Those of you who live on 40k a month

[pattayadgw]

Millions living on age pension in Australia... please!!  Millions struggling to survive in Australia would be far more accurate.  Even if you own your home or condo in oz you still need a large wad of cash to keep your abode afloat... then try and live just on the pension and see how clever you are.,, NOT

[emptypockets]

8 minutes ago, pattayadgw said:

Millions living on age pension in Australia... please!!  Millions struggling to survive in Australia would be far more accurate.  Even if you own your home or condo in oz you still need a large wad of cash to keep your abode afloat... then try and live just on the pension and see how clever you are.,, NOT

Too true.

I pay about $60 a week for council rates and a similar amount for property insurance. Round up to $500 a month.

Just over 10,000 baht a month for the privelige of living in my own home.

[emptypockets]

2 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Too true.

I pay about $60 a week for council rates and a similar amount for property insurance. Round up to $500 a month.

Just over 10,000 baht a month for the privelige of living in my own home.

Add on electricity at $250 a month and we're looking at 15,000 baht.

Medical insurance 8000b, car regos 3000 baht a month, car insurance 4000 baht a month.

 

30,000 baht a month roughly.

Seen the price of petrol and food lately?

Glad I'm not on a pension or would be cutting back on quite a few things.

 

Truly the lucky country!

[Ralf001]

26 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Add on electricity at $250 a month and we're looking at 15,000 baht.

Medical insurance 8000b, car regos 3000 baht a month, car insurance 4000 baht a month.

 

30,000 baht a month roughly.

Seen the price of petrol and food lately?

Glad I'm not on a pension or would be cutting back on quite a few things.

 

Truly the lucky country!

 

Doesn't Australia have fee medical ?

[emptypockets]

6 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Doesn't Australia have fee medical ?

Yes. But it can take a long time to see anyone. Few doctor clinics are free these days and those that are not what I'd call top notch.I went a bulk billing clinic one time.....not one western doctor there. The dr I saw used Google to find the medicine she thought I needed. Needless to say she was wrong.

Medical insurance pretty well guarantees seeing a specialist quickly as opposed to potentially waiting months. Or years if it is elective surgery like a hip or knee replacement.

 

No doubt GG or still kicking will be on my case about this!

[Ralf001]

Just now, emptypockets said:

Yes. But it can take a long time to see anyone. Few doctor clinics are free these days and those that are not what I'd call top notch.I went a bulk billing clinic one time.....not one western doctor there. The dr I saw used Google to find the medicine she thought I needed. Needless to say she was wrong.

Medical insurance pretty well guarantees seeing a specialist quickly as opposed to potentially waiting months. Or years if it is elective surgery like a hip or knee replacement.

 

Ok so medical insurance is optional and should not be included in cost of living calcuation in Aus.

 

and jeez car rego and insurance is exxy there !

[emptypockets]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Ok so medical insurance is optional and should not be included in cost of living calcuation in Aus.

 

and jeez car rego and insurance is exxy there !

Rego is about 850 bucks a year for each car. Insurance is about 1200 for each car. A lot of the insurance costs are to cover younger people apparent hobby of stealing cars on a regular basis.

Yes medical insurance is optional BUT if you don't have the govt slaps an extra 1.5% on your income tax.

 

The whole system seems to be set up to reward the bludgers at the cost of working people.

[Ralf001]

19 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

 

Yes medical insurance is optional BUT if you don't have the govt slaps an extra 1.5% on your income tax.

 

 

People receiving the OAP would be paying zero.... surely.

 

 

[scorecard]

On 4/8/2025 at 1:26 PM, NorthernRyland said:

 

Don't structure your life around consumption. Move to an area without lots of things to buy and try to find some meaning in life besides buying things. If you want a nice meal out make that a special occasion and fill your day with other things.

 

And keep the realities of life of older folks in perspective.

 

Some folks are lucky enough to have a much bigger income at 70 / 80 years old, and some not. 

 

Many survive nicely on 40,000Baht every 4 weeks because they plan and don't spend beyond their means - that's the realities of life. 

 

[emptypockets]

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

People receiving the OAP would be paying zero.... surely.

 

 

Yes that's true, but then have to work within the public system.....not so good.

Certainly not my preference.

Need to also understand that we have had compulsory superannuation paid by the employer for many, many years so a lot of people are self funded in retirement and don't qualify for the pension.

These days a lot of people on the pension have never worked. Go straight from the dole to the pension.

[NorthernRyland]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Many survive nicely on 40,000Baht every 4 weeks because they plan and don't spend beyond their means - that's the realities of life. 

 

 

Best things in life are free. There's so much you can do without money if you search for it.

