How the Rental Market Humbled Me 🏠

I finally signed my new rental lease.

And I really want to write about how the rental market humbled me.

This year, I thought I did pretty well.

My recruitment revenue picked up.

I received sponsorships and speaking engagements.

Financially, it's been a great year and I'm thankful 🙏

Until I realised something:

 💡 Even with my increased income, my rental options didn't increase.

They actually reduced.

And I'm frustrated with the economy, and at myself.

Remember how my landlord raised my rent by HK$8k?

My original rent was HK$30k.

It jumped to HK$38k.

So I went viewing.

My family believes this building has "good feng shui"

so I stayed put and viewed 3 other units in the same building:

🔹 2 units, same size as mine — asking HK$38k–40k

🔹 1 unit with an extra storeroom AND a balcony — asking HK$42k

🔹 Plus 1 option two streets down — HK$33k, but smaller and no lift

I viewed all 4.

Two of them got rented out within 3 days. I was speechless 😶

(May I know — is the job market really that good?? I'm on the frontline myself!)

That left me with two choices: the larger unit, or the same-size unit on a lower floor.

I even called 2 more property agents.

They presented me the exact same units I'd already viewed the week before.

That's the moment it hit me:

 ✏️ I thought I had options. I didn't.

The market slapped me right in the face.

In the end, I signed the larger unit, paying HK$12k more per month.

My logic:

if I'm paying HK$8k extra just to maintain my current size...

why not pay HK$4k more and get an extra room AND a balcony?

I love my upcoming new home.

But it takes a real hit on my savings — HK$12k less saved every month going forward.

And there was one moment I asked myself:

"What's the point of working harder and earning HK$8k more a month... when my standard of living stays exactly the same?"

Honestly? That moment, I felt mentally tired. Frustrated.

Because I'm still on the same hamster wheel.... I'm just running faster 🐹

So I made my decision: pay more, and at least feel good in my own home.

(Yes, I know every personal finance book says don't inflate your lifestyle. I'll buy fewer bags and accessories next year instead! 👛)

And I'll hustle harder — at work, and here on LinkedIn 💪

So tell me 👇

Do you feel frustrated with the rental market and inflation too? Has your income actually grown your purchasing power — or are you, like me, just keeping up?

P.S. LinkedIn is launching video monetisation, including in Asia! I haven't been selected yet, but let me try filming some videos anyway 🎥

PS: If you're job hunting today, feel free to check out my guide:

📝 Fixing Your CV & LinkedIn in 1 Day https://lnkd.in/ggNqAK87