Jonathon
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 95,000 (after tax)
Q1. How old are you?
38
Q2. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
Full time salary at an international school. Last year I was doing some side jobs and getting an additional 10-40K a month but I've taken a break from that recently, because I felt like I was working too much,
Q3. How much money can you save each month?
At least 45K - more if I've got any side jobs that month.
Q4. How much do you pay for your accommodation (including utility bills) and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
Rent is 6,500 and electricity, water and phone add another 1,300. I live in a new (but small) condo which has a gym, swimming pool, sauna and co-working space. I'm really happy here.
Q5. What are your food costs each month (eating out, supermarket shopping, market purchases, etc)?
Hard to say, 15-20K maybe? On a day to day basis, if I'm alone I eat locally near my room (noodles, kaomangai etc, at 60 baht a time but If i'm with my girlfriend or at weekends, we might go to a more expensive restaurant and I usually pay around 800 baht up for us both. I also buy coffee every morning.
Q6. How much do you spend on going out (nightlife, drinking, socializing, etc)?
A thousand baht. I occasionally go out but I prefer socializing in the daytime
Q7. How much do you spend per month on transportation (car, motorcycle, public transport, etc)?
I have big bike loan (6,500 per month, with two years remaining) but its the best money I've ever spent. I love it and I'm on it every day. Petrol is around 1,200 baht per month.
Q8. Give us a good tip for saving money
Don't overpay on rent. I'm always amazed by how much foreigners spend on rent. A lot of people with salaries similar to mine drop 20-25K a month on a room, and another 3K on electricity because they've got the air-con blasting 24/7. Each to their own, but that's just crazy to me.
Everyone talks about how the price of food has gone up in the last 10 years, which is true it has, but its still exceptional value for money. To be able to go out and get a delicious meal for 50-70 baht is brilliant.
I think the biggest thing that burns through people's salary is going out. If you like drinking, then that adds up. Drinking is not that cheap but it also depends on where you go. I can go a trendy Thai bar in my area and the price of beer is literally half what you'd pay in Sukhumvit. If you go out in the foreigner areas, you're going to spend a lot more money.
Q9. If you needed to cut costs and bring down your monthly spend, how would you go about it?
Not answered
Q10. What do you feel is a rip off or simply too expensive here compared to back home?
Not answered.
Q11. Alternatively, what do you feel is a bargain here compared to back home?
Literally everything, I'm still blown away by how great value everything is here; The rent I pay on my room is a steal but also hair cuts, dentists, medication, mechanics, hotels, physiotherapists, rent and public transport. I could write a thousand things in all honesty.
Q12. How much do you spend per month on travel (in Thailand and going abroad or returning home for a family visit)?
I get a flight to England every two years as part of my school contract. Other than that I mostly do short trips in Thailand on my motorbike but I don't spend much more than I would if I was staying in Bangkok - just the hotel and petrol. 3K a month average?
Q13. How would you summarize your standard of living?
I live modestly. I'm not flash but I don't want for anything. If i get invited on a weekend trip I can just go. If my shoes break, I can buy a new pair. In England when I was younger it wasn't like that - an unexpected bill could ruin my month but now I feel quite comfortable.
Q14. What's the minimum salary you would personally be prepared to work for here?
If I didn't need to save for the future and my salary was just to live on, then I could have a great life on 50K per month (but if you live here long term you need more than that so you can save)
Q15. Finally, do you worry about the future? Is your current lifestyle sustainable?
Not answered.
Phil's analysis and comment
You certainly live modestly Jonathon for someone earning 95K, but that's OK, each to his own. A thousand baht a month on socializing? That's certainly not pushing the boat out - but congratulations on living well within your means and then some.
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