I made it to Hawaii about a week ago and it really is a paradise. Coming from korea and then North Carolina where winter was clearly on its way, this is a very nice change of pace. The lowest its been is about 72 at night and the views are spectacular. But I’m not really a happy camper right now. The reason? It’s so expensive out here! I know I shouldn’t complaining, but I have some crazy anxiety right now. I haven’t gotten my first paycheck yet so I dont know how much I will or wont get paid. Trust me I have asked so many people and looked up the information everywhere I could, but I want a definite number. With how expensive it is to live here I want to be able to make my budget down to the penny or at least the quarter. The one non negotiable is my savings rate. In fact I want to be able to increase it. My goal is to continue to sock $2500 away per month. The only problem is (as I stated before) it is so expensive to live here. I dont mind having a small place, in fact I prefer it. Less to furnish, cool, and clean. The issue however, is even the smallest places are expensive. It will cost $1500 per month for 400 sq ft. I’ve looked at a few places and there is nothing that I like so far. I’m not picky, but i want the place to be clean. I don’t like the fact that every place that I’ve seen looks like the next tenet will be its last. throughout my career one thing that has helped me to reach a piece of financial stability is living below my means. I’ve talked about this before and what I do is pretty simple. In the military they give us a housing allowance. While in Hawaii for my rank I will receive $2200 per month. That’s a ton of money, BUT I need to make that money cover rent, utilities, gas, insurance and a phone bill. That’s where things get tough. I was able to mange it while I was stationed in Korea and the last 8 months I was stationed in Virginia. I am determined to do it here also. I have come to the conclusion that I need my rent to be equal to or less than $1700. In Hawaii that’s cheap. As soon as I think I have found something, I take a look at it and it’s almost completely trash. Maybe I am picky. I just like things to be clean. There is also the added pressure of my family telling me how much they want to visit ( the island not me) so I should be looking for an extra bedroom. Honestly I was trying to do that, but after breaking down my budget I realized spending the extra money wouldn’t work for my lifestyle. It would be great for there’s, but not for mine. When it comes to your money you have to be the one to spend it. You cant let others spend it for you, because trust me they will. So I am on the hunt for a clean small one bedroom place that will hold me over for the next three years while I am here. The most important thing to me is maintaining my ability to reach my 7th figure in the next 14 years.