Lots o' stuff happenin' over here.
After the eviction and the mad, intense apartment search, the last three weeks have consisted of slowly packing up my junk and moving it over to the new place. I'm paying rent in both places, and internet couldn't be switched over in a timely manner, so it made sense for me to stay put in my old place while my new flatmates moved to the new place and paid me rent. So at least I'm only paying rent on the new place just for myself. My old LL weirdly told me just to pay rent for myself in the old place. I was suspicious that he'd move someone into the other bedroom, but, aside from a request to see the place, that never materialized.
I'm certain that that was his plan, though. Make me miserable by moving some ahole in my beloved apartment for me to share with, with no choice but to leave early.
So yeah--I am paying $115 per week in my old place and $250 pw in my new place, because my flatmates are covering the other $300 pw at the new place. I'm responsible for ALL the utilities in both places, too. So that is two power bills, and one internet bill (flatties have been OK with no internet for the past 3 weeks, they say). That's a lot of cash outlay.
Somehow, though, I'm making it. I transferred over a lot of $$ from savings to cover the expected shortfall that hasn't happened yet. It helps that my PhD salary is finally being paid out, and that they got it all wrong and I'm now getting paid for FULL time instead of 50%. I have notified them, and know that that is going to come back to bite me in the butt soon, but I can't worry about that now.
To the whew: me easily affording my new place on my part-time PhD + 50% work salary is contingent upon two things: a) I have two other flatmates sharing the other bedroom (a couple or students, I don't care which) paying upwards of $300 pw and 2) I rent out the garage for $60 pw.
Today, someone took the garage space, so I will have finally fulfilled both of my requirements. Rent for me is now $190 pw + all the utilities.
Me paying for all the utilities is because of a deal I struck with my flatmates at my old place. I just like them so much that I kept the same deal when moving to the more expensive place (otherwise I would have had to find new flatmates as well). They will be leaving in November/December, at which point I'll have to find two new flatmates. I will then start charging more for the room: I'm thinking $320 - $350 pw plus bills, depending on if they take the garage spot or not. Splitting the utilities will help a lot, as will the little bit of extra income from renting the other bedroom (is bigger, has a balcony and three big closets). And by that point I'll probably be able to rent out the garage for a little more: carparks in the CBD are now going for $65-$70 pw!! That is insanity, but helps me a lot.
So yeah...that is the plan!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Found New Place! ...Had to pay for it though
After losing 4 very decent, nice apartments in an afternoon, I decided to play hardball. I have seen over 30 apartments over the past 2 months. What was happening was that I would show up for an apartment viewing, and at least 5 other people would be there as well. Immediately upon opening the door, someone would shout that they wanted the place, and BAM, that is when I'd lose the apartment. I mean, without even seeing more than the front entryway, people were claiming dibs. Legally landlords are not allowed to take more than one person's bond at a time, so of course that person was financially preferable as a tenant over the rest of us who viewed the entire apartment, consulted with flatmates over a quick text or photo, and THEN put in an application. You know--normal people.
These were relatively nice 2 bedroom places within walking distance of the CBD (< 30 minutes walking radius) going for $480 - $550 per week. With MUCH LESS space than what I have now. Some with carparks or furnishings, some without (which pretty much accounts for the spread in prices). We looked at a lot of places in our current rental price bracket ($420-$430) and all were tiny, awful, horrible, storageless, soulless places with no carpark to rent out. If I'm going to pay as much as I am paying now, I want the same standard of living and a carpark to make things super cheap for me. On the other hand, if I'm going to have to shell out money, I might as well get what I want, right? Hence the higher budget. Plus I have a couple committed to paying $300 per week (including utilities) for the next 6 months, so I figured I could afford a bit more. Plus, I can't live in a crappy place and be unhappy--would rather cut back on other things than live far below my current standards. I am an introvert, and very much a homebody/houseproud kind of person. I need my digs to be homey, comfortable, happy places where I have space and security and room and the freedom to make it my sanctuary.
So--back to hardball. I viewed one place in a 20-apartment boutique complex about a 5 minute walk from my work building. It was cute and I loved the complex, but the apartment in question was always in shadow due to the buildings nearby, and I wasn't 100% sold on it, but nevertheless it was 90% of the way there--not too shabby. I've learned to count my blessings. I expressed my interest immediately and the landlord said I had it. My flatmates wanted to view it that day, and as soon as I said that, the LL told me that someone else had already paid the bond and he had to turn me down.
