How to Move to Chicago
A few facts...
According to Sperling's Best Places, these cities are more expensive than Chicago: San Fran, NYC, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and DC.
Chicago has the highest sales tax in the United States: 9.75% Illinois income tax is 5%, and is now one of the highest in the country, too.
Average price of regular, unleaded gas: $3.65/gal (Nov. 2012).
The best way to find an apartment?
The Reader or Craigslist. You can also try the “free” apartment services. An agent will take you out in his/her car to look for a place. These companies will charge you a finder’s fee of $200-$300 if you take one of the apartments they show you.
Cheap rents and rental advice?
I checked the Reader, where I’ve always found the best deals. Live-able apartments in decent neighborhoods can be found at these rates, heat included:
Studio: $700-$800
1 BRM: $800
2 BRM: $1,250
3 BRM: $1,500
It’s a renter’s market right now, so please negotiate! Many management companies are taking action, reducing $15-$20/mo from the advertised price to further entice a potential tenant. Management companies are also changing their policies regarding security deposits. Some ask for $250-$350 in non-refundable “move-in” fees, instead, which, as it turns out, are ALSO negotiable.
Cheapest safe neighborhoods?
Most common to folks just starting out are Andersonville and Wicker Park. Also try Lincoln Square, Wrigleyville, and Albany Park. Be near a grocery store: Jewel, Dominick’s, Aldi’s.
Transportation?
You’re a performer, student, etc.? Forget your car. We have plenty of trains and buses. Live off the Red or Blue lines and you’ll be fine. The Brown line is safe, but may be inconvenient if you frequently travel after Midnight.
How much money should I save before I move?
I recommend 4 months of your projected
What about jobs?
The unemployment rate in Chicago was 8% for September. No industry has been spared job losses. If you're an artist, try the temp agencies first, then the papers -- Tribune, Sun Times, Reader. I also suggest you walk around your neighborhood and look for businesses that are hiring.
If you're working under a temp agency, you can leave with very little notice should you land something better or more permanent, and that's the advantage. The Larko Group is often advertised in PerformInk. I was a Kelly girl myself for a number of years.
How do I break into the entertainment industry?
That's a post of a different color, but I can tell you that print ads, commercials, and television series are non-existent right now, and feature film shoots are sporadic, even though we renewed our tax incentive. Also, Oprah and Bonnie Hunt left, which means the Chicago job market is swimming in highly qualified television workers.
Other advice?
Get yourself the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago. And read my other posts:
Chase Sapphire for the Win!
This summer, I went to Europe, and the card saved me $759 in airline tickets. See how I paid $1,077 for flights that should've cost $1,836. Today, I booked my flight home to see my parents for Christmas. That flight was $368 on Priceline and also $368 through Chase's rewards site. I paid $220 and used points for the rest, meaning I received another $148 in travel rewards.
All told, I've gotten $907 in airline tickets! Those tickets would've cost $2,204 no matter what. Instead, I paid $1,297.
In the past, I've focused on cash back cards, like AmEx Blue, Charles Schwab, etc., getting $200-$500 per year. And, I could've received $500 cash back from Chase Sapphire as part of the sign up bonus, instead of the travel rewards, and another $118 in cash from my spending. Whether I took the cash or the tickets, I was going to come out ahead by going with Chase's card.
Chase's sign up bonus this year for the Sapphire Preferred is $400 in cash or $500 in travel. Annual fee waived the first year! For me, that would translate to $518 in cash or $807 in tickets. Still worth it! Ah, if only I could do it again...
Advice From Consumer Reports
For the uninitiated, Consumer Reports is a magazine that tests products, all kinds of products, and rates them for quality and value. They also give advice on how to get the most from consumer goods. Their coverage includes cars, appliances, electronics, home & garden, babies & kids, money, food, and health. I consult CR many times a year, and sometimes, my friends ask me to find CR's recommendations for them, too.
An online subscription is $30/yr. So cheap!
Downgraded My Netflix Subscription
The change happened when we started streaming a lot of new content though various free providers. If there's something that isn't available for streaming via Netflix, we can usually find it elsewhere. It's nice to have so much entertainment easily accessible and free!