[Caldera]

On 4/8/2025 at 12:40 PM, georgegeorgia said:

What about the 99b breakfast living in 40k per month

 

Can you really not imagine having that much money? How much do you spend per month, 20k? In reality, 40k really isn't all that much!

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Best things in life are free. There's so much you can do without money if you search for it.

 

I don't disagree.

[georgegeorgia]

4 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

Can you really not imagine having that much money? How much do you spend per month, 20k? In reality, 40k really isn't all that much!

We are talking about living on the Aussie ...or... and I was going to say "Pommy"  pension in Pattaya ....but apparently the word "pommy" is now offensive so must say UK I guess to be PC ..

 

The thing is ,I was paying 100 baht a beer in those sports lounges in Soi Bukhao ,how could one afford that everyday if on a aged pension of roughly 40-45k

You would have to quickly get to KNOW where to drink or eat cheap and I mean QUICK otherwise you will lose your pension 

No going to breakfast everyday ...well ok, it appears most of you pensioner  expats DON'T anyway ?

No going to the Sports lounges to pay 125 baht a beer !

 

The difference is ,you can live on it in Australia or the UK ,can you do it in Pattaya?

 

Actually seeing a GP in Australia is not free unless you can find what you call a "bulk billing" doctor which means charges the Government not you , hard to find bulk doctor nowadays so it's roughly $60 (1200 baht)  to see a doctor unlike the UK where apparently it's free for pensioners to see a GP???

 

Medicines also not free in Australia I think $5 (100 baht ) for pensioners , correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not yet on  the aged pension 

 

As for living in your aged pension in Pattaya, is it cheaper to cook your OWN food or just buy cooked Thai food?

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, Polaky said:

follow a keto diet and exercise regularly

In a discussion on living on 40,000 a month, what is the relevance of this? Is it particularly expensive?

[georgegeorgia]

11 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

In a discussion on living on 40,000 a month, what is the relevance of this? Is it particularly expensive?

No idea if a keto diet is better for you on 40k a month but I'm guessing any exercise is

The thing is gyms are expensive in Pattaya comparable to Australia 

1500 baht a month !! 

Probably better looking for a Condo with a gym or just doing walking 

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

No going to breakfast everyday ...well ok, it appears most of you pensioner  expats DON'T anyway ?

No going to the Sports lounges to pay 125 baht a beer !

 

The difference is ,you can live on it in Australia or the UK ,can you do it in Pattaya?

Don't think I ever met pensioners in the UK who spent all their time in bars or buying breakfasts.

Mostly they'd eat and drink at home, with a weekly visit to the OAP drop-in centre for a free cup of tea and biscuit.

You OZ pensioners must be really rich to spend your retirements in sports bars and cafes.

[georgegeorgia]

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Don't think I ever met pensioners in the UK who spent all their time in bars or buying breakfasts.

Mostly they'd eat and drink at home, with a weekly visit to the OAP drop-in centre for a free cup of tea and biscuit.

You OZ pensioners must be really rich to spend your retirements in sports bars and cafes.

Your right 

But....there is no free Senior citizens centres in Pattaya unlike Australia/UK

So it leaves bars 

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Your right 

But....there is no free Senior citizens centres in Pattaya unlike Australia/UK

So it leaves bars 

I think they're called expat clubs in Thailand.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Don't think I ever met pensioners in the UK who spent all their time in bars or buying breakfasts.

Mostly they'd eat and drink at home, with a weekly visit to the OAP drop-in centre for a free cup of tea and biscuit.

You OZ pensioners must be really rich to spend your retirements in sports bars and cafes.

Why would I want to eat brekkie out, or sit in a bar.  Never had a brekkie out that I couldn't prepare better myself.  Without the need to shower and prep to go out in public.

 

Have a better view from my dining table than most restaurants and bars, unless they are surfside or high on a hill with a view.

 

Same goes for a bar, and last place you'd find me, sipping a few, whether in the USA or TH.

 

Saying that, I did enjoy my brew pub time, quite often when living  in Memphis, TN, USA area.  But it was a really nice pub, in house brewery with excellent view and nice setting.   Once a week was enough though.  Added plus, I rode my bicycle to it, and return trip was all downhill 

 

But to eat 2 or 3 brekkies out or sit in a bar 2 or 3 times a week, NO THANKS, boring.

 

Only not having a decent kitchen would necessitate dining out.  

[georgegeorgia]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Why would I want to eat brekkie out, or sit in a bar.  Never had a brekkie out that I couldn't prepare better myself.  Without the need to shower and prep to go out in public.

 

Have a better view from my dining table than most restaurants and bars, unless they are surfside or high on a hill with a view.

 

Same goes for a bar, and last place you'd find me, sipping a few, whether in the USA or TH.

