7 minutes ago, n00dle said:

what does this spurious comparison have to do with anything?

 

The OP is not a thai, nor a massage girl.  
 

I think the point he is trying to make, is lots of Thais lead comfortable middle class lives on 50k a month, if they can do it ?

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

going to bars drinking, massage everyday etc , impossible to live on a government pension!!

When the government calculate pensions I don't think they factor these things in

 

Maybe you should write a formal complaint to them and ask for a pension increase?

 

 

Just now, Peterw42 said:

I think the point he is trying to make, is lots of Thais lead comfortable middle class lives on 50k a month, if they can do it ?

And the point i am making is that "lots of Thais" have family support, a different diet, government healthcare, access to financing and very different expectations.  It is not a level playing field.  To claim it is, is disingenuous.

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

I'm particularly interested in single older males who live below 50k a month or say yearly 600k.

I'm doing OK on 40-50k/month with a woman, 2 kids and a mortgage (3 bed house).

16 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Please explain as I would like to do the same.

Moving into house (owned), so 6k in rent gone

Going solar, so another 3500 gone

Don't need the car (theoretically) but at leas 2k in petrol.

 

If actually got rid of the car, another 1000-1500 for insurance/tax.

About 13k of now mandatory bills, eliminated.

 

When EV (car) arrives, then no petrol or expensive maintenance.

Have e-motorcycle now, cost near nothing to operate, and realistically, 

all that is needed.

 

Next month, all we have to do is feed ourselves.  If in home, then we

can easily do that on 10k a month.

 

Renting townhouse now, at 6k a month, if no dog, same townhouse

is only 3500 a month, anyone could do rent/utilities for 5 k a month.

I abuse the AC, so 3k+ a month for PEA is a bit silly for many.

 

No need to live that inexpensively, but it's very possible, if no health issues. Would easily leave 20-30k a month for vices, if wanting on a 50k budget.

24 minutes ago, 2ndhomepattaya said:

The past year I spent 559970 so well within the said budget, and this year much the same.

I live in a nice condo and OK I don't drink at home. I like my foot massage but rarely more then once a week.

Yes, I go out for dinner weekly but as I like Thai food rarely on farang stuff and a few beers twice a week in locals near me.

And no, not girly ones either. I have a feeling my lady would kinda mind.

My days on a bellyful of beer by early afternoon are well behind me, if nothing for my livers sake.

No, I don't find it challenging on said 50K at all

Pattaya? 

You sound more like a homebody rather than going out a lot though

 

 

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Moving into house (owned), so 6k in rent gone

Going solar, so another 3500 gone

Don't need the car (theoretically) but at leas 2k in petrol.

 

If actually got rid of the car, another 1000-1500 for insurance/tax.

About 13k of now mandatory bills, eliminated.

 

When EV (car) arrives, then no petrol or expensive maintenance.

Have e-motorcycle now, cost near nothing to operate, and realistically, 

all that is needed.

 

Next month, all we have to do is feed ourselves.  If in home, then we

can easily do that on 10k a month.

 

Renting townhouse now, at 6k a month, if no dog, same townhouse

is only 3500 a month, anyone could do rent/utilities for 5 k a month.

I abuse the AC, so 3k+ a month for PEA is a bit silly for many.

 

No need to live that inexpensively, but it's very possible, if not health issues. 

What a load of twaddle, you present us with options that cost millions in setup costs as evidence of an inexpensive lifestyle. 

God bless those that can on 50 k.

 

A proper plan would be to save and invest during your life so that you have little financial concerns and don´t have to count your pennies when older.  

Not many mention things like insurance costs.

100 k seems about right for a very fulfilling lifestyle here.

 

"I'm particularly interested in single older males...."  

 

You had my attention up to that point.

OP, how about sharing the breakdown of your 80k a month budget ?  

 

 

Just now, n00dle said:

What a load of twaddle, you present us with options that cost millions in setup costs as evidence of an inexpensive lifestyle. 

I did the same thing,

Deposit on the house 300kbht, Solar including batteries 100kbht.

Hardly millions ............

2 minutes ago, n00dle said:

What a load of twaddle, you present us with options that cost millions in setup costs as evidence of an inexpensive lifestyle. 

