The purpose of this assignment is to prepare for the future by creating and evaluating a personal budget while reflecting on future considerations. So, prepare! Think through your postgraduation job and location. Research potential starting salary and expenses. Be sure to cite the sources you use.
Create an annual pro forma post-graduation budget in Excel using the attached “Sample Budget” spreadsheet. Estimate income that you will earn from your job one year after graduation, and show taxes subtracted to get your estimated take-home pay. List various savings categories. Show 10 or more expense categories (e.g., rent, student loan payments, cell phone, car payment, insurance, food, utilities). Provide both a monthly and a yearly view. Make sure all of your dollars have a purpose and that you show whether there is a surplus or a deficit after all areas are considered and applied.
