Since 1st of month, and just back from short O&A, frig sort of empty, thought I'd keep track for a month or more.  For them naysayer doubting we live on ฿15k a month.  Today's shopping, about 12kg of protein.

 

For me also, as going as Keto/Carnivore as I can, as a tester.  Cut way back on carbs, and try to stick to proteins & fibrous veggies, and some fruit.   A cheat now & then.   Eggs, whole milk, some cheeses (mozz & parm), dark chocolate fit into that.

 

Today's Makro haul, mostly protein, and sadly, that's what ฿4240 buys.  Hit the fresh market for them veggies.

 

 

 

Out of the cart/trolley, not pictured; milk

 

 

If details matter ... 

 

We have 2 frigs, sm & med.  Small is for beverages, and protein mostly.  This is what's in the freezer.  Still have some salmon filets, 1 pc of pork belly, some frozen fruit/veggie.  And a bag of tater tots.  A bunch of yeast & curry mix.  Some cheeses

 

 

Med frig is fruits/veggies & leftovers mostly.  Also fairly empty now.

 

 

Nice meat. I gave up cheese. Im a recovering cheese addict.

1 hour ago, susanlea said:

Nice meat. I gave up cheese. Im a recovering cheese addict.

Also giving it up, but have some mozz & parm in the freezer, vacuum wrap from a while back.  Actually OK for those on Keto diet, but cheese just doesn't agree with me.  Actually surprised what is allowed on a Keto diet, and way more than Carnivore diet, which I know I couldn't stick to.  That list is just the items in TH, and that I'll eat.

 

The Sirloin is quite nice, having a steak for dinner.   Got 6 real nice dinner steaks, and 1 brekkie steak off it.   Along with small amount of bits & pieces for a stir fry or whatever.   Got about 1 kg of fat, and more than I expected.   That should render down to about 800gr of tallow, and definitely not a negative, considering the price of Olive oil here.

 

Harvey beef imported from OZ, and first time I bought a larger piece like that.  Usually just get a smaller piece of their sirloin piranha, and roast or cut a few steaks off that.   Haven't had any nice ones in a while, and getting tired of Salmon, chicken & pork 

 

On budget part of post, the 12 ish kg of protein should hold us over easily for the month, as just 2 of us + the wonder dog.   So just need fruits & veggies, and more eggs to buy.  Go through about 3 trays (90) eggs a month.

 

Carbs ... just need to keep cutting back on my sweet tooth fixes.  Along with wee bit more less bread.  Cut back a lot already, and trying to average it down to one slice (100gr) a day.   On 'baking day', I can easily eat a half a loaf of bread, which is 470gr, so 250gr of flour (200 bread/50 whole wheat).  No sugar in my bread, and I refrain from loading it up with stuff.   It just taste so damn good 🙄

 

Looking for an energy kick, and hoping more protein will slow down the muscle atrophy.  Of course need to step up my exercise, as slacked off a lot.  Weight not an issue, as not carrying more than 5 kgs extra at any time.

I guess squash is going to be the Carbs on the menu this week with my protein ... 

From the garden, tasty stuff roasted and some more figs ...

 

 

I can't fix my sweet tooth...even when I was holiday in Thailand I had to eat a few kit kats

 

I stopped the sugar in my coffee 

Any idea how to stop my sweet tooth ?? 

13 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I can't fix my sweet tooth...even when I was holiday in Thailand I had to eat a few kit kats

 

I stopped the sugar in my coffee 

Any idea how to stop my sweet tooth ?? 

I think it’s one of those things you just have to stop.  Just stop.  You’re addicted to sugar, but if you stop, the craving goes away after three or four days.  

On 8/1/2024 at 7:13 PM, KhunLA said:

Also giving it up, but have some mozz & parm in the freezer, vacuum wrap from a while back.  Actually OK for those on Keto diet, but cheese just doesn't agree with me.  Actually surprised what is allowed on a Keto diet, and way more than Carnivore diet, which I know I couldn't stick to.  That list is just the items in TH, and that I'll eat.

 

The Sirloin is quite nice, having a steak for dinner.   Got 6 real nice dinner steaks, and 1 brekkie steak off it.   Along with small amount of bits & pieces for a stir fry or whatever.   Got about 1 kg of fat, and more than I expected.   That should render down to about 800gr of tallow, and definitely not a negative, considering the price of Olive oil here.

