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actyourwageHello, actyourwagers! I'm jame, your friendly mod. Sorry I've been so absent of late, my life kind of exploded a couple of months ago and it took me a while to adjust.
Just a quick modly note before I ramble on: it's great to see so many new people here! There are a couple of people who I haven't approved yet, largely because their journals have no userinfor/public posts, and haven't got an approved email so I can't send them a message. If I haven't approved your membership yet, could you please comment to this post stating you've read the rules (check the comm userinfo) and you'll abide by them? Thanks.
So. Thank god for parents. My parents really helped me when I had to move in a hurry. Now I'm all settled in my new place. I can afford the rent but obviously I would have about twice as much if I got a flatmate.
However, there are lots of ways where living with a flatmate is just not as cheap. Living by myself, I will put on a cardigan and wear gloves and a hat rather than put the heater on. I also turn everything off at the powerpoint--the only appliance in my house that runs constantly is the fridge. No "standby" mode for me! Lights go off if I'm not in the room.
However, if I get a flatmate, I know from experience that it takes a bit of retraining yourself to turn things off. And it may be that they won't be willing to do that. Also, I'm REALLY enjoying having my space. Everything's clean! And neat! I can control what I eat without driving other people crazy! I have budgeted for gas/water/electricity/the internet, and we'll see if things happen.
I've got a post in the works about food costs and waste. I'll think about that a little more though.
I have a little bit still on my credit card, but I have about twice that amount in savings. In addition to that, I've got a separate account just for my computer and that doesn't get touched. The thing that makes me happy is I've got almost $300 in there--10% of the way towards my goal!
I haven't quite got the hang of expenses yet. The first round of bills hasn't really come. I'll feel better in a couple of months time, but right now I just give myself an allowance for food and take that out in cash. That's my weekly money. Everything else gets transferred to my online, high interest account and I transfer it back as I need it.
I've been thinking about my goals. As you know, I'm a big believer in goal-setting. Concrete goals allow you to make concrete plans. For those who've just joined, short term is in the next 2-3 months, medium term is up to a year, and long term is longer than that
Short term: Pay off credit card to avoid interest charges (done by Monday)
Medium term: Save up enough for a new computer (On track! I've got the direct debit transferring money to a specific account every fortnight when I get paid. And I just don't touch that account)
Save enough to get the start of a cash/term deposit ladder: I would say three months time, but I may allow a little while to get used to bills, so maybe 4/5 months?
Long term: Trip to Hong Kong
Bespoke Suits
House deposit
So, how are you going? What are your goals?
Just a quick modly note before I ramble on: it's great to see so many new people here! There are a couple of people who I haven't approved yet, largely because their journals have no userinfor/public posts, and haven't got an approved email so I can't send them a message. If I haven't approved your membership yet, could you please comment to this post stating you've read the rules (check the comm userinfo) and you'll abide by them? Thanks.
So. Thank god for parents. My parents really helped me when I had to move in a hurry. Now I'm all settled in my new place. I can afford the rent but obviously I would have about twice as much if I got a flatmate.
However, there are lots of ways where living with a flatmate is just not as cheap. Living by myself, I will put on a cardigan and wear gloves and a hat rather than put the heater on. I also turn everything off at the powerpoint--the only appliance in my house that runs constantly is the fridge. No "standby" mode for me! Lights go off if I'm not in the room.
However, if I get a flatmate, I know from experience that it takes a bit of retraining yourself to turn things off. And it may be that they won't be willing to do that. Also, I'm REALLY enjoying having my space. Everything's clean! And neat! I can control what I eat without driving other people crazy! I have budgeted for gas/water/electricity/the internet, and we'll see if things happen.
I've got a post in the works about food costs and waste. I'll think about that a little more though.
I have a little bit still on my credit card, but I have about twice that amount in savings. In addition to that, I've got a separate account just for my computer and that doesn't get touched. The thing that makes me happy is I've got almost $300 in there--10% of the way towards my goal!
I haven't quite got the hang of expenses yet. The first round of bills hasn't really come. I'll feel better in a couple of months time, but right now I just give myself an allowance for food and take that out in cash. That's my weekly money. Everything else gets transferred to my online, high interest account and I transfer it back as I need it.
I've been thinking about my goals. As you know, I'm a big believer in goal-setting. Concrete goals allow you to make concrete plans. For those who've just joined, short term is in the next 2-3 months, medium term is up to a year, and long term is longer than that
Short term: Pay off credit card to avoid interest charges (done by Monday)
Medium term: Save up enough for a new computer (On track! I've got the direct debit transferring money to a specific account every fortnight when I get paid. And I just don't touch that account)
Save enough to get the start of a cash/term deposit ladder: I would say three months time, but I may allow a little while to get used to bills, so maybe 4/5 months?
Long term: Trip to Hong Kong
Bespoke Suits
House deposit
So, how are you going? What are your goals?
