Moorf
3rd January 2005, 07:03 PM
Thought I'd investigate whether or not those already in NZ are feeling the pinch....
chrissie
4th January 2005, 12:06 PM
Pardon my stupidity but how do we place out vote? Dur....not very bright...
chrissie
4th January 2005, 12:07 PM
oops, take that back...just seen the 'submit vote' button which I'm sure wasn't there last time I looked!!
Moorf
4th January 2005, 12:25 PM
wot there's no 'i'm better off financially option'
Hmm - must have slipped my mind.. funny that eh?!
Hmm - must have slipped my mind.. funny that eh?!
Radders
4th January 2005, 12:38 PM
Although I've clicked the changed priorities button, it is more expensive than we remember it being, especially in Auckland. I think that's due to getting about 75c less for every pound than we are used to.
You hear on the news that Imported goods are a lot cheaper at the moment, which is good for every body, but having loooked they are still the same price if not more. So cheaper for who?? The importers and shops, not us!!
For example a pair of running shoes in Uk would be GBP 60-70.
Here they used to be $240 which at the time was GBP 70-80.
Now their $260 which with current exchange rates is GBP 100.
Thesame pair in the UK is still GBP 60-70. Where's the extra going?? straight into the shop keepers pocket.
You hear on the news that Imported goods are a lot cheaper at the moment, which is good for every body, but having loooked they are still the same price if not more. So cheaper for who?? The importers and shops, not us!!
For example a pair of running shoes in Uk would be GBP 60-70.
Here they used to be $240 which at the time was GBP 70-80.
Now their $260 which with current exchange rates is GBP 100.
Thesame pair in the UK is still GBP 60-70. Where's the extra going?? straight into the shop keepers pocket.
ruthyroo
5th January 2005, 08:34 AM
Despite all my complaining about low salaries in general, we are doing fine financially...but that's only becuase we are DINKY's at present. Can't see how we could survive on one salary if we had kids - and I think that's the real disappointment for me, as I foolishly thought it would be easier to do here than in the UK. Oh well...
Moorf
5th January 2005, 02:36 PM
Eternal DINKY's here... now down to one income.
We're gonna have a "how little can we live on month" and turn it into fun.. tonight we have "freezer surprise" for dinner. :P
And that's from a couple who would think nothing of spending a few hundred quid on a meal out for two back in the UK ....
Now, I wonder... is there something in that? i.e. those of us that have had the "good life" in the UK.. is there something "adventurous" and "new life" about the downsizing of income and lifestyle?
And does it work differently for those coming from a less affluent lifestyle? Are they less satisfied that their lifestyle isn't that much different from the UK?
All that and not a glass of wine in sight :?
Moorf
We're gonna have a "how little can we live on month" and turn it into fun.. tonight we have "freezer surprise" for dinner. :P
And that's from a couple who would think nothing of spending a few hundred quid on a meal out for two back in the UK ....
Now, I wonder... is there something in that? i.e. those of us that have had the "good life" in the UK.. is there something "adventurous" and "new life" about the downsizing of income and lifestyle?
And does it work differently for those coming from a less affluent lifestyle? Are they less satisfied that their lifestyle isn't that much different from the UK?
All that and not a glass of wine in sight :?
Moorf
Moorf
5th January 2005, 02:50 PM
Oh, and Tanya and I are setting up a monthly " $30 Dollar Dinner " where we will take it in turns to make the best feast for 6 (4 adults, 2 kids!) on, you guessed it, $30!
:laugh
:laugh
Iain & Liz
5th January 2005, 03:32 PM
i hope it includes the cost of wine beer for that price
i recon you should make it $20 to make it realistic and more fun
$30 thats a feast.
i recon you should make it $20 to make it realistic and more fun
$30 thats a feast.
Moorf
5th January 2005, 04:41 PM
Man you can't get Beluga here for under $20 a shot! :roll:
:laugh
:laugh
markkellaway
6th January 2005, 05:27 AM
Hi Moorf,
This is a great survey, I'm looking forward to taking part when we get there!!
I'm interested to know though, just how much have you had to tighten your belts and has it affected the whole experience in a negative way? When you are working as well are you expecting to be back to the same attitudes on money as the UK or do you think these days of being "frugal" will stick with you?
Cheers,
Mark. :P
This is a great survey, I'm looking forward to taking part when we get there!!
I'm interested to know though, just how much have you had to tighten your belts and has it affected the whole experience in a negative way? When you are working as well are you expecting to be back to the same attitudes on money as the UK or do you think these days of being "frugal" will stick with you?
