Where to start re: Moving out...??
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Topic: Where to start re: Moving out...??
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Subject: Where to start re: Moving out...??
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 12:58pm
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Right, we are moving out. The sooner, the better. I need my space and thats all I will say on the matter. It's time, Lucas is coming up 15 months - I CAN do this!
I need help- a plan of action. I have no idea where I am suppose to start. I need to write a list of the things we will need... I don't know where to start looking for places...what I am looking for? How the whole rent/bond thing works in general...How does WINZ come into this? (I've only ever boarded with my family and a friends family prior to bub coming along) The car I drive, it's in Dad's name but I've paid for it but still have around 2 grand to pay off (he divides my board up and some of it goes towards the car each week). It was 13 grand when I bought it, I paid 9 grand (money I had saved), he put the rest in. So when we sell it I should at least get 8 grand back for another car. I am going to ring and book my full licence asap so insurance for a new car will be cheaper. I will also need to go to WINZ and get all the info I need. I won't elaborate too much, but i'd really like all the help/advice I can get from you ladies ...I need a plan of action. I'm really scared, but I have told myself I am going to bite the bullet and just do it. I will feel so much better for it, will be beneficial for both Lucas & I. Time frame I have given myself is 1-1.5 months  ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Replies:
Posted By: MelanieAndBree
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:19pm
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Hmm, ive never lived by myself. I did live with my grandparents from when i was about 7 or 8 months pregnant till Briahna was 5 months and needed to get out of there!
The way i would do it would be i would sort out all the furniture u need. Winz will help in some ways i guess, ive never really gotten much from them, but i know that they will help towards neccessities like washing machine, fridge etc. Winz will definately pay your bond, but you have to pay it back, so if your not too worried about owing them then go for it, i did and they payed out nearly 2grand for mine. But they dont do letting fee's you have to come up with that yourself and thats about 1 weeks rent plus gst. So id try go for private. I would go in and talk to them about it what you need etc, they should help you.
Theres heaps of places on trade me, you can also go to allrealestate.co.nz, realestate.co.nz. Buy they paper every wed and sat. Thats really good cause theres (usually a heap of private rentals in there).
I dont own anything! But my sister did, so i was all good so im not too much help, but i hope i helped at least a weeny bit lol.
We just applied for houses we liked! And then waited on them to get back to us. It was harder though cause we moved to tauranga from auckland. and our stuff was all over the place! (auckland, port waikato, hamilton) so yeah! ------------- Melanie. Mum to Briahna Robyn, 3yrs |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:22pm
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Probably the first thing you'll want to do is go to WINZ and get an idea of what family support (working for families), accommodation, and benefit you'll be up for, and also whether you could be eligible for a Housing NZ house too. Do you own all of yours and Lucas' clothes, beds, bedding, dressers etc? If you don't have dressers, go get some big plastic tubs or a plastic set of drawers etc (Warehouse and plastic shops have heaps) and start out with that. All the best, I'm sure this will be a great move for you and your boy -------------  |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:45pm
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Ok, so from someone that has been a single mum and lived by herself,.
Firstly,you are over 18, and a single mum so you are eligible for domestic purposes benefit (DPB) , once you are working a certain number of hours you are eligible for working for families (but thats a little way off, so never mind) Under the DPB you are entitled to accomadation supplement, on top of your weekly benefit, and like Mel said they pay your bond, when you pay it back you can pay it back however much you chose,eg $5 a week I think DPB for a sole parent is around $263 per week, then on top of that the accomadation supplement which varies depending where you live. You are also eligible for furniture grants, and $300 grocery allowance per year, plus $300 dental treatment a year. If you ever borrow money off winz for something, you just pay it back whatever amount you can afford from your benefit perweek . Goodluck ! |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:45pm
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Busymum we do have quite a bit of stuff to our name. I own my queen bed, chest of drawers, bedside cabinet, several nice bookcases ...his cot ...I have a coffee table even (but no lounge suite - LOL go figure) ...I have a huge screen television/cabinet/dvd/stereosystem which I bought when I was working full time and living with my friends' family ...I went out and splurged when I was 17, all my hard earned cash did actually go into quite a bit (my tv & all my nice bedroom furniture) so I'm not completely destitute ...AND I have a laptop ...and I'm proud to say I put the rest of my savings towards my car & setting up for Lucas ...now it's just the whiteware (fridge, washing machine, drier ...lounge suite ...pots & pans etc etc) that I need. I even have towels and bedding.
That's why I have to write a list lol ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:47pm
| Winz should help with the fridge etc chick |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:48pm
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Thanks Kelly, at least I know I can come to you if I have any awkward questions!
I'm so excited at the thought of getting out on our own. My poor parents though, they will be without a television ...their main TV in the lounge blew up just after I moved back home so my TV is the main one in the lounge now ....suckers. ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 1:50pm
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ah well! sucks to be them!
