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+--- Thread: budget.... what do you spend your money on? (/showthread.php?tid=9141)
budget.... what do you spend your money on? - terracore - 08-14-2011
Hello,
I'm trying to make a budget but I need a little help with identifying the "hidden" expenses of living in Puna. For example, before I moved to Alaska I factored in the cost of things like heating oil but didn't realize I'd have to buy a few hundred pounds of ice melt each year... things you don't realize you need until you've lived somewhere. Can you help me out?
Cheers,
Steve
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - macuu222 - 08-14-2011
1)Terminex termite control. If its made of wood...they'll eat it sooner or later
2) yearly catchment cleaning and once every 2 months pump filter changes
3) brita water filter cartridges for your portable drinking water
4) Additional clothing expenses because of high humidity (mold and mildew stains)
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - Royall - 08-14-2011
If you are an out going and fun living soul, double what you would spend on food[:0] There is always a potluck for some kind fun or holo! I find that the more people you know here, the more you'll be invited to participate in other activities and here that is usually centered around food.[:p][:p] Can you say "two scoops rice"?
] I knew you could
]Royall
Hale O Na Mea Pa`ani
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - Carey - 08-14-2011
Plants....They are addictive, but once you have enough older fruit trees (what IS enough??), ya just bring your excess to the potlucks, so that reduces Royalls food bill!
I have curbed my plant buying addiction to having to dig the holes PRIOR to going to the big plant sales...and then only buying plants for the holes....but it can still add up.... they are soooo pretty!
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - Seeb - 08-14-2011
Electricity cost 5x more than the mainland
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - dayna - 08-14-2011
good thread husband! We don't live on the mainland. We saw that going out to eat is actually cheaper in most parts of puna!
Oh and Royall, I just wanted to add that its refreshing how FRIENDLY everyone has been to us. I'm sincere. Here in Juneau Alaska if you didn't grow up here and go to kindergarten with everyone else you are just not "part of the club". So it's so wonderful to know that hearts extend beyond their kinder groups on the big island.
We can't wait to host our own potluck!!!!!Dayna
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - David Shaw - 08-14-2011
Aloha Steve: add room in the budget for WD-40, Liquid Wrench, rust converter, steel wool, and other such products. All your tools and equipment will rust immediately.
Everything you own will begin to mold and mildew, so will need Lysol, Jo-Max,etc.
Be sure to budget TIME for clearing invasives and unwanted vines, weeds, and plants.
Be prepared to work on infrastructure around and in the home constantly. Dependent upon where you locate, these issues I mention may be more or less prevalent in your particular area.
Best of luck for your new Hawaii venture.
-dwajs
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - terracore - 08-14-2011
Funny all the posts about humidity and mold! SE Alaska is a temperate rain forest- if it's not raining, it's snowing. The only time it's dry is when it's too cold to snow.
Basically, we're moving from a cool expensive rain forest to a warm, slightly less expensive rain forest.
These posts are great. thanks! Keep 'em coming.
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - csgray - 08-14-2011
Unless you are the rare Puna resident who lives and drives on all paved roads expect to be steadily bled of cash for car repairs (major and minor) due to the poor condition of most subdivision roads. Tires, shocks, and struts all take a beating, and all those cheap little tiny plastic parts seem to just shake loose and fall off! I thought the gravel road I grew up on was bad, but Puna has "roads" that barely qualify for the label.
Beware other drivers too, between us my husband and I got hit three different times in our first year here: 2 careless residents rear ended each of us, and a thoroughly lost and confused tourist slammed into my car by Verna's in Hilo. The woman who rear ended me got out of her car and just screamed at me because I didn't run the red light!
Carol
RE: budget.... what do you spend your money on? - PaulW - 08-14-2011
"but didn't realize I'd have to buy a few hundred pounds of ice melt each year"
What is "ice melt"? Have I been missing out on something??