A sound family budget?

Thanks again ladies for replying. MLBW I think you've made a valid point. I initially was thinking people on high incomes tend to spend more on everything---eg. some are paying 50K+ on rent alone; a night out at LKF can easily cost $1000 a head, etc. So I thought a percentage might be relatively comparable and I could just work my way up, ie. put aside a reasonable % as income then work way up to get to each expense item. This way I can be a little relaxed on the budget. I guess you've just taken away my last chance of being a bit of a cheat to myself there...

MilkMonster, you really struck me as a financial advisor or at least a qualified accountant! I'll definitely sit down NOW with hubby and work on both of our long term and short term finacial goals. Then we'll have a clearer picture how much we should save each month(I'm thinking of at least 40%! Scary but exciting at the same time...)

I honestly couldn't thank you enough, ladies, I can safely say that 'I'm a changed woman'. It makes me sick to my stomach just by thinking of my old ways of mindless spending! So won't wait for another three months to modify my behaviour...It'll start undoubtely from NOW!
 
HK2008,

We moved to HK 6 mnths ago, not knowing how we will survive on a single income (I used to work and contribute at least 1/2 to the household). The rent was one thing we tried our darn best at keeping it down. For $16K, we found a 3 bedroom (efficiency is about 650 sq ft) apartment in Kennedy Town. It's new, clean and has facilities (playroom, pool, gym) and is pretty conveniently located (since we need to rely on public transportation). It's more than what we spent on our mortgage back in the US, but I can't complain since others that live in midlevels and nicer beach areas pay at least 10-20K more.

I used to go crazy with clothes, for myself, my son and my husband. Now, it's what we need. I realize if I keep to simple items that you can mix and match easily, then spend a little on special things like accessories, a cooler jacket, a nice pair of shoes, I can really work with less than half of what I used to spend.

Grocery shopping is tricky. You can get cheap stuff around, but I'm constantly worried about the safety of the food. Eating out is too expensive, although I do give in to that since I don't have a helper. It's hard to take care of my 5 year old all day, do the chores and then find the inspiration everyday to put on a nutritious, balanced and tasty dinner. I stick with simple breakfast, but making sure it's a good start for the day, such as granola, fruits and milk.

Also, one big savings is what I don't get for the house. From living in a 2700 sq ft house to over 600 sq ft apartment, I don't buy anymore decorative things for the house. Everything is at least a dual-purpose item. So impulse buying is down to a minimum. We used to have friends over at our house a lot, now, it seems in HK, that's not exactly a popular thing, so we don't worry too much about presentation at all.

Living without cars too can save you a bunch. Public transportation is pretty good, once you get used to the crowd, the environmental assault and get better at planning for the day.

One thing we definitely spent more on is signing our boy for soccer class, swimming lessons and now also, taekwondo. That's at least another $3-4K a month. Without the backyard, creek, opened soccer fields and neighbor's houses he is used to spending time at, this is the least we can do for him, besides going to off-islands for hikes and taking him to the beach or Ocean Park once in a while.


CaraNg,
You are an inspiration to me.
 
elgivens... i would strongly suggest getting the annual pass for ocean park. if you go 3 times per year, it's paid for itself. also, when you have the pass, you don't feel like you have to do everything every time. i usually purchase my pass around october-ish so that i get two autumns out of it. both of my kids LOVE it!

they also do monthly passes at playtown, not too far from you. although, they are much more expensive than even an annual pass at ocean park, it might be worth it.

one thing i've decided to do for my kids is enroll them in only CHINESE extra-curricular activities (except soccatots). that way, the kids get language learning at the same time. not only that, but it seems to me that classes conducted in chinese are cheaper than those done in english. for example, i charge $175/1.25 hr playgroup class (cheaper than any in central!), but the newly opened music/art centre next door had a summer special... 10 art classes + 3 music (drum) classes for $700!!!! you can't beat that price! my 4.5 yr old LOVES it! i've also discovered that the private swimming teacher that i've employed for my son charges $300/1.25 hr lesson. it sounds like a lot, but most english speaking coaches charge $150/30 minute lesson... so, i'm getting a lot more for my money. not only that, but our coach often buys treats for my son. she's given him goggles, swim cap & nose plug (not charged us for them), and when he does what she's asked during class, she rewards him with a small treat.

as for going out to dinner... Ruby Tuesday's has a 50% off card that you can buy. 3 months = $400. it seems like a lot, but we found it fantastic! we almost NEVER go out for western food, but with the card, we find it more affordable and have gone once per month, occasionally more. and we have saved over 3 months about $1500! i use the word "saved" loosely as we wouldn't have gone there without the card. but we probably would still have gone out so, it's hard to say exactly how much we really saved....

good luck all!
 
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