 

Saying that, I did enjoy my brew pub time, quite often when living  in Memphis, TN, USA area.  But it was a really nice pub, in house brewery with excellent view and nice setting.   Once a week was enough though.  Added plus, I rode my bicycle to it, and return trip was all downhill 

 

But to eat 2 or 3 brekkies out or sit in a bar 2 or 3 times a week, NO THANKS, boring.

 

Only not having a decent kitchen would necessitate dining out.  

Yes very true

And some of these 21sqm condo rooms in Pattaya have no kitchen.

They need to buy a microwave and a hotplate to cook 

[Snackbar]

Multiple income stream sister

[jacko45k]

19 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Yes very true

And some of these 21sqm condo rooms in Pattaya have no kitchen.

They need to buy a microwave and a hotplate to cook 

Sitting alone, unwashed and unshaved, having perhaps  a yesterday croissant warmed in  the microwave, watching the guy opposite with no shirt and a fat belly, smoke a cigarette, surrounded by an AC unit and drying underwear........... living the dream!

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Sitting alone, unwashed and unshaved, having perhaps  a yesterday croissant warmed in  the microwave, watching the guy opposite with no shirt and a fat belly, smoke a cigarette, surrounded by an AC unit and drying underwear........... living the dream!

Isn't what you described normal life for most western pensioners?

[newnative]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

We are talking about living on the Aussie ...or... and I was going to say "Pommy"  pension in Pattaya ....but apparently the word "pommy" is now offensive so must say UK I guess to be PC ..

 

The thing is ,I was paying 100 baht a beer in those sports lounges in Soi Bukhao ,how could one afford that everyday if on a aged pension of roughly 40-45k

You would have to quickly get to KNOW where to drink or eat cheap and I mean QUICK otherwise you will lose your pension 

No going to breakfast everyday ...well ok, it appears most of you pensioner  expats DON'T anyway ?

No going to the Sports lounges to pay 125 baht a beer !

 

The difference is ,you can live on it in Australia or the UK ,can you do it in Pattaya?

 

Actually seeing a GP in Australia is not free unless you can find what you call a "bulk billing" doctor which means charges the Government not you , hard to find bulk doctor nowadays so it's roughly $60 (1200 baht)  to see a doctor unlike the UK where apparently it's free for pensioners to see a GP???

 

Medicines also not free in Australia I think $5 (100 baht ) for pensioners , correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not yet on  the aged pension 

 

As for living in your aged pension in Pattaya, is it cheaper to cook your OWN food or just buy cooked Thai food?

 

 

 

      Earlier I posted on the importance of living within one's means.  Equally important is how one is living.  One might question why they are spending 'everyday' of their life in 'sports lounges' drinking '100 baht beers'.  (Or is it '125 baht beers'?  The price changed midway through your post.   I guess the Trump tariffs kicked in. )    

[georgegeorgia]

31 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Sitting alone, unwashed and unshaved, having perhaps  a yesterday croissant warmed in  the microwave, watching the guy opposite with no shirt and a fat belly, smoke a cigarette, surrounded by an AC unit and drying underwear........... living the dream!

Air conditioning unit?

I guess most have a fan

Do you really need Acon ?

 

[KhunLA]

34 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Sitting alone, unwashed and unshaved, having perhaps  a yesterday croissant warmed in  the microwave, watching the guy opposite with no shirt and a fat belly, smoke a cigarette, surrounded by an AC unit and drying underwear........... living the dream!

If lucky enough to even have a balcony or a window to look out 

 

I suspect many don't, considering how cheaply they tells us they can live on.  Apparently a decent condo would take half their income, saving the other half for cans of Archer & fags.

 

Livin' the Dream, although TH does seem a better choice than some cold and damn council dwelling 

[georgegeorgia]

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If lucky enough to even have a balcony or a window to look out 

 

I suspect many don't, considering how cheaply they tells us they can live on.  Apparently a decent condo would take half their income, saving the other half for cans of Archer & fags.

 

Livin' the Dream, although TH does seem a better choice than some cold and damn council dwelling 

Yes consider where they would be living in the UK or Australia on that amount and living in a 21sqm unit near the beach in Pattaya is a far better alternative 

[Jingthing]

40K a month without savings is more or less homeless money in the U.S. unless a person has:

already paid for owned housing

a large nest egg to draw upon

relatives to crash with

lucky enough to get some kind of government subsidy on housing, etc. which is the type of thing being deeply attacked by the current regime there

[georgegeorgia]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

40K a month without savings is more or less homeless money in the U.S. unless a person has:

already paid for owned housing

a large nest egg to draw upon

relatives to crash with

lucky enough to get some kind of government subsidy on housing, etc. which is the type of thing being deeply attacked by the current regime there

You own your own condo which is a benefit to you , although you do have to pay Strata fees and your own maintenance repairs eg plumbing etc