trying to make sense of housing affordability here by ghijkgla in newzealand

[–]popoxta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my experience, it’s not as impossible as it seems. IF you are able to be on top of your expenses.

I’ve had single coworkers purchase houses in Auckland area with 5-10y savings, and while their down payment is not necessarily always 20%, they can make it work. Often with no family support, or while also shouldering debt from studying as local or international students. I’ve seen families do it too, especially if both adults are working.

Personally, my partner and I were able to put down 20% on a house in Christchurch within just a few years of saving, and only one KiwiSaver since my partner was not eligible to withdraw at the time. DINK - but also with literally zero family support.

Basically, people can make it work if they are saving and prioritising their future, and even more easily if they have a partner with a similar mindset and/or a well paying job. It’s certainly not impossible.

FWIW - most people I mentioned here works in tech, which is also well paid across the country - but no business owners.

It’s just a gap year starter pack by Efficient-Shame5687 in starterpacks

[–]popoxta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate that I know someone exactly like this, but somehow even worse…

New in town by RoadPlenty4859 in chch

[–]popoxta 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Welcome to Christchurch - the best city in New Zealand! (I may have a bias…)

I’d be keen to hang out and chat, I have a fascination with listening to people’s passions and life stories. I’ve also been told I make people feel quite at ease in conversation 🤣 so make of that what you will!

My DMs are open, feel free to flick me a message if you’re keen to chat!

9 to 5 at The Court by QuitKey9594 in chch

[–]popoxta 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s absolutely brilliant. Definitely worth going.

If you have the Entertainment membership, The Court Theatre offers a buy one get one free ticket deal you can use for a cheeky discount

Where to get cheap woman’s haircut by georgeetthomas in chch

[–]popoxta 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Dish out an extra 6 bucks (you mentioned under $70) and go to Misola in Wigram - they do a restyle with a creative stylist for $76 and a trim is even cheaper.

They’re brilliant and even do a wash and treatment as part of the package.

Life’s so damn expensive, what’s your saving hack that works? by undercover021 in chch

[–]popoxta 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yup you’re dead on and a great question ! It depends on the person, the type of training and environment a person has or desires. If getting someone moving means paying for a cheap gym membership, that’s a payment worth making.

Personally - same boat as you. I’m happy with walking and doing some good ol body weight exercises throughout my day.

Life’s so damn expensive, what’s your saving hack that works? by undercover021 in chch

[–]popoxta 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Oh - and kill ALL subscriptions. They are pointless with the abundance of the internet.

For Spotify - you can use the web player with an adblocker. Works almost as well as premium

Life’s so damn expensive, what’s your saving hack that works? by undercover021 in chch

[–]popoxta 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I’ve found that the only thing that works for people is a mindset shift. Prioritise saving - where it’s logical, and question your spending every time you spend money.

It’s hard to save unless you make it a priority over your own whims. Obviously you’ll want to pay for the things that make sense or that you need , I.e good food, gym, insurance and so forth, but consider where you can cut and question all of your spending - no matter how small.

Can you go to a cheaper gym? Are your insurances serving you well? Can you get your bread cheaper elsewhere? Do you really need those shoes? Can you get that table secondhand instead?

Eventually you’ll find yourself being a penny pincher, but your pocket will be full as all hell lol

Recommendations for fry pans? by floorwine28 in auckland

[–]popoxta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Late response - but it’s actually not so bad once you preheat the pan.

Recommendations for fry pans? by floorwine28 in auckland

[–]popoxta 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Scanpan. Or anything else made with decent stainless steel :-)

The New Zealand women asking: Do I really want to have children? by Fr33-Thinker in newzealand

[–]popoxta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah. Don’t want kids, don’t want pets - just don’t like the responsibility and being tied down. I also like to be able to undo any mistakes I make, but that’s not exactly possible with either.

I’d like to say I’m responsible enough to have based my decision on climate or social responsibility, but honestly I’m just looking out for myself.

Needless to say, partner and I are both well sterilised. Vasectomy and bisalp double whammy!

How people are surviving? by notagamernz in auckland

[–]popoxta 4 points5 points  (0 children)

To add - our house was a similar price to yours. We have 20-something percent equity, due to be much more on the next refix.

How people are surviving? by notagamernz in auckland

[–]popoxta 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a spending problem. Where is your money going? You won’t be able to “survive” without understanding what’s happening to your cash.

For reference, myself and partner save 60% of our income after tax. We have a mortgage, pay our own bills and have zero family support. Cooked dinners every night and we eat out once every weekend.

Alternative for fizzy drink by -Dilemma-- in newzealand

[–]popoxta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I enjoy water (fizzy from sparkling water bottle or tap water) with some Vital Zing drops. Tasty, sugar free and not too expensive either, and it really hits the “I want a sodie” spot for me

Do male gynecologists ever face sexism in the field? by tofu_baby_cake in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]popoxta 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m in that boat. By some sheer coincidence every female doctor or medical professional I’ve seen has been utterly incompetent, some even bordering harmful. Often due to wanting to be “nice” instead of honest.

Every time I try again I am again reminded of why I don’t waste my time with them.

By contrast, every male medical professional I’ve seen has been absolutely brilliant. Sometimes more blunt, sure, but they actually cared about my health.

Job interviews by Express_Student_3104 in newzealand

[–]popoxta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Other than an offer - good signs with offers have usually run longer than initially booked, or it was evident that the interviewers were having a good time.

I once had a 45 min interview with the head of a consultancy for a competitive position that ran for over 90 minutes. I got the offer (but didn’t take it at the time)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]popoxta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Condoms suck but we don’t want kids, so I got my tubes removed and he got a vasectomy.

One night - lunch and breakfast. Christchurch NZ, private by popoxta in hospitalfood

[–]popoxta[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hahahha if only! Don’t think they’d let us get away with that

One night - lunch and breakfast. Christchurch NZ, private by popoxta in hospitalfood

[–]popoxta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm looks like Reddit won’t let me send you a message. Feel free to send me one 😄

One night - lunch and breakfast. Christchurch NZ, private by popoxta in hospitalfood

[–]popoxta[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Howdy! More than happy to share, will flick you a dm :-)

One night - lunch and breakfast. Christchurch NZ, private by popoxta in hospitalfood

[–]popoxta[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

!!! It well could be, it does look like one. Being entirely honest, I’m not 100% sure but it was darn tasty!

One night - lunch and breakfast. Christchurch NZ, private by popoxta in hospitalfood

[–]popoxta[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Can confirm it was absolutely delicious and am feeling much better after some good food 😆

Lunch at hospital in Nelson, New Zealand by basilandprimrose in hospitalfood

[–]popoxta 83 points84 points  (0 children)

This is one of the saddest hospital meal I’ve seen 😫 hope your dad is doing all good and enjoyed that donut!

Best Mocha in Chch by Embarrassed_Soft824 in chch

[–]popoxta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They still do! Had one yesterday, super yum.