Job Discussion Forums

drjtrekker · Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 251

Oh man, Norwalk, u sure are an "interesting" individual.

Ur 4.5 quai meal was for dinner.
What's the point?
Remember, what started this last batch of comments toward u was that u stated u ate for 5 quai a day, and then started to describe the big stew that fills u up all day....and then continued on about how ur metabolism is slower now, etc.

A couple people had mentioned that they commented on ur statement so that others, newbies, would not be mislead into thinking that life is Soooo cheap here that they could take a small salary and still live great like u!

U did add though, that with ur monkish lifestyle that a low salary can go far. Of course it can, but remember, there are reasons to have extra money each month, and thats the point.

But, that's when i chimed in and added that there are often extra costs that come up, even if one does not go to the bar, drinking, western foods, etc. and that's why its good to Not settle for a low salary, because extra money will come in handy for a variety of issues, i.e. medical costs, personal needs of supplies, and travel.

I think u are simply oversimplifying living here.
Most people will tire of street food, if not get sick, and will want some other stuff that will cost more than 5 quai a day. Maybe u will never crave any liquid besides water, but most will. Maybe u will eat one meal a day....but most of us dont.
Most of us dont accept that one can live off of 5 quai a day. In fact, it will be false for most everyone.
So i dont think there is any point to u listing ur daily expenses to try and prove ur point.

I think what u should do is get back to us in about 6 months.
I would be curious if have kept to ur 5 quai a day diet.

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

I think its worth noting that with a salary under 3500 you're unlikely to be saving any money to travel within China or get anything sent back home as presents (as the need arises).

So unless the FT brings savings with them (which they don't spend) they're not going to have the funds to enjoy their short holidays, or explore the region all that way. Unless you want to travel and live like a Chinese, doubling up with Chinese in Dormitory style lodges.

So, if you have extra income coming from abroad, or savings you're confident you won't touch until needed, you might be able to live on the low income.. you won't have much of a social life, and you'll have to be frugal on just about everything, but its doable. Lastly, if you're single, be prepared for rather boring dates... Wink

zootown · Joined: 27 Nov 2009 Posts: 310

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

[quote="CJD"]

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

A person who buys a rice steamer and vegetables can live on the cheap. Steam the vegetables while the rice is cooking. When the rice is done, toss the vegetables into a wok in which some garlic and onions have been fried in a little oil. The powdered soup mixes and soy sauce or sesame oil can also be added for flavor.

Meat and fish cost money. Vegetables are very inexpensive, as is rice. I prefer the dongbei long grain. A rice steamer can save you a lot of money.

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

Look. lets be realistic here. If you have been in China for some decent amount of time, and speak some Chinese you can live on smaller amounts of money. You won't get hit by foreigner prices as much, and you'll know the different dishes available. You'll also be more comfortable about ordering food in any place. You'll also likely have a circle of Chinese friends who will introduce you to either good cheap eateries, or nice inexpensive dishes.

However if you're new to China and don't speak Chinese expect to pay a lot more for everything. You'll be charged more since you won't be able to either haggle, or know the local prices.

So if you're new to China expect to need more money to survive here. Its that simple.

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

Went out with the other FT's and assistants last night, purchased 5+ kilos of candy, pop, popcorn and other goodies for movie night at one of the FT"s houses.

Total cost for a total junkfood binge for 4 including marshmallows over an open candle:

60 RMB.

I and then other FT's paid and the assistants enjoyed free of charge.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

zootown · Joined: 27 Nov 2009 Posts: 310

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

-Purchased a bunch of household goods for the kitchen and living room. 42 RMB. The biggest expense being a 7 outlet extension so that I can plug in my cellphone charger, laptop, etc. That was 23 RMB haggled down from 25.

-Chiropractic massage is 20 RMB for 90 minutes. Although I am so sore afterwards I think I am going to skip this in the future. This guys usual client base consists of rural farmers and their wives. I am simply not as sturdy.

-Street vendors sell homemade bread/rolls baked over an open coal fire, 2 for 1 RMB. They are flakey when eaten hot. Would be excellent with any spread or jam or minced meat filling. Not so good when they cool down.

-Items in a box bag or bottle, processed food, are the most expensive. 2 or 3 RMB for a soda, but a meal is 3 or 4 RMB from a stall or at a restaurant.

-Rumour has it that there is a restaurant in town that serves turkey and possibly gravy. We are headed there for an Xmas dinner on Friday, FT's treating the assistants of course.

-The assistants make a point of letting the FT's know they earn 750 - 1000 RMB per month living in their unheated 10' X 15' room with the bath and kitchen across the courtyard, unheated. Some FT's have not quite figured out that gloating over how cheap things are or how much we earn in comparison is not the best form. The local Uni Professors with advanced degrees earn 3k. Magnanimousness is the order of the day. Buy folks dinner, be a gentleman host, efc.

-Continue to people watch, observe and learn. One can learn bookloads by watching people interact and listening.

A'Moo · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject:

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

OK NorWalk:

I guess your long list of daily activity is designed to show that a person can get by on a frugal living here in China. 3000 rmb per month should easily be enough for anyone. Too True! If you live within the confines of a very small box!

Let's step outside the box for a minute:

Recently, I had to return home. Return air ticket 7225 rmb and domestic flights (x2) 1320 rmb.

Money needed to get by at home 600 GBP or c. 6600 rmb.

I have a long standing relationship with a girl in China. We decided to get married next year. First there is the engagement:

I took my girlfriend to the jewellers yesterday. Bought a ring with a 50% discount from 14500 rmb to 7250 rmb.

We decided to have a western style engagement dinner party on Christmas Day. Ordered some roses, some wine and and the food 700 rmb.

Following our Western engagement, I will have further expenses related to traditional Chinese customs of engagement. A not so inconsiderable amount of money is traditionally paid to the fiancee's family. Typical sums of money are 66,666 rmb, 77,777 rmb or 88,888 rmb. This has not been fixed yet but there is another 60,000+ rmb.

Following engagements, comes the small matter of a marriage ceremony. Nothing over the top planned but I will reckon to budget another 20,000 rmb.

To live any kind of satisfactory lifestyle in China, I also have to think about investing in property and a vehicle. Not within the bounds of a few hundred rmb per month.

And maybe a family: Shocked

But you could say all of these expenses are unnecessary! After all, the Chinese teachers don't get married and have families, buy property etc., do they?

I could be frugal and celebate. Get by on 3000 rmb per month. However, I have found it a preferable option to have someone to love and come home to.

In fact, frankly speaking, I find the money that I am paid for being a FT in a Chinese University wholly unacceptable. Fortunately, I came to China with a sound financial base and this will certainly be the last year I teach. Officially, my contract ends July next year but I am using every method that I can to get out of it now.

As an aside, I posed the question to my students:

"What do you think would be a reasonable income level for an ordinary family in China with one child and possibly a very ordinary car".

The concensus of opinion was somewhere between 5000 to 6000 rmb per month.

I listen and learn. This rhetoric related to we only get xxxx rmb now goes in one ear and out of the other.

Some people in China are down trodden. That is the complex nature of Chinese society, population and politics. China is unfair in many aspects of social justice but how many of them attend university, buy fashionable clothes, buy cellphones, find money to travel, eat everyday in restaurants and still fulfill their life needs? How many of them find money for motorcars?

Moreover, how can practically every family come up with the finances to support engagement, marriage, house purchases and raising a family?