Job Discussion Forums

[DirtGuy]

I have received a job offer that pays 1,000 OMR per month, furnished apartment (I pay utilities), transportation to work, airfare, health insurance. My lifestyle is REALLY cheap plus I don't have any vices to spend money on. The problem is that I need to send $2K each month back to the States. Is this possible at this salary? If not, can I pick up any extra work on the side to meet this goal?

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[veiledsentiments]

Someone named "DirtGuy" has no vices?

It will be very difficult to send $2K out of just under $2.6K. Basically you are asking if you can live on less than $600 a month. That would mean no car... probably no internet at home... no cell phone... no satellite TV...

Possible, but it might be a bit austere...

Much depends on where you are living, but private lessons are not that common in much of the country, so I wouldn't count on extra income.

VS

[Sleepwalker]

You'd need to try for one of the better paying jobs in KSA.

[DirtGuy]

Hmmm. I was hoping for better news but I appreciate the info.

Given a really cheap lifestyle, no vices except being obsessed with gardening (N/A over there), no car, having to pay my own utilities, food costs, can you give me any idea of what I would need for a monthly budget? I'd really like to work in Oman if possible.

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[veiledsentiments]

Do you do your own cooking? Do you make from scratch or want to buy... say, expensive imported frozen dinners from the US? If you like and cook Indian style food, your food bill will be lower than in the US. If you want to eat lots of US imported foods, your costs will be higher than the US.

Utilities depend on how cold you want to keep your place during the very hot months (late Apr into early Nov). The electric bill without AC is cheap, but to keep it affordable on your budget during the hot months means paying attention. For instance, central AC is rare, so you only cool the room you are using. Hang your clothes to dry rather than use a dryer.

With luck, perhaps another austere person will show up and tell his or her costs.

VS

[DirtGuy]

By cheap, I really mean CHEAP. I already hang my clothes to dry and cooling one room only is doable. Eating out or buying expensive foods? Hah! Only in my dreams does that happen. My cooking is all my own and meat is something I've pretty much given up on. Booze? Nope! I need to send money back here or lose a couple of properties so I have a great deal of incentive to save and live a low-budget lifestyle.

Surely I can't be the only one out there this cheap. Does anyone else live like this and how much does it cost to live like Scrooge? I'd really like to work in Oman vs. KSA but if I cannot, well, better to find out now rather than later.

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[DirtGuy]

Well, this ain't looking so good. Based on what people have PMed me, I would need to make around 1200 OMR in order to meet my obligations in the States and not have to live like a total monk. At least now I know what my baseline salary must be.

Thanks to all.

DirtGuy

[veiledsentiments]

Try negotiating the offer with the employer... never hurts to try...

VS