The Dais · StorySeed · Lesson Zero
How Much Do You Cost?
A personal budget exercise — starting with you, right now, as you actually are.
Your progress is saved automatically on this device.
Before you start
This is not a judgment. It is not a test of whether you have too much or too little.
It is a map of where money flows in your life right now — some of it yours, some of it your family's, some of it invisible because someone else has always handled it.
The goal is not to feel guilty. The goal is to see it clearly.
You cannot make good decisions about money you cannot see. When you are done, you will know something most adults did not learn until they were already in trouble.
Section 1 of 6
Your Phone and Everything On It
Your phone is probably the most expensive thing you touch every day. Most people have no idea what it actually costs because the bill goes somewhere else. Find out.
| Expense | How to find this number | Monthly $ |
|---|---|---|
| The Device | ||
| Phone — retail price ÷ months owned | Look up your exact model new. Even if you got it free. | |
| Case + screen protector | Retail price ÷ months owned. | |
| Earbuds / headphones | Retail price ÷ months owned. | |
| Phone Plan | ||
| Monthly phone bill — your line | Ask your parent what your line costs. | |
| Apps and Subscriptions | ||
| Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal | Monthly cost. | |
| Netflix / Hulu / Disney+ | Your share — divide family plan by users. | |
| Gaming subscriptions | Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Online, etc. | |
| Cloud storage / other apps | Check Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions. All of them. | |
| In-app purchases (average) | Monthly average — be honest. | |
| Section 1 Total — Phone & Tech | $0.00 | |
Reality check
Go to your phone settings right now. iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions. Android: Play Store → Subscriptions.
Most people find at least one subscription they forgot about. That forgotten subscription is the budget lesson in one line.
Section 2 of 6
What You're Wearing Right Now
Look down. Everything on your body costs something. Even if you got it used — look up what it costs new. Then think about the last 12 months of clothing.
| Expense | How to find this number | Monthly $ |
|---|---|---|
| What You're Wearing Today | ||
| Shoes | Brand and model. Look it up new. | |
| Pants / jeans / skirt | Brand. Retail price ÷ months owned. | |
| Shirt / top / hoodie | Brand. Retail price ÷ months owned. | |
| Jacket or coat | Brand. Retail price ÷ months owned. | |
| Accessories / watch / jewelry | Retail value ÷ months owned. | |
| Hair and Grooming | ||
| Haircuts | Cost per cut × cuts per year ÷ 12. | |
| Hair products | Shampoo, conditioner, styling. Monthly. | |
| Makeup / skincare | Monthly spend. | |
| Annual Clothing | ||
| Back-to-school annual ÷ 12 | Everything bought for the school year. | |
| Prom / tux / formal ÷ 12 | Annual special occasion clothing ÷ 12. | |
| Section 2 Total — Clothes & Grooming | $0.00 | |
Section 3 of 6
Food, Drinks, and the Little Things
Food is the sneakiest budget category. Small amounts, every day, that feel too small to track. They are not too small to track.
| Expense | How to find this number | Monthly $ |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Drinks and Snacks | ||
| Coffee / energy drinks | How many per week × price × 4.3 | |
| Drinks at school / vending | Daily average × 30. | |
| Fast food — lunch | How often per week × average cost × 4.3. | |
| Fast food — after school | Separate line. Be honest. | |
| Restaurants and Delivery | ||
| Restaurants with friends | Monthly average including tip. | |
| DoorDash / Uber Eats / delivery | Monthly total including fees and tips. | |
| Coffee shops | Monthly total. | |
| Home Food | ||
| Your share of groceries | Ask a parent. Monthly household bill ÷ people. | |
| School lunch | Daily rate × 20 school days. | |
| Section 3 Total — Food | $0.00 | |
Section 4 of 6
Getting Around
If you drive, this section will surprise you. If you don't drive yet — it's still worth knowing, because you will.
| Expense | How to find this number | Monthly $ |
|---|---|---|
| If You Drive | ||
| Car — value ÷ months owned | Look up your car's current value at kbb.com. | |
| Car insurance — your share | Ask your parent what your presence on the policy costs. | |
| Gas | Average weekly fill-up × 4.3. | |
| Maintenance / oil changes | Annual average ÷ 12. | |
| If You Don't Drive | ||
| Bus pass / transit card | Monthly cost. | |
| Uber / Lyft / rideshare | Monthly average. | |
| Section 4 Total — Transportation | $0.00 | |
The car math nobody does
A $15,000 car over 10 years = $125/month before insurance, gas, or repairs. Add teen insurance ($80–150), gas ($60–120), maintenance ($30–50).
A car easily costs $300–450/month total. Most adults never do this math. Now you have.
Section 5 of 6
School, Activities, and Health
School feels free because the building is free. The things that happen inside and around it are not.
| Expense | How to find this number | Monthly $ |
|---|---|---|
| School | ||
| School supplies — annual ÷ 12 | Notebooks, pens, backpack. | |
| Activity fees / club dues ÷ 12 | Annual total ÷ 12. | |
| Sports fees and equipment ÷ 12 | Annual total ÷ 12. | |
| Tutoring or academic support | Monthly cost if applicable. | |
| Hobbies and Activities | ||
| Music / art lessons | Monthly cost. | |
| Gaming hardware / games ÷ 12 | Annual average ÷ 12. | |
| Other hobby costs | Monthly. | |
| Health | ||
| Prescriptions / vitamins | Monthly cost. | |
| Doctor / dentist copays ÷ 12 | Annual average ÷ 12. | |
| Contacts / glasses ÷ 12 | Annual cost ÷ 12. | |
| Section 5 Total — School & Health | $0.00 | |
Your Total
How Much Do You Cost — Per Month
Here are your numbers. Everything you entered, added up.
| Section | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Phone & Technology | — |
| Clothes & Grooming | — |
| Food & Drinks | — |
| Transportation | — |
| School, Activities & Health | — |
| Total — This is what you cost per month | — |
Per year
Enter your numbers in sections 1–5 to see your annual total.
The hours question
At Colorado minimum wage ($14.42/hr), fill in your numbers to see how many work hours your costs represent.
A few questions worth sitting with
You are not a burden. You are a preparation.
Most people learn these numbers when they are already behind. You just learned them early. That is a significant advantage. Use it.
