Job Discussion Forums

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

So we have accomodation and transport provided (and utilities and internet as far as I can gather).

So if we were a couple who were living in the middle of nowhere with no car but who wanted to travel to a bigger city like Tabuk (from Al ula) every second weekend and who like spending money on eating out and buying imported food products. How much do you think I can expect to spend?

I have a bit of a weakness for international brand clothing but figure I won't really be able to buy that if I am in the middle of nowhere!

Any tips or info would be much appreciated, I assume if we are living in the middle of nowhere that we will be able to save more? Although I may be wrong!

who usually spend quite a bit of money on imported food items... were

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

Sometimes living in the middle of nowhere means that you have to spend much more just to keep yourselves sane. For example, you will need satellite TV, good (DSL or satellite) internet service, and a car. You will probably spend more at the supermarket just becuase going to the supermarket is the only thing to do...so you will go and buy things just for the heck of it. Six thousand should be enough for a couple, but it may be harder than you think to save.

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

So would SR12 000 be more realistic? Anyone out there lived in the middle of nowhere who can advise me on this?

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

You certainly can live on this amount - 6000SR is a lot more than most Saudi teachers would earn, and is probably what most of the admin staff in universities earn. And they might be supporting a whole large Saudi family on their income. Spending habits vary so much from person to person that it's hard to give a definate indication, but even if you allow for all the expenses Mia mentions, I don't think you'd have too much difficulty getting by on this amount.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject:

You can live, but you won't be able to save. And, let's admit it, most expats go the the kingdom of pain to live the life of being deprived and NOT being able to save. Rolling Eyes

You know, there are other places that would be better...say, the Deep South in the States. They, too, like to reward teachers with exactly how they feel about education...plus, there's less sand...

NCTBA

trapezius · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject:

You can certainly live on it, VERY comfortably, but you won't be saving much at all. I would say perhaps SR. 1,000 to SR. 2,000 at the most per month. But if you are saving only that much, there is no point in coming to Saudi, let alone literally in the middle of a nowhere.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

Dear Trap,
Aren't you forgetting the night-life, all the tourist attractions, the sandy beaches, the lovely weather, and all the friendly, welcoming citizens? Very Happy

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I do believe that lizzie was referring to living on that amount out of her salary... not that 6000 is her salary.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:25 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

That's what i thought (and hoped), too. A 6000 SR salary would be too sad.
Regards,
John

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

lol my salary is certainly not SAR6000 a month...

As a couple it is SAR24 000 after free accomodation and transport etc.

So I was wondering if we as a couple could live on SAR6000 and save SAR 18 000 a month.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject:

Dear lizziebennet,

If you CAN'T live on 6000 SR a month, you have far too many expensive tastes to be in the teaching profession.
I mean, that's about $1,600 a month, and your housing, transport, utilities and internet are all covered!!!!
Mama mia - you may have to burn some of that 6000 SR just to get rid of it.

Regards,
John Very Happy

007 · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 4:07 pm Post subject:

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

My husband is Canadian and we are not planning to live in SA. In fact I have no current ties to my country other than family. The money is being sent to pay hefty student loans in Canada.

Unfortunately, I do have expensive tastes, wear designer perfume, use MAC/DIOR make up, have GUCCI sunglasses, shop at mid range designer stores like ZARA, Dorethy Perkins and Charles and Keith... (esp when they have end of season sales) and Marks and Spencers although I don't consider that a designer store. All four don't exist in South Africa so I can go without them as well... (Do they have any of those four in Saudi?).

Get my hair rebonded and highlighted, like saunas and spas and full body scrubs, Like to go on vacations to hotels that at least have pools as the minimum. Like to buy organic, grain fed, free range, low GI food products (although in Korea they were hard to find so didn't have that opportunity).

My husband is thinking we can save SAR12 000 and live on SAR12 000. Anyone have similar tastes to me? What would your budget be? Is SAR6000 a bit low? I don't mind being budget conscience but I doubt I could belong to the SAR500 club.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

With all that spending, you may need to take out a loan! Wink

From a fellow South African, what a pity that you won't be sending the savings to SA - ZAR41,580 (as the ghuttra-clad, secret-agent kitten worked it out) sure would be a lovely amount to save every month. Cool