Before you buy: real-cost checklist

Before you buy, look closer.

A useful estimate includes more than the advertised price. Use this checklist for a car, hobby, move, or other big goal.

☐ Upfront expenses

Purchase price, delivery, setup, accessories, deposits, and any applicable taxes or fees. Ask which charges are included.

☐ Recurring expenses

Subscriptions, insurance, supplies, maintenance, transport, or utilities. Compare costs over the same period—monthly with monthly, yearly with yearly.

☐ Unexpected expenses

What could need replacing or repairing? Set aside a buffer that makes sense for the purchase and your budget.

☐ Research your own numbers

Get current written quotes where possible. Check what is included, look at cancellation or return terms, and write down the source and date of each estimate.

☐ Check what you can keep paying

For moving out, build both a move-in budget and a separate monthly budget. For a car, remember ongoing ownership costs after the purchase.