Living Costs are Low In Thailand

[jacko 8,762]

Since I stopped using hotels, laundries and to some degree restaurants...(and to a greater degree short time places and Go-Gos, apart from one or two nights out a week), money goes much further.

 

Find a tilac who likes to cook and make house..........

 

She does laundry and ironing in the morning........

 

Pops off on the motorcycle at 4pm with her basket to the market to shop for tonights meal. For two of us she rarely spends above 140 baht on vegetables, meat, shrimp whatever and turns out a great meal.

 

I thought I would do my bit, so bought a barbecue, a fresh whole fish would be nice some days and beyond our current cooking facilities. I am partial to a Sabu fish, a mackerel. Last time I had one of those it was at one of the Walking Street, over the sea, restaurants....they only had a couple of fish, rather small, so I took both of them. I think it was about 1000 baht for them cooked. Today, one fish of about 14 inch, maybe 1 1/2lbs turned out very well done 'on the barbie in tin foil'. She had bought it at Carrefour...how much.....27 baht.

 

I am quite full and content right now, I will open one of my large bottles of cold beer.....23 baht.

 

When you are older and less demanding of life, you can afford it.

 

Edited July 2, 2006 by jacko

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Hope for the financially challenged amonst us.

[bangkapiboy 5]

life is good here. thanks for sharing Jacko.

[Chivas 0]

Spot On Jacko,

 

Its not such a question of being financially challenged.Sometimes you have to slow down-young and old.

 

Chivas

[BigDUSA 71]

I'm looking forward to moving to LOS in the not to distant future. If I can get my 65" Mitsubishi TV in my bag, I'll be in video heaven.

 

Thailand is truly cheap Charley heaven.

[torrenova 644]

You do get some anomalies though, like the cost of potatoes or fresh juice. As you say, fish is real cheap, as are most fresh vegetables. You can cook up a real nice tasty and balanced meal for very little. That said though, you can eat in restaurants away from the tourist areas for far far less than Walking Street.

 

You can't just go out every night and getting into the habit of staying in is imperative. It is also something to consider when you look for accommodation, do you need cooking facilities inside / outside etc.

[jacko 8,762]

You do get some anomalies though, like the cost of potatoes or fresh juice. As you say, fish is real cheap, as are most fresh vegetables. You can cook up a real nice tasty and balanced meal for very little. That said though, you can eat in restaurants away from the tourist areas for far far less than Walking Street.

 

You can't just go out every night and getting into the habit of staying in is imperative. It is also something to consider when you look for accommodation, do you need cooking facilities inside / outside etc.

Well cooking facilities were a must for me, but Thai food seems easy, we have 2 burners connected to a bottle of gas...and everything seems to get made in a wok.

A rice cooker is essential!

 

Yes, potatoes are above average cost, but they are not Thai food, I ask tilac to buy a few for me to bake as I need the change from rice. She seems unable to get her head around the concept of a single meal without it.

 

Juice, she buys tangerines at 20 baht/kilo, freshly squeezed. Pineapples are a bargain too lately.

 

I get my weekly stodge fix......pie and chips at The Vic or Sportsman etc.......you have to exercise your teeth now and again.

 

Not sure if I am financially challenged, I can live off my interest with this lifestyle, but I sure am getting a Cheap Charlie reputation on this board.

 

Staying in has been easier with the World Cup, she likes to watch a Thai soap, I will play on the computer or read....so an internet link is necessary, as is cable or satellite.

[WelshFarang 0]

Jacko,

 

I know that there have been threads on the cost of living in LOS, but could you give us a breakdown of your average monthly outgoings? Where are you staying -I assume it is a long term let?

[wacmedia 277]

Staying in has been easier with the World Cup, she likes to watch a Thai soap, I will play on the computer or read....so an internet link is necessary, as is cable or satellite.

 

 

Hi,

 

I think it is a matter of adjusting to living somewhere as against being on holiday. Nobody can live in holiday mode 24/7 and those that try end up brown bread.

[EnglishPaul 3]

jacko

Sounds like a pleasant life

Thanks for your post

[glynbuk 29]

i personally dont think your lifestyle can be called cheapy charlie, sounds great to me

[Soi7 1]

Jacko,

 

There have been many posts here about living on a budget and it can be done no problem question guys have to ask themselves is can They do it ??

 

I have just been here 1 year when I retired at 49 I was hoping to get by on 40,000 baht a month. Found out I can and have been doing it on 20,000 baht.

 

Many will say it can't be done but what they are saying is that they can not do it.

 

 

 

Have all I need don't feel I am missing out on anything.

[Owen` 2]

Full disclosure. I'm not living in Pattaya and and still in a working grind -- in the process of fully analyzing what's what and preparing to retire . . . hopefully at about age 52 (i.e. within 10 mos or so).

 

Have all I need don't feel I am missing out on anything.

 

You guys know Soi7 is the board's authority on Living Below Your Means in Pattaya And Having Fun While Doing So. Read his stuff. He has picked a lifestyle level that may work just fine for many. An important point seems to be that he Does Not Feel Constrained. He spends little and doesn't seem to feel like he's poverty stricken. He's having fun. This seems to me very important. Sure, guys can show up and live on noodles every day and go for walks and never ever have money for girls or travel or whatever -- but that's not why people went to Pattaya. Soi7 has a solution that he never ever pushes onto people. He always warns that not everyone is going to manage what he has.