 

Harvey beef imported from OZ, and first time I bought a larger piece like that.  Usually just get a smaller piece of their sirloin piranha, and roast or cut a few steaks off that.   Haven't had any nice ones in a while, and getting tired of Salmon, chicken & pork 

 

On budget part of post, the 12 ish kg of protein should hold us over easily for the month, as just 2 of us + the wonder dog.   So just need fruits & veggies, and more eggs to buy.  Go through about 3 trays (90) eggs a month.

 

Carbs ... just need to keep cutting back on my sweet tooth fixes.  Along with wee bit more less bread.  Cut back a lot already, and trying to average it down to one slice (100gr) a day.   On 'baking day', I can easily eat a half a loaf of bread, which is 470gr, so 250gr of flour (200 bread/50 whole wheat).  No sugar in my bread, and I refrain from loading it up with stuff.   It just taste so damn good 🙄

 

Looking for an energy kick, and hoping more protein will slow down the muscle atrophy.  Of course need to step up my exercise, as slacked off a lot.  Weight not an issue, as not carrying more than 5 kgs extra at any time.

Over 70 is when my muscles started to atrophy .  Trying to keep up is a balance between how much to push the old body without straining it (and then being laid up for a while ).   I have just started with some PEA protein isolate (matell brand)  that BigStar suggested.  Only reasonable price powder,  2 lb bag from Lazada . 

One good thing about where i live outside of CM is there is a range fed chicken (eggs) farm 5 minutes away.   Still warm when i go to buy .  (tray of 30 for 180 baht) . If there is a place like that near you it (imo)  would definitely be worth getting really good eggs.

Also,  Rimping has large selection of meats that are hormone free ( so they say) . I pay more but quality is very good.  Betagro seems to also have good quality/ no hormones .    And...... sweet potatoes are pretty healthy , and "sweet" .   

If you make kefir ....... Makro here has coconut milk which is really good for making kefir .   If done right is becomes almost yoghurt like after a day in fridge . This brand is specifically recommended (by a shop doing kefir)  as the best .  Maybe your makro has it as well .

@rumak We have limited everything here, and Makro seems to be the only 'go to' for anything.  Not much deafferent offered at the fresh market.

 

We do make our own kefir and sets up like yogurt after couple hours in frig.  Like the coconut milk idea, and plenty of that around, THX.

 

 

 

yep..... ours is firm,  but does vary  🙂 

btw:  the same grains used for milk can be used with the coconut milk .

 

i know there is lots of fresh coconut where you live .   We thought of trying fresh coconut milk but didn't  ( the thai kefir maker here in Cm ,  who we bought our grains from,  highly suggested using the ones i show ) 

Once we tried a box substitute and did not do well .  

 

the markets have fresh coc milk .... but we have not tried that.  

 

also:  our egg farm we looked by googling    "organic egg farm in CM"  .. ( wife did in thai) .... 3 came up and one was like 3 km from our house.  Eggs are really good  

On 8/1/2024 at 7:13 PM, KhunLA said:

The Sirloin is quite nice, having a steak for dinner.   Got 6 real nice dinner steaks, and 1 brekkie steak off it.   Along with small amount of bits & pieces for a stir fry or whatever.   Got about 1 kg of fat, and more than I expected.   That should render down to about 800gr of tallow, and definitely not a negative, considering the price of Olive oil here.

 

Harvey beef imported from OZ, and first time I bought a larger piece like that.  Usually just get a smaller piece of their sirloin piranha, and roast or cut a few steaks off that.   Haven't had any nice ones in a while, and getting tired of Salmon, chicken & pork 

Got 600+ gr of tallow from that fat.

 

On the budget .. <฿1000 

... Makro;  coconut oil & chocolate (100% cacao powder)

to make chocolate, and a huge fail, texture wise, hmm, needs tweaking

Didn't even need to buy chocolate as had already, and both will last months.

... couple bags of bread flour, some natto (till we make more)

... wife just came back from fresh market; kale, cucumbers for pickles, etc etc

 

Global for 2 household items <฿200

Used PEA for 25kWh (+10kWh) for charging EV = ฿128 bill at end of month

 

Budget under ฿6k so far.  Still ~฿9k to play with.

