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#MNINB April Platform Challengers, Aloha Fridays, Bishop Museum, Blaisdell Farmer's Market, Budget, Coco Puffs, Cost of Living, East-West Center, Expenses, Foodland, Hawaii, HECO, Honolulu Museum of Art, Iolani Palace, Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden, Liliha Bakery, Liliha Library, Manapua, Marukai, Nice Day Dim Sum, Oceanic Cable, Paradise, Pau Hana, Reader's Choice, Shave Ice, Shimazu Store, Super Target, TheBus, Times, Writerly Nooks
Aloha Fridays are the time to hang loose and enjoy the bounties of Island life. So while Tuesday I put on my Tourist hat and view Hawaii from the perspective of a visitor. On Fridays, I celebrate Pau Hana (finished work) in the ways of those who call Hawaii home.
Writing Space is coming up on its 4 month anniversary. A few of my posts are search engine favorites. Who knew? My second post ever on this blog was Cooing For Coco Puffs. I surely did not know that someone in Mozambique would be curious enough to Google for Coco Puffs. Someone somewhere does every week. Four months later.
It also never fails that a Writerly Nook and one of the #MNINB Blogroll series makes it in my Reader’s Choice sidebar widget. But the one post that I feel that I fail to meet the Googlers expectation is my How Can You Afford To Live In Hawaii? How Can I Afford Not To? I thought at the time that if people would want to know something more specific, I would be able to respond to their comments. What I have found is that most fellow bloggers understand the value of comments and understand my inviting tone, but the general public is still a bit shy to hit that Leave a Comment button.
Basic Budget
- Rent: $750 (includes water/garbage)
- Electricity $50 (HECO)
- Internet $35 (Oceanic)
- Cell Phone $50 (My portion of Verizon family plan)
- Bus Pass $60 (No need a car. Rental deals for as little as $8/day)
Subtotal: $945
What I don’t have: cable TV, car, Air Conditioning or heat (I don’t even own a fan. My building is built in line with the Trade Winds.)
But I hear milk is $8 a gallon
I have been hearing this one for years. I’m sure somewhere in the state someone regularly pays that much for milk but I have yet to meet them. I guess if you count the times I run across to Liliha Bakery in the middle of the night for a small single serve carton of milk to slosh in my morning coffee and multiplied that half pint to make it a gallon then I could say I have paid a lot for milk. But that isn’t any different from anywhere else. But I haven’t bought milk by the gallon in years. I don’t drink it by the glassful. I don’t eat that much cereal. I don’t slosh that much into my coffee. Heck, I rarely get even a half gallon of milk at a time. When I do, it’s on sale for around $3. I’m more likely to buy a carton of soy milk for $2.
How I actually spend food money
- Every other week I spend $15-$20 at the Blaisdell on local fresh produce. (I need a buddy so I can halve my haul and go weekly. Any takers?)
- Every 3 or 4 months I trek up to SuperTarget and buy $100-$150 worth of staples (pasta, bleach, detergent, frozen wild salmon steaks, frozen chicken breasts, dry beans, pasta…you get the picture)
- Every month I spend another $40 buying sale items and such at a combination of Longs, Foodland, Times, Marukai, and a little Mom & Pop a block and a half down from me.
Subtotal: $120 monthly groceries
Entertainment
Here is where most people blow their budgets. They redefine their entertainment expenditures as other items. People didn’t used to go out to eat but for special occasions. Now they have to be entertained 24/7 from all those cable channel options to phone apps to three meals a day and the run to the coffee shop. That’s not food to fuel the body. That’s boredom eating for entertainment.
My Version of a Hot Friday Night
Today I worked out of Liliha Library. I admit that I ran out of the house with only a cup of coffee and a hard boiled egg this morning. My bad. So I popped in at Nice Day Dim Sum a block a way for a manapua (char siu bao). I was out a buck. I had my filtered water bottle in my bag. No need for a can of soda. My big splurge was stopping in at Shimazu Store for small shave ice ($3.50) I reuse my cone holders. I do this once a month or so unless I have folks I’m showing around. I walked down to Lili’oukalani Botanical Garden to savor in the shade by the waterfall. The cost of my outing was under $5. Most days I don’t spend anything; some days more. But I think that budgeting $5/day for a total of $150 on entertainment is incredibly generous for me.
Recap
- Basics $945
- Food $120
- Entertainment $150
- Grand Total $1215
Obviously there are other costs, insurance, medical, dental, retirement, stationary supplies, and books, to name a few. But that’s what it costs me to go muddling around in my life on a regular basis. It’s what I do any way. I never liked shopping at the mall. I worked for the food industry too long to really enjoy eating out as a way of life.
