There's are the bills I HAVE to pay a month...
$100-phone
$60-parking for work
$260-car payment
$540-monthly daycare
$300-groceries
Maybe $700 rent + $150 utilities???
Maybe $40 weekly for gas?
I may be having to pay car insurance around $100 a month is the CHEAPEST.
Add all that up, you can. It's tight, but doable.
To cut costs, see if you can get a place that's closer to work and still has the services you require on a daily basis. I don't have a car because my community is easily walkable and bikeable for 90% of things I need. I save all those costs on car ownership, insurance, gas, parking, etc. I pay a bit more in rent than I would otherwise, but still come out well ahead. I rent cars every so often when I need to make a big shopping run or need something I can't carry back by myself, which is not as often as you think.
You should be able to swing that if you create a realistic budget and follow it. Don't forget to set aside something for emergencies, health care, clothes for growing kid(s), car repairs, paying off credit cards, gifts, etc.
Seek a place near work or daycare. Consider seeking cheaper, more distant parking for work or taking the bus instead of parking, even walking if weather permits. Look at whether you can trade in the car for something just as reliable but cheaper. Consider pooling resources and sharing a larger apartment with a friend and their kids.
You should probably give yourself more wiggle room than that. You certainly could afford an apartment on that budget, but it really depends where you live and what quality of life you expect.
Doesn't look like you can....unless you SHARE an apartment with someone else who also has income....
do the math - start with your take home pa - do you have anything left after those expenses?
