A Target Impossible To Achieve?

I have spoken to several persons regarding Tex and my new home's renovations. Ours is a 3-room flat and yes, the budget for that can afford to be smaller but many were sceptical about the budget we set for ourselves.

$10,000.

All in with furniture, electrical appliances and what-nots.

Too little? We'll see. It's a challenge we are quite entertained by - sourcing the cheapest and most value for money alternative to what the masses think. True, we may not be staying in the house for long hence that affected our budget (can afford to use lousier stuff). BUT, do you really need that 42 inch TV instead of a 32 inch one? Shrugs.

This is a project to see how bare we can live with (and without). This is also a project to see if we can still live comfortably without those things that we thought we couldn't live without. I'm testing my limits as well. Tex proposed last week that we should not have a water heater in the house. I was speechless. If any one needs me, I will be in my bed, face-palming.

But if you think about it, the weather in Singapore does not need you to have a water heater. It's a want VS a need. I want a water heater. I don't need a water heater. This week, he said that we should be able to afford one. Needless to say, I was relieved. However, I also realised by then, that, I think I can live without a water heater. That was surprising. His earlier proposition made me re-think about all the things I thought I couldn't live without. And made me appreciate them more.

This is Version 1 of the house - a budget challenge. We're pretty sure we are gonna renovate the house again in five years' time. That will be a space challenge.

We'll see.

Our Little Hole

I'm very happy to announce that we have just entered yet another phase in our lives - getting a flat!

Our dating/family building sequence is slightly different from the couples in Singapore where they ballot for a flat first before considering marriage. I revise - that was a slightly sweeping statement. They briefly consider marriage before balloting for a flat.

I see balloting or applying for a flat a very serious issue - no room or money for mistakes. Tex is with me on this, hence we did it our way, with him initiating to propose, got registered before we decided to get a flat.

I see it like our little act of defiance against the strict regulations of Singapore government where citizens are so drawn into the movement of getting a house hence the registration of marriage. I don't think our little act can make a difference but it sure makes a difference to our insights and lives and that is enough. As Tex aptly puts it, "Yesterday I was clever so, I thought I could change the world. Today I am wise so, I will change myself."

So yeah, today our proxy has selected a small little hole for us and we are very happy to have finally closed in on one flat for our future! It's a 3-room premium flat, yes I know the popular choice nowadays is the 4-room flat and like much people who have suggested that we should have gotten a 4-room, Tex and I had our little discussions NUMEROUS times and still, we decided on a 3-room flat.

We thank all who have given their two-cents worth and I assure everyone we have seriously considered all your suggestions (hence the internal struggles 3-room or 4-room? TIMES 100 times). We weighed in on all possibilities and options, trust me, we even used up statistics options to help us reach a decision and I believe, this decision will serve us really well in future, in consideration of our lifestyle choices.

To infinity and beyond.