Cheers,
Mark. :P
Iain & Liz
6th January 2005, 09:49 AM
i was only joking about $20 you would be eating cheese toasties(without heinz sauce) $30 don't go very far.its going to be fun to see what you come up with!!!!
Moorf
6th January 2005, 09:48 PM
I'm interested to know though, just how much have you had to tighten your belts and has it affected the
whole experience in a negative way? When you are working as well are you expecting to be back to the same attitudes
on money as the UK or do you think these days of being "frugal" will stick with you?
Good question , I had to think hard about this....
For us, tightening our belts has meant not eating out as often or in the extravagant manner that we did back in the
UK nor filling the wardrobe with designer gear. It has meant limited holidays (we ran our own co. so could holiday
for as long as we wanted etc). We bought a 2nd hand car instead of new. I now need to be more selective with food
shopping instead of relying on M&S to do most of it :oops: . I now have to think twice about buying things
instead of impulse buying. More buses, less taxis.
Now.. I read that back several times and realised that to some that probably sounds ridiculous. And I agree... but
it has taken NZ to show me that there is more to life than money and "stuff" and perhaps that is why this whole
experience is not affecting me negatively. In fact it has, so far, been a very positive time of my life.
When I begin earning I believe that we shall spend to enhance our life here which, to me, now doesn't include
designer clothes and posh cars, or fine dining but instead would be directed elsewhere.
.. perhaps a boat? (damn, old habits die hard!) :laugh
Now I should really balance this post with what we have gained DESPITE tightening our belts..
- Great new friends
- More relaxed pace of life
- Expanses of the most beautiful countryside to explore
- New activities to experience
- Friendly atmosphere
- Woz loves his job
- A Dog... there's a story in that..!
Basically, a new life - can't say it is happening overnight but it's getting there and we're enjoying the journey so far!
Moorf
whole experience in a negative way? When you are working as well are you expecting to be back to the same attitudes
on money as the UK or do you think these days of being "frugal" will stick with you?
Good question , I had to think hard about this....
For us, tightening our belts has meant not eating out as often or in the extravagant manner that we did back in the
UK nor filling the wardrobe with designer gear. It has meant limited holidays (we ran our own co. so could holiday
for as long as we wanted etc). We bought a 2nd hand car instead of new. I now need to be more selective with food
shopping instead of relying on M&S to do most of it :oops: . I now have to think twice about buying things
instead of impulse buying. More buses, less taxis.
Now.. I read that back several times and realised that to some that probably sounds ridiculous. And I agree... but
it has taken NZ to show me that there is more to life than money and "stuff" and perhaps that is why this whole
experience is not affecting me negatively. In fact it has, so far, been a very positive time of my life.
When I begin earning I believe that we shall spend to enhance our life here which, to me, now doesn't include
designer clothes and posh cars, or fine dining but instead would be directed elsewhere.
.. perhaps a boat? (damn, old habits die hard!) :laugh
Now I should really balance this post with what we have gained DESPITE tightening our belts..
- Great new friends
- More relaxed pace of life
- Expanses of the most beautiful countryside to explore
- New activities to experience
- Friendly atmosphere
- Woz loves his job
- A Dog... there's a story in that..!
Basically, a new life - can't say it is happening overnight but it's getting there and we're enjoying the journey so far!
Moorf
markkellaway
6th January 2005, 10:24 PM
Moorf,
A really good post that balances out a few of the negative ones we've seen recently regarding cost of living versus wages. All of the positives (except the dog! :uhoh ) are the reasons we are moving over and the negatives, well, sounds pretty much like us now. :yes
Cheers,
Mark. :P
P.S. We are looking at a holiday apartment in Sumner for when we eventually move over this summer (winter for you), might be cheeky and ask you to take a look for us. :nice1
A really good post that balances out a few of the negative ones we've seen recently regarding cost of living versus wages. All of the positives (except the dog! :uhoh ) are the reasons we are moving over and the negatives, well, sounds pretty much like us now. :yes
Cheers,
Mark. :P
P.S. We are looking at a holiday apartment in Sumner for when we eventually move over this summer (winter for you), might be cheeky and ask you to take a look for us. :nice1
Moorf
6th January 2005, 10:53 PM
No worries :nice1
Iain & Liz
7th January 2005, 08:19 AM
i agree
you will not have the same quality as in, named brands, m&s ,dining out except the chippy and junk food,new cars,big holidays each year, impulse buying. buying loads at the supermarket,(then throwing half away cause it's out of date and gone mouldy) you have no money to waste.
