Relocation Package for a Single Mom

I read some posting in the forum; I'm hoping to get some advice on negotiating my relocation package and just about moving.


About me:

I’m a purchasing manager, 31 years old, a single mom with a 4 years old girl, Cantonese, but grew up in the US since 8 yrs old. Just hard working and do the best I can to provide for my kid. She is my everything~


1. Relocation Package offer by my company:

*Salary: HKD $58,000/month

*COLA difference Pay: HKD$6200/month

That would give me total pay about = HKD $64,200/month


All the following are direct reimbursements, which I can’t freely arrange what I want to spend:

*Housing Allowance HKD$45,000/month

*Utilities HKD$2200/month

*International School for my kid HKD$11,000/month

*Insurance Benefits: (Will be Included just not sure what’s the amount in HK)


Package also includes the following one time:

House Hunting Trip: Not to excess $8,000 USD

Shipment of Household Goods: $5,000 USD

Relocation Expense: $8,000 USD (Airfare ticket, ground transportation, real estate agent commission)

Miscellaneous Expense Allowance: One time pay $4,000 USD

One home leave per year

Personal or Emergency leave

Repatriation, everything pay plus $3,000USD to cover some other expense moving back into my house. (such as carpet cleaning, new paint and etc)


So, here is the Questions: How do some of you guys negotiate it?


1. Should I ask for more salary? Is the COLA difference enough?


2. I need to apply for school, I don’t know what the cost will be yet, not sure the budget will cover for school.


3. Instead of spending $45K, I want to spend less on housing, maybe around HKD $35K or even less. I rather get allowance for Transportation: Like Taxi (for sure I don’t want to drive) But how should I ask for it?


4. I also own a house in the US, I will still have expense even if I rent it out, such as management fee, storage fee. Do you guys normally include that and ask in the package?


5. I don’t want the house hunting trip, because I rather spend more time in the US during the holiday (Nov and Dec). I rather keep that money as an incentive or sign bonus.


6. Basically I want to ask for a lump sum on the rest of the other expense on house good shipment, relocation expense and etc. I rather save up the money.


This seem very long, maybe I should stop here and talk about moving to HK as a single mom on the next topic.


Sorry, I might be worry too much.. hehee

You can also touch base with one of Santa Fe's relocation experts http://www.asiaxpat.com/movingquote/

1. Should I ask for more salary? Is the COLA difference enough?

Why would you get any COLA adjustment? They already pay your housing and everything else is cheaper in Hong Kong.

Also, would you be taxable under US tax laws. If not, your salary has just jumped considerably as tax rates here are like 15% instead of 35%.


2. I need to apply for school, I don’t know what the cost will be yet, not sure the budget will cover for school.

11k covers almost any top international school bar maybe 2 or 3 on the very high end (e.g. Canada Intl School)


3. I want to spend less on housing, around HKD $35K or even less. I rather get allowance for Transportation allowance: Like Taxi (for sure I don’t want to drive) But how should I ask for it?

How about telling them that you like to live a bit further out of the city (e.g. New Territories), which would reduce your housing cost but increase transportation cost as further out means longer taxi trips (150-200HKD/trip rather than 30-50)


4. I also own a house in the US, I will still have expense even if I rent it out, such as management fee, storage fee. Do you guys normally include that and ask in the package? dunno


5. I don’t want the house hunting trip, because I rather spend more time in the US during the holiday (Nov and Dec). I rather keep that money as an incentive or sign bonus. why not ask for this to be a lump sum money of say 5k at your disposal?


6. Basically I want to ask for a lump sum on the rest of the other expense on house good shipment, relocation expense and etc. I rather save up the money.

the way this sounds, it's lump sum anyway, no?

Cookie09,


My company gave me the COLA difference instead of more pay on salary for this job assigment in HK. This way, when I return to the US after 2 yr, they just take away the COLA difference.


2. I really want my daughter to polish up on chinese/cantonese. Which school would be suitable?


3. I am planning to live around West Sheung Wan or Quarry Bay or Pok Fu Lam, I estimate to spend $150Hkd a day? round trip for taxi? within these areas? working in Causeway bay


5. I'm happy even keeping just USD $3K


6. I do want to ask for lump sum, then I could arrange my own budget and save. Instead of paying me to get a 42' TV, I could get a 37' TV.. or instead of hiring a moving company and package everything, I do it on my own.