Hate guessing, found other receipt ...

฿4240 ... 1st outing

฿822 ... 2nd .. blueberries, cacao powder, choco, coco oil

฿76 ... bread flour

~฿400 ... global (฿210) + fresh market

~฿200 ... global

฿120 ... coffee shop 

฿1281 ... home internet, phone & phone (631+350+300)

฿128 .. PEA (35kWh)

฿8348

฿15k

฿6652 left

OK, half + of the month gone, and still under ฿15k.   I think we're done shopping for the month, except maybe, well definitely another tray of eggs, and maybe some more fruits & veggies, although frig is full up right now.

 

฿6652 left in budget of ฿15k

฿131 ... PWA - water bill

฿828 ... auto ins

฿300 ... misc, EV tags/tax/MC also/basic ins.

฿198 ... inc a 'one off' item

฿500 ... very high round up, wife at fresh market(fruit/veggies)

฿1069 ... Makro, inc over supply of laundry detergent (฿359)

฿2020 ... Makro, couple one offs & over supply.

฿5046

฿6652

฿1606 left in budget of ฿15k

 

Can't think of anything we need, except them eggs, and maybe, some fruits & veggies.   Will have a few things left over for next month, as didn't even open the 2 cacao powders, or the coconut oil, as trying to use up the EV Olive oil.   9 kg of detergent, might use 1kg.   Use minimal stuff from previous stock, and much less than bought this month extra.

 

Actually surprised it's under ฿15k, as we tried to use up a lot before our last out & about, before beginning of August.  ฿15k monthly budget is really too easy for us, though 2025 may see a bit of a difference, with continued inflation.

 

I seem to notice something every week up 5-10-20% over previous purchases.  Again, that low budget is possible, because we own everything, mostly eat in, and whole foods from scratch.  Very little processed, that's more expensive, unhealthy, over processed, pre-made, pre-packaged food, which we basically avoid.  Garden supplies a wee bit, but not nearly enough to live on .... yet.

 

If having budget issues, save all receipts & write every expense down for about 3 month running.  You'll be surprised where it's going.   If you don't know, you can't manage it.

 

Happy Shopping

Ahh, FRIDGE! 

Surprised the overzealous forum censor let that slide. 🙂

 

I would go with that kind of diet but find shopping outside the norm ridiculously expensive in Thailand. Hearty morning smoothies are a good idea though... banana, mango, kale, spinach, ginger, coconut water, protein powder type thing. Works well on top of a strong black filtered coffee.

 

Keep moving; motion creates emotion n all that. Problems may arise with piling multiple meals a day into the body without doing much. 

On 8/17/2024 at 1:53 PM, KhunLA said:

฿6652 left in budget of ฿15k

฿131 ... PWA - water bill

฿828 ... auto ins

฿300 ... misc, EV tags/tax/MC also/basic ins.

฿198 ... inc a 'one off' item

฿500 ... very high round up, wife at fresh market(fruit/veggies)

฿1069 ... Makro, inc over supply of laundry detergent (฿359)

฿2020 ... Makro, couple one offs & over supply.

฿5046

฿6652

฿1606 left in budget of ฿15k

We're done shopping for the month, and with add on, went about 300 baht over 15k.   Considering what's left, half the protein from 1st shopping, along with things we won't finish next or eve 2 months away.  Stayed within 15k easily. 

 

As stated, only possible because we owned up, no rent, electric or petrol bills.   If not owning everything, especially if single, would easily be a 70-100k a month budget needed to enjoy same lifestyle.

 

ENJOY what and where ever your travels take you.

Do one more month of budget, as going to be too easy.   Still have 7-10 days of protein in the freezer.  So all we need to shop for is fruits & veggies.   Garden in producing butternut squash, asparagus, and the spinach grows wild.   Still have FZ corn, blueberries, strawberries & tater tots.

 

Went to Makro once, eggs, milk (for kefir/yogurt) and pork  ribs.

565 ... Makro

310 ... coffee shop

120 ... lite surfside munch 

That's it and todays the 8th   Food wise, can't think of what we'll need to buy, besides eggs & milk.

