We're newlyweds who "eloped" (sort of) -- hence, no gift registry or anything -- and will be moving to a new city for three years while I attend grad school. My partner recently finished up grad school and will be looking for a job (assume average US income once landing a job). We've got some money saved up, enough to relocate, and our parents generously paid our first six months' rent as a wedding gift. However, I'm still a student, so we're still very much in the "student" mentality, trying to be extra conscious of our purchases. My loans will be manageable once I start working, but that's a few years away. I'll be seeking to pay off the accruing interest each month I'm in school.
Since we'll only be in this city for three years while I finish up school, but thereafter living in the US for at least 5 years, a big question is: Should we buy things with the idea in mind that they're "disposable" (i.e., only need to last us 3 years before we move to another city) and therefore be as cheap as we can, or should we buy things with the idea of moving them with us to our next city in the US (i.e., higher-quality, will last longer, but more expensive now)?
We are moving from another country, so we are not relocating any of our furniture or other really "big-ticket" items, mainly just clothes and books.
On Craigslist, Facebook, and all the online marketplaces, I see people offering items that they're selling because they're preparing to move to another city within the US. Is this really the more frugal approach, or does it make more sense to bite the bullet, pay more now, and have items (like a mattress) that are higher quality and will last longer?
Thanks!
August 07, 2017 at 02:24AM
