. .
The Cost of Living
httpsWW cagareetZone orguga de budgetguidel
California Career Zone
The California Career Zone website has a helpful budgeting tool that can be used to get an
idea of how much you can expect to pay on cost of living expenses. It will provide a
suggested yearly salary and list possible career options. Let's explore this helpful tool and see what
information it provides.
Go to: https://www. cacareerzone. org/budget
Budget how much money you'll need
• Select: “Budget how much money you'll need
You will need to either enter your zip code or select the
county you want to live in.
Monthly Cost
• The budgeting tool will ask you a series of questions
50
and you will need to select the best response. After
each choice you make, the calculator tool on the right
Next Section >
will auto fill the monthly cost. If you already know the
Uties
cost, you can type it in yourself.
• You will click Next Section to move on to the next category. You will answer that question
and the monthly cost will auto fill a dollar amount.
Continue through the different categories until you get to the end. It will ask you to “Show
Summary."
• The summary will breakdown your costs and give you an estimated monthly spending
amount and a minimum annual salary.
• At the bottom of the page is a "View Occupations" button, click it, and look at the different
jobs that might support your lifestyle.
1. What was your monthly spending?
2. What was your minimum annual salary?
3. List three occupations that would support your monthly spending and your minimum annual
salary.
a.
b.
C.
4. Was there anything surprising about the monthly spending total, the minimal annual salary total,
or the occupation suggestions? Why or why not?