[W&G]

Hello!
Would anyone be able to give me an idea of how much I can expect my weekly or monthly expenses to be for the size of our family? We have 3 kids, who would (hopefully) be around 6,5, and 4 when we get there.
Anybody with the same family-size?
As per a more detailed question.. (for those kind enough to share info... hehehe :D )...How much are the expenses for the following and how often do we pay them (like weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly?):
-Electricity
-Water
-Phone (local calls only)
-Good Quality Internet
-Grocery (the usual toiletries, food items and snacks)
-Movies
-Dining Out
-Day Care

Thanks so much in advance!
Any information you guys would be willing to share would definitely be helpful to us in preparing for our Migration to New Zealand (that is, if we do make it) hehehe :D

[Toronto_Kiwi]

As it happens, I just put a spreadsheet together for our estimated weekly expenses if my husband and I lived in Auckland. (We don't have children but are considering having a baby in NZ). I wouldn't mind some feedback on it and it might be helpful for other people.
Assumptions: 2 / 3 bedroom apartment, one car, no kids, one international holiday per year
Estimated weekly cost of living:
Numbers picked from: http://www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-living-in-new-zealand.HTML
Expense: NZ $
Rent: 450 (Auckland centre)
Food: 192
Other supermarket Purchases: 23
House Maintenance: 15
Clothing: 18
Fuel: 22
Car Maintenance: 12
Public Transport: 15
House Insurance: 7
House Contents Insurance: 6
Car Insurance: 5
Internet: 12
Telephone Local and National: 12
Telephone International: 10
Mobile: 10
Council Rates: 33
Electricity/Heating: 35
Small Medical: 12
Misc./Entertainment: 53
Tobacco:
Medical Insurance: 20
Holidays: 150
Christmas: 10
Childcare: Note: childcare in a good preschool costs $160 - $200 per week
Your total weekly spend is: $1,122 NZD

Income Tax Rates ------------After-tax (limit)
$0 - $38,000: 19.5%------------$30,590
$38,001 - $60,000: 33% --------$45,330 ($30,590 + $14,740)
$60,001 upwards: 39%

Salary------------ After-tax------------After-tax per week
$80,000------------$57,530------------$1,106
$90,000------------$63,630------------$1,224
$100,000-----------$69,730------------$1,341
$110,000-----------$75,830------------$1,458

Some notes about salaries in NZ:
The result is that two people who each have salaries of $38,000 p.a. take home a total of $61,180 (that's $1,177 per week). A sole-earner with a salary of $76,000 p.a. takes home $55,090 ($1,059 per week). So the couple take home $118 per week more than the sole earner.

In 2003, the average gross family income (including social benefits) in NZ was $73,929 for couples with children. The figure for couples with no children was $62,390.

[Milliemoo]

As it happens, I just put a spreadsheet together for our estimated weekly expenses if my husband and I lived in Auckland. (We don't have children but are considering having a baby in NZ). I wouldn't mind some feedback on it and it might be helpful for other people.
Assumptions: 2 / 3 bedroom apartment, one car, no kids, one international holiday per year
Estimated weekly cost of living:
Numbers picked from: http://www.emigratenz.org/cost-of-living-in-new-zealand.HTML
Expense: NZ $
Rent: 450 (Auckland centre)
Food: 192
Other supermarket Purchases: 23
House Maintenance: 15
Clothing: 18
Fuel: 22
Car Maintenance: 12
Public Transport: 15
House Insurance: 7
House Contents Insurance: 6
Car Insurance: 5
Internet: 12
Telephone Local and National: 12
Telephone International: 10
Mobile: 10
Council Rates: 33
Electricity/Heating: 35
Small Medical: 12
Misc./Entertainment: 53
Tobacco:
Medical Insurance: 20
Holidays: 150
Christmas: 10
Childcare: Note: childcare in a good preschool costs $160 - $200 per week
Your total weekly spend is: $1,122 NZD

Income Tax Rates ------------After-tax (limit)
$0 - $38,000: 19.5%------------$30,590
$38,001 - $60,000: 33% --------$45,330 ($30,590 + $14,740)
$60,001 upwards: 39%

Salary------------ After-tax------------After-tax per week
$80,000------------$57,530------------$1,106
$90,000------------$63,630------------$1,224
$100,000-----------$69,730------------$1,341
$110,000-----------$75,830------------$1,458

Some notes about salaries in NZ:
The result is that two people who each have salaries of $38,000 p.a. take home a total of $61,180 (that's $1,177 per week). A sole-earner with a salary of $76,000 p.a. takes home $55,090 ($1,059 per week). So the couple take home $118 per week more than the sole earner.

In 2003, the average gross family income (including social benefits) in NZ was $73,929 for couples with children. The figure for couples with no children was $62,390.

Hi there,

We're not in NZ yet, but have also set up a spread sheet for predicted expenses. I've picked up a lot of info over the last few months and I think it should be pretty close to what we spend.... but just never know till you get there.

