Christopher
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 38,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
My job income after tax is about 36,600 baht. I also have savings (made in the USA over the years) and other alternative (digital) investments
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
Since I:
- am not a materialist (don't buy stuff)
- don't care about other people's opinions
- am not much for night life (night clubs, rooftop bars, etc.)
- don't care about the high-life (been there, done that)
- don't travel much (but still go to pattaya, hua hin for bi-monthly trips)
- walk a lot
I can actually save at least 10,000 baht per month. If you have self-discipline and think smart, it is possible. Furthermore, I don't have kids and my Thai girlfriend is pretty low maintenance.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
12,000 baht per month for a decent condo with a clothes washer, small kitchen, a/c, smart tv, internet included, utility bills included,a private little backyard and garden.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Under 2,000 baht per month (lots of walking, which is great for exercise purposes and economic benefits, etc.)
Utility bills
Included in the rent
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
8,000-10,000 baht per month. I don't ever cook home.
Nightlife and drinking
Zero
Books, computers
Computers purchased before arriving to Thailand
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Since I am not a needy person I have a lot of Power. The more you need out of life and other people, the less power you have. I really don't need a "high" standard of living.
Food quality is important. If you are smart you can get quality on the street if you look for it (ex. quality barbecue chicken at good prices, stay away from the rice and noodles, target foods dense with protein content). Also, I don't smoke, drink or do any drugs.
When I visit Pattaya, etc. I take the bus for 120 baht vs a taxi for over 1,000 baht. I stay at decent hotels/resorts but nothing over the top. I am pretty simple, so a decent meal(s) on the weekend at a good restaurant is enough for me to be content. Materialism and "fancy" experiences do nothing for me. On Sundays, I walk to JJ market for exercise and kebabs.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food is cheap. Walking is cheaper.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
That depends on the individual. I can do just fine but I realize that I am different. However, I would say that my salary is the minimum requirement to get by on and have basic needs met and have a little entertainment money for a single "no strings attached" person.
Phil's analysis and comment
It sounds like you really enjoy walking. Me too. It's just a shame that Bangkok must be one of the worst cities in the world to indulge in that pastime.
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