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Albulbul
Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:06 am Post subject: 500 CLUB |
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Which of us aspire to membership of the 500 Club? Members must swear an oath of tightfistedness and promise to live on less than 500 Saudi Riyals a month. (15 Riyals = US$4.00)
Lots of members where I work ! |
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dmb

Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:28 am Post subject: |
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That's 180 Turkish Lira. Impossible
If I didn't know better I'd think you were joking. |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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That's US$133...
I'm extremely frugal and I'd need at least 3-4 times that... Wouldn't you need to eat at one of the mosques to manage that amount? Or mooch off 'friends?' |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject: Save-a-Fortune 500? |
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Living frugally is easy. Just follow our simple steps here, which will allow you to not only have a frugal and thefore financially rewading life, but to continue this prudence and thrift into the afterlife also:
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-Items like toilet paper are very expensive, and can be easily acquired free in the workplace or other peoples' houses. Not only are they free this way, but you can make some money when finally leaving KSA by selling accumulated stocks at the Massalamah sale.
-Similarly, bottled water is a way of saving money. Bring a load of plastic water bottles wherever you go, and fill up from those fountains. Some may be inconvenienced by having to wait in the queue behind you, but forget about them, they are just waiting to get a tiny drink. It helps to tell them to go away. You save them a lot of time this way, as by the time you fill all your bottles, there won't be enough water left for them anyway. There are fountains elsewhere, let them go there instead.
-Holidays are a serious expense. Why go on them? If you are living in KSA and you have X number of weeks' vacation, use them to stay in the Kingdom. If for example you live in an out-of-the-way place and feel you need a vacation, you could be wrong! You could explore the desert, find your own favourite spot and return there again and again. Not too far tho, as you might have to spend money on sundries like transport.
-Speaking of transport, it appears that many expats purchase vehicles, and others rent. They are costly, as is taking taxis. Forget about running a car or taking expensive cabs; walk to the supermarket and to work. By not having a vehicle, you will find that you are tempted to venture out a lot less. Ditto with taxis: by following an anti-taxi policy, your desire to remain at home will increase.
Some may balk at the thought of walking distances in extreme heat. However, do not let this deter you. Discomfort will be experienced at first, but then you will get used to it. In any event, you're not in Saudi for comfort, you are here TO SAVE MONEY!! Remember your goal.
If you DO wish to go somewhere some distance away, you can always seek a favour. Some will frown on this and refer to it as "bumming rides", but that's their opinion. Most people, even if they are not excessively keen on carrying you in their car, will acquiesce out of politeness and a desire to not cause acrimony, perhaps. . A few of them, of a materialistic bent, may insist on "petrol money". Refuse to pay, turn their materialism back on them, make them feel guilty. If they still insist, and refuse to provide travel in their vehicle, forget about them. Such people are of very little practical use anyway, so you don't need them!
-For entertainment, I would suggest finding another group of like-minded westpats. They will help you to while away, at no cost, many happy hours discussing the misery of life in Saudi, and generally criticising everything possible about the Saudis. Like you, they will not have wasted time roaming about exploring the country, wasting money on nebulous concepts such as "fun", "enjoyment' or "happiness". Many of them indeed, will have been in the Kingdom for over twenty years, and will have lots of stories to tell about life behind closed compound doors, and indeed, lots of advice on how to save money. These are people who understand the really important things in life.
-If you have the choice, sharing accommodation can be a really useful pay to avoid spending money. If you are lucky enough to find yourself with generous individuals, who do not mind sharing their food with you, count your blessings. They will also not mind taking responsibility for boring, mundane chores, such as providing the house/apartment with cleaning materials, and common-kitchen staples such as tea, coffee, milk etc.
While some object to taking these responsilities seriously, and through their parsimoniousness, expect YOU to pay out also, just dismiss them. The technique of shaking your head in a combination of surprise and resigned sadness, will make them feel guilty and realise their fault. You can also get revenge...and save some money too...by helping yourself to their fridge stores. Biscuits, cheese, drinks...just help yourself. Those petty-minded whiners deserve it. |
I had posted the above rules some time ago, many of our readers are by now following Bebsi's advice and living rewardingly miserable lives in KSA or elsewhere. Many new posters, however, are wantonly wasting money in KSA on trivial matters such as living and "enjoying themselves", and it is now hoped that these tips will help them to enrich their lives...at least in the financial sense, and let's face it, no other sense matters.
Something I ommitted last time was the issue of how to deal with one's accumulated wealth on one's demise, in the event of not having surviving heirs or of, alternatively, not wishing to leave anything to one's surviving heirs. If we are to achieve our goals of not spending any money in life, it logically follows that we will shuffle off this mortal coil in an enriched and cash-abundant state.
If you are old and your demise is imminent, a trip to the bank to withdraw all your funds would be a good idea, along with a proviso in your will (careful as they can cost money, but you can get a free draft/format for a legal Will online) to the effect that your notes and coins be buried or cremated with you. Alternatively, to take into account a sudden and premature demise, a will can be made authorising your executors to make the necessary withdrawals on your death and to inter your wordly assets with you. The same should be done with real estate. All assets can be disposed-of and the proceeds set to accompany you on your final journey.
This approach has one inherent difficulty: disposing of assets and cashing-in of bank accounts, by executors, can take some time as probate must be otained, thus requiring a delay in interment/alternative disposal. This process can, in turn, cost money, so a demise in early winter would be advantageous and infinitely cheaper, assuming probate formalities being completed by early spring. Indeed, you might even consider hastening your demise to accommodate this factor and also, it would result in further savings.
There are other considerations: while the accumulated water from years of fountain-using can be easily enough arranged to accompany the deceased, hundreds of rolls of old toilet paper may be somewhat more problematic. Unlike ming vases and other expensive assets, it is more difficult to realise the value of such goods. Enlargement of coffins to accommodate these rolls, may prove not to be cost-effective.
Finally, you must be careful at point of burial. The executors and other personnel involved may not be entirely scrupulous regarding interment of assets, and human temptations may present themselves, justified in the minds of the perpetrators that such use of asets is useless and not as economically viable as some might envisage. In other words, mercenary people who might not share your views concerning the importance of "taking your money with you". |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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If you look around you, you'll find that many cleaners, gardeners and drivers are members of the 50 club, not the 500 club, if indeed they are paid on time, or at all. |
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Albulbul
Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:40 am Post subject: |
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Remember that most people working in KSA have no rent to pay. Utilities are paid by employer too.
So this 500 Riyals is only for food and the frivolities of life, like toothpaste. |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:06 am Post subject: 50 club |
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Yes, that's true, Stephen.
All slagging, joking and frovolity aside, there are many cleaners and maids in KSA, mainly from S or SE Asia, earning about 300 SAR a month. Given that most of this is sent home (their reason for being in KSA in the first place) they literally DO live, in many cases, on this much money.
What is amazing is that there are probably some westerners in KSA who live on that much also. In Doha, I HEARD a story of a guy who managed to live on...and brag about...one Riyal a day, who became known as "One-Riyal-a-Day ****". In case anyone is wondering, the QAR and SAR are almost on parity. It is this type of frugality that merits a slagging, frankly. We westerners, while not all earning fortunes, all earn vastly more than the manual-working TCNs and do not need to live in this type of penury. Indeed, I have on two occasions been asked by Indians earning around 700 SAR a month, why some westerners are so tight-fisted!!!!
As Albulbul says, given that accom is usually paid for westerners along with other necessities like utilities, transport etc, it is indeed possible to live on 500 by just purchasing sundries such as toothpaste. This can be seriously done by living frugally, if one, for example, has free inet access, has brought a load of books from home, and gets free meals or at least eats subsidised meals at about SAR 10 a day. Many people...yes, including westerners...have big debts or other comitments and have no choice but to live on this much money.
My slagging, however, is not aimed at such a person. It is, rather, aimed at the person who earns a significant salary, and really does live on almost nothing by bumming and scrounging, and generally being parasites. We have all met them, and when I do...thankfully not TOO often...I give them very short shrift. |
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dmb

Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:15 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
who became known as "One-Riyal-a-Day ****". |
It's true! I lived with with him when I first arrived. |
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QatarChic
Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:18 am Post subject: Re: 50 club |
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Bebsi wrote: |
What is amazing is that there are probably some westerners in KSA who live on that much also. In Doha, I HEARD a story of a guy who managed to live on...and brag about...one Riyal a day, who became known as "One-Riyal-a-Day ****". |
I live in Doha- and that's IMPOSSIBLE (well I am 99.9% sure of this) to do, yes food and other stuff is cheaper than say other countries but not that CHEAP!
dmb wrote: |
It's true! I lived with with him when I first arrived |
r u serious or just taking the p***?  |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:44 am Post subject: They said it coul not be done; it has been done! |
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Ah, you see QC, you are assuming that one would go out to purchase food and other items. In my saving-money-instructions, I refer to saving money on food. You simply utilise the resources of co-habitees, and if living alone, you make friends who are hospitable and generous, and then you can wangle an invitation to different houses on different evenings. You can pinch bottled water, toilet rolls etc, and if necessary, you can do without certain things. I mean, a shower or two every day is NOT essential...one or two a month would probably suffice. Be careful tho, as this one could cease to be cost effective since the dinner-invitations could dry up quickly!!
I have actually met some expat westerners in the Gulf who smelled as if they were following this approach. So, what can I say? |
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dmb

Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:45 am Post subject: |
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I'm serious.(food was supplied on the compound) |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:00 am Post subject: Quick question |
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Just wondering about something: what did that guy spend the single riyal on? A can of Pepsi? A tip to a cleaner? A chocolate bar? Or perhaps he went out once a month for a huge slap-up at an Indian restaurant?
I mean, what can have been so important as to merit the expenditure of a riyal each day?  |
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dmb

Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:16 am Post subject: |
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pepsi, chocolate bar yes. tip to the cleaner. no way. |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:32 am Post subject: |
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I have colleagues who spend less than 10 riyals a day. |
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Saudi4Ever
Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 135
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:18 am Post subject: |
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I notice most of the ppl on this board are single. Can a family be frugal and keep everybody happy at the sametime? |
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