 

At least one O&A, HH, then up to BKK.

1000 ... Hua Hin, one night (12 th)

500 .. BKK, (13 & 14th), since staying with daughter/no hotel.  That's for car top up, and munchies.   Add a night maybe, at restaurant.  Probably stop on way back, maybe, so at most 3000 more.  That will be half the month and maybe 5000 spent. 

Less than 2 weeks to for this month, and we've spent very little so for.  Still have 3 days of protein in the freezer, from last month.  Not counting the salmon, and about 5 days of that, but most bought prior to, I think.  No desire to eat salmon that much till Oct.

 

Got some take away chicken wings from night market last night, for today's protein, ฿10 per piece.  Garden is produce 2 servings of asparagus every other day.  Still have too much butternut squash.

 

Need to add one night at Hua Hin, but didn't go to BKK.

 

฿985 ... previous spent from above post

฿500 ... HH hotel

฿254 ... 7-11

฿300 ... fresh market (salad fixings)

฿200 ... night market

฿4347.. Makro, (฿2772 - olive & canola oil) will last months

฿1281 ...  internet/DTAC/AIS

฿295 ... PWA

฿828 ... auto ins

฿8990 ... running total so far.

 

Looking at PEA, maybe ฿216, since almost a total top up of car (82%), using grid.  One more Makro run, maybe ฿1000 before Oct.  Well under ฿15k for Sept.

 

฿200 at BBL, for extension paper work, maybe 300 more & 1900 for extension, but over 12 months, only add ฿200 a month

 

Pure living expense, IF, all bought in (home/solar & transport), no monthly mortgage/rent/payments.

 

Still haven't touched my Soc Sec, and living on pittance of company pension.  With saving so far this year, well over ฿700k since Jan.   

 

Wife is buying 2 lots of land on our soi this week. For coincidentally, ฿700k, and beats having it sit in the bank for 5+ years earning 1% per year, maybe.  Should double in value in 5 years.  350k each, and last lot (1/4 rai) on soi was bought for 450k, so below market price already.  Other lot on corner, with main road, bough over 1 year ago, sold for 650k.

 

Actually looking to buy the only other 2 lots left on the soi, if they become available.  Once again, will not have to worry about neighbors   

 

Last time with bought adjoining multiple lots, was for ฿720k, but 6 rai at Udon Thani, in 2010   not two 1/4 rai lots for 700k    Talk about inflation 

 

Same size lot (1/4 rai) we build present house on was ฿76k (7 yrs ago ?), and lot across from for ฿250k, just over 1 year ago, for the greenhouse/garden.

 

Very impressed with your lifestyle khunLA. Just goes to show how life is about how you manage it.

Just have an existential question I suppose. Living off a fraction of what you could spend, at your age what are you actually saving for? 

 

On 8/5/2024 at 4:01 AM, rumak said:

Over 70 is when my muscles started to atrophy .  Trying to keep up is a balance between how much to push the old body without straining it (and then being laid up for a while ).   I have just started with some PEA protein isolate (matell brand)  that BigStar suggested.  Only reasonable price powder,  2 lb bag from Lazada . 

One good thing about where i live outside of CM is there is a range fed chicken (eggs) farm 5 minutes away.   Still warm when i go to buy .  (tray of 30 for 180 baht) . If there is a place like that near you it (imo)  would definitely be worth getting really good eggs.

Also,  Rimping has large selection of meats that are hormone free ( so they say) . I pay more but quality is very good.  Betagro seems to also have good quality/ no hormones .    And...... sweet potatoes are pretty healthy , and "sweet" .   

If you make kefir ....... Makro here has coconut milk which is really good for making kefir .   If done right is becomes almost yoghurt like after a day in fridge . This brand is specifically recommended (by a shop doing kefir)  as the best .  Maybe your makro has it as well .

What's the price of the pea protein isolate please? I used to buy it in the UK and would definitely like to buy here.

And as an edit. My UK isolate had no other ingredients. Is it the same?

1 hour ago, sidjameson said:

What's the price of the pea protein isolate please? I used to buy it in the UK and would definitely like to buy here.

And as an edit. My UK isolate had no other ingredients. Is it the same?

