Budget Update: June 2022 – Renovation is Over!
Welcome to another edition of my monthly budget updates, where I break down my expenses by category and share the highlights and lowlights of the month.
So how was your June? Was it good, bad or meh?
My June was consumed by moving process. Now that our home renovation process is over, we could finally:
- buy remaining items we need, and
- install water filter and bidets, and
- hire movers/ arrange delivery, and
- declutter and pack all of our stuff.
So far, the calculations show that we will spend roughly RM58k all in all to transform our 678sqf bare unit into a livable space. Of that, RM34k is for renovations and RM25k is for furniture and appliances.
I’m aware that I’m throwing around all these big numbers, some of you must be going like holy shit RM58k???
Perhaps I’m desensitised to it by now, but for those of you who are unaware of home renovation costs, yes it does cost that much. I even know people who spent 6-figures just for renovations ON TOP of the house cost. (Comparatively, this figure makes mine look downright affordable.)
Some of you have asked, so I’ll do a breakdown post on exactly what we spent on and where. Look forward to it 🙂 For now, let’s get on to the budget part.
Budget Update: June 2022
In June 2022, I spent RM15,350.09. The top 3 top expenses were:
- Home Reno + Deco (RM8,492.54) – Paid the final renovation instalment in lumpsum, plus monthly EPP
- Utilities & Rent (RM12,548.69) – Half mortgage and extra one month more in rent
- Social (RM931.81) – Brother and BIL birthday lunch and AFS meetup
Cumulatively, the top 3 expenses make up 80% of my total June 2022 expenses. (My belief is, if you want to save money, always trim from the top 3 expenses rather than cut out a few ringgits from other already-low expenses)
My Spending Breakdown in June 2022
Here’s what I spent on in the whole month of June 2022, in their respective categories and from highest to lowest amount:
Yay of the Month:
#1 – House renovation finally done!!
Due to several factors, our home renovation process was delayed* by a few months but it’s finally done! We got the keys to our new home and it is BEAUTIFUL. The Makeover Guys / EasyHome people did a great job.
*Not the Makeover Guys’ fault. They were efficient actually, I’m satisfied with the service. The delay is due to condo’s defect check repair process
#2 – Earned 5-figures from affiliate marketing
It’s going to take some time before I get the money but yeah. Income-wise, June 2022 was a good month for me. I’m on track to reach my annual income goal.
#3 – Enjoyed social activities
Had fun meeting up with people I haven’t met in *years*. At RM930, this translates to higher social activities cost for the month but meh, it’s worth it 🙂
#4 – Sold items
Sold my nikah dress and an office chair. Minus delivery fees, I made RM213.
I still have a bunch of books and misc items to sell/donate. Hopefully can make a couple hundred more 🙂
#5 – Appeared on..
#1 – Booktalk at Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur 2022
Thanks Iman Publications for inviting me along with Enam Angka Menjelang Dua Puluh Lima author Financial Gory at panel session during Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur 2022.
I’m working on something with them. Stay tuned 🙂
#2 – ALAMAK, TAK CUKUP DUIT! (Cara Bina Cash Flow Keluarga) | Adlil Rajiah + Suraya Zainudin
Technically this happened in July (1st) but close enough. Collaborated with Adlil Rajiah, my high school friend and author of the popular parenting book ‘Why So Serious, Parents?’. Watch the full video below:
#6 – Misc
Read:
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- Wonderland: How Play Made The Modern World by Steven Johnson
Watched:
- Basic human rights taken away by governments all over the world hahaha eff everything
Bought for myself:
- Books
- Preloved dress from Carousell
- Containers from thrift store
Nay of the Month:
#1 – Website technical issues
Paid to fix some technical issues for the wesbite. Originally quoted a few hundred ringgit, but I was so happy I paid RM500.
#2 – Paid one *more* month of rent
Every month delayed to move into new place means I paid extra RM1200 per month in rent. This is in ADDITION to the mortgage we have started paying.
Tbh I could have saved at least RM3000 if home renovation had been completed on time but let bygones be bygones, I’m not going to let this ruin my mood.
Things to Look Forward to:
- Settling into new place 🙂
Well, that was my June 2022. How was yours? What’s your yay of the month, nay of the month, and something you’re looking forward to? Tell me in the comments section 🙂
—
To read about my past monthly budget update, click here. Graphs are taken from my expense-tracking app Money Lover (find out your budgeting style)
congrats on your new house!!!
Thanks Shamini!