When bargaining with your employer for your package, don't forget to mention, if you haven't already, that you will need to hire a full time helper to take care of your kid when you're not home...


4-5K a month.

Cara,


I understand it might not be a choice that everyone makes, but in my situation, it has always been just me and my kid since she is born, the father left during my pregnancy, now she is 4 yrs old, I raise her on my own. It wasn’t easy at the beginning, but she is the best thing that happens to me. Therefore I do what it takes to get a good career and provide for her. HK is an opportunity. Plus, I really want her to speak Chinese, that’s very very important. Currently living in the US, she hardly speaks it. That’s another main reason why I took this assignment.


I understand moving to HK is a big decision, that’s why I’m on this forum asking for advice and make sure my package will keep us in whole. If I am not on this forum and doing research, then I am truly not preparing.


I have 2 months to sort out the living; I could always stay in a service apartment temporary until I figure the area and knowing exactly which school to attend for my kid. I could work from home or until I hire a helper.

Madtown,


The company presented this package to me as a first round and open for discuss, I am reviewing and asking for advice from people at forum that experienced; before I get back to my company. This way, I make sure that I’m cover. Once the negotiation is done, it’s harder to re-negotiate. Is better to present all my concern at once.


I do believe is a good package, not trying to be greedy, just a few things to rearrange on the budgeting. I’m hoping my company will be open mind to it.


For annual leave/sick leave, I currently have 2 week vacation and 5 sick days, but I will be getting both Chinese holiday and US holiday. (I hope).


The company is sending me alone to set up the entire operation office in HK and build my team in from ground. There is a lot of pressure to prove myself.

Thank you for all your helpful input. Because I'm the first in our company to set up as an expatriate. It's new to my company and me..

Cara, sorry, actually I wasn't too clear in my posting.. The reason why I don't think I need the house hunting trip, because I was just in Hong Kong last week for 7 days, office hunting; and I have been going to HK almost every 2-3 months on business trip. The only place I know the most is Intercontinental hotel and surrounding area.


The last time I was there, I looked at 2 service apartment in Causeway Bay. Which is alright for now, I need to figure which school she attend before I can settle for place to live. School is hard to get in, I read.


Since I have to move in January, I just didn't want another trip, rather spend the holiday with friends since I won't be seeing them often anymore. Plus, my daughter's birthday is coming next month turning 4.. She want her princess party with her friends.. (kids are just so cute dressing up)


I think Hong Kong would be great experience for my daughter, growing up in big city. I would like to meet up for a playtime.. yhoo.. I just made friends for my daughter.

"School is hard to get in, I read."


There are several threads about this subject with lots of useful info.

Madtown, thank you for your input.. I'm just exploring options.. Let said some people get a sign on bonus, but it wasn't offer to me..

Off course I appreciate the consideration of the company to give me a house hunting trip. But I really don't need it, I rather have a sign on bonus. That's my preference, I think I should negotiate that.


I read on the forum many expat also get a cash lump sum on all their moving allowance, therefore I'm asking these who did, so, I could figure what would it be reasonable and normal.


I don't take advantage of my company, they allow to flight business class, I fly economy, they allow to spend $300 on meals, I spend $30. They allow for 5 star hotel, I would only stay in 3 star hotel when I travel alone. I never taking any office supply home.


My perseonality is not to spend money on unecessary stuff, I rather save it up.

Why do I want to hire a moving company, when I could pack it myself and save that cash for college funds and be more financial secure? You are right, I might be unprofessional, I only think what is important to me, which is my daughter. I am just making sure I am cover as bring her to a new country.

"Why do I want to hire a moving company, when I could pack it myself and save that cash for college funds and be more financial secure?"


Regardless of the rest, this time it will have to be a moving company. For international moves it is more or less mandatory due to insurance and other things.

"Regardless of the rest, this time it will have to be a moving company. For international moves it is more or less mandatory due to insurance and other things"



Insurance is not THE issue - movers buy it from a 3rd party (insurance company), so you can buy it directly, too.


There are dozens of other reasons to use professional movers for an international move but insurance is not the most important of them.