 

no other ingredients added .............https://www.lazada.co.th/products/matell-pea-protein-isolate-plant-based-non-whey-i3903910125.html

On 8/1/2024 at 8:45 AM, KhunLA said:

Since 1st of month, and just back from short O&A, frig sort of empty, thought I'd keep track for a month or more.  For them naysayer doubting we live on ฿15k a month.  Today's shopping, about 12kg of protein.

 

For me also, as going as Keto/Carnivore as I can, as a tester.  Cut way back on carbs, and try to stick to proteins & fibrous veggies, and some fruit.   A cheat now & then.   Eggs, whole milk, some cheeses (mozz & parm), dark chocolate fit into that.

 

Today's Makro haul, mostly protein, and sadly, that's what ฿4240 buys.  Hit the fresh market for them veggies.

 

 

 

Out of the cart/trolley, not pictured; milk

 

 

If details matter ... 

 

 

That's a great idea. I went Keto for a while and the special bread, flour, fake rice, it all cost a fortune. 

 

Would be curious to see how much Keto is costing you.

5 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

That's a great idea. I went Keto for a while and the special bread, flour, fake rice, it all cost a fortune. 

 

Would be curious to see how much Keto is costing you.

Don't buy any of the 'keto' products, as you point out, they all seem to be silly priced.  Simply making the adjustments from what we do, or use to eat.   Already used a few of the higher priced oils, real better. 

 

Like beef, though not silly priced stuff, along with salmon and salt water seafood.  Those being the higher per kilo priced items, though ate them anyway.  

 

More just cutting out items (starches/sugars), than changing what we are eating, and just adding more of that.   

 

If anything, for us, budget the same or less, as not buying cereals or pasta, the 2 main things that I got most of my starches from.  Add in chips/crisps or tortilla chips as the ultra processed stuff, along with Ritz crackers.   Don't need seed oils in my food, though I'll use to cook my food; coconut, peanut, canola oil, & EV olive oil (for dressings).  Also butter & beef tallow as main heat medium as adds flavor (eggs & meats).

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Don't buy any of the 'keto' products, as you point out, they all seem to be silly priced.  Simply making the adjustments from what we do, or use to eat.   Already used a few of the higher priced oils, real better. 

 

Like beef, though not silly priced stuff, along with salmon and salt water seafood.  Those being the higher per kilo priced items, though ate them anyway.  

 

More just cutting out items (starches/sugars), than changing what we are eating, and just adding more of that.   

 

If anything, for us, budget the same or less, as not buying cereals or pasta, the 2 main things that I got most of my starches from.  Add in chips/crisps or tortilla chips as the ultra processed stuff, along with Ritz crackers.   Don't need seed oils in my food, though I'll use to cook my food; coconut, peanut, canola oil, & EV olive oil (for dressings).  Also butter & beef tallow as main heat medium as adds flavor (eggs & meats).

 

So what do you have for breakfast? I got these Keto bagels because just scrambled eggs with bacon and green beans was not doable every day.

40 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

So what do you have for breakfast? I got these Keto bagels because just scrambled eggs with bacon and green beans was not doable every day.

These 2 threads show some of the stuff I munch on ...

Brekkie (first meal) ... usually eggs + something or not

 

Just polished off the rest of the wings for dinner, along with nice garden salad.

 

This 'cooking thread' for when I make something different, that I hadn't posted yet.

 

As you state, some of that keto stuff is just silly priced.   Was watching the CGM guy, and he was testing his BS (Blooc Sugar) after eating 'chickpea pasta', and no spike.  So I google, 900+ baht for 250 gr  300 ish baht for 125gr.  I'm used to paying 60 baht for 500gr wheat flour pasta.

 

Another one is that ezekiel bread or almond flour ... no thanks.  I'll just cut back on bread period.  Instead of eating half a 870gr loaf in a day, I'll eat it over 2 weeks 

On 9/17/2024 at 3:51 PM, sidjameson said:

Very impressed with your lifestyle khunLA. Just goes to show how life is about how you manage it.

Just have an existential question I suppose. Living off a fraction of what you could spend, at your age what are you actually saving for? 

Not so much purposely saving, more we just don't know what to spend it on.  I really don't need or want anything.   Nice to know it's going into the wife & kids 'emergency / retirement' fund.  Also my 'oops' fund, since I have no healthcare insurance.