 

Eneukman (Alan) also has many posts about living expenses. He has not taken Soi7's approach. Eneukman had a number in mind when he arrived and has molded his life spending below that number. It's a different number than Soi7's.

 

So what we have here is two gentlemen who have generously donated the time to lay out their budgets in posts for fellow BMs. They are worth studying. I, personally, am intrigued that there are common denominators between the two.

 

1) Get out of vacation mode ASAP.

2) I've heard no spending of money for tilac's sick buffalo from either of them.

3) They have new friends to have time with in Pattaya, and seemed to have

formed those friendships quickly.

4) I hear of live in gfs from both, but I think not all that permanently so.

5) They are both happy not to be working. This doesn't seem to be universal. There are many posts by retirees on other sites who "miss work". (gotta be nuts)

 

Anyway, I've found both these gentleman to have things to say of great value for those with an ambition to spend a decade or more in Pattaya.

[jambo 0]

I gave formal instruction to my estate agent today - my house in Edinburgh goes up for sale on 1st August. As soon as that is completed, hopefully within 3 months, thats me on my way to what I expect to be a very happy retirement in LOS.

 

Finances will definately mean an immediate change from "holiday mode" but I couldn't keep that pace up for any protracted length of time anyway!

 

In the meantime back next month for a relatively short 11 day trip when I will be looking at possible places to live. I expect to rent for the first 6 months before buying a condo for myself......... and tee rak!

 

Thats another reason for returning in August - will I still feel the same about the gorgeous (non working) girl I found last month? Does she really mean all the sweet comments she attempts to say (in english) in her daily e-mails? I hope so, but time will tell!

[BigDUSA 71]

Jacko,

 

There have been many posts here about living on a budget and it can be done no problem question guys have to ask themselves is can They do it ??

 

I have just been here 1 year when I retired at 49 I was hoping to get by on 40,000 baht a month. Found out I can and have been doing it on 20,000 baht.

 

Many will say it can't be done  but what they are saying is that they can not do it.

 

 

 

Have all I need don't feel I am missing out on anything.

I lived in Pattaya on 30K per month and had a good time. If I didn't drink, I could do it on 20K just like Soi7.

 

BTW, I'm not a balloon chaser nor did I squeeze every baht twice. Well to be honest sometimes I did.

Edited July 3, 2006 by BigDUSA

[jacko 8,762]

Jacko,

 

I know that there have been threads on the cost of living in LOS, but could you give us a breakdown of your average monthly outgoings? Where are you staying -I assume it is a long term let?

House Rent 15k

M/cycle rent 3k

Electric 3k

Water pennies

Cable 500 baht

Spending money to Tilac 12k

Meals Out 3-4k

my(or our) nights out 12k

Food/gas/mobile/etc 6k

 

 

I have rented a furnished house on a 6 month basis, other side of Sukhumvit....to give it a try.

[Gary 4,100]

I too enjoy cheap living. I bought a condo in Jomtien a couple of years ago to eliminate the biggest cost variable and since then have moved up country and live in my Wife's house. We pay no rent and have the condo rent coming in. I give her 20,000 baht a month and she pays everything except my annual insurance premiums. Since I have two vehicles and a motorcycle my insurance premiums including health insurance are nearly 50,000 baht per year. It's a good life.

 

She has money left over every month and is able to put about 5,000 of that in her savings account.

[Kev 173]

Jacko,

 

There have been many posts here about living on a budget and it can be done no problem question guys have to ask themselves is can They do it ??

 

I have just been here 1 year when I retired at 49 I was hoping to get by on 40,000 baht a month. Found out I can and have been doing it on 20,000 baht.

 

Many will say it can't be done but what they are saying is that they can not do it.

 

 

 

Have all I need don't feel I am missing out on anything.

Hey Soi7 you're not retired are you?

 

I thought you were studying for something or other???

 

[wacmedia 277]

Hey Soi7 you're not retired are you?

 

I thought you were studying for something or other???

 

Hi,

 

That is Raylene(fucka, squirt) studying to be an accountant I believe.

[Owen` 2]

House Rent 15k

M/cycle rent 3k

Electric 3k

Water pennies

Cable 500 baht

Spending money to Tilac 12k

Meals Out 3-4k

my(or our) nights out 12k

Food/gas/mobile/etc 6k

 

Vacations? 4 day weekends to Singapore? Trips "home"? Or taxi to Bangkok for shopping or whatever?

 

Internet?

 

Good job on renting your transportation. Otherwise I'd have to ask about

depreciation expense.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE???

 

Computer upgrades? Avged out over maybe once per 2 yrs?

 

What else have I missed?

[jacko 8,762]

Vacations?  4 day weekends to Singapore?  Trips "home"?  Or taxi to Bangkok for shopping or whatever?

 

Internet?

 

Good job on renting your transportation.  Otherwise I'd have to ask about

depreciation expense.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE???

