Rick
Working in Ayutthaya
Monthly Earnings 50,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
My full-time salary is 45,000 and I make 5,000 from other sources.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
If I really try I can save 35,000 to 40,000 but it's usually around 20-25,000. It depends on how often I go out or how busy I am.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
Nothing. My girlfriend owns the house.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
Probably 500 baht on fuel for the bike. Another one or two thousand baht for transport around Thailand (this increases during school holidays).
Utility bills
650 baht for internet, up to 1,500 baht for power and 200 baht or so for water.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
If I go out a few times a month, this can be up to 5,000 but usually 2-3,000 on restaurants and supermarket shopping. My girlfriend cooks at home mostly so that saves me a ton of money.
Nightlife and drinking
If I go out properly (to Bangkok or Pattaya, etc) I spend loads. So depending how often can mean between 5,000 and as much as 20,000.
Books, computers
Very little, if any.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Awesome, a lovely lifestyle with nice options to expand everywhere.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Fresh food in markets and public transport (including flights)
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
20,000 to survive and have a decent existence. But above 35,000 and if you have your affairs in order and an eye on your finances, you won't go far wrong
Phil's analysis and comment
Nice one Rick. So your girlfriend owns the house (always nice when there are no rental costs to worry about) and most times, she cooks at home and saves you even more money in the process. She sounds like a keeper!
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