[CJ22]

I just wanted to do a quick sanity check that our plan (in terms of finances) are reasonable and aren't going to get us into trouble when we finally arrive in NZ. The calculations are back-of-fag-packet, and out time-line is tentative at the moment, but...

1/. A combined income of NZ$140,000 or thereabouts, but no income till the end of the first month.
2/. No debts, everything to do with the move paid for
3/. Enough cash to get us by for about a month and sort out transport, and a few essentials, but no more than that.

Does this sound like a sensible scenario? No buffer-cash, but a good income and secure jobs, and no outstanding debt repayments, so we get to keep what we earn. We'd be renting accomodation, and we may be able to set that up in advance, so I guess there'd be a deposit to find also. Can we live off that if we don't go mad?

[james the mechanic]

The old can we survive on these wages one again?:D
Welcome to the forum by the way, all I will say on the subject is...

I feel that I personally would be very happy, live very comfortably, sleeping very soundly with the scenario you have described.

Best wishes:nice1
James

[CJ22]

Okay cheers :). I didn't think it would be a tight squeeze, but it's nice to have a bit of re-assurance.

[tigerlily]

I'll be thrilled if my OH earns $80K and we are a family of 4, also renting, also coming with VERY LITTLE savings, but also no debt. And he has no job lined up yet. So believe that you can sleep better than I can right now.

[cathgates]

I've also been wondering about cash flow. We are ready to put our house on the market, we have no mortgage and should fetch about £128k, we have a bank loan etc, so should be left with about £95k once shipping, flights etc are paid for.
My oh is a truck driver and I am in admin, so we have to wait untill we get there to find jobs, hopefully it won't take us long!!!
We will both initially be on around $40k each and hope to not have too much of a mortgage, we are looking at worst house best street kind of property hopefully in the Bay of Plenty area. I am hoping that my homework on the internet has shown that we should live ok on our wages, there's just the two of us moving so no dependants to worry about.
Our plan is to move out once the house is sold - maybe around June to allow for a month or so booking time for flights to get a reasonable priced flight.:(
We aren't moving to have a lavish lifestyle, just like the majority of people on here, it's about the change of lifestyle, but at the same time, I want to know that we can pay the bills AND have money in the bank at the end of the month.:yes

Cath x

[Moorf Junior]

Hi Cath,

For your info, theres a great 'cost of living' calculator here http://www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-living-in-new-zealand.HTML, i've used it often to get an idea of the sort of income we'd need etc. Hope it helps.

Mike

[Lupin]

Both of you will be fine! The OP (CJ22) has an excellent income to enjoy here- Good luck, I'm near certain you'll have a lovely lifestyle here on that income- where in NZ are you heading? You'd live like kings here in Hawkes Bay and be comfortable in the big smoke :)

Cath- you really should be fine too :) If you net $40K each ( and remember the tax systme is more favourable on two $40K incomes than one $80K income- as far as I understand it) and bring over £90K+ then you really ought to get a lovely lifestyle here unless you are used to a *seriously* pampered existence in the UK :)

[cathgates]

Hi, thanks for the reassurance, we are not used to a pampered lifestyle, but do enjoy going out for a meal, drinks with friends, and I enjoy the theatre from time to time, although my oh doesn't, so will have to find a new 'best friend' to go with!!!

Cath X