DISQUS

Consumerism Commentary: My Expenses Will Climb in Less Than One Month

  • MillionDollarJourney.com · 2 years ago
    Flexo, where are you from? Could you find a house with a mortgage payment of around $1400/mo?
  • Boston Gal · 2 years ago
    Upgrading to a space with your own washer/dryer?! You will never go back to living without them again :) In fact, now you will be spoiled having them on the same level as your bedroom - makes life just that much easier.

    A 58% jump in housing costs will take a bit of budget adjusting, but as you have learned, as you get a bit older and start to acquire a bit more upgrading your living situation starts to become more of a priority.

    Good Luck with your move and enjoy all that new space (and the larger home office deduction for that alternate income!)
  • dong · 2 years ago
    Yeah - nothing wrong with treating yourself to nicer place as long as it's in budget. And, I'm completely with you on the movers. Last year was the first year I hired people rather then getting a crew of my friends to help. After a certain age, it's hard to ask friends who's bodies are breaking down to help with a move....
  • Flexo · 2 years ago
    $1MJ: I live neat Princeton, NJ. The best I could do around here for a $1,400/mo mortgage payment is a condo (in an outlying area), and then still have at least $600/mo in added fees (taxes, insurance, maintenance/association), plus a rate that low would require a 20% downpayment, which I don't quite have.

    Boston Gal: Thanks... yes, I'm getting older, thanks for reminding me. :>

    Dong: It's in the budget as long as my alternative stream of income keeps coming. Otherwise I could end up in trouble. :-/
  • MillionDollarJourney.com · 2 years ago
    Flexo, that is one expensive place to live! I'm building a 2 story with garage for the same price that it would cost to have a condo in your area!
  • J2R · 2 years ago
    You can always go to home depot and hire some help. There are always people outside home depot looking for temp work like this.

    Of course, you need to be comfortable with this.

    They're mainly grunt work to help you carry your heavy stuff. You would still need to get a moving truck (U-Haul).
  • savvy · 2 years ago
    Sounds like a nice place! Personally, I would shell out the money for the pool and gym.

    Also, there's nothing wrong with getting a U-haul and DIY the moving... unless you are under a serious time constraint. I'm one of those that moves 4-5 boxes at a time.
  • Moneymonk · 2 years ago
    $1425, is not the same as a mortgage. As you said HOA fees, taxes and fees you are really paying maybe $200 more a month.
    As long as your rent is comfortable enough for you to handle and still pay everyday expenses, kudos to you!
  • Patrick · 2 years ago
    You're going to love this move! Having yout own washer and dryer is such a great convenience that you will never want to go without again. Same for the extra space!

    Your energy bills will go up - more space equals more room to heat/cool. You will also have to pay for the energy for washing/drying clothes.

    But your quality of life goes up, and isn't that what it's all about? :)
  • ib · 2 years ago
    congratulations flexo! sounds like a really good decision.

    a couple years ago i moved into a more expensive but much nicer apt and even my health improved (the crappy place before the nicer one was incredibly drafty for one thing...). no regrets.