if i take home 1600 a month, what should I figure my rent should be if i get an apartment. I have 2 kids as well.

Here working poor pay up to up to 700 monthly.

working smart pay no more than One week pay gross income.

Here electricity is 150 - 300$ monthly.

Doesn't leave much for food, insurance, transportation Savings.

I would suggest moving in with a family member for a while and paying them rent. You need to save some money.

Somewhere between $500 to $600, and that's with a very tight budget. But it's not going to be easy to find a 2 bedroom apartment for that price in most places, and if you do, it's not likely to be in an area of town most people would want to raise their kids.

$400 -$500 max