Jesse
Working in Bangkok
Monthly Earnings 56,000 baht
Q1. How much do you earn from teaching per month?
I earn about 56,000 baht working evenings and weekends.
Q2. How much of that can you realistically save per month?
I can and have saved an average of 36,000 baht per month for the past two years
Q3. How much do you pay for your accommodation and what do you live in exactly (house, apartment, condo)?
I pay 6,400 baht a month for a large bachelorette apartment.
Q4. What do you spend a month on the following things?
Transportation
My transportation costs might be a little higher than most since I teach at more than one branch of a well known language school. I'm known of as a nomadic teacher (my title). My commute time is longer too but the trade off is fewer classes, zero involvement in office politics at any particular center, loads more friends and a small transport stipend. Plus I've really learned the bus system well I avoid using taxis which would eat through my stipend all too quickly - unless I'm late!
Utility bills
Rent and utilities including internet and phone have always come in at under 7,000. I don't use air-con at home except maybe twice a year on the hottest days.
Food - both restaurants and supermarket shopping
6,000 baht. I'm a vegetarian but not a health nut or anything like that. I just don't like to eat meat. I usually go up to Makkro (a Costco like store) once a month and stock up for around 2,000 and buy fruit on sale at Big C. I'll also often eat a meal at a food court when I am out and exploring before my shift. Plus I do frequent 7-11 for the occasional goodies.
Nightlife and drinking
Nada. I am not a drinker and since my shifts end at 9.00 pm most nights, I just wanna go home after work.
Books, computers
I did buy a Lenovo 700 Idea pad last year and amortized over my two year stretch in Thailand I guess that would be about 1,000 baht a month. As for books I am making a list for when I can go to a library in my home country again.
Q5. How would you summarize your standard of living in one sentence?
Very comfortable. I don't even feel that I scrimp to save what I do but I recognize that outside of Thailand costs are much higher and so I'm moving on after my two years are completed and heading to Saudi Arabia (this September). I always considered Thailand a place to get my feet wet in the ESL world but as a single female it never crossed my mind to stay here permanently. There is just not enough incentive to do so.
Q6. What do you consider to be a real 'bargain' here?
Food at most food courts - I'm a big fan of the 'jey' (vegetarian) places. Also I have developed a bit of a reputation for going to Mr. DIY. I love that place because it's got everything or almost and is relatively inexpensive. Also clothes are inexpensive but sometimes it is worth it to pay a little more for good quality stuff, though even that tends to be on sale.
Q7. In your opinion, how much money does anyone need to earn here in order to survive?
See lengthy answer below
Phil's analysis and comment
Okay this is the big question and honestly I'd say at 56k baht a month, I'm have a lower-mid range salary. I don't know why anyone would go for less unless they are choosing to volunteer.
However, I think what should really be the concern is how much money does anyone need to save here in order to survive. Then you have a much more interesting question because I know of teachers who are earning 80k and up but who don't save a single baht. That is not a sustainable existance, especially when considering that working here is not likely to contribute to any kind of retirement pension. And I know that most teachers here are far from their retirement years but the earlier one can cultivate the saving habit, the better off they will be financially.
To go home after 3 or 5 or 7 years with nothing (no savings), that to me would be an epic fail. My plan next is to go to Saudi Arabia and essentially live off the cash I've saved here in Thailand for the next four years. That way I can save every riyal of my Saudi paycheques and who knows, in five or six years of doing that... I might be able to take a very early retirement.
Interesting survey that Jesse. When I started reading it, I thought Bloody Hell! the poor girl survives on 20,000 baht a month in Bangkok. But to be fair, it doesn't sound like you go without anything.
I love your future plan. I'm sure four years in the dunes won't be a cakewalk, but it will all seem worthwhile when you're heading home with a great big sack of Saudi wonga.
Submit your own Cost of Living survey