Totally agree.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

I did the same thing,

Deposit on the house 300kbht, Solar including batteries 100kbht.

Hardly millions ............

Would the Solar be enough to charge up his new EV?

And what's this house deposit?

1 minute ago, KannikaP said:

Would the Solar be enough to charge up his new EV?

And what's this house deposit?

I don't believe EV is cost effective at this point in time.

I tend to walk or cycle at no expense at all.

Failing that my scooter at 40Km/ltr doesn't cost much.

3 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Would the Solar be enough to charge up his new EV?

And what's this house deposit?

He put 300k down and has a mortgage to pay.

16 minutes ago, n00dle said:

What a load of twaddle, you present us with options that cost millions in setup costs as evidence of an inexpensive lifestyle. 

Believe what you want, but they are actual numbers.

 

Actually, house & car didn't cost me anything ... sort of.   Simply using the profits of the first 2 house I bought and lived in here (rent free), the past 17 years.  I actually still have my original savings from first arriving here.  Actually more from investing after arriving.

 

First didn't cost millions, not even 1 million, and only $20k/ 800k THB at the time.  Present house (120 m²) cost 1.521 mill, and includes the solar system. 

76k for land

1.1 mill for house

345k for solar

 

Choices make all the difference in smile factor.   If you're 50+ yrs old, on a retirement visa, and can't rustle up 1 mill for a house purchase, and renting is going to strain your monthly budget, then you probably shouldn't be here at all.

 

What did you do for 30 yrs living elsewhere ... rent, bars, hookers ... oh well.

Live with your choices, don't complain about them.

 

Plenty of folks here, screwed royally in divorce before arriving, but living quite happily on less.  

 

Drunk & massage everyday ... nuff said.

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Maybe you should go out there and talk to Thais.

Or just talk to one of you regular massage girls.

Tell her you struggle with 50k per month. And maybe ask her how much she makes per month.

Maybe one of those girls will suggest to move in with you. She will manage to live with that money for both of you and still save some of it.

Guaranteed happy ending every day. 

50k for me and gf sounds about right.

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Choices make all the difference in smile factor.   If you're 50+ yrs old, on a retirement visa, and can't rustle up 1 mill for a house purchase, and renting is going to strain your monthly budget, then you probably shouldn't be here at all.

I'd have to disagree with you on this one.

Wasting 2Mbht on a house in someone else's name in a country you have no right to live as an old guy with less than 20 years to live probably isn't the best financial decision for me to make.

 

I din't mind giving her 300kbht, I can afford that much of a loss.

Better for a Thai bank to take the risk on the other 1M7 on my house IMHO.

If I get chucked out (been in it 8 years now), I no longer need to pay the 9k/month mortgage repayments.

16 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'd have to disagree with you on this one.

Wasting 1Mbht on a house in someone else's name in a country you have no right to live as an old guy with less than 20 years to live probably isn't the best financial decision.

 

I din't mind giving her 300kbht, I can afford that much of a loss.

Better for a Thai bank to take the risk on the other 1M7 on my house IMHO.

If I get chucked out (been in it 8 years now), I no longer need to pay the 9k/month mortgage repayments.

Didn't buy the house for me, though will enjoy it.   She's put up with me for 16+ yrs, and 20+ yrs younger, so she'll benefit being rent free.  She definitely deserves to be taken care of, as I promised I would.

 

Don't need the EV car either, but will last her 20+ yrs, at minimal operating cost.  So wife & daughter are set for about 20-40 yrs if needed.

 

On a retirement visa, monthly deposit, so finances isn't an issue.  But if wanting to live on the cheap, very possible, whether owning or renting.

 

Been fortunate, and could walk away from it all tomorrow, and wouldn't bother me, as long as the dog came with me.????

 

Or we could sell for 2 mill easily.  She's pretty darn good at investing.  She sold 1st house for 50% profit, and 2nd house for 150% profit, which has financed this house & EV, arriving later this year.

I spend that much a month on lubricants and bedroom paraphernalia alone...

