Moving into a flat next month... Tips?

[HAL9000]

Hal - buy in season from the local grocer, go light on meats, and you'll be able to eat well...

Would help to pick a book or 2 from http://www.jamieoliver.com/books



Furniture!?!? My first apartment was hand~me~downs, a couple "misplaced" milk crates, and 2x4's You need a place to sleep, a place to sit, and a minimally sorted kitchen/bath. Else, you can work on over time.


I like to eat, and on a budget you definitely want to cook for yourself. So here's a good list for the kitchen. I'm sure there may be additions:


Kitchen: a good chef's knife (8 or 10 inch), a good paring knife, a bread knife. A cutting board. Vegetable peeler, can opener, cheese/vegetable grater, a colander for pasta. A 2 quart and a 4 quart saucepan, an 8 or 10-inch skillet, and a 12- to 14-inch skillet. I also love and get great use from a large~ish (6 quart) Dutch Oven - at least get one large enough for a whole chicken.

Measuring cups and spoons. A Mixing bowl or 3. Cookie sheet, cake pan, and a casserole/baking dish.

Tongs, a mixing spoon or 3, and a good spatula

Oven mitts.

Storage containers


Appliances: A Microwave is nigh~on mandatory now. A Toaster Oven is also good to have (at a minimum, you can reheat pizza/breads since the microwave turns that stuff to rubber).


Table settings for 4

More glasses than you think sensible.

Excellent, great advise, I've got the kitchen knives etc, and a microwave, I'm not eating carbohydrates as I'm on a protein thing at the moment to combine with my weight training, but aside from that I shall follow all your advise thanks!

 

[PlasmaBomb]

When did you get unbanned?

Yesterday

and yet despite your holiday your ppd is still over 54...

Also to point out for those asking you need to pay rental on a landline on top of broadband (eg. Line rental + ISP charges = total budget for broadband).

Just remember that for packages from the like of Virgin/BT/Sky.

Also - is your fiancee going to be there from time to time? Budget a bit extra for food/toilet paper/water/heat for her...

I heard you mentioning entertainment budgets - add a bit extra and save it each month - so that if she comes over you aren't strapped and you can afford a nice meal.

Probably the best advice is to keep track of expenses and outgoings and see how you are doing compared to your "plan", that way hopefully you won't get half way through a semester and be broke...

 

[HAL9000]

and yet despite your holiday your ppd is still over 54...

Correct.

Also to point out for those asking you need to pay rental on a landline on top of broadband (eg. Line rental + ISP charges = total budget for broadband).

Good point but it's all good, I'm going for Cable, no need for a phone line with Virgin. (£45pm)

Just remember that for packages from the like of Virgin/BT/Sky.

See above.

Also - is your fiancee going to be there from time to time? Budget a bit extra for food/toilet paper/water/heat for her...

Good point, she'll be there at the weekend.

I heard you mentioning entertainment budgets - add a bit extra and save it each month - so that if she comes over you aren't strapped and you can afford a nice meal.

I have a backup fund of £1,000 for misc expenditures or Emergency.

Probably the best advice is to keep track of expenses and outgoings and see how you are doing compared to your "plan", that way hopefully you won't get half way through a semester and be broke...

Very good idea, is there any money management software anyone can recommend (OS X)

 

[mrkun]

You can spend a fair bit per meal even cooking for yourself if you like eating decent meat (including fish).

 

[HAL9000]

You can spend a fair bit per meal even cooking for yourself if you like eating decent meat (including fish).

I like meals that are just meat, maybe a vegetable or two, I'm not a chef with fancy spices etc. I like just meat.

 

[WelshBloke]

You can spend a fair bit per meal even cooking for yourself if you like eating decent meat (including fish).

He's a full time student living in Essex.

He'll be living on kebabs and cheap larger.

 

[HAL9000]

He's a full time student living in Essex.

He'll be living on kebabs and cheep larger.

That is the way I we role.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Get out a camera.
Take complete 360 pics of every room, top to bottom plus ceiling & floor, behind blinds, pictures/mirrors and under throw rugs; including inside cupboards and pantries/closets.
Same for external entrances.
Renter Insurance in case of damage - landlord will not cover your stuff.
Find out in advance who is responsible for laundry problems.

 

[guyver01]

I like just meat.

Why does every thread have to be about your sexual preference.

You're here
You're queer

We get it

 

[HAL9000]

Get out a camera.
Take complete 360 pics of every room, top to bottom plus ceiling & floor, behind blinds, pictures/mirrors and under throw rugs; including inside cupboards and pantries/closets.
Same for external entrances.
Renter Insurance in case of damage - landlord will not cover your stuff.
Find out in advance who is responsible for laundry problems.

Good call. I did that when I rented my room at Uni.

Laundry problems?

 

[HAL9000]

We get it

:thumbsup:

 

[dabuddha]

I think 100% of us recommend removing the internet plan.

 

[HAL9000]

I think 100% of us recommend removing the internet plan.

I think it's more like 52.73%

 

[guyver01]

I think it's more like 53%

76.26% of all statistics are made up

 

[HAL9000]

76.26% of all statistics are made up

OK

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Good point but it's all good, I'm going for Cable, no need for a phone line with Virgin. (£45pm)

I thought that virgin (cable) charged line rental on top of packages

Their site suggests that they do -

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/up-to-50mb.html
£12.50 a month for 6 months
then £25 a month*

*Plus a Virgin Phone line for £13.90 a month

Good point, she'll be there at the weekend.