Three Keys Bear Repeating
For Hawaii to be affordable, you need to know yourself, know Hawaii and thrive on diversity. Otherwise you will overspend as compensation for your discomfort. Most of what I enjoy here is either free or cheap. Most of my excitement comes from the adventures my volunteering brings me. It truly works for me. Only you can say if it would work for you.
I don’t think I could risk trying to go it alone as a professional writer anywhere else. Hawaii is not a deluxe destination for me, but a practical place for me to take a chance on my life’s dream. It also feels like home. Is there something in your life that sounds impractical but is ironically the most practical choice? More questions? Don’t be afraid to ask. Someone else is no doubt thinking the same thing.
Oh, I really enjoyed this post, Lara! I remember, when I first came to your blog and checked the weekdays’ topic, I decided Fri would be my favourite one. No wonder! Hawaii sounds like a fairy-tale far from me, so naturally I am very curious.
I would come.
Hm, yet, I need not tell you (as you know best who visits when and what) that this is the first time I’ve visited the Fri section.
Your account on how much a person would need to make it there is pretty detailed and pretty much to my liking
Please, consider posting infor with regard to how much people make in different jobs and profession, as that would be really interesting, too. If the public cares not, please, know that I care and would love to hear. Maybe we’ll move, after all
Sending sunshine your way (not that you miss it particularly) from the Black Sea-side, yours M.
Most people don’t live like I do, though. For most people the number one reason they cite for moving back to the Mainland is expense. To my mind, it’s a bit like the politicians leaving office to spend more time with family. There is something more to the story. What I see is that most Americans have a difficult time adjusting to Island life. That’s why I warn that it’s not for everyone.
You can live cheaper in other parts of the United States if you are looking for low rent/mortgage. But there are other expenses to those places in the form of heating, cooling, car, gas, etc.
For me at my stage of life, my habits, and my interests, Hawaii is ironically the cheapest place for me to live.
Hey, over there– No, I didn’t see that about the writers’ conference invite! Where is that news–on Facebook? That’s terrific! It’ll be fun, no matter what. DM me and fill me in, please.
Absolutely
Are we living in the same place?
Just kidding. Our big expense is our absolutely horrible maintenance fee (which the board of directors keeps raising), but I agree, life here can be done frugally if you’re smart about it. Shopping for clothes at Ross Dress for Less really helps 
. What always amazes me about Oahu is the number and variety of free or really cheap things to do, especially the wonderful ethnic (and other) festivals (like the Pineapple Festival in Wahiawa, for example). Sure, you CAN spend money there, but you don’t have to, and the entertainment is awesome.
I don’t even want to own a condo in Hawaii. I jointly owned back in my married days. The problem is the building as a whole might not be maintained as well as it should have been in the earlier years. I would rather rent on the cheap and look to buy in the outer Islands.
Ross, The Rack, Goodwill (Kaimuki and Makiki are my favorites), Savers, yard sales. All of the folks who moved here and then decided it wasn’t for them end up liquidating everything to move back to the Mainland. How common is that?! That’s why I caution folks that what works really well for me, might not work at all for them.
Meanwhile, I have to get ready to help out with the festivities tonight at the Bishop.
Happy Aloha Friday!
Hey Lara, Now that is amazing. How do you do it? Of course I’m on Social Security and nothing more, so I live with my daughter. But when I think of it, I live on 760 a month and don’t pay rent! you are frugal. But you know, you are right, there are lots of free things to do here. Just sitting on the beach at the break of dawn drinking coffee is an event for me.
Tomorrow I’m off to the North Shore. Another place I can entertain myself on the cheap. I can look for postcards and be entertained all morning. Hope you enjoyed the museum. We had a nice busy day today and for once I was allowed to do adult tours since all the other docents were gone and there were no student tours that I had to do. All in all it was a great day.
One day we shall both be on the morning side of the mountain and will be able to get together for that cup of coffee.
Karen
PS, do you mind if I re-blog this post?
Absolutely, Karen. And I’m just getting back from the Bishop. The special event was a HUGE hit. What fun. And what better way to spend a Friday night that flirting with folks coming in to see Hawaiian Hall and the Planetarium. They fed us bento and kim chee and we got to schmooze with the staff and volunteers. I signed up for Hawaiian language classes on Sunday. Now that is quite a wonderful free perk. I live a rich life. It’s rich in culture and camaraderie. It’s just not rich in bling. When are we having that coffee?
I just went over to see your re-blog and then I realized that my “Absolutely” could have been taken as an “Absolutely YES” or an “Absolutely NO.” I would be honored if you re-blogged my post.
My idea is being implemented at the Bishop! We are going to start brown bag lunches /potlucks the 1st Tuesdays to bond with other docents, talk story, receive more training, etc. I’m so excited. Castle is feeling a whole lot less lonely these days.
