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How to Handle the California Cost of Living

California is beautiful, majestic, and known for its beaches and deserts. It’s also one of the most expensive places to live in the United States.

Is there a way to handle the California cost of living so that you can enjoy its amenities without breaking the bank?

Absolutely. If you’ve been considering California as your next home, or if you live in California and are wondering how to save money, fret no more.

Keep reading to learn how to turn this into a benefit instead of a problem.

Create a Budget

Creating a budget for handling California’s high cost of living is an essential part of living in the state. Start by setting a list of financial goals for yourself. Divide them up into long and short-term goals.

Once goals are set, make sure to track income and expenses by creating an easy budgeting spreadsheet. To help with estimating and tracking expenses, consider common expenses such as:

  • transportation
  • housing
  • food
  • entertainment

After estimating expenses, the budget timeline should be kept flexible, with short-term goals being revisited and modified. Finally, non-discretionary expenses need to be prioritized over discretionary items.

Live Below Your Means

Living within your means can be difficult in California, with the cost of living being some of the highest in the nation. However, it is possible to manage the cost of living and live frugally by following some simple steps.

Make sure to prioritize needs over wants and unnecessary items. Shop at discount stores, buy second-hand items, and cut back on eating out.

Make Use of Public Transportation

Using public transportation is one of the best ways to handle the high cost of living in California. Not only can it save money on fuel, but it can also save time. This allows people to pursue more interesting activities as well.

Public transportation is usually much cheaper than having a personal vehicle, and in big cities, such as Los Angeles, it is also much more convenient. Riders can use buses and rail systems to get to where they are going quickly and with little effort.

Find An Affordable Neighborhood

You can simply find the best neighborhoods that are affordable. Start your search by discovering which cities are most affordable and offer the amenities that meet your lifestyle needs. Then, start looking at housing prices to find the one that works with your budget.

Look at neighborhoods with a variety of housing types, such as:

  • townhomes
  • apartments
  • houses

Visit the neighborhood or attend local events or meetings. Talk to the locals and learn about their experience living there, and if their cost of living is manageable.

Learn How to Survive the California Cost of Living

The California cost of living is certainly high; however, with the right strategies and resources, it is possible to survive and thrive here. Research potential income opportunities, find ways to budget, and evaluate the cost of housing, taxes, and transportation.

Utilizing all available resources and taking advantage of financial opportunities can help to ensure that living in California is within reach. Get started today by creating a budget and assessing your financial needs-you can do it!

For more articles to read aside from your plan on moving to California, visit our blog.

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