How much money do you earn? And how do you spend it?

[Necropolis]

Worth noting that rental prices are bound to increase in tandem with these increases as soon as the owners catch on and contracts allow.

Depending on what your specific rental agreements states, obviously.

 

[Hamster]

Worth noting that rental prices are bound to increase in tandem with these increases as soon as the owners catch on and contracts allow.

It's a possibility, but then they don't like risking losing a good tenant. If the place is empty for just one month the increase is lost and you would've been better off just not increasing the rent. So many places available as well (depending on area)...I'll let you know what happens in the next two or so months.

 

[Pyro]

Some of the extra expense is also offset by the tax deduction for the interest, but it's bound to trickle down to rental prices.

 

[Pyro]

Depending on what your specific rental agreements states, obviously.

Yip, as I said: depends on contract.

 

[krycor]

Worth noting that rental prices are bound to increase in tandem with these increases as soon as the owners catch on and contracts allow.

Depends.. e.g. most places run by agencies have always increased rentals by 10% annually.. so mine has been consistent. Will be interesting this year as i'm sure the owner will want a larger cut rather than the agency using it as a way to up their annual business profit % to grow with inflation.

I reckon they will ask for 12-15% which will be a laugh as I am aware that I already pay 10% more than neighbours(mirror apartment) going direct with owners (besides the fact that I am in the market for a new place.. no balcony or garden sucks). Fun times ahead

 

[*SynergyX*]

id just like to add... i bought the expensive shiny new car in 2013...
3 years later i wouldn't say i regret it...but I've come to the realization it is absolutely unnecessary.
my money could have been better spent. just a thought.

 

[Hamster]

id just like to add... i bought the expensive shiny new car in 2013...
3 years later i wouldn't say i regret it...but I've come to the realization it is absolutely unnecessary.
my money could have been better spent. just a thought.

This. Well, almost. I bought a branch new Elantra in 2012 which was paid of 23 months later. Awesome, feature packed and way more than I ever needed. I look at it now and sometimes wish I bought a smaller less expensive car. I've got a bike I commute with and it just feels like a waste standing there some of the time.

...but then it is paid off so trading it in now would be a big mistake.

 

[Pyro]

This. Well, almost. I bought a branch new Elantra in 2012 which was paid of 23 months later. Awesome, feature packed and way more than I ever needed. I look at it now and sometimes wish I bought a smaller less expensive car. I've got a bike I commute with and it just feels like a waste standing there some of the time.

...but then it is paid off so trading it in now would be a big mistake.

I at least started with a second hand car. The insurance is a sore point and the ~R60k I could sell it for makes it hard to justify keeping it, but some things just aren't practical on the bike.

 

[Hamster]

I at least started with a second hand car. The insurance is a sore point and the ~R60k I could sell it for makes it hard to justify keeping it, but some things just aren't practical on the bike.

Agreed... like very cold winters is much more enjoyable in a warm and toasty car

This was my third car and only one I ever bought new. I plan on keeping it for quite some time still so no regrets on buying new. Slight regret on not buying a Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift instead

..or a Corsa bakkie which is way more practical. I am now ruined and any car without climate control and leather seats will be a downgrade

 

[TofuMofu]

id just like to add... i bought the expensive shiny new car in 2013...
3 years later i wouldn't say i regret it...but I've come to the realization it is absolutely unnecessary.
my money could have been better spent. just a thought.

I have also come to this conclusion. I'll be driving my car for quite some time instead of buying a new one every 3-5 years.

Just doesn't make sense buying a new car if the current one is in perfect condition and has everything I want and need. R3k a month I can and will be spending on my new bond.

Agreed... like very cold winters is much more enjoyable in a warm and toasty car

This was my third car and only one I ever bought new. I plan on keeping it for quite some time still so no regrets on buying new. Slight regret on not buying a Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift instead

..or a Corsa bakkie which is way more practical. I am now ruined and any car without climate control and leather seats will be a downgrade

I have the Mazda 2 Brilliant car! #justsaying

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

So I thought I'd give a slightly different perspective living in Australia.

I earn $4,700 after taxes and super annuation.