 

Had an oops almost 2 years ago, 200+k baht, and that simply came out of pocket money, not yet deposited in play money account.  Same with buying the BEV, (MG ZS) about the same time.  Keep one account for play money, when hits 1M, gets deposited into a 'savings' account or invested.  Such as the land purchase this week.

 

Which thankfully, we've not needed to touch the saving accounts.  Kid is self sufficient, and wife has the govt healthcare, and the local govt hospital is quite good.  No private hospitals locally.  Having  her surgery last year, and only cost to us, was the private room for 2 or 3 nights.

 

Next year, thinking about buying a BEV pick up truck, when the market (pricing) settles for them.   That will be a silly frivolous expense, but I won't one ... I think, depending what catches my eye.

 

I definitely appreciate how fortunate we are, as having a wee bit more than enough.   

No shopping today, so this will be it for the month.

 

฿8990 ... running total so far

฿628 ... Makro

฿399 ... Pizza Co

฿564 ... Makro

฿470 .. Makro

฿3323 ... Makro (chorizo & cheeses) will last months

฿184 ... Imm (1900 + 300) ÷ 12 = ฿184

฿577 ... lunch HH 

฿490 ... lunch SRY

฿200 ... night market

฿15,825  

 

Broke the ฿15k mark, but those oils, cheeses & Chorizo will last 3-6 months easily.

Somehow, still have 5 days of protein in the freezer.  So still below ฿15k, sort of, for the month.   Along with, not needing to go shopping the 1st week of next month, I don't think.

 

Again, easy to do, since no rent/monthly payments.  Solar w/EVs ... bla bla bla.

 

Of course if you live in a metro area, and have public trans, not owning, paying a note for car, and petrol, would really cut big chunk of anyone's budget.  Scooters, ebike or bicycle is cheap transport.

 

I don't think next year will be possible for a ฿15k a month budget, as inflation is a bit silly.  Every week something seems to be up in price at Makro 10-15-20%. or same price and package shrinking.  ฿20k a month probably more realistic next year.

 

We eat Salmon, beef steak & shrimp, the higher priced protein, along with pork & chicken of course.   So not skimping on anything.  Garden providing some fruits & veggies.  Eat in most of the time, and little to no packaged processed foods.  For health, quality/taste, and not for budget reason, but does turn out to be a win win.

 

Hope this helps anyone.  Mandatory living expenses are easy to manage.  One's vices (alcohol, cigs, ganga, companionship) may not be so easy 

 

Happy Smiles ... ENJOY

 

If having budget issues, 'write everything down' ... as you may be surprised where it's going.  If you don't know, you can't adjust your spending.

One can control their budget many ways.  Housing, food & transport, being your largest bills, unless having health issues.  School for kids, if having, is inexpensive, and relative of course.

 

Location location location dictates price for housing.  Besides m² needed vs wanted, and transport to/from necessities, and how much convenience do you require, or want.

 

I just did my almost necessity run, house - Makro - park - house, and <10kms.  Park part not necessity, as can have the dog take me for a walk locally.  Pass Makro on the way to the park, so neither out of the way.

 

Do we need a car, certainly not.  Could do that easily on the E-MB or even the ebike or pedal bike.  Plenty of vendors between house & Makro, along with hugh fresh market and a 7-11.

 

If did that trip every day, instead of once a week, or twice a month, that's 300 kms a month, 3600 kms a year.  Certainly don't need a new vehicle for that.  And if comfortable driving a MB, cost is almost non existent. 

 

If living in town, we could actually walk to everything.  First 3 years here, our rental was walking distance to both Makro, and a 7-11, along with a few vendors & restaurants.

 

Large metros having public trans, if needed, and smaller town, (Patts or Hua Hin), have baht bus service, if needed.  Really don't need to own anything.  Choose wisely, and you could walk to one of the larger chain market, if wanting.

 

Location, out of town, housing, renting or buying less expensive of course, but then offset by need for transport.

 

Which ever floats your boat.  Many enjoy being near, walking distance to everything.   We prefer out of town, which sometimes, like now, is a mere 5-10 minutes, and the luxury, or not, of no neighbors.

