Income and Family Finances
I am a photographer and consider my income in this field to be average. My husband works as a regional director, having started his career as a sales manager. His income is also average and is about 500 thousand tenge per month. However, my income is unstable, as it depends on the season. It is currently off-season, and I earn about 300-400 thousand tenge from photography and selling jewelry.
Home Purchase and Mortgage Obligations
We recently purchased our own home with a mortgage. My father-in-law has been saving up the down payment for the apartment since my husband's school years. The mortgage eats up about 30% of our family budget, which is noticeable, but it is a necessity.
Life in Astana: price features and everyday expenses
Compared to other cities, such as Semipalatinsk, where I grew up, prices in Astana and Semey are about the same. In Almaty, the cost of living is significantly higher. Prices in Astana are considered average, but buying real estate for cash is rare. You almost always have to take out a mortgage, since few can afford to pay for housing in full.
In everyday expenses, we spend about 4-5 thousand tenge per day on food such as bread, milk, vegetables and fruits. Food prices in Astana have jumped significantly – and perhaps this is due to the fact that we now live separately from our parents.
Housing difficulties and unexpected expenses
We encountered difficulties when we once made an unsuccessful investment in a house that turned out to be a long-term construction project. We have been waiting for the keys to the apartment for two and a half years now, which, of course, adds stress and additional costs to us.
Utility and transportation costs
Since we recently moved to a new apartment, the amount for utilities was about 25 thousand tenge, and we pay about 12 thousand tenge for the Internet. Transportation costs also have their own peculiarities. If the car is free, I use my personal car, but during rush hour I often choose public transport. Gasoline costs about 50 thousand tenge per month, and taxis – about 70 thousand.
Children's expenses and family health
We have a daughter who goes to a state kindergarten. We pay 30 thousand tenge a month for it. It is quite an affordable price, including additional clubs. She also does dancing, for which we pay 25 thousand tenge; and swimming – 50 thousand tenge.
Medical expenses are a separate item. We go to state clinics for routine consultations, but we have to look for specialists in private institutions. When my husband had pneumonia and my daughter had a cold, about 50% of the budget went to medical services.
Personal expenses for recreation and leisure
As a freelancer, I often go to cafes. In the end, it comes to 100-150 thousand tenge per month for cafes, cinema and gym. A gym membership costs 35 thousand tenge, and going to the cinema costs us 10 thousand for two or three visits per month.