Expenses for 3 are :
$1,300 Rent
$70 Electricity
$60 ADSL
$60 prepaid for two phones
$250 insurance 2 cars and household.
$580 Car (Mitsubishi Triton)
$1000 food.
$300 medical aid

 

[unobeat]

Geez, my first intern job got me a mere R2500 per month as a dev (2009).
What in "IT" are you?

My brother also earns decently for an Intern R7500 per month.

 

[peeryus]

So I thought I'd give a slightly different perspective living in Australia.

I earn $4,700 after taxes and super annuation.

Expenses for 3 are :
$1,300 Rent
$70 Electricity
$60 ADSL
$60 prepaid for two phones
$250 insurance 2 cars and household.
$580 Car (Mitsubishi Triton)
$1000 food.
$300 medical aid

Not bad - you're still left with more than 50%. What line of work are you in?

 

[TheBadMadMan]

Not bad - you're still left with more than 50%. What line of work are you in?

Uhm, his left with $1080...

 

[*SynergyX*]

So I thought I'd give a slightly different perspective living in Australia.

I earn $4,700 after taxes and super annuation.

Expenses for 3 are :
$1,300 Rent
$70 Electricity
$60 ADSL
$60 prepaid for two phones
$250 insurance 2 cars and household.
$580 Car (Mitsubishi Triton)
$1000 food.
$300 medical aid

thats the equivalent of R10000 for food

 

[peeryus]

Uhm, his left with $1080...

You're right. Sorry bad maths

 

[Salt]

So I thought I'd give a slightly different perspective living in Australia.

I earn $4,700 after taxes and super annuation.

Expenses for 3 are :
$1,300 Rent
$70 Electricity
$60 ADSL
$60 prepaid for two phones
$250 insurance 2 cars and household.
$580 Car (Mitsubishi Triton)
$1000 food.
$300 medical aid

Thanks for adding yours. I am curious to know what the $300 for med aid is for? Does government not cover everything? And then do you have kid(s) (I see you say you are 3), is the schooling for free?

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

Not bad - you're still left with more than 50%. What line of work are you in?

I'm actually a software developer but I got a job as an entry level consultant. I do have an opportunity to move back into programming in the company. (After being a developer for over a decade I wanted to try something new while still being able to fall back on being a programmer if it wasn't for me.)

I am in my probationary period after which I should get an increase and hopefully be paid closer to my earning potential (Hopefully about $1000 a month more). Also, I forgot to add petrol expenses which are about $250 a month.

The rest gets saved for other expenses like car registration ($1800 a year for 2 cars) car services and random stuff.

I should also add that my wife is starting a part time job next month (5 hours a day) which will allow her to bring in about $3,300 a month which we hope to save for a deposit on buying a house. She is going to be a recruiter for a large company.

thats the equivalent of R10000 for food

That grocery figure is probably closer to $800.00 but we buy clothes and other random stuff that brings it closer to the $1000. We could probably survive on less though.

Thanks for adding yours. I am curious to know what the $300 for med aid is for? Does government not cover everything? And then do you have kid(s) (I see you say you are 3), is the schooling for free?

You do get medicare which pays for normal doctors bills, medication and an excellent hospital system. Private medical care covers dentists, optometrists and anything that the government won't pay for.

The public schools are technically free but they ask for a voluntary contribution every year. In this case it is $180 per child per year. I should note that my kids' school is better equipped than the R5000.00+ a month private school he attended in Cape Town and the teachers are better.

 

[Pyro]

So I thought I'd give a slightly different perspective living in Australia.

I earn $4,700 after taxes and super annuation.

Expenses for 3 are :
$1,300 Rent
$70 Electricity
$60 ADSL
$60 prepaid for two phones
$250 insurance 2 cars and household.
$580 Car (Mitsubishi Triton)
$1000 food.
$300 medical aid

For context: Current exchange is around 11.25.

Cool to know, thanks .

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

For context: Current exchange is around 11.25.

Cool to know, thanks .

Yeah, but once you live here you don't think in terms of ZAR. It is weird how some things are ridiculously expensive compared to South Africa (Basically anything labour intensive.) and some things are on par while other things are much cheaper. It still feels like I am spending moon money sometimes though. I forget that the change in the coin pocket of my wallet can actually buy stuff.