budgeting or planning tool.Shelter(Required)(Check the ONE that’s the most likely match) I live at home with parents or other rent free. I rent my own apartment in big city. I share apartment in big city. I rent my own apartment in small city or town. I share an apartment in small city or town. How many roommates do you expect to have?(Required) One Two Three HiddenShelter TotalUtilities(Required)Check the ONE that’s the most likely match. Included in rent or free Pay utilities (electric, water, gas) myself Share utilities with roommates HiddenUtilities CostFood(Required)Check the ONE that’s the most likely match. Mostly at home with parents Some at home with parents, but a fair amount at restaurants/fast food A little at home with parents but mostly at restaurants/fast food Mostly at home in my own place Some at home in my own place, but a fair amount at restaurants/fast food Some at home in my own place but mostly at restaurants/fast food Transportation(Required)Check the ONE that’s the most likely match. New Car - Small Sedan New Car - Compact SUV New Car - Mid-size Pickup Truck Used Car - Small Sedan Used Car - Compact SUV Used Car - Mid-size Pickup Truck Public Transportation Free Transportation CommunicationsCheck ALL that will apply to you. Residential Phone Service, VOIP, Phone Cards Smart Phone Internet/WiFi Cable/SatelliteCheck ALL that apply to you. Streaming services (such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon) Standard digital starter with all but premium stations Top tier digital with some premium stations and DVR PersonalCheck ALL that will apply to you. Clothing (casual only) Clothing (professional and casual) Salon/Barbershop (Monthly) Salon/Barbershop (Bi-monthly) Salon/Barbershop Quarterly Salon/Barbershop Annually MiscellaneousCheck ALL that will apply to you. Dry Cleaning Coin laundry or laundromat Health Club or Gym Medical Services Pets Other Expenses How much do you think you will spend or set aside each month for the following?Savings, Investments & GiftsSavingsMoney set aside each month into a separate account. Emergency FundExtra money set aside beyond normal savingsInvestmentsStocks, Cryptocurrency, Retirement ContributionsCharital ContributionsReligious Organizations and Other CharitiesGiftsHolidays, birthdays, special occasionsEntertainment, Hobbies & TravelEntertainmentMovies, concerts, sporting events, theaterDigital MediaMusic, movie, and game downloads or purchases, etc.Other MediaBooks, Newspapers, and Magazine Subscriptions Nights OutSpecial restaurants, clubs, etc.TravelVacation, gas or plane fare, food, funHobbiesGaming, Membership Fees, etc.OtherHealth & Beauty SuppliesAdditional Designer ClothingOther Expenses HiddenTotal Monthly ExpenseThink You're Ready? Assuming you pay 25% in federal taxes and social security, you'll need need this much in gross earnings to have enough after-tax dollars to support your lifestyle:Annual Income NeededWeekly IncomeHourly RateHiddenAnnual WageIs it what you expected? Or did you just get a Reality Check? Reality Check serves as an educational tool to help you learn about real world living expenses and associated salaries within the work world. We hope that the results will spur you to learn more, and discuss with others like your parents, friends, teachers, and perhaps individuals currently in the job or career you have interest in. Reality Check results will paint a pretty realistic financial picture; but keep in mind that the dollar amounts used for both income and expenses are based on national averages and may not correspond precisely to costs and wages in your region. Reality check is intended as an education tool and discussion started and should not be used as an individual financial planning tool. Sources include data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are updated regularly. Click the PREVIOUS link below to go back and adjust your entries or click the blue button to see jobs that support your lifestyle needs.
