Moving Day

Boxes galore, and my bike to the right

No, my website isn’t going anywhere. I plan on staying here, at home, for a long time.

I am, however, moving this Saturday, August 27 into a smaller apartment. I have decided that this is necessary for a few different reasons. I currently live in a three-bedroom ~1,200 square foot apartment with my girlfriend and her child. It’s a really beautiful apartment, and the complex has a beautiful pool and a fully stocked gym. It’s gated and very private. It is also expensive, unfortunately, at $1,220 plus water. My girlfriend and I both decided that this is too much money to pay for an apartment that simply provides shelter and is not an appreciating asset.

The new apartment is a 1,025 square foot two-bedroom apartment that sits right outside a major bus stop. I take the bus to/from work as my readers know, so being located right in front of the bus stop is a major benefit. The rent at this new apartment is much lower at $900 plus water. This is going to save me ~$150 a month, which will likely bring my total expenses down to approximately $1,000 a month. That is simply wonderful. The downsides are the facts that it is not gated, the gym is very small and the pool isn’t as nice. I think I’ll live!

More boxes!!!

This move is just one more step in my efforts to live in more frugal ways. I’ve already cut cable, eliminated an expensive cell phone plan, sold my car and bought a bicycle, AND took a free vacation…and that was all just in 2011! That’s a lot of changes for one year. Moving into a cheaper apartment that’s closer to public transportation was simply a no-brainer at this point. It was next in line, and the only thing that kept me from doing this earlier in the year was the fact that I was locked into a lease that didn’t expire until the end of August of this year.

I’m extremely excited about this move. It’s just a natural progression for me and this is going to pay me dividends over the next year. By saving ~$150 per month I’ll need a significantly smaller portfolio to pay for my expenses every month.

Based on a 3% entry yield, it would take a $60,000 investment to pay that difference every month!

I love needing $60k less to retire with. It feels great to need less money every month for wasteful expenses, with which I can invest the difference. It’s with that difference that I’ll accelerate my savings and reach my goals even faster. And because I need $60k less now, the finish line has just been moved closer!

Thanks to everyone out there for all the support. I really appreciate. I’ll keep everyone updated on how the move goes. The only drawback to the move is moving expenses. We’ll have to hire a moving company for the first time in my life, due to the fact that we have a washer/dryer and larger items like couches and a bed. The rent savings will more than make up for this, however. My girlfriend has been extremely supportive through this process and was actually quite keen on downsizing into a smaller/cheaper apartment with less amenities.

We’ll see how it goes!

Thanks for reading.

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9 Comments

  1. Just curious, since it is obvious you split some expenses with your girlfriend, is she also investing a large chunk of her income separately?

    How on board is she with the frugality and extreme saving?

  2. Anonymous,

    We don’t really have any “shared” expenses other than rent. For the most part we each make our own money and spend our own money. What she does or doesn’t do with her money is really none of my business. I don’t really get involved. She doesn’t have a desire to retire early like I do, but she is extremely supportive of my ideas.

    On that note, she is also pretty frugal. For example, her vehicle’s timing belt broke and blew the engine right around the time I decided to go car-free. She seen how fabulously I was getting along and decided to go without a car as well. She was planning on purchasing a replacement vehicle. Now, she loves living without a car and the expenses it brings. She’s definitely on board for the most part.

    Take care, and thanks for stopping in!

  3. Partisan,

    Thanks! I appreciate it.

    Oh, I know. I strive for balance. Spending money doesn’t necessarily equate to having fun, but it’s definitely not fun to nitpick every penny either! OTOH, I’m really looking forward to the day my total expenses can drop below $1K.

    Take care!

  4. DM,

    You never cease to amaze me and have kept me inspired. I’m wondering if your going to start making your clothes next…Lol. I’m also digging your bike, kinda old school looking.

    I am about to take two major cost savings measures. When I purchased my business 3.5 years ago I kept an employee that I did not need because my wife can do the work. I’ve paid her for 3.5 years, but I can no longer afford to lose that money. That’s a savings of $24k a year. I am also refinancing a business loan to a lower interest rate that is going to save me $1800 a month. Total savings is $45,600 a year. That money goes directly back into my pocket.

    Looking forward to your next post. Enjoy the new apartment!

    Income Pirate

  5. Pirate,

    Haha! I doubt I’ll be making my own clothes anytime soon. That’s funny.

    That’s great news for you on the cost savings! Just think of what you can do with that extra money. That’s going to really amplify your progress.

    Thanks for the well wishes. I hope everything works out for the best for you as well!

    Take care.

  6. Mantra,

    I don’t know if you’ve mentioned this in your blog, but do you ever plan to buy a home?

    I hope your move goes well!

  7. Anonymous,

    I will likely never buy a home. I really like flexibility and my choice to retire early will make me geographically independent. I don’t know if I’d like to tie myself down to one spot for a long period of time if I don’t need to live there for work. One idea that strikes me as fun is retiring out of the country where the dollar goes further. Also, I like the idea of living in different cities every couple years to really experience life. We’ll see.

    Take care!

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