Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
As I've said in other threads, I kept record of all of my expenses while I lived in Hawaii. Since cost of living is obviously a main concern with relocating to Oahu, I decided to take the average of my expenses for the time that I lived there. This is for the period from November 2007 through July 2009. It includes myself and my 2 dogs. I also lived in 3 different apartments during that timeframe (Liliha, Kapahulu, and Moiiliili), so some months had extensive rent payments for security deposits, etc. Feel free to ask me any specific questions or if you need me to elaborate on anything. I hope this helps!
Average monthly costs:
Rent: $981.79
Electricity: $50.06
Cable/Internet: $52.15
Cell phone: $75.18
Car insurance: $85.10
Gas: $49.85
Dog supplies: $67.24
Dog vet bills: $47.15
Dog boarding: $56.89
Groceries: $355.51
Gym membership: $49.78
Misc: $320.58
Other non-Hawaii related expenses -
Student loan payments: $628.32
Credit card payments: $233.41
Holy smokes, $628/month for student loan payments .
See student loans on the news all the time recently but didn't realize the burden can be that high.
Envious of what you paid for electric back in the day - a lot higher now but has come off the highs of a few months ago.
I wish my student loan payments were still that low. Back then, I had done a graduated repayment program that started them out lower... I now pay almost $850 per month in student loans My parents refused to help me with college, so I now won't be able to buy a house until I'm married or in my 40s.
The cost of electricity came up on here not too long ago. As you can tell by the average, I was able to get my electricity down below $50 per month some of the time. But then again, I did split with a roommate for a year, so alot of those costs were cut in half.
Mortgage (1 bedroom condo in Kaneohe): $1,040.00
Maintenance Fee: $246.00
Electricity: $75.00
Cell Phone: Company pays for it
Gas: Company pays for it
Car Insurance: Company pays for it
Groceries: $250 or so (doesn't include eating out, which is a couple times a month depending if I'm involved with a girl)
I wish my student loan payments were still that low. Back then, I had done a graduated repayment program that started them out lower... I now pay almost $850 per month in student loans My parents refused to help me with college, so I now won't be able to buy a house until I'm married or in my 40s.
I truly feel for those with massive student loan payments. A young person is told that w/o a degree they can't get ahead and yet the cost of said degree will prevent them from buying a home (the first step in building wealth) starting a family or pursuing advanced degrees. Something is funky with our system that allows non-citizens to get full scholarships and lets the disappearing middle class student left with the choice of a life time of indebtedness or a blue collar job.
My blood boils when I see @ UH the entire mens and womens tennis team consists of former professionals from the EU. Really? There's not ANY ranking US players that want a full ride, 5 yr scholarship? Not to mention that most the EU players leave after a year or two.
I truly feel for those with massive student loan payments. A young person is told that w/o a degree they can't get ahead and yet the cost of said degree will prevent them from buying a home (the first step in building wealth) starting a family or pursuing advanced degrees. Something is funky with our system that allows non-citizens to get full scholarships and lets the disappearing middle class student left with the choice of a life time of indebtedness or a blue collar job.
My blood boils when I see @ UH the entire mens and womens tennis team consists of former professionals from the EU. Really? There's not ANY ranking US players that want a full ride, 5 yr scholarship? Not to mention that most the EU players leave after a year or two.
Yes, yes, and more yes.
To put it into more perspective - my current rent payment for a 2BR in a great area in central NY is $660. My student loan payments are more than my rent.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
.
My parents refused to help me with college, so I now won't be able to buy a house until I'm married or in my 40s. 