Oh, I’m just not a pot luck person. I hate cooking for one and my finances are more like a bag of chips which I would never bring. But maybe someday when I don’t have to homeschool, take another to and from school I’ll try to remember that. I think they do that on Wednesdays. You should check.
Thanks, I rebloged your post.
I think some of the docents who know each other do something one day. The food isn’t the important thing. Betty and some others are going to combine it with some staff training as well. Fun stuff. The main deal is to get together as docents across the museum campus… not just Hawaii Hall or SAC or Castle.
I have some killer recipes for potluck. I think I’ll be sharing them on these Friday posts. People seem to like my cheap ways combined with the cultural pull ins.
Living in Hawaii is my “someday.” But it’s a dream that seems more realistic after reading this. Thanks, Lori.
Come visit first. LOTS of visits. People’s idea of the Islands is usually not what they experience. But I love being here. “Plenny ono pinoy grindz hea, sistah!” (translation: Lots of delicious Filipino food in Hawaii, Sweetie)
What a great post!! Fascinating, really.
You make Hawaii sound so wonderful! It sounds like the perfect place for a writer and/or photographer. So many beautiful places, where you can sit quietly and create. It sounds like it’d be great for a writer retreat!! (Do you have a spare bed? lol.)
I’m left wondering what the weather is like there, though. You don’t have heat or air? Does it not get really hot or cold there?
Well done, you’ve definitely piqued my interest!
Becca
Hot/Cold depending on where you live. My apartment is small and retro. Suits me just fine. Built before A/C was common on the Mainland much less here in Hawaii. The builder knew to think about aligning it to the Trade Winds. We’ve lost a lot of that common sense.
As a kid, we didn’t have A/C on the farm. But I would take hikes with my grandma in the woods along the bluffs and streams which were naturally cool.
No spare bedroom. Space and shopping is more European than American. They now have the larger homes out Ewa side, but they come with HUGE water and electric bills. Their utilities most likely are the same as my rent.
This is great Lori. I think it’s to break down costs occasionally and see where one’s money’s going. When I bought the house one year ago July I had to take a very critical look at the reality of living in Vancouver, working freelance, with a child in university. I think there are several similarities with Hawaii. Vancouver is a small area stuck between the ocean, inhabitable mountains and the US, so it can get pretty expensive. You’ve reminded me that now, after my first year in this house, it would be a good idea to re-evaluate again.
People keep asking me for specifics, and my previous post “How Can You Afford..” is one of my highest Google search terms. People dream a dream, but I don’t think my life is what they are dreaming of. It suits me just fine, however.
You live in two different countries as well. That has to be challenging!. Ufda! That reminds me I have two post cards I need to post to you. UK or BC?
Reblogged this on kareninhonolulu and commented:
My fellow docent, Lara Britt, at the Museum wrote this blog and felt that a lot of people would be interested to see how life can be grand here in paradise on a tight budget.
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Great post, it inspired me to squeeze my pennies even harder!
You don’t need to. I wish us all the kind of well-deserved success that you are experiencing. The mutual connections keep making this world smaller and smaller…in a very cozy sort of way. I should have guessed that you knew Karen, too.
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Hello – popping in for the first time via the #TALU. Very interesting to see what the costs are for living in Hawaii. Back when I was in college, one of my suite-mates was from Hawaii, and always spoke of how expensive it was. I guess I carried that forward from the 80s thinking it was still the case, but I suppose as with anywhere else, it depends on the area, the times, etc.
Mine is a food blog, but yes, I know what you mean – most of those who leave comments are other bloggers. I haven’t stopped to look yet to decide whether that’s because it’s easier for bloggers to find me, so that’s who stops by, or whether others don’t feel compelled to leave comments. It’s always nice to get feedback.
Hawaii was even cheaper for me in the ’80s. You could rent a room in Manoa back then for only $50/mo. The Bus is now $2.50 if you pay by the ride. Back then it was 25 cents and 10 cents for students. It is more of an attitude change in how to live and how to count your expenses. Life on the Mainland is much more expensive now than in the 80s. Perhaps that’s the biggest change…that and how much we think we need.
Thanks for stopping in. TALU-ho!
I had no idea Hawaii could be so cheap. I thought the housing costs were much higher. Thanks for the info. Visiting from TALU.
Housing costs are huge here, relatively speaking. But a little creativity and out of the box thinking and you have my lifestyle. I couldn’t live cheaper and this well any where else. But I don’t live in the places and do the things most folks would do. Cultural event …my passion… are mostly free and if not ridiculously affordable. Thanks for popping in. TALU-ho!
I enjoyed reading your post! Truly, this is good budget advice for anyone, anywhere! Have never had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii…maybe one day!
Visiting you by way of the TALU! Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Joell. Come visit me any time.