Job Discussion Forums

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: cleo's picture

I know it's off the topic, but your new avatar picture is great, Cleopatra!

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks.

Actually, it's a new version of an 'old' avatar. For some reason (?) the mods removed it. Perhaps the mods' idea of 'political' is the same as that of FIFA officials?

http://inpursuitofjustice.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/how-is-sympathize-with-gaza-a-political-slogan/

trapezius · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject:

GabeKessel · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 150

For me 20K a year savings ( without much adjustment in lifestyle from back home) has been standard. However, there are certain years when the unexpected happens, and on those, it would be something like
15K. Some guys can save 30K a year ( or so they claim).

I have found that if I have a SR 2500-3000 a month budget while in the KSA, I can pretty much afford to buy anything I need for a pretty good lifestyle there. If it is a bit below that, I struggle.

Another thing that helped me was that I imagined that one Riyal would be equal to one dollar, and just think of it as dollars. And for most things within the Indian/Pakistani/Bengali laborer economy where I was at ( Bani Malek, Jeddah) , one Riyal would buy about as much as one dollar in the US. So, I would tell myself that I am living a luxury lifestyle spending USD2500-3000 a month on anyting I want. It made me feel rich and I was able to save the rest without feeling that I was sacrificing myself.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

20K in what currency ? There are different currencies on Planet Earth you know !

007 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

I think he is using the currency of Uncle Sam, the dying $. Laughing

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

I saved right around $20,000 in Korea on a one year contract, and would hope to be able to save as much in Saudi, which I suspect is a little bit cheaper than Korea, especially with regard to food.

The good thing about Saudi is that is about equidistant between Europe-Africa and some places in Asia, making it a good travel spot from where to leave on short vacations.

In Korea, teachers pay bills despite free housing, and that can really add up. I knew some teachers who spent around $300 u.s. per month in the humid summer months, for air conditioning. Some used it 24-7 in their apartments. Using a fan would have been cheaper. Those things, I understand, are free for teachers in Saudi.

Winters, too, can be frigid in Korea, necessitating high heating bills.

I had 7 weeks vacation a year, but not during the summer, because that was the busy time when training Korean Elementary and Secondary school teachers.

In summation - I think more savings can be had in Saudi, despite the reduced value of the dollar.

Ghost

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject:

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Which brings to mind a teacher in Saudi 'exercising' on an exercise bike in his apartment, cooled by powerful air con, when it is well over 100 degrees outside. Energy expenditure, human and machine, in those scenarios have to be phenomenal, but come at a cost.

How easy is it to buy fresh fruits and vegetables in Saudi?

Here in Montreal, the dynamic Lebanese food industry with huge chains such as Adonis, mean that fresh fruits and vegetables, at good quality, are always available. In the past, the local Pakistan grocer had some of that, but the quality was nothing to match the lebanese, who are great hedonists and epicureans who insist on quality.

Ghost

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject: electricity and food

Most people I know have to pay their own electric bills, and I have seen bills as high as US$150 - $200/month, although this would not be every month and not for every person.

I find the fruit and vegetable selection in the Eastern Province to be substandard. Yes, they are available year-round, but they are often of poor quality initially and of dismal quality after the locals have poked through them. Everything is bruised and battered and old looking after the first few hours.

I also find fruits and vegetables to be relatively expensive here. Cucumbers, romaine lettuce, tomatoes. onions are cheap, but more exotic fare will cost you.

I thought it strange to ask if fruits and vegetables were regularly available. I've been around a bit, admittedly to mostly fairly rich countries, but I've always been able to find fruits and vegetables.

007 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Vegetables & Fruits

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Paying for utilities ? That is what they do at PMU. I have never head of anywhere else that asks that !

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:11 am Post subject:

I think it's becoming more and more common to be asked to pay your own utility bills, especially if you are working in the private sector.