However, coincidentally, another apartment in that complex became available the exact same day. I called the LL within 2 hours of her TradeMe post, and said I'd sign the lease immediately. She told me that two other people were already coming to view the apartment that day and if they didn't like it, I could have dibs (so to speak). I told my flatmates that I was signing up for it whether they saw it or not--they were of course free to look elsewhere if they didn't like it.
The first viewers of the apartment liked it. Dejectedly, I was determined to salvage the day and worked until late. At 9 pm, I got a phone call. The folks that wanted the apartment couldn't pay their bond until their mother viewed it, and she was in Sydney until the next day. LL wanted to get the deal done since she was in town only for one night, so she offered it to me if I paid the bond immediately (sight unseen) and signed the lease the next morning.
I took it.
So now I'm paying rent in two places for the next three weeks because I didn't want to give up my current apartment without anywhere to go. Given the rental climate, it could very well take me another 2 months to find an apartment!
Anyway, that is the deal. I have a new apartment for $130 pw more and with less space, but it is cute, I can see envision calling it home, and it is furnished and has a carpark I can rent out to reduce costs a bit. It will have to do.
Upgrades in living:
1) It has an extra toilet. No more rushing to get out of the shower or tub because someone needs it.
2) It is less than 5 minutes walking to work, whereas I commute about 15-20 minutes each way now.
3) It is in the heart of the CBD yet very cute and homey--not a box apartment in the sky like so many others.
4) Brand new kitchen and a freezer that works!
Downgrades:
1) It costs $130 more per week, meaning I will have to cut back somewhere else. Overall standard of living will decrease.
2) It has less space and less storage areas. I don't have that much stuff, so it will just take a little while to rearrange things appropriately.
3) The furniture isn't very nice--will have to spend a bundle to cover couches, etc., to make sure everything looks nice.
4) The fridge is TEENY TINY. Will have to buy a small dorm fridge to accommodate more stuff.
New budget will come soon!
These were relatively nice 2 bedroom places within walking distance of the CBD (< 30 minutes walking radius) going for $480 - $550 per week. With MUCH LESS space than what I have now. Some with carparks or furnishings, some without (which pretty much accounts for the spread in prices). We looked at a lot of places in our current rental price bracket ($420-$430) and all were tiny, awful, horrible, storageless, soulless places with no carpark to rent out. If I'm going to pay as much as I am paying now, I want the same standard of living and a carpark to make things super cheap for me. On the other hand, if I'm going to have to shell out money, I might as well get what I want, right? Hence the higher budget. Plus I have a couple committed to paying $300 per week (including utilities) for the next 6 months, so I figured I could afford a bit more. Plus, I can't live in a crappy place and be unhappy--would rather cut back on other things than live far below my current standards. I am an introvert, and very much a homebody/houseproud kind of person. I need my digs to be homey, comfortable, happy places where I have space and security and room and the freedom to make it my sanctuary.
So--back to hardball. I viewed one place in a 20-apartment boutique complex about a 5 minute walk from my work building. It was cute and I loved the complex, but the apartment in question was always in shadow due to the buildings nearby, and I wasn't 100% sold on it, but nevertheless it was 90% of the way there--not too shabby. I've learned to count my blessings. I expressed my interest immediately and the landlord said I had it. My flatmates wanted to view it that day, and as soon as I said that, the LL told me that someone else had already paid the bond and he had to turn me down.
However, coincidentally, another apartment in that complex became available the exact same day. I called the LL within 2 hours of her TradeMe post, and said I'd sign the lease immediately. She told me that two other people were already coming to view the apartment that day and if they didn't like it, I could have dibs (so to speak). I told my flatmates that I was signing up for it whether they saw it or not--they were of course free to look elsewhere if they didn't like it.
The first viewers of the apartment liked it. Dejectedly, I was determined to salvage the day and worked until late. At 9 pm, I got a phone call. The folks that wanted the apartment couldn't pay their bond until their mother viewed it, and she was in Sydney until the next day. LL wanted to get the deal done since she was in town only for one night, so she offered it to me if I paid the bond immediately (sight unseen) and signed the lease the next morning.