Easy....shoe box apt...cook w/Thai gf...watch movies at home...party 2 nights a week... send  5,000 Baht per month to relatives....15,000 Baht change

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Can earn under 65k per month if you have 800k in a Thai bank apparently 

 

How do you guys go withdrawal of your overseas pension paying the 220b ATM fee?

 

Get your pension paid to Australian bank, then use Wise to transfer to your Thai account.

 

If you have Aussie ING debit card you can avoid the 220 baht fee subject to certain conditions.

I live on 12 to 15 thousand a month . I do not pay rent and I have the electricity and wifi paid from a few rooms i rent out . Any profit from the rooms goes back into the property for making more rooms .

My pension income is around 50000 baht . 

The rooms i rent have been built by myself in the past 7 years . 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Moving into house (owned), so 6k in rent gone

Going solar, so another 3500 gone

Don't need the car (theoretically) but at leas 2k in petrol.

 

If actually got rid of the car, another 1000-1500 for insurance/tax.

About 13k of now mandatory bills, eliminated.

 

When EV (car) arrives, then no petrol or expensive maintenance.

Have e-motorcycle now, cost near nothing to operate, and realistically, 

all that is needed.

 

Next month, all we have to do is feed ourselves.  If in home, then we

can easily do that on 10k a month.

 

Renting townhouse now, at 6k a month, if no dog, same townhouse

is only 3500 a month, anyone could do rent/utilities for 5 k a month.

I abuse the AC, so 3k+ a month for PEA is a bit silly for many.

 

No need to live that inexpensively, but it's very possible, if no health issues. Would easily leave 20-30k a month for vices, if wanting on a 50k budget.

Please explain:

6k in rent must be a very modest place.

How can you spend 3500 in a minimal place like that.

Did you factor in how much your solar investment cost if you want to go completely self-sufficient.

I guess you are above 60. 
For sure, your health insurance doesn't come cheap.

33 minutes ago, ezzra said:

I spend that much a month on lubricants and bedroom paraphernalia alone...

You must be very dry.

13 minutes ago, RafPinto said:

Please explain:

6k in rent must be a very modest place.

How can you spend 3500 in a minimal place like that.

Did you factor in how much your solar investment cost if you want to go completely self-sufficient.

I guess you are above 60. 
For sure, your health insurance doesn't come cheap.

2 bedroom townhouse, and as stated, I abuse the AC, and poorly constructed/insulted building.  Not located at 'usual' tourist destination or expensive metro area.  

 

Solar will be completely self sufficient.  Providing more than needed monthly.  Use about 700 PEA units a month now, and solar will provide more than that.

 

67 yrs old, 68 in Dec. 

 

Have no health insurance, never needed, never wanted.  Have an oops fund, JIC, and some would say that was financed, by never paying for silly health insurance.  Actually much less than paying for health insurance over 50 yrs, and silly priced now, with risk of being dropped if actually needing.  So I can't be bothered.

30k to survive

40k to live comfortably

50k to thrive 

 

Don't know why you need that much in a country where the average Somchai survives with 10k a month. 5 times that should suffice no?

 

Food is not expensive but of course if you go to Tops and friends it's expensive. Just eat breakfast from 7-11, lunch from an ordinary Thai restaurant and if you are in Pattaya a plate of pasta from an Italian restaurant in Soi Buakao is 100/200 baht. I think you won't spend more than 10k for food. 10k for another decent place to live in, 5k for electricity internet water, 5k for booze, coffee and all those things you don't really need. 30k for your basics... Add insurance, some luxuries let's say 10k. Then another 10k if you want the weekly farang restaurant, soapy. 

 

50k for a single is a lot, at least for me.

 

 

 

 

You could do it living up country in the rice lands. No temptations! ☹️

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, Lacrimas said:

30k to survive

40k to live comfortably

50k to thrive 

 

Don't know why you need that much in a country where the average Somchai survives with 10k a month. 5 times that should suffice no?

Chance are the average Somchai household has 3 generations living there, don't drink 5 large beers in an overpriced tourist / expat bar every night, or need a happy massage every few days, or daily on the cheap.

 

Actually same as most expats, living thrifty, except for the multi generation thingy.  But then the thread wouldn't be interesting.

 

Getting drunk in a bar every night with daily happy massage ... yea, that's believable.