How to survive in an expensive city

Life is longer a piece of cake, particularly if you live in one of India's more expensive cities like Mumbai (recently voted the most expensive Indian city to live in).

Most of us stuggle to match our income with our expenses and, many times, it seems like a losing battle.

1. Rent

This is the single most significant cause for heartache in an expensive city. For many of us, there is simply no escaping it. The fact that most working people barely spend a few waking hours at home makes the cost of renting a home seem even more exorbitant.

Here are a few ways to minimise the damage caused:

• Before setting out to rent an apartment, understand your personal needs in terms of space required. In most cases, a studio apartment is just fine for a single person. It provides you with a room and a mini kitchen, and costs just half as much as a one bedroom apartment.
• If you are single, and not keen on this option, look for a conventional one bedroom and hall with a smaller kitchen. Since the amount of time you spend there is minimal, and you will eat out at times, a kitchenette will do just fine.
• Avoid apartments with a dining area. In expensive cities like Mumbai, Delhi and other Indian metros, this is a luxury, and quite dispensable in terms of lodging needs.

2. Conveyance

Conveyance is the silent killer in terms of monthly budgeting in expensive cities.

If unplanned, it can set you back by about Rs 150 a day (that's Rs 4,500 per month or Rs 54,000 per annum). It is important to prioritise your modes of conveyance as per your needs.

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You will be surprised at how much you can save by planning your travel, without compromising much on time and comfort.

• Public transport like local trains or buses should be a preferred option when it comes to getting to work quickly. The advantage of trains is that they follow a fixed time schedule, and have a good frequency.
• Metros and local trains might not be convenient if your home and office are not close to the station. On the other hand, taking an auto or cab daily can prove expensive. In such cases, look up the bus routes that ply to or near your office. Though buses take longer than trains, you get air-conditioned buses in most cities that are quite comfortable. Besides, it lets you catch up with the morning newspaper, continue with that half-finished novel or listen to music.
• Consider car pools if you know of a few people from your locality who travel to your particular location daily. Invariably, since most offices are bunched in only a handful of locations, finding company should not be a problem.
• Do not hesitate to hail a cab or an autorickshaw if you have to travel under three kilometres. It will cost you just around minimum fare; and the convenience, as compared to waiting for a bus or taking the train, is incomparable.
• Be open to using more than one mode of transport for a single journey. Not only does this prove cheaper, it also cuts down on travel time and increases your options of reaching the place.

3. Rent/ travel trade off

Choose an apartment in a locality that minimises travel costs to places you frequent. Keep in mind that conveyance costs are a direct outcome of the location you live in.

So choose a place that keeps the rent + travel costs to a minimum.

4. Entertainment options

Considering the lack of convenient entertainment options in expensive cities, movies, partying, clubs are an inevitability. More often than not, these burn more than a hole in your pocket.

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A little smartness and a wee bit of adjustment will make the entertainment spending seem more than worthwhile.

• Reserve movie plans for morning shows on the weekends. The price difference is quite startling. The same movie on a Saturday evening could cost you anywhere between Rs 200 to Rs 250, whereas most morning shows cost just Rs 60. So, one evening show is the cost equivalent of at least three-four morning shows! And, since there are so many movies worth watching, it's not that hard to figure what's a good deal.
• Avoid weekends for partying or clubbing. Some weekdays usually have free entry or a worthwhile discount on the cover charge. Avoid eating at these place, as the food is priced higher than most restaurants, and isn't worth the price.
• Look out for happy hours when it comes to pubs. Most pubs offer heavy discounts early in the evening, so take to the spirits sooner in the day!
• Catch up with friends over the weekend. It gives you time to unwind after a long week, and also lets you catch up on lost time. Order in when it comes to meals, and keep an eye out for those great pizza offers.

5. Credit cards

Be it the shopping mall, that expensive hotel outing or an evening with friends at a pub joint, we find it easy to whip out our credit cards.

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If you are judicious, you can use credit cards to sort out your short-term money glitches. Here are a few ways in which you can make credit cards your best friends:

• Go for a credit card company that does not charge you any fees. No membership fee when you apply. No annual fee when you renew. These days, many companies offer this as an incentive to battle competition.
• Check your monthly credit card statement with a toothcomb. This will help you to study your spending patterns. If you think they are not what you can afford, change your spending habits. Remember, the next month's statement should reflect these changes.
• Take advantage of the fact that you can instantly access interest-free credit. All credit card companies allow a 52-day credit free period. However, keep in mind as to exactly when you get such a credit free period.
• Buy big-ticket items in such a way that you get a longer credit line. Translation: Make heavy purchases at the start of the billing cycle. Banks generally prepare the bills a couple of days before the bill date. Purchases made at the fag end of the billing cycle or at the immediate start of the next billing cycle will give you a longer credit line. Which means you get more time to pay the bank.

6. Eating out

The necessary sin... good food. In expensive cities, choose multiple inexpensive outings over one lavish dining experience. Choose variety over elaborate single cuisines. Here's how:

• Over a month, split your 'perfect outing' expectations into separate inexpensive outings. Visit a place known just for its good food once; the week after that, focus a little more on the ambience and less on the food. Not only will you have more outings and experiences to recount, but they will also be far richer and significantly inexpensive.
• Frequent food-courts at shopping malls. They are a melting pot of Chinese, Western, Indian cuisine and street food.  And all this at a sub Rs 100 per head tag.
• Do not indulge in cola drinks/ sodas at restaurants. Avoid ice-creams there too, since you needlessly pay a surcharge.
• In case of an excessive order, do not feel embarrassed to ask for the remaining food to be packed. Not only will this save you some money the next day; it will, in all probability, beat your average meal at home hands down.

If you follow these few simple rules, eking out a living in any expensive city would be a cake walk for you.