Halal in Canberra

Coming to Australia, I've not been too fussy with those halal logos that you can easily spot on most of the items in Singapore or even the hawker centers or food court.

Just have a $1 woolworths/coles bread and get a spread. Their Maggi is a little different but you can have Indomie which is an Indonesian brand and its halal. There's some asian stall near Canberra Centre which sell the Maggi that Singaporeans are used to, but there's only Maggi Curry/Kari. Please do your due diligence and watchout for some sale item and inspect the expiry date. I've bought a 3 for $5 nescafe and turned out to be few months expired. But still, these types of sale will help you save some bucks, especially if you are a backpacker.

There's only 5 stores that I've eaten at so far, Papparich  , Turkish halal pide , Mr Zee and Kingsley Chicken which have their halal logo either on website or on site. There's one more Taste a curry, in Queanbeyan. The stall serve halal meat, at first I went in and the owner said he was muslim but on the next visit, I ask where's the nearest mosque and he couldn't answer...So its a little dodgy. 

Just trust your guts, but I decided not to go the places which I'm not comfortable with anymore. Most of the items/brands that you see in Singapore that have halal logos, does not over here. So do your own checks...

1 month in Australia

Nearly a month in Australia (Queanbeyan, NSW) on a working holiday visa 462 from Singapore

Truth be told,

Its not as easy as it seems when you read other people's blog, Facebook post or even a Youtube videos which they are saving AUD $15,000 - $20,000 (10 - 20 Gorillas) for a period of 3,5 or 6 months.

Food, drinks, accommodation etc are not as cheap. When you think that you got a minimum wage of AUD $19/hour will get you through. Think again. 

Let's break it down for you. 

Eating out will cost you roughly about $15-$20 per plate. If you choose fast food probably will cost you lesser estimated about $11-$15.

Renting a bedroom will cost you about $180-250 per week all inclusive, electricity/internet etc (if you are lucky to get all in cost, if not you will have to recalculate your finances)

Cigarettes or roll your own tabacco will cost you at least $20 per box of 20s or 15g. 

Bus, from Canberra ACT to Queanbeyan NSW cost $4.90 each way.

I'm considered lucky to land a job without interviews or skills/experience way before I landed in Australia. YHA hostel was my first 8 days of accommodation then to Airbnb for a 13 days as it was not easy to find a accommodation straight away then moved again to an ensuite which I made a deal through an Airbnb host for all in cost and just 2 weeks bond.

Even though I am earning quite alright at 46 hrs per week, just put it at 950 per week after taxes of 15%. But soon after deduction of rental at $250, I'm left with just $700. I need to either pick up more work or move to a cheaper accommodation. I've bought my own rice cooker and cooking needs to save more. But unless I can just live off Coles/Woolies bread at $1 every half a week, I guess it quite difficult to achieve that amount in that short time period with just 1 job. 

Some tips and advise, don't buy a bus card if you are moving states unless you fully utilize it before your move. Talk to anyone and everyone if you've got the chance. You don't know unless you've tried.