Living in Los Angeles is expensive.
This is not headline news, but what it takes to live here comfortably might surprise you:
Around $75,000 a year.
That's according to a cost-of-living comparison by personal finance website, Go Banking Rates.
Here's what a few of you had to say about 'living comfortably' on KPCC's social media pages:
@KPCC @taketwo For me, it's moving out of Orange County into a room in San Pedro with a shared bathroom in the hallway. Never been happier.
— Baby C Money (@connorhasatweet) April 30, 2016
@KPCC @taketwo living in southern California means barely getting by. The rich and poor divide is really big here
— Mario Estrada (@mariorestrada71) April 30, 2016
@KPCC @taketwo Eagle Rock - Rent a two bedroom and keep a roommate. No cable tv and get out to parks and trails. Dig the local stuff.
— Alberto Brian Vega (@AlbertoBrian) April 30, 2016
@KPCC @taketwo I grew up in the 70's and 80's when Mom stayed home and dad worked. Nowadays its bananas 100k plus to live right in LA
— Andre (@andre_salcido) May 1, 2016
For more on budgeting, if its reasonable these days and if not and more we were joined by personal finance columnist at NerdWallet Liz Weston.
Interview highlights:
What is the 50-30-20 budget?
"This is actually the creation of Elizabeth Warren, our now senator from Massachusetts and she was an expert on bankruptcy and she was looking at all these people that were just failing, you know winding up in bankruptcy court against their will. And she realized, a lot of them were overspending on the basics...this is the part where she narrowed in on, what can you do to give yourself a more comfortable lifestyle? What can you do to limit these expenses so that you actually have some money left over to do the fun stuff like travel and clothes...?"
Can the 50-30-20 work for everyone?
"If you overspend in one area then you have to make it up in another area. What we like to do as human beings is overspend in one area, overspend in the next and overspend in the next...And if you're having trouble getting ahead, if you keep sliding into debt, if you can't save for the future maybe it's worth taking a look at this to see if it can make a difference in your budget..."
What else can people cut back on if leaving LA isn't an option?
"Tough decisions, you have to figure this out, maybe it is a second job and if you're exhausted working your first job, how do you do that? Maybe it is renting out the place you have and finding another place if you happen to be a homeowner. These are not, any of them, easy decisions and we can't make them easy decisions but the reality is: if you keep spending too much and you keep falling behind it's just going to get worse..."
Additionally, Liz gave three quick tips to surviving in L.A.:
- First and foremost, do what you can to NOT overspend on rent: Rent in L.A. is known for being high, but take a good hard look and make sure you're not spending too much in this area.
- L.A. is a city focused on image, don't become caught up in it: If you're not overspending on rent you may be overspending on cars. Liz suggests reevaluating auto expenses.
- Los Angeles is a bustling city with lots to do, and a lot of it can be free! A trip to the beach may total out to $10 or less. Every weekend there are small events and activities one can participate in that often are cheap or free. Be creative!
To hear the full segment, click the blue play button above.