You will also be paying electric, water and internet which also need to be taken into consideration.

Matthew, there are a lot of good sites on the internet which discuss this. 

Or at least that's what I had gathered from my own internet research.

I couldn't find information on the internet about whether or not taking 6 months upfront in California is legal.

At this point, you can try many free education programs, or read low cost books but don't buy internet gurus for shortcuts. 

House Payment $ 1,787.00 Charity (I'm not really looking to change this one) $ 550.00 Phone $ 60.00 Utilities (Electric, Water) $ 270.00 Auto - Insurance $ 124.00 Life Insurance $ 75.00 Internet $ 50.00 Subscriptions (Spotify/Netflix/YTTV/Google Storage) $ 35.00 Gym $ 10.00 Groceries $ 550.00 Shopping $ 300.00 Discretionary $ 350.00 Home Services (Maintenance, Home Security, Pest Control, etc.) $ 175.00 Gas $ 175.00 Home Supplies $ 150.00 Fast Food $ 112.00 Restaurants & Bars $ 100.00 Amusement/Entertainment $ 50.00 Car Maintainance/Carwash $ 50.00

Just got internet.  

what you hear on mass media and the internet is rarely true. 

This has always been a question of mine and the internet takes me down a forever rabbit hole for shower pan weep holes. 

Hello BP, I understand that a large portion of what an investor needs to know can be found here on BP or from an internet search (add in some due diligence).