Job Discussion Forums

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

I've asked a few questions on this in the past but still haven't got this straight!
If you are earning 30-45,000 is this enough to save money monthly on and still have a reasonable life?
A reasonable life for me means eating noodles and bread, 1 cheap dish a day. Say 6 beers maximum a week bought from a store, not bars.
Having a basic accommodation paying only for utilities and internet.
Other than that transport to work.

That's it. The basic backpacker/teacher life....I fail to see where wll your salary would go....what have I forgotten?

Also can you still have a good life on the outskirts of Bangkok other than in?

I guess I really want to live in Bangkok but still want to save a small portion at the end of the month to make my journey more worth while.

Thanks!! Exclamation

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Looking at what you have read the reasn why you haven't "got this straight" is because your idea of the good life would not be the same as anybody elses.

Not knocking you. I wish everybody lived a lot simpler lifestyle. But man, you'd make a 15th century Russian monk feel decadent.

That's a 10 to 15k lifestyle even in parts of BK. Up north I rekon nearer 8.

Just for comparison. Where are you living now and how much does that lifestyle cost?

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

Okay, I don't know what that means but anyway.

I asked before about a cost break-down and got it.

But I don't see where all the money goes and how you can't save.

If you live frugally on food, have internet, need transport to work, pay for a place up to 10k baht where does all the money go?

I'm always wanting to save a bit of coin for the future so if I am breaking even then I won't go. As you can see this is a deciding factor.

Here is one of the threads I made I am referring too.....
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=57113&highlight=cost+living

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

The reason a lot of people dont save in Thailand is because they don't live anything like you do.

Cinemas, ritzy malls, clubs, western-style restaruants, bar girls, taxis everywhere - indulge in these things and your 10-15k baht/month lifestyle will change in a hurry.

If you REALLY want to live like you described you will save a bundle (50%-80% or your salary) every month.

But come on, noodles and bread EVERY day? Even the poorer Thais can do better then that.

BTSskytrain · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 45

renzo,

good luck. your lifestyle certainly is possible but i think it could get real old real fast. here's a minimalist breakdown for you. bare bones mind you.

1. monthly rent: thai style room with fan and shower, no ac - 3000 baht (includes water and electricity).

2. monthly food: thai style everyday at 25 baht per meal at 3 meals per day for 30 days - 2250

3. monthly beer: 6 beers weekly at 40 baht per beer (large sing or chang) - 960 baht

4. other monthly expenses:internet, phone, ?, ?

So, as you can see you could live a decent day to day lifestyle on 30,000 baht monthly and even save a little. BUT...my aforementioned breakdown mentioned absolutely none of the hundreds of distractions and things to do (that all cost money i might add) in bangkok. something as simple as a group of fellow teachers asking you out for dinner and drinks. OOOPS! there goes 500 baht that you never intended to spend and that's just one simple example of many. sure, you could tell the group that you'd rather not go but once you get to bangkok you're going to realize how important having a circle of friends and social life can be.

My advice: go to bangkok for a year, teach, earn 30,000 - 40,000 baht monthly, have a ball and just write the year off as a non-saving year. hell, you could still save a few thousand baht per month and not feel deprived. bottom line is this. don't go to thailand and deprive yourself. doing that would be futile.

skytrain.

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

Thanks for the advice...

so realistically 10-15k per month can be done on a budget.
Well I'm fine with that.

Obviously there will be a luxury expense in there now and then per month-like a meal out or some kind of entertainment.

Also what cities maybe on the outskirts of Bangkok can you still live in a good area but costs are less than in the cruz of BK?

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject:

Check out the Buddhist monasteries while you're there. If you become a neophyte, you may be able to forego a room! You may also be able to supplement your income (from teaching) with alms, cut that 25 baht per day food budget way down! Enjoy your stay in Thailand Laughing

!

BTSskytrain · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 45

Extra Rend,

You're a smart ass! A funny smart ass mind you but a smart ass nonetheless. HA!!

skytrain

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject:

BTSskytrain, does that make me a bad person? Sad

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

I was sent a breakdown of costs from the school which looks as if I can save about 1/2 of my savings. More in rural parts than near thge city. I can post it if anyone needs it.

Also how is life in rural parts away from the city crux? Can you find western amenities and English speaking locals?

Surfdude18 · Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 651 Location: China

I completely agree about the distractions. I lived quite well in China on about 4500 RMB a month (much less than 30,000 baht) and China is a bit pricier (once you get past the basics) than Thailand. However, in China socialising tends to consist of a few beers at an expat bar, and then mostly hanging out at people's houses.

Even though Thailand is cheaper, I reckon it would be much easier to spend money there too.

BTSskytrain · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 45

Rendition,

who mentioned anything about you being a bad person? i called you a smart ass, not a bad person. where's your sense of humor?

skytrain

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

Skytrain, my "frowny-face" was meant to indicate that that post (the "bad person" post) was tongue-in-cheek Very Happy

! If the OP really lives like that in Thailand (holed up in his room, 25 baht meals constantly), what will the Thais think? More fuel for the "Farangs are weird and no good" fire, as well? And how's he gonna commute into Bangkok from some satellite town? Thai bus every day? Hoo-ha... Shocked

OP, if you get stationed in some rural area, you'd better learn some Thai quickly or get used to a lot less communication than is healthy. Western amenities? You mean like a sewer system? Confused

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 85

ER thanks for your replies lately but:

a) if people want to saty in their rooms and relax after work so be it-to critique that is not at your jurisdiction.

b) you can have fun without money.

c) you obviously spend a lot of your free time on the computer looking at the amount of posts you have been spilling on Dave's lately Shocked

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:

Married and in the Middle East now, not too many "distractions" here! Laughing

Also, working hours and conditions are... "congenial"... to say the least! Cool

Just trying to help you be realistic... You've obviously never been to Thailand, and it would appear that you've not been to too many non-western environments. Other posters have given you good advice (go to Thailand, enjoy yourself), you seem to ignore them. You're in for some culture shock, don't make it worse on yourself by trying to do the impossible while adjusting to teaching and living in a totally alien culture.