when you sit down and really think and look at it , those things are replaceable you can't replace you or your memories.
so it's not any cheaper and you have to tighten your spending.
you will not have the same quality as in, named brands, m&s ,dining out except the chippy and junk food,new cars,big holidays each year, impulse buying. buying loads at the supermarket,(then throwing half away cause it's out of date and gone mouldy) you have no money to waste.
when you sit down and really think and look at it , those things are replaceable you can't replace you or your memories.
so it's not any cheaper and you have to tighten your spending.
Douglas
7th January 2005, 09:41 AM
At Jimmy's request, I've added at extra option to the poll. :nice1
Don't all rush at once now. ;)
Don't all rush at once now. ;)
veronica
7th January 2005, 12:34 PM
I can't answer for us as we are setting up businesses and its a differant ball game but our daughter and her partner are both earning more here than in the UK. Steve is about the same annual salary but got a bonus at Christmas and Trudie is earning more temping here than she was at the NHS (ward clerk) in the UK.
wilson182
9th January 2005, 10:11 AM
[quote]
For us, tightening our belts has meant not eating out as often or in the extravagant manner that we did back in the
UK
it has taken NZ to show me that there is more to life than money and "stuff" and perhaps that is why this whole
experience is not affecting me negatively. In fact it has, so far, been a very positive time of my life.
Now I should really balance this post with what we have gained DESPITE tightening our belts..
- Great new friends
- More relaxed pace of life
- Expanses of the most beautiful countryside to explore
- New activities to experience
- Friendly atmosphere
- Woz loves his job
- A Dog... there's a story in that..!
Basically, a new life - can't say it is happening overnight but it's getting there and we're enjoying the journey so far!
Moorf
We agree with the comments above. We tended to be more impluse buyers in the UK, and landed us in a lot of hot water. (ie, complete renovation of our house was one of the reasons). We have learnt some hard leasons, and are determind not to make the same mistakes over here. We both work full time now, but I would have had to have gone back to full time work in the UK by now, and that would have been to just keep our heads above water. Over here we are debt free, and we can regularly afford to save a good portion of our wages (over half :nice1 ) towards holidays,xmas, kids birthdays etc. When you add on to that the improved STANDARD of living, ie more freedom for the kids, friendly people, much more relaxed way of life, hubby only working 45 hours a week instead of 70-80hours (most of that waiting on the M25), we feel we are much more better off (not just financially). That is without selling the house yet, we currently have tenants in the UK. Hubby works with many of the original £10 migrants who came here in the early sixties, and they will tell you, If you come here for big money, forget it!! If you come here for lifestyle Yay :nice1
Oh well, that's our five cents worth. :oops:
Debs
For us, tightening our belts has meant not eating out as often or in the extravagant manner that we did back in the
UK
it has taken NZ to show me that there is more to life than money and "stuff" and perhaps that is why this whole
experience is not affecting me negatively. In fact it has, so far, been a very positive time of my life.
Now I should really balance this post with what we have gained DESPITE tightening our belts..
- Great new friends
- More relaxed pace of life
- Expanses of the most beautiful countryside to explore
- New activities to experience
- Friendly atmosphere
- Woz loves his job
- A Dog... there's a story in that..!
Basically, a new life - can't say it is happening overnight but it's getting there and we're enjoying the journey so far!
Moorf
We agree with the comments above. We tended to be more impluse buyers in the UK, and landed us in a lot of hot water. (ie, complete renovation of our house was one of the reasons). We have learnt some hard leasons, and are determind not to make the same mistakes over here. We both work full time now, but I would have had to have gone back to full time work in the UK by now, and that would have been to just keep our heads above water. Over here we are debt free, and we can regularly afford to save a good portion of our wages (over half :nice1 ) towards holidays,xmas, kids birthdays etc. When you add on to that the improved STANDARD of living, ie more freedom for the kids, friendly people, much more relaxed way of life, hubby only working 45 hours a week instead of 70-80hours (most of that waiting on the M25), we feel we are much more better off (not just financially). That is without selling the house yet, we currently have tenants in the UK. Hubby works with many of the original £10 migrants who came here in the early sixties, and they will tell you, If you come here for big money, forget it!! If you come here for lifestyle Yay :nice1
Oh well, that's our five cents worth. :oops:
Debs
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