Yeah of course....and a word of advice chickenwing, while there are some great case managers, there are some slack ones too, who dont really tell you what you are entitled to etc, so make sure you stand up for yourself if you know your eligible for something |
Posted By: MelanieAndBree
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 2:01pm
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With the fridge and stuff i dont think you have to pay that back? Im not sure but i know that the food grant and dental one you dont unless its over $300. Then any extra you gotta pay back.
Yeah some case managers are mean, one guy was like totally judging me cause i went in for a food grant saying why do you need this, your paying too much rent (even though i couldnt find a house any cheaper!) blah blah blah your gonna come back in a months time if you dont sort it out. why did you move here from auckland he was a prick! lol dont mean to scare. some are awesome and tell you everything you are entitled to! there are the odd ones tho, ------------- Melanie. Mum to Briahna Robyn, 3yrs |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 2:06pm
yeah , thats exactly how it works, up to $300 you don't have to pay back , anything over you pay however much you can afford , a week |
MelanieAndBree wrote:Posted By: Shorty
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 2:08pm
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I am in Auckland and have a friend who fixes Fridges, so can help you find a good cheap one....he is forever trying to flick some off.
Other than that sorry I am not much help. |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 2:10pm
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WINZ tried to tell me I was paying too much rent too... I wanted to bring in a paper and tell them to find me a cheap option!!
You may not need fridge freezer etc, lots of rental properties already have that stuff. Ours came with a fridge/freezer/dishwasher/washing machine etc. In the absence of a drier, I do advise getting a clothes hanger thingy. To set up a power in your name you often need to put a bond in. I think a couple of years ago when I did it it was $200. Phone also I think you have to pay a month's line rental in advance. Check out the Salvation Army/St Vincent de Paul for a couch etc and pots, pans and things. Have you thought about flatting? Or is that not an option? I just know I HATED living by myself. Sometimes I'm driven a little insane by my flatmates but its worth it for the adult contact, sharing my wardrobe with my sis, and splitting phone/power etc. |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 3:23pm
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Can anyone go to winz for the food and dental grant ... that would be a bonus!
I work but cant afford to see the dentist  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 3:38pm
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Kmart does a kitchen starter pack... the stuffs not the best of the best and has things like: dinner set, cutlery, saucepans, chopping board, cooking utensils, glasses, frypan etc.. the basic kitchen stuff. They are about $200 from memory.
I have a spare toaster if you want it... it still works perfectly. It was given to us last year when we moved into our house. Good luck chick, you must be super excited. -------------   
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Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 3:43pm
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Nikki - Flatting is definitely NOT an option for us, I couldn't stand to live with other people ....I'm very much an introvert and prefer to be on my own with Lucas. In regards to adult interaction, I will make sure I get out regularly and join a coffee group/meet other mums.
I just can't wait to be on our own & not have my parents breathing down my back and all the family telling me how to parent MY child! I love them to pieces, but it's gotten to the stage where I have to leave, for the sake of my relationship with them (moreso Dad, I will miss Mum like crazy as she is my best friend ...) .I appreciate them so much, and everything they have done to help out with bub ...but its time to stand on my own two feet & learn to fend for myself. Do you get where I'm coming from? And on the whiteware/appliances and furniture front, I'd prefer to start off with my own things ...so if for some reason, we had to move into another rental home (say if the place was going back on the market) then I wouldn't have to worry about acquiring all these things for the next place. I'd just have to pack up and leave. I don't really mind the idea of having to pay something back to WINZ every week in order to obtain the stuff, as long as it's in MY name and they for whatever reason, cannot take it back off of me! ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 3:50pm
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I hear you chick, I moved out when I was 17. I love my family, just couldnt live with them.
Dont reckon I would have a coped at all with a kid, my mum is far to knowitallsy and I am way to independant. Good luck hun, if you need any help Im just a PM away (oh and about 45min drive  )-------------
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Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 4:10pm
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Aww Thank You Melnel ------------- Single Mum to a darling wee boy of 3 years :) |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 4:46pm
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Take Fiona up on that stuff she offered you - is one thing I think you should do. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 5:14pm
| it's a real bugger you are in Auck. as I could help you out with some stuff... |
Posted By: popcorn
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 7:06pm
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do you have any kitchen stuff?
I am sure we have some stuff in boxes from when we moved in together you could have, i know there is definitely some coffee cups? they arent wonderful but do the trick, ill have a looksie tomorrow good on you for biting the bullet you will love it! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 7:17pm
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The Warehouse does real cheap crockery sets (plates, bowls, cups), just plain white for like $15! 4 of everything too.
All the best with your plans - exciting!! I will keep an ear out for you for anything anyone may be giving away ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 7:24pm
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Go Steph! You won't regret it!