No problems

I have a backup fund of £1,000 for misc expenditures or Emergency.

The point of the emergency fund is that it's for emergencies, not for dipping into (unless you can (and do) top it up?).

Very good idea, is there any money management software anyone can recommend (OS X)

I don't know, Acemoney gets a good review and the lite version is free - http://www.mechcad.net/products/acemoney/index_lite.shtml

Certainly there seems to be plenty of choice.

You could always just make an excel spread sheet...

 

[HAL9000]

I thought that virgin (cable) charged line rental on top of packages

Their site suggests that they do -

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/up-to-50mb.html
£12.50 a month for 6 months
then £25 a month*

*Plus a Virgin Phone line for £13.90 a month

I'm going for 100Mb:

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/up-to-100mb.html

Or without a Virgin Phone line
£40 a month
for 3 months
then £45 a month

No problems

The point of the emergency fund is that it's for emergencies, not for dipping into (unless you can (and do) top it up?).

True enough, but I can afford to dip into it for a special occasion once in a while, and then top it up again.

I don't know, Acemoney gets a good review and the lite version is free - http://www.mechcad.net/products/acemoney/index_lite.shtml

Certainly there seems to be plenty of choice.

You could always just make an excel spread sheet...

OK brilliant thanks, I have been using a nice spreadsheet I made so far, I was wondering if there are any Apps that can sync with your bank accounts :hmm:

 

[BurnItDwn]

You may want to budget something for transportation. If no car, then you still might need to take a bus or train or taxi to get some places... I have no idea how big Essex is, or if they have a public transport system at all, but it's something to consider.

You should also plan for any medical and medicinal expenses.... (I realize you have socialized medicine, so so perhaps this is not an issue? Or do you still pay a token amount for medical care or rx drugs?)

 

[HAL9000]

You may want to budget something for transportation. If no car, then you still might need to take a bus or train or taxi to get some places... I have no idea how big Essex is, or if they have a public transport system at all, but it's something to consider.

I have a bus pass that get's me everywhere and I pay £8 to go to london every so often, so I've now factored that in.

You should also plan for any medical and medicinal expenses.... (I realize you have socialized medicine, so so perhaps this is not an issue? Or do you still pay a token amount for medical care or rx drugs?)

Doctors etc is free, as is hospital but for medication I pay £115 or so per year and that covers all medication I need. I might cancel that though as I haven't been using £115 worth of medication, without it it's £7something every time I need some medication of any sort.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I'm going for 100Mb:

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/up-to-100mb.html

Grand - just don't have much cable penetration over in NI, and most of the marketing I have seen has had the little *... Don't forget set up charges - virgin seem to like them (seems to be £70 for broadband, with more if you go TV (which I know you aren't)).

OK brilliant thanks, I have been using a nice spreadsheet I made so far, I was wondering if there are any Apps that can sync with your bank accounts :hmm:

iBank?

As I said there seems to be plenty if you google mac finance applications. Haven't used any.

 

[HAL9000]

Grand - just don't have much cable penetration over in NI, and most of the marketing I have seen has had the little *... Don't forget set up charges - virgin seem to like them (seems to be £70 for broadband, with more if you go TV (which I know you aren't)).

Now that! I hadn't thought of! good thinking

iBank?

As I said there seems to be plenty if you google mac finance applications. Haven't used any.

iBank sounds good, I'm just trying MoneyDance2011... Not sure if it's for me

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think it's more like 52.73%

I think you should ask for a recount.

 

[HAL9000]

I think you should ask for a recount.

I'm content, you're not using your ignore list well, get back to it.

 

[dud]

Neckhair is trying to make up for the posting opportunities he lost during his banishment. Damn, almost half the posts within this thread ALONE are his.

Keep up the good work Neckhair ...

 

[SMOGZINN]

Get out a camera.
Take complete 360 pics of every room, top to bottom plus ceiling & floor, behind blinds, pictures/mirrors and under throw rugs; including inside cupboards and pantries/closets.
Same for external entrances.
Renter Insurance in case of damage - landlord will not cover your stuff.
Find out in advance who is responsible for laundry problems.

This, always this. Also, run the water in the shower/bathtub for a few minutes before you take the picture. There is a trick that has become popular where they 'paint' discolored tiles with soap to make it look white, then it washes off the first time you run water, they then take it out of your deposit when you move out.

I have a backup fund of £1,000 for misc expenditures or Emergency.

Your goal should always be to grow your emergency fund. Put at least a few pounds in there every week. Even small amounts will add up if you are consistent about it.
You will be surprised at how much miscellaneous expenditure you end up with, it can drain an emergency fund fast. It is stuff you never thought about until you had to watch your budget, stuff like postage and haircuts. Instead of dipping into your emergency fund you would be better setting up a small slush fund for that sort of expense, and having that fund roll into your emergency account every month. That way instead of taking away from your emergency fund for minor expenses you are adding to it when you have a cheap month. It is much easier to save money when you plan it from the start then to find extra money to save when you planned to spend it.

Very good idea, is there any money management software anyone can recommend (OS X)

Personally, I'm all about Excel. But, it you want some automated system check out Mint.com. I’m not sure they have it on your side of the pond though.