I took it.
So now I'm paying rent in two places for the next three weeks because I didn't want to give up my current apartment without anywhere to go. Given the rental climate, it could very well take me another 2 months to find an apartment!
Anyway, that is the deal. I have a new apartment for $130 pw more and with less space, but it is cute, I can see envision calling it home, and it is furnished and has a carpark I can rent out to reduce costs a bit. It will have to do.
Upgrades in living:
1) It has an extra toilet. No more rushing to get out of the shower or tub because someone needs it.
2) It is less than 5 minutes walking to work, whereas I commute about 15-20 minutes each way now.
3) It is in the heart of the CBD yet very cute and homey--not a box apartment in the sky like so many others.
4) Brand new kitchen and a freezer that works!
Downgrades:
1) It costs $130 more per week, meaning I will have to cut back somewhere else. Overall standard of living will decrease.
2) It has less space and less storage areas. I don't have that much stuff, so it will just take a little while to rearrange things appropriately.
3) The furniture isn't very nice--will have to spend a bundle to cover couches, etc., to make sure everything looks nice.
4) The fridge is TEENY TINY. Will have to buy a small dorm fridge to accommodate more stuff.
New budget will come soon!
Sunday, June 01, 2014
May Budget
| May 2014 Budget | ||
| Category | Spent | Budgeted Amount |
| Rent | $555.00 | $555.00 |
| Groceries | $461.77 | $425.00 |
| Internet | $99.00 | $99.00 |
| Electricity | $144.37 | $225.00 |
| Eating Out | $185.90 | $150.00 |
| Charity | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Cell phone | $20.00 | $50.00 |
| Medical | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| Misc | $847.47 | $700.00 |
| Savings | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Total | $2,963.51 | $2,954.00 |
May! ...more like May Day.
This month BLEW. I thought I had the flatmate/saving money for PhD situation ALL FIGURED OUT, and then my a-hole landlord blew a hole in my plan. Now I'm kicked out and looking for a place to live, of which there are NONE of the same caliber for the price I have been paying for the past 5 years. Great. Just as my salary decreases, I lose money by trying to save money and my cost of living goes way up. Ain't that always the way...
Income went way down because of the work contract changes. I just signed the paperwork for my PhD income last week, so that may take a while to get processed. They owe me back pay for it, though, so I'll count it:
actual income: $2072. 09 (w/ garage rent)
Owed (approx.): $961.54
approx total income: $3033.63 and I spent most of it!!
Rent: $555 because LL agreed to let me pay less while my flatmates are moving out during their notice period. Nice of him, but then he served me a 90 day eviction notice right after informing about that sweet present.
Groceries: $461.77 Way over: I eat through stress! I also went to the American store and bought a ton of goodies.
Internet: I'm on my own now--paying all utilities. Old flatmate was supposed to pay me her share from the last month of her stay, but she took off to Australia and isn't returning any phone calls or emails. So that is my responsibility.
Electric: Same deal as above.
Eating out: $185.90. Was a bit social and alcoholic this month, as I also drink with friends when stressed.
Charity: Donated to a friend's marathon cause.
Cell: $20 as per usual
Medical: $0
Misc: $847.47. WHOA. Where? Wha?? How?
| MISC | |
| alcohol | $ 145.50 |
| entertainment | $ - |
| exercise | $ 75.00 |
| fees | $ 127.00 |
| gifts | $ - |
| goods and wants | $ 248.87 |
| transportation | $ 118.00 |
| travel | $ 100.00 |
Lots and lots of alcohol, apparently...
Exercise: tennis lessons! :)
Fees: School fees for PhD, parking
Transport: Cityhop! Taxis! I don't do the bus. I can't. It is never on time and never takes me close enough to where I want to go that I actually save enough money to make up for all the time I spend walking/waiting anyway.
Travel: ski trip deposit!! :) so excited for this!!
Savings: Yay! $600.
Garage rent is going away as garage tenant couldn't deal with LL constantly parking in her spot and all the construction dust and machinery in there right now. So he caused me to lose my garage rental income, as well. That guy is awful, can't wait to get out of here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)