Brian
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 90,000
Q1. How is that income broken down? (full-time salary, private students, on-line teaching, extra work, etc)
My income is a full-time salary including a housing allowance of 16,000. I work for a mid-level international school in Bangkok. I may consider online teaching in the future.
Q2. How much money can you save each month?
I can save approx 40,000 baht per month. Sometimes when I'm going on holiday its more like 20,000 or 30,000 baht. I do have a lot of mini weekend breaks and usually jet off somewhere each half term break.
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
22,000. I live in a one-bedroom duplex condo.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
I get a taxi to school each day, which costs 1,200 baht a week, which equates to approx 5,000 a month.
Utility bills
Electricity - 1,000 baht a month
Water - 100 baht a month
Internet - 900 baht a month
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
Most of my money goes on food as I spend a lot on eating out in both budget restaurants and more expensive restaurants, which I usually go to at weekends.
I would approximate around 10,000 baht a month.
Nightlife and drinking
I usually have after-work drinks on a Friday, but wouldn't spend more than 2,000 baht on alcohol. In terms of nightlife, I usually go to the cinema at least once a week, this equates to 1,000 baht a month.
Books, computers
I may buy one new book a month, approx 300 baht.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
I feel I have an average standard of living, but it allows me to have a good quality of life out here.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food is really cheap, with so many amazing tastes and dishes.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
I think approx 50,000-60,000 a month to have a good quality of life.
Phil's analysis and comment
Thank you Brian. I agree that 50,000 - 60,000 baht a month in Bangkok would give you a decent standard of living if you were a single guy, but you wouldn't be spending 22,000 on accommodation of course.
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