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Week 2 (Day 8-14): "Lock housing + cashflow"

Build a bare-bones budget for 60 days (rent, food, transit, phone)

Your first month is expensive can be deposits, furniture, unexpected costs. It's time to build a budget. Spend only 30% of your money on rent. Shop at ALDI, Walmart, or Lidl for groceries, you can eat well for $300-380/month. Buy staples: rice, beans, eggs, frozen vegetables. They're cheap, healthy, and last forever.

Your first month in the U.S. is very expensive. You have to pay deposits and buy furniture. Week 2 is the time to plan your spending so you don't run out of money.

Try to spend only 30% of your money on rent. This leaves enough for food and fun.
To save big, shop at ALDI, Walmart, or Lidl. These stores are much cheaper than "fancy" ones like Whole Foods. In 2026, a single person can eat well for about $300–$380 a month by shopping at these discount stores.
You can buy "staples" like rice, beans, eggs, and frozen vegetables. They are healthy, they last a long time, and they cost very little.

Free Resource: Healthy Grocery List

Resources

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