I'm probally not qualified to give feedback, but here it goes....

Does your food bill include booze? $190 sounds OK so long as your mostly preparing your own food and taking advantage of special offers.

$50 on misc/entertainment ....does that include nights out, day trips, the odd lunch or take away? That doesn't sound very much, but I guess if you only go out a couple of times a month and don't have takekaways or anything? We have a 'pocket money' fund of $1k per month, but that does include treats, clothes, going out etc. Everyone's different though.

$18 on clothes.... I guess if you don't buy that many clothes and only buy things when you need them....mind you, it still doesn't sound much for 2 adults. I'm planning on buying a sewing machine and making a lot of my own clothes.

Do you have any plans for savings/pensions ?

We're budgeting $200 per month for the electricity, because apparently prices are going up & up. I'd rather play it safe until we know for sure.

Do you plan to have SKY TV? If you do, that's a min of $60 per month.

We've got a small budget for water, because I couldn't work out whether the North Shore Council include it in the rates or not. Thinking about it, would you need to budget for rates, buildings insurance if your renting ??

Do you have any pets? If yes, you'll need to include their annual upkeep.

Looks pretty good though.... when are you heading out?

Milliemoo ;)

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Just to clarify - the expenses that I posted are weekly. Do you think that $192 on food per week isn't enough? I cook a lot. We spend about $120 CDN ($170 NZD?) on groceries per week.
I should probably raise the $50 per week misc / entertainment allocation to at least $100 per week, to allow for outside lunches.
We've escaped from TV. Haven't owned one in almost 10 years. We set up a small Mac with a large flat screen monitor as a home theatre system and watch DVDs. Assuming we'll do the same in NZ.

[Milliemoo]

Just to clarify - the expenses that I posted are weekly. Do you think that $192 on food per week isn't enough? I cook a lot. We spend about $120 CDN ($170 NZD?) on groceries per week.
I should probably raise the $50 per week misc / entertainment allocation to at least $100 per week, to allow for outside lunches.
We've escaped from TV. Haven't owned one in almost 10 years. We set up a small Mac with a large flat screen monitor as a home theatre system and watch DVDs. Assuming we'll do the same in NZ.

Hi,

We've budgeted for $200 per week on food, but I make all our meals from scratch. I think it's people who rely on convienance foods that find NZ expensive and spends lots on their weekly shop, so you should be OK if you cook a lot. We also only buy wine that's on special offer :D

Cool about the TV... I wish I could do that, but the OH (who insists he doesn't watch much TV) would never have it.

Milliemoo ;)

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Meant to add that if we decide to go we'll move before the end of the year. We're waiting on the salary offer from OH's potential employer before we make a final decision. I'm trying to check the budget math to make sure that we'll be comfortable.
My OH can't drink wine... he gets hives. Poor thing.
We've had several weak moments wrt getting cable or satellite, especially around the Tour de France in July. It's easier than ever to get by without though now that most content is posted on the internet.

[Milliemoo]

Apologies, I can't count.... we've budgete $160 per week on food.

Milliemoo ;)

[firstkings]

I found some "official" data somewhere...perhaps on a link from a rival forum :o

It was a table. I have copied and pasted it into an excel document downloadable from

http://dking.me.uk/home/nz/sample_living_expenses.xls


I think some of the data will be too old (electricity prices etc, but it does act as a guide!).

Cheers

David

[Milliemoo]

I think the most useful information that people in NZ can give is that of electricity costs, insurance, healthcare, rates etc. Once you have the basics you can then add on the personal stuff that only you can budget for, because only you know how much you spend (and what your lifestyle is like) on food, clothes, going out etc.

I found council websites a good source of info, also looking at individual company websites like Sky etc

Milliemoo ;)

[W&G]

thanks! your short and concise table was helpful.. i'll just make the appropriate adjustments for price increases :) by the way, I saw your signature... you have kids? how old are they? (if you don't mind) :)
I found some "official" data somewhere...perhaps on a link from a rival forum :o

It was a table. I have copied and pasted it into an excel document downloadable from

http://dking.me.uk/home/nz/sample_living_expenses.xls


I think some of the data will be too old (electricity prices etc, but it does act as a guide!).

Cheers

David

[W&G]

hmmm... I wonder how much we'd be spending on food.. I cook, but I'm not sure if I could still manage to do that when I get there (depending on the type of work I get). Plus, right now (here in the Philippines), I have two housekeepers who do most of the heavy housework (like laundry, upkeep of the house, minimal gardening...etc).. so I still have time to cook. I'm also thinking.. if I dont cook, that would mean more expenses on food orders.. yikes! I would definitely want to minimize all expenses especially during the initial stage. by the way.. where are you planning settle?
Apologies, I can't count.... we've budgete $160 per week on food.