 

ENJOY YOUR RETIRMENT

Last one, if anyone curious.  Budget for the whole year, couple weeks early, as I'm bored.  Very short version, ฿16,300 a month ...

 

...  this is actual cash in / out, USA Soc Sec & company pension.

... Soc Sec gets DD in BBL, all in, untouched, for living expenses, with 1 withdraw of ฿165k, which we have, COH. along with what ever myself & wife have in our wallets, (<฿10k) hold us till end of month+ .  Though don't think we need anything.  Internet, water, PEA this month will be < 1k.

... living expense was 100% financed by company pension, ATM withdrawal.

... Total of 8 withdrawal, 2 this week @ ฿16k ... I know 2 @ ฿18k (thanks Joe)

... we'll go negative, and say 8 X ฿17k = ฿136k + ฿60k (gold sold) = ฿196k

... Yearly budget of 196k ÷ 12 = ฿16,300 a month budget ALL IN.

 

That includes the year's expense ...

... including a few O&A

... wife surgery (free / govt), extra was private room (฿3k ?)

... my check ups and any of our pharmacy and or Vitamins.

... vehicle insurance

... EVERYTHING ... toward living monthly living expenses.

 

We did have  a few extras, one offs, nothing to do with living expense, and only expensive one, 2 lots of land @ ฿700k total, and already worth ฿1M+, since latest sale within 100 metes was ฿650k per lot.  Not bought to sell, just so we don't have any neighbors.  Investment for the wife, if needed, after I crap out.

 

Again, low monthly living expense, because we are 'all bought in';, house, solar, BEVs for transport.   Only bills; water, ph & internet, PEA conx ... <฿2k a month.

 

We could easily rent + utilities (PEA) for <฿10k a month, and easily keep a living expense under ฿25k a month, which we wouldn't even need transportation, if renting.

 

Easy to live inexpensively here, most of TH, if no health issues.  Although, no matter income, still need ฿65k a month, or ฿800k, for Imm, and the ฿800k could double as oops fund.  

 

Our budget is no nightlife, aside from restaurant dining, and rare, as 95% of meals are done in house.  Certainly not a lifestyle for the single folks.

 

HAPPY RETIREMENT ... ENJOY

Turning out to be an 'expensive' monthly living expense year   

Last year, averaged ฿16,300 a month, not touching my Soc Sec DD at all.

 

This year, kept ฿40k out, of a SS DD transfer to wife's account, though technically, not needing.  Having ฿25k COH, and still having that much DL pension I haven't taken via ATM from USA.   But that's about it.

 

So next month, will actually be using SS for first time this year, as somehow, we're spending ฿31+k a month     these first 7 months of the year.   And getting ready to do some more O&A, next week.

 

Think we've only done 2 longer ones so far, this year.  Can't think of any 'one off' purchases, more than ฿2K.   An office chair, <฿2K, and a microwave for the car (O&A), also <฿2k.

 

Oh well.   TH is so expensive 

 

If just chiming in, we own, have solar & BEVs, so avoid monthly rent/mortgage, car payment, electric & petrol bills & self health insure.   If not, then we'd easily need the ฿65k a month, actually much more, that Imm thinks a retired person should have monthly.

 

Yes, you can live on less, (not much), or a whole lot more.

 

HAPPY SPENDING

On 7/21/2025 at 12:59 PM, KhunLA said:

So next month, will actually be using SS for first time this year, as somehow, we're spending ฿31+k a month     these first 7 months of the year.   And getting ready to do some more O&A, next week.

Mis-calculated that one.   Next month and onward, I'll need some SS funds.   So I managed to bank 9 months of SS, that's pretty cool.   Kept 40k from one SS DD, while transferring SS DD to wife's account, but have 45k COH, so didn't really need it.  Three more pensions DD coming, and just over $1000 / ~31k THB, so that will only cover one month of living.

 

Have some one off expenses coming up, before end of year, so pension definitely ain't going to cut it.  Auto insurance, and maybe a set of tires, for both car (3 tires), and scooter, both tires.    Along with any more O&A.

 

Definitely a more expense year than last year's 16k+ a month cost of living.  More than double this year, but probably less than 40k a month.  Done with this thread.   

 

Happy Budgeting  ... Damn you Harris