We do stream though Netflix quite a bit, so we're keeping that. It's $8/mo for unlimited streaming to both our computers, down from $20/mo for the 2-DVD subscription, for a savings of $12/mo. Of course, we can go back to a plan with DVDs anytime, which is one of the many reasons we love Netflix.
See more of my love/hate history with Blockbuster and Netflix:
Netflix Raises Its Fee by 20%!!!
Blockbuster Cutting My Service!
5% Off Spa Packages Thru 10/21
30 Minute Massage Package: Reg. $270 / Sale price $256.50 = $51.30 per treatment
60 Minute Massage Package: Reg. $405 / Sale price $384.75 = $76.95 per treatment
90 Minute Massage Package: Reg. $560 / Sale price $532 = $106.40 per treatment
90 Minute Hot Stone Package or One Day Combination Package: Reg. $607.50 / Sale price $577.12 = $115.43 per treatment
Their masseuses are highly skilled, and their schedulers listen to what you want, and pair you with an appropriate massage therapist. I should know, I've been going to Thousand Waves for over 10 years.
The price is right. It's hard to find an hour massage under $90 these days. Use a 2% cash back card, and the 60 minute massage package falls to $377.05 ($75.41 per massage).
Perks, perks, perks! Every massage entitles you to an hour in the spa baths and relaxation room. I like to take a eucalyptus steam, and then lounge with a magazine and a cup of tea.
To purchase, call them at (773) 549-0700 or stop in to get one in person.
Fourth Anniversary ChicagoCheap Recap
I traveled for cheap using Kayak, credit card rewards, and Mr. Rebates to defer costs. Don't forget to tap into friends and family to help with lodging expenses... and add to the fun!
Have a cheap wedding. See how our wedding only cost $6,096. We were totally happy with the way it came off, and we made a $10,700 profit in cash and gifts to boot!
Save on furnishing and decorating. I'll just link to the category, because there are too many posts to pick just one.
Renegotiate or switch providers. We saved $114 per month on car insurance by switching to Geico. We saved $15/mo renegotiating our internet service with AT&T and $4/mo by downgrading our Netflix subscription.
Make your money work for you. I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa and have already received $759 in benefits! I'm hoping to squeeze out another $100-$200 by the end of the month. That's the most I've EVER made from a credit card. I also get 3% from my rewards checking account.
Hungry for more money-saving tips? See our best ideas in past recaps:
Renegotiated with AT&T
We've been paying $38/mo for AT&T Uverse High Speed Pro Internet. After several outages and MANY service calls this month, I was really frustrated. A little research showed we could get more speed for about $20/mo, but did I want the hassle of switching companies?
Still uncertain, I called to cancel. The representative listened to my sob story, and asked if it would help if she gave us a discount on our service. I considered carefully, and decided to accept the offer.
Our new terms are: one year of service for $23/mo! Yay!
So, try to renegotiate your cable, phone and internet bills. It might really pay off!
Good Interest Rates
A good interest rate is the easiest, legal way to get money for nothing. For years, I had standard checking and savings accounts through Chase. In 2008, I made $2 in interest for the year on those accounts. Then, after some research on BankRate, a website I LOOOVE, I switched to online checking and savings accounts with much better rates. I managed the whole switcheroo from my computer.
In 2009, I made $274 in interest!
Now, I check BankRate once a year to make sure I'm getting a good interest rate. This year, I made $411 in interest with People's United Bank. It’s the easiest $411 I ever made!
Jeans at Ann Taylor Loft
Being size two? Priceless!
The Loft at LaSalle & Washington opens at 7:30 am on weekdays. I went before work, and had the joint to myself! You can find what you need pretty fast when every employee in the store is focused solely on you.
Remember, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft stores frequently have sales offering up to 30% off, and you should check Retailmenot.com for coupons as well. If you don't have a gift card, put the purchase on your rewards credit card for additional savings.
Let us know if you've scored some killer shopping deals.
My 5% Pay Cut Restored, Plus a Raise!
Thus far, I've regained four weeks with Client #2, and added one more on top of that. Also, as of just a few days ago, I learned Client #1, who pays me the highest salary, is restoring the 5% previously lost, giving me an additional 2.5% raise, and adding three weeks (maybe more) to my contract!!!
I expect my 2012 yearly salary to add up $5,000 (approx.) more than 2011, and 2013's salary should be even better.
How about you? Things turning around where you work?