Sunday, July 13, 2014

Money saving tips for those expensive early days

There are many expenses to be met when you first arrive in your expat home. Relocation expert David Hollins offers 10 tips for keeping them in check

Buy second-hand

If you’re moving to a city with a large and well organised expatriate community, for example Tokyo, Jakarta or Sao Paulo, you can often find furniture and appliances through expatriate focused websites. These online communities will have sales when other expatriate families are moving and want to leave behind fairly new items and are a great way of kitting out your home for a fraction of the price.

Check out ‘the next big thing’

In most big cities there are the popular, trendy neighbourhoods and those that are tipped to be the 'next big thing'. For a better deal, consider moving into an up-and-coming neighbourhood. These areas tend to change for the better quickly – it's great to be part of that transition and to say you were there before it was on top.

Keep accommodation costs down

If you’re travelling alone or as a couple, consider sharing a flat or house with other professionals. Your room cost will be significantly lower than renting a whole place, and it only has to be for the short-term while you save. For families, short-term rental agreements are a good way to downsize while hunting for a permanent home. Rental properties that come furnished are another good way of cutting costs, since you won’t need to ship as much over.

Establish the best season

If you have flexibility, look into the peak seasons for moving to your new location and find a time when it is considered a better seasonal market for finding housing, for example the end of the school year. This will help ensure you get more for your money.

Pick the right moving day

Some moving companies may charge more to unload your belongings into your new home on a weekend than a weekday. Be sure to ask if rates vary depending on the day.

Consider your social life

You may think that living outside the city centre will save you money on accommodation, but keep in mind where you plan to socialise. You may spend more on taxis home after an evening out with friends in the city, which can soon add up if you’re on a budget.

Find the freebies

When arriving at your new destination one of the first things you’ll want to do is explore, but scoping out the area doesn’t have to mean paying for expensive tour guides and activities. There’ll be plenty of things to see and do without breaking the bank such as hiring a bike and taking yourself on your own tour, trialing the local gym or exercise class for free or visiting the local museum and learning about the history of your new home. Forums are also a great way of getting tips from other expats nearby, plus they’ll often arrange meet-ups.

Understand taxes

Moving to a new country while you have financial ties to another can be a tax headache and costly if you end up paying tax twice by mistake. Talk to your bank before you leave to advise them of your plans and get expert financial advice. This way you’ll be able to know exactly what the tax requirements are and how they affect you – saving money in the long-run.

Cut down your bills

Say goodbye to expensive phone and TV bills when you move abroad. There are many ways you can keep in touch and up-to-date with all the latest TV shows without adding to your monthly outgoings. Skype, free messenger apps and social media are all great ways of speaking to your loved ones without spending a penny. You needn’t sign up to costly TV packages either because thanks to the likes of BBC and ITV iPlayer you can keep up-to-speed on your favourite dramas and chat shows.

Do your research


The more you get to know your new city, the more efficient you’ll become at managing everyday expenses. It’s typical to spend more during your first year in a new location because you’ll go to the closest supermarket. If you make an effort, you can find the little known or less expensive options like a local market or Chinatown. Read more about Travelling Tokyo

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