I was in a pretty similar situation to you except that I owned even less than you if you can believe it! I started out by finding a flat. This is 5 years ago now, but it cost me $250 per week for a two bedroom flat in Mt Albert (close to uni) and it was really secure which was a biggie for me being on my own. The bond was $750 plus a letting fee, WINZ lent me the money for the bond. From memory, my weekly benefit including accomodation supplement worked out at just over $500 a week so after I paid the rent I had $250-odd to pay the bills and groceries etc. That was pre-WFF tho so it should be more these days. In my experience, you're better to rent thru an agency, yes you have to pay a letting fee, but the agency will make sure any repairs etc. get done promptly, whereas if you have a private landlord there can be a lot more mucking around (and if they're anything like mine they'll do anything to cut costs )
I second what someone else said about the kitchen starter set, I got mine at the WareWhare for about $100, yes it's pretty crappy stuff but it included 3 pots, kitchen utensils, 2 frying pans etc. I also got a dinner set starter kit which was about $60 for dinner plates, bread and butter plates, bowls, cutlery, mugs and glasses, so all up a cheap way to kit out a kitchen. Amazingly enough I *still* have the pots, most of the cutlery and random bits of the dinner set that haven't been broken and they are still going strong. Whiteware - I bought a washing machine, dryer and fridge from the T and E, TM would be the modern option tho lol. WINZ will give you a grant to get them but only if you buy from a store and only second hand. They expect you to get 3 quotes for each item and they'll pay the cheapest. Unlike someone else said tho, you DO have to pay this back, it's called a Recoverable Assistance Grant (as opposed to a Special Needs Grant/ Non-recoverable assistance grant for food or emergency medical/dental care). I found it worked better for me to borrow $1000 off my mum, I managed to make that cover washer, dryer and fridge plus all the kitchen stuff whereas if I'd had to used WINZ grants and buy from a store I would have ended up paying more for my whiteware. When it came to actually moving, I did it all in one day. I hired a trailer and we just moved load after load till we had it all in there. I didn't have much furniture but I'm a hoarder (yes, I have OCD!) so I had boxes and boxes of just stuff. Lounge suite I got from a friend of a friend, it was crappy quality second hand but for $200 it was fine with a cover over it and lasted till we moved in here 4 years later and could afford to buy a decent one. I'd definitely take Fiona up on her offer re: the lounge suite coz they are expensive. I didn't even have a TV etc, my uncle gave me a tiny 12" which now lives in our bedroom, I replaced it with a decent one once I had enough $$$. In fact, that's pretty much what I did with everything, as I had more money I bought new things to replace the second hand ones, I now have a new washer, dryer and fridge plus have bought a spare queen and single bed etc. Like I said, best of luck! I'm happy to help any way I can, and if you need stuff like linen I can have a dig around here, unfortunately having a Willie that works at the tip I don't hang on to surplus furniture etc. so don't have any of that. But go you! You will not regret it! I was on my own with Maya for 18 months and it was the making of me, I learnt to be independent, to budget, to cook decent meals, even to do the 'man' stuff like put the rubbish out and mow the lawns. Oh and one more thing, WINZ will also help out with moving costs if need be (again you have to pay it back) and clothes for Lucas if things get tight. And do use your $300 a year food grant allowance, every little bit helps. They'll probably only give it to you in $75-$100 lots but it comes in handy if you have a week where the car breaks down or Lucas gets sick and you have to pay doctors fees etc. Re: the car - do you have to sell it or can you work out an arrangement with your Dad to pay off the balance at a manageable weekly amount? ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 7:25pm
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PS. Also take into account that utility companies such as phone/power often want the first month in advance and there are often connection fees so the first months bills will be higher than usual. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: popcorn
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 7:29pm
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yeah good point about the phone bond etc, i think the power bond is 100 and the phone is 50 from memory ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 7:56pm
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I think if you agree to direct debit your power account they waive the bond - or is that only for homeowners? ------------- |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 8:00pm
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Do you have a supershed close by? I love that place you can get 10 bits of crockery for $1 10 bits of glass for $1 etc sure its second hand but its a really sheap way to set yourself up. Once you have a bit more money you can then buy nicer stuff to replace it (what we did).
Theres also the emergency benefit of something where you can extra $10 a week for a month or so just to help out if things are tight and you won't always need it. Yay for moving out, its the best being in charge of yourself |
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 9:13pm
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Way to go Steph. I live on my own with the kids and I love it. I set up my house alone and moved in with my then 2 kids and thought I would hate being lonely BUT I was wrong, you cant ever be lonely with kids and OB All the best Hun ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 9:45pm
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Woohoo Steph. You've made the decision now and that's one of the hardest parts.
There's heaps of great advice in previous posts, I'll just add the www.nzpost.co.nz has house moving tips. I wish I was closer, I have a whole garage of accumulated stuff that we need to give away but it'll be cheaper to buy new than pay for the shipping. -------------  
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 02 June 2008 at 4:03pm
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Mercury didn't charge me a bond when I signed up with them, not sure why coz they did when I lived in a flat previously, and I don't think Telecom did either but Telecom are buggers, they have a fee for everything ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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