How do you think you’re doing compared to other people or families regarding your income and budget? You’ve probably been exposed to poverty line figures, and wondered how on earth anyone can live on that much money. I know I have. But there’s a calculator you can use to find a more realistic measure of how much a person or family needs to survive.

The Economic Policy Institute’s basic family budget calculator takes family size and geographical location into consideration, and tells you how much your family needs to meet their basic needs. I was surprised to find out that nearly one-third of North Carolina residents were living below that benchmark. And the figures are for 2004, so that number could be even higher by now, given soaring gas prices and their after effects.

If you feel like you’re all alone in having to keep a close eye on your budget, don’t. You’ve got plenty of company.