Hello and sorry; forums have been up and down for me here and I've been busily working from home :)
@velocistar237
Those numbers are accurate to within about 2-3 percent. My main hobbies are expanding my comp-sci and other knowledge and then rock climbing and I have everything I need for both of those already. I just happen to have been super carefree with my money in the past :|
Fuel is about 7.8(5.8USD)/gallon here for me.. I'm pretty much a car-clown ATM TBH.. I just happen to not travel very far. I moved in a lot closer to work, grocery shop once a week, and the booze shop is unfortunately right on the way home.. Was right on the way home. Slashing that expensive pretty heavily..
The main reason I'm thinking about selling the car is it's just too much car. I was an idiot and financed 30k at about 10.5(typical in NZ) for four years after 7k down. While I could "afford" the payments I now just see it as a huge opportunity cost. If I can get even 18k for it, I can turn around and do a Jap used import for about 7-8 and bank the rest.. Drop the insurance to liability only..
The main reason I'm considering going car-less completely is in case I find the right opportunity back in the US I won't have to worry about selling.. Hmmm.
@Runningtuff
I'll be honest, I almost blew that recommendation off because you can't really get at the money till 65. I just checked though and found out something very interesting; You can withdraw the money if you move away from NZ "permanently" after one year. As a US citizen that is very easily accomplished for me.. My main concern would be if they changed the laws around that out from under me. It looks like they have changed quite a few over the past decade in regards to savings and superannuation, and not necessarily in the individuals favour.. Thoughts?
For anyone not familiar with Kiwisaver I can contribute and my employer is obliged to match up to 3% of my salary. Sounds great right? Well, usually you can't get anything out until 65 years old, illness, financial hardship, or you're buying your first house to live in :| Not exactly the best early retirement option for most Kiwis, but I guess I might have an easy loophole..
So what am I looking at here short term? Should I just get a vanguard acct and start doing index funds?
P.S. I'm also testing the waters with working from home this week. Will see how my employer gets along, haha :)