Cost of living, budgeting plan- your inputs please!

[Singaporegal]

I am doing a simple budget for our (hubby, infant son & I) living in HK after moving there in Aug. I was wondering if you guys would be kind to share your opinions or suggestions on how much should be set aside for the following. I don't need in detail figures but just a rough estimation will do. This way, at least we know how much can be put away for savings and such.

1) Rent - our maximum is HKD24,000 for a 3-4br and it better be a good place for that price . Location can be 30 mins commute to Kowloon.
2) Utilities (Electricity,water & gas) - ??
3) Broadband - ??
4) Home phone with an option call overseas - ??
5) TV tax - if any. (In Singapore, I had to pay for it)
6) Cable television - ??
7) Water dispenser - ?? (I am ok will tap water but would prefer mineral water, since I am breastfeeding)
8) Helper services - ?? (Need a nanny for our son since hubby will be working and I will be studying)
9) Mobile phone - ?? (We both have smart phones)
10) Groceries/food - ?? (I love cooking and prefer home cooked food. Am willing to shop at both wet and supermarkets. Mostly wet markets.)

I have posted other questions in this forum. Links are as attached. Hopefully someone else might find it useful as I do.

What do I do first when looking for a place to live?
What do I do first when looking for a place to live?

Moving to Hong Kong in August 2012
Moving to Hong Kong in August 2012

Thank you in advance for your kind advise and time.

[Mat]

1) Rent - our maximum is HKD24,000 for a 3-4br and it better be a good place for that price . Location can be 30 mins commute to Kowloon.
2) Utilities (Electricity,water & gas) - electricity: max 900hkd/2months, min around 400hkd/2 months, water 100hkd/4 months, gas (200/300 HKD/ 2 months)
3) Broadband - 226/month
4) Home phone with an option call overseas - 0 I use Skype or google+
5) TV tax - none
6) Cable television - 150 HKD/month
7) Water dispenser - no idea
8) Helper services - minimum wage for a full time domestic helper is 3500hkd, else a part time helper is paid 50-80hkd/hour
9) Mobile phone - wife iPhone 218hkd/month, my android 238hkd/month
10) Groceries/food - very much depend on u and ur habits, we eat out a lot so for us groceries budget is rather low (below 2000hkd/month)

Thank you in advance for your kind advise and time.

See my answers above.

[Mat]

and for housing, check here, plenty of flats (3 bedders) for 24K or less within 30 minutes of Kowloon:

Centadata.com - Search Result
Centadata.com - Search Result
Centadata.com - Search Result

[pepe77]

8) Helper services - minimum wage for a full time domestic helper is 3500hkd, else a part time helper is paid 50-80hkd/hour.

The current minimum wage is 3,740/month + food allowance of 775hkd (or provide free food)
I know, not a big deal in the total budget, but important to point out so that no one would trust to pay 3500hkd only

[Mat]

yeah sorry was rounding it as I couldn't recall if it was 36XX -

3740 it is then