Milliemoo ;)

[W&G]

Thanks for all the inputs :) Another thing .. does the New Zealand system require companies to contribute or pay for the retirement plans of their employees (as in the US, Canada, and Australia)? [QUOTE=Toronto_Kiwi]As it happens, I just put a spreadsheet together for our estimated weekly expenses if my husband and I lived in Auckland. (We don't have children but are considering having a baby in NZ). I wouldn't mind some feedback on it and it might be helpful for other people.
QUOTE]

[Lupin]

Hi, late last night I was reading posts on UK2NZ and this caught my eye in someones signature. I hope I'm not commiting some terrible faux pax linking to it...please let me know if I am!!!

Living costs calculator (http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/neuralnetwriter/newzealand/costofliving3.html)

[Milliemoo]

There's heaps & heaps of really great info on that site !

Have a look at the spreadsheet Steve has set up for doing an inventory of the house..... great for insurance purposes.

There's also a great 'to do' list.

Milliemoo ;)

[Lupin]

After I'd looked at that site I felt very, very underprepared for all this.

[Milliemoo]

The thing is though, it's all there for you :D

If you start to get in a panic.....just check your 'to do list'.

Milliemoo ;)

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Hi, late last night I was reading posts on UK2NZ and this caught my eye in someones signature. I hope I'm not commiting some terrible faux pax linking to it...please let me know if I am!!!

Living costs calculator (http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/neuralnetwriter/newzealand/costofliving3.html)

Wow - that calculator is really helpful. I've added in some of the items that my Canadian work benefits cover but that I'll probably have to pay for in NZ (eyeglasses, dentist, etc). My weekly expenses estimate has gone up a few hundred $$.
The to do list is helpful. Not looking forward to filling in the inventory spreadsheet for insurance estimate but it is a necessary evil.

[pineapplehead]

I know this thread is describing daily living when settled, but another thing to plan for is setting up house upon arrival. You end up spending alot more at first on groceries, filling your pantry, cleaning products, brooms,etc. If you cook alot, you need many supplies. I was shocked at some early grocery bills of $300+. And it took some months to settle into more regular spending. These start-up items/costs were a surprise to me, so set aside some cash for arrival.

[W&G]

Oooohhh.. I loved the calculator!
Other info provided in the site was also very useful :)
Thanks!

[Milliemoo]

I know this thread is describing daily living when settled, but another thing to plan for is setting up house upon arrival. You end up spending alot more at first on groceries, filling your pantry, cleaning products, brooms,etc. If you cook alot, you need many supplies. I was shocked at some early grocery bills of $300+. And it took some months to settle into more regular spending. These start-up items/costs were a surprise to me, so set aside some cash for arrival.

Good point.... you need to consider rental costs (bonds + advance payment), extra transport costs due to interviews etc, MAF fees & and I'm sure I read somewhere once that the electricty companies wanted a bond because you have no credit rating?

We've budgeted £10k for 6 months, but we could stretch that out more if need be. We will also have interest off savings which will pay 80% odf the rent for the first few months.

Milliemoo ;)

[richard]

We've budgeted £10k for 6 months, but we could stretch that out more if need be. We will also have interest off savings which will pay 80% odf the rent for the first few months.

Milliemoo ;)

We arrived (two adults, two kids 7 and 9) in Nov04 and I have kept a running total of expenditure since then. The monthly costs in dollars were:-

Nov-04 25269.38
Dec-04 7016.08
Jan-05 5807.37
Feb-05 5460.64
Mar-05 5093.53
Apr-05 6372.15
May-05 2921.79
Jun-05 3051.83
Jul-05 3945.41
Aug-05 4660.75
Sep-05 3703.70
Oct-05 2879.22
Nov-05 4460.21
Dec-05 3917.78
Jan-06 4516.44
Feb-06 3832.97
Mar-06 2660.05

The major cost in Nov04 was a car ($17k). From Nov04 to May05 we were paying $330 per week rent. Since then we have been rent and mortgage free.

The above totals don't include the costs of renovating the house (>$31k) which included a new kitchen, a fence, a heat pump and creating a study area.

The monthly bills include:-

Petrol $236 (just cruising around ChCh + the odd trip to the West Coast)
Food $1236 (included wine)
Electricity $162
Telecom $153 (includes broadband and Sky)
Insurance $123 (2 cars, buildings and contents)
Rates $155

[Toronto_Kiwi]

We arrived (two adults, two kids 7 and 9) in Nov04 and I have kept a running total of expenditure since then.
The monthly bills include:-

Petrol $236 (just cruising around ChCh + the odd trip to the West Coast)
Food $1236 (included wine)
Electricity $162
Telecom $153 (includes broadband and Sky)
Insurance $123 (2 cars, buildings and contents)
Rates $155
Thanks so much for sharing this Richard. It is immensely helpful as I'm putting together a projected budget for our set-up and ongoing expenses.
Margaret