When one thinks it's easy when it's not...

When I rented the studio, I thought it would be rather easy to get it painted, cleaned and furnished with a few inexpensive items and that I would be done with it fairly quickly.

Not so....

I have already been to IKEA four times before I placed my order online. There are so many little things to take care of. Here is a tally:

- Sign the contract Done!
- Have duplicate keys made Done!
- Get the place painted Done!
- Take cleaning supplies and ladder to the studio
- Get the place cleaned
- Get the motorized shutters fixed
- Make an appointment with Siemens Service for the washing machine Done!
- Have the washing machine serviced
- Find a service company for the air conditioner (I am afraid, it may bee too old and dead)
- Buy a chair and other odds and ends from IKEA Done!
- Prepare the stuff to be moved to the studio

• The spare kitchen table
• Two chairs and cushions
• Kitchenware
• Paper products
• Cleaning supplies
• Cooling Fan
• Tool Box
• Clothing Items
• First Aid Kit and Medicine
• Small sewing kit
• Books waiting to be read:)
• ..............

Oh my...

The Studio Apartment

I had the place painted and it will be cleaned on Saturday. I know that painting and cleaning are generally jobs one can tackle herself/himself but, here in this country it is still cheaper to have someone do it. I will do the cleaning myself from now on but the initial cleaning will be done by a cleaning lady.

I bought a Poang Chair from IKEA last night along with a small table top ironing board which you can hang in the wardrobe, cushions for the two chairs I am planning to move from home to the studio. I have a spare kitchen table that I will be taking to the studio along with a couple of other things.

I already have two vacuum cleaners so, one will definitely go to the new place. I can divide cleaning supplies and paper products between the two apartments without having to buy new stuff. I also have plenty of kitchenware that I can take to the new studio.

Today I ordered a really inexpensive bed frame, a firm mattress, a chest of drawers that I will also use as a nightstand and a small wardrobe from IKEA to be delivered. I will do the assembly myself since I am pretty good in that. There is a really old wall type air conditioner and I am guessing it needs to be serviced if it is working at all.

The washing machine needs to be serviced as well. Luckily all kitchen appliances are the same brand and I will need to call just one service company.

I do not know when IKEA will deliver my order but I am planning to move anything and everything that needs to be moved over the weekend.

This place has an indoor and an outdoor pool so I am really excited but first I need to find out the hygiene habits of the pool goers and the pool maintenance. What is more there is a new park very close to the studio with a good walking/running path. They have even lights out there for later hours and it is safe.

I am looking forward to this new step in life.

Frugal or not...

I am a frugal person and I also like to enjoy life and in my own humble opinion, I am doing a good job balancing the two.

Last year, I accepted a job offer that has significantly increased my income. It was a welcome opportunity with one drawback. I have to cross a bridge in Istanbul's traffic to go to work each day. I am spending way more time either on the road or at work just waiting for the traffic to get lighter.

Initially, I thought about moving close to my work but this area is extremely expensive. I would have to pay a rent twice as much of a rent that I can possibly collect on my own apartment.

I gave up the idea and decided to grin and bear it.

However, lately, I have come to the realization that this is eating way too much time and I have no time to take care of myself. Besides, I started feeling constantly tired lately. This affects my work performance as well.

I decided to consider moving yet again but in a different way. I rented a small studio apartment. This costs way less than moving and renting my place out.

The studio I have rented has a full kitchen plus a washing machine. All I need to do is to get a bed, an armchair, a small wardrobe from IKEA. The cost is way less than moving my whole apartment. Besides, when I am done with these, I am sure we can use these things within the family. Or, I can gift them to someone who needs them. Our office will be in this location until the end of 2017. Before my rent is up, I will know for sure whether we would be staying here for another year or not.

Next week, the studio will be painted and cleaned and I will be able to move by next weekend. The rent period will officially start by August 1.

I am planning to stay close to work during the week and go home for the weekends.

This will save me 4 hours of my life every single day. The monthly cost is around 6 per cent of my total monthly income so, it is not so terrible. I wish, I had thought of this before.