Shayan
Working in Pathum Thani
Monthly Earnings 30,000 - 50,000
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I’m not a teacher, which is funny because whenever I tell people I work at AIT, they automatically assume that I am. I earn 30k after tax as a marketing professional. I also work as a freelance writer and marketer which earns me another 15-20k a month, depending on the frequency of projects and work completed.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I had hoped to save at least 50% of what I earn but since getting married and wanting to travel more, it is a lot less. Almost 10-20%. My aim is to save more and alter my lifestyle a little.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I live with my parents in Bangkok
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I take the MRT and then the van to work. That’s 2,400B/month. Sometimes it is higher because I end up driving. So realistically, it is around 5,000B.
Utility bills
ok, so I live with my parents still. Despite being married, we live in a culture where it is about being in an extended family. It isn’t by choice. So I get to save by not paying utility or accommodation.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Both restaurants and supermarket shopping – we buy our own groceries, however. I try to have a healthier lifestyle than my parents so I get a lot of organic stuff, which costs a lot. This comes up to be 3000-4000B a month.
Nightlife and drinking
The bulk of where my money goes but something I’m looking to decrease so my wife and I can travel more. We recently started a travel and lifestyle blog so we want to save or money for trips. Realistically, I spend close to 7000/month
Books, computers
I read online a lot. I have a mac from years ago. I spend a bit on phone accessories, camera equipment and other travel electronics. Around 2k/month probably
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
It’s really open and free. I think I spend way more than I should. Trying to adjust my standard of living. Go out to bars and restaurants less unless it’s for our blog or some big event. I would summarize it between luxury and casual. Very outgoing, taking trips, doing weekly adventures and seeing new places.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Bangkok has become more expensive over the years. Real bargains are all over the place but you have to explore a bit to find them. Eating roadside food is your best option. There are some great restaurants and bars that have happy hours that can be really light on your wallet.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
30k is not enough by a long shot, even if I was single and not going out at all. Rent alone for a good decent apartment is no less than 7-10k. Combine grocery, transportation, utilities and a bit of outing, you’re down another 15k leaving you with about 5k. Is that enough saving? I would say to live comfortably; you need to earn at least 50k - 70k depending on your lifestyle. If you earn close to 100k, you’re life is set here.
Phil's analysis and comment
Shayan is not a teacher (in fact he's the first non-teacher we've featured in the cost of living section) but he asked me very nicely if he could complete the survey and I thought well, why not? He earns a monthly salary that is comparable with a teacher's. However, things are skewed a little by the fact that he lives with his parents so there are no accommodation outgoings each month. I do like his numbers in the final question though and I agree with him 100%.
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