 

Computer upgrades?  Avged out over maybe once per 2 yrs?

 

What else have I missed?

Well I don't keep notes...what are you an accountant?

 

Yes I go back to the UK about 2 maybe 3 times a year, but I could hardly call that an expense of 'living' in Thailand. My visa runs (Cambodia border) are about 2000 every 2 months. Get a retirement visa and that is reduced.

 

Internet, included in mobile costs, subsidised by someone with an unsecured wi-fi nearby. 40baht / hour in a cafe.....

 

Taxi to Bangkok for shopping.....for what? I live near Pattaya.

 

Computer upgrades? Just bought this one ! I always had a company one until I quit, then was in internet cafes for a while. I hope this one will do better than 2 years. 2k/month would cover that.

 

Health Insurance..paying as needed at the moment but am looking into that right now. Looks like 60k p.a will be needed. Unsure whether to get a Thailand based one or a worldwide plan.

 

Some of the other numbers may be high as I 'know what I spend' and would guess that it is a shade less than the 55k pcm I come up with here.

 

Also looking to buy a motorcycle to save on the rental.....depreciation on vehicles here is slow unless you crash it...then it gets fast.

Edited July 5, 2006 by jacko

[Kev 173]

Hi,

 

That is Raylene(fucka, squirt) studying to be an accountant I believe.

Cheers thanks wacmedia I got the wrong fucka squirt

 

No offence intended Soi 7.

[Owen` 2]

Yes I go back to the UK about 2 maybe 3 times a year, but I could hardly call that an expense of 'living' in Thailand. My visa runs (Cambodia border) are about 2000 every 2 months. Get a retirement visa and that is reduced.

 

Sorry about the hurried and potentially rude questions. It's a 4 day holiday weekend in the states and I was in a hotel in Las Vegas on may way down to check out and fly home when I posted that this morning. Too much of a hurry.

 

This particular item above is just an excellent matter for examination, and I frankly don't have any idea of the right attitude about it.

 

Yep, no question that if you choose to travel, then that's not a Pattaya expense. The visa expenses do matter and probably do qualify as such an expense that should be in guys' estimates. The travel vacations are entirely discretionary.

 

Yes, they do count for your 4% extraction from portfolio, or from your pension or whatever -- but they would count if you retired anywhere. They aren't specific to Pattaya. One thing that is subtle that might warrant inclusion -- airfare from Thailand to the US (and probalby the UK) return ticket (round trip) is less than the same return ticket originating in the US or UK. Supply and demand.

 

So maybe best we not have any sort of hard and fast rule on this. But guys need to be aware of it. If they are going "home" to see family, that's part of their year's budget -- but it's not a Pattaya budget. They'd pay that from Costa Rica too.

 

Computer upgrades? Just bought this one ! I always had a company one until I quit, then was in internet cafes for a while. I hope this one will do better than 2 years. 2k/month would cover that.

 

The computer whizzes are going to have to weigh in here. How often should we be updating our computers? If they cost $1500 and we do it every three years, obviously that is $500 onto our annual budget.

 

Health Insurance..paying as needed at the moment but am looking into that right now. Looks like 60k p.a will be needed. Unsure whether to get a Thailand based one or a worldwide plan.

 

This is a real important matter. The local Expats Club has apparently orchestrated something, but I have yet to hear all the particulars.

 

There are three particulars that need to be answered:

 

1) Monthy premium for how much deductible

2) Does it cover drugs

3) I have no pre-existing conditions, but many many guys do and this last question may be the most important of the 3, does it exclude pre-existing conditions or include them with X months of delay?

 

Let us know what your research discovers.

[Gary 4,100]

As far as a computer any old rag will do if all you are doing is the Internet, email and surfing. I have an antique Toshiba laptop that I sometimes drag around with me. It IS old and it's just as fast in the Internet as my high powered desktop. I gave my old desktop to a friend of mine. I bought a new one and got tired of seeing it sitting around. Second hand computers are very cheap.

 

My retirement visa cost 1,900 baht per year, I don't have to ever leave the country. The 90 day address verifications are free. I have no desire to leave the country and would just as soon take a beating as to travel.

 

My health insurance is about 20,000 baht per year. It does NOT cover pre existing conditions. Drugs are cheap here anyways and it does NOT cover drugs, doctor visits or dental. There is zero deductible. I'm not sure if it is good or not but last year I had acute appendicitis. The bill was 48,000 baht for the surgery and hospital. The insurance paid all except 15 baht. I don't know what the 15 baht was but I didn't question it. If I remember correctly there was a 30 day waiting period before they would cover any claims.

[kolobos 0]

My visa runs (Cambodia border) are about 2000 every 2 months. Get a retirement visa and that is reduced.

How do you go about only having to go on a visa run every 2 months?

 

If you have a multiple entry 12 month, its every three months and single entry are good for 90 days then you have to go every month...so what kind of visa do you have where you go every 2 months?

 

Regarding buying a bike, get one under a year old and the depreciation would be neglible...buy a nouvo for 56000 baht new will be worth 40k on leaving the shop...buy a wave 125i for 46000 and it will be worth 38000.