The budgeting and living expenses pages go hand in hand to help you create a realistic budget - you will need to use the information from our Chinese living expenses pages and the information you have gathered on your own and follow our instructions on how to create a useful and attainable budget.

The best place to start with any budget is to get a pen and paper, or an excel spreadsheet and list out all the expenses you can think of - those that you have taken from our living expenses pages, plus also put down things you pay for in your home country as you will probably want those things when in China.

Step 1 - List your expenses

The things you need to think about are:

Housing & Bills

• Accommodation

• Water

• Gas

• Electricity

• Insurance

• Health Insurance

• Internet

• Mobile Phone

• Credit Cards

Day to Day

• Food

• Clothing

• Stationary

• Dry Cleaning

• Hair cut

• Make-up

• Medication

• Contact Lenses

• Tuition

• Sweets/Candy

Transport

• Bus Pass

• Rail Card

• Subway Pass

Fun

• Pub

• Cinema

• DVD Rentals

• Eating out

• Gym

• Music Lessons

• Sporting Events

• CD's

• Magazines

You will want to write down what you think you will need either on a weekly or monthly basis for the items above. Of course, not all will be applied to you but it’s a good starting point - remember to also think about your specific requirements.

Step 2 - Add it all up

Your list might be pretty long by now but don't let that deter you - add all the values up to come up with a monthly or weekly figure for what you think you will be spending.

Some money saving tips are:

• Don't buy magazines or newspapers but look at them online. It not only save the environment but also saves you money!

• For guys, buy some clippers if you have short hair and cut your own hair – it’s easier than you think and can be fun!

• If you want to party try to go to student places as they are often much cheaper.

• Turn your heating down!

As with all personal budgets - they do not really work if you stick to them rigidly. You will want to have some room to buy extra things here and there, but where possible try to keep to it and you will be fine!

Once you have done a budget you may be a little downhearted as the sight of how much it will cost you.