The Cost of my Life in Thailand.

[1020]

Mid 30s male. With Thai wife and child, have lived here for 7 years. Just decided to run through what our average costs are as a settled family unit.

House, rent 15k p/m. Outer BKK. Similar to this:

http://www.ddproperty.com/en/property/for-thai-resident-only-885491

Bills: Elec 2500, water 250. Three bedroom with 2 fridges, computer and TV on all day. Aircon on from 7pm-7am and again 12pm-3pm.

Shopping: Average 2000b twice a week. 4000b p/w.

Vehicle: Bought for cash. Gas approx 500 p/w.

Going out/Eating/Drinking. We rarely go out and cook and eat at home. Probably 1 liter of Black Label a month: 1,300b.

Eat at a nice place near us twice a month, 600b per time: 1,200.

My lunch 100b p/d M-F 2,000b.

That’s probably the bare basics. Probably spent about 150k on house stuff, TV, computer, fridges, bed, furniture etc etc.

Of course there’s everything else that comes along, clothes, vehicle service, kid stuff, holidays, etc etc.

The wife runs her business from home since we moved to the house and out of the city center.

Weekends away have been forgotten about since the baby came along, but will resume once she gets to walking age. So probably add 5000b for a weekend break, once or