In 2020, I was living with my boyfriend in Austin. As a native Hawaiian, the Texas life proved to be cheaper than island living — from groceries to gas. Plus, having a partner to split bills with gave me more dollars to put toward graduate school.
But the relationship suddenly ended, and I was engulfed with the emotional toll of navigating heartbreak on top of online coursework, a full-time job, and the effects of a pandemic.
I wanted to go back home to Hawaii but felt overwhelmed by the logistics of closing the distance. Eventually, I got my finances in order and made it back on Hawaiian soil right before the holidays. One month later, I graduated with my Master’s.
But I didn’t feel much sense of accomplishment. I had just turned 28 and felt discouraged; I was broke, unemployed, and living with my parents.
Knowing that I wanted to be in Hawaii long term, I had to convince myself that Mom and Dad’s rent-free and utilities-abundant abode was where I needed to be for a fresh start.
The price of paradise
Hawaii is known for being ridiculously expensive. Prices have gone up so much that residents pay significantly more than the national average just to survive. This includes skyrocketing grocery and housing costs, layered with limited salary growth and job opportunities.
I remember when I first moved to Texas and had my jaw on the floor when I saw a three-dozen pack of eggs at a $5.50 price tag. Just one dozen eggs in Hawaii can cost around $10.
In 2020, a $93,000 salary for someone living on Oahu was considered “low income.” The national average income for a full-timer at that time? $48,672.
If I wanted to call Hawaii home for the foreseeable future, I knew I had to make some financial changes.
Living with my parents helped me finally plan for a future
The US financial system can be difficult to grasp. People with specific cultural beliefs or whose first language isn’t English will likely have greater barriers to financial literacy.
I’m a first-generation American. Growing up in my immigrant household, personal finance wasn’t a main topic of conversation. Admittedly, when I started college, I didn’t understand how credit worked or the general importance of savings. It wasn’t top of mind until I started working and unearthed some financial trauma I didn’t know I had.
I’ve also observed a cultural difference in the idea of living at home well into adulthood. While it’s stigmatized in American culture, it’s normal for an immigrant household to be multigenerational.
Thanks to this cultural norm, I realized I could live at home while working on my financial literacy. This realiztion helped me save a lot of money and better my financial situation — all while living in one of the most beautiful places in the world. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.
I’m finally looking ahead
Nearly four years and three jobs later, living at home proved to be the right financial choice for me.
I spent countless hours teaching myself about personal finance. I now have a full emergency fund. I finally feel prepared to start investing. Although I’m a bit late to the game, I’m happy that I still get to play.
My next goal: a down payment. To achieve this, I plan to land roles that will increase my pay as I grow my skillset. It’s a climb, but I know I’ll get there.
This journey was not all sunshine and rainbows, but Hawaii has always been the dream. I see myself settling down here and possibly making a family one day.
I’ve accepted that costs will likely continue to increase, and so must my discipline. If Hawaii is my future, I’ll make a point to invest in stocks and good sunglasses.
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