Before You Come to Caltech

Budgeting for Expenses

A budget is a spending plan that details your income and expenses.

Below is a sample of monthly fixed expenses for a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech:

	Single	Married with One Child
Taxes	25% Salary	25% Salary
Rent	$1,200	$1,500
Transportation	100	200
Food	400	800
Utilities	100	150
Insurance	100	200
Communications	50	100
Parking (on- and off-campus)	50	60
Miscellaneous	500	600
Total (Without Taxes)	$2,500	$3,610

Legend

- Taxes:  See Tax Consideration. There is no tax to pay for foreign nationals coming from certain countries the first 2 years.
- Transportation: public transportation or car + gas
- Food: include lunches taken on the campus as well
- Utilities: electricity, water, gas
- Insurance: car and home insurance
- Communications: telephone and cellular phone
- Parking: there is a fix rate at Caltech $40/month
- Miscellaneous: leisure, restaurant, clothes, air flight tickets, health insurance, doctors appointments, household, etc.

 

The following web sites offer useful information on budgeting:

Personal Budget Calculator

Tips on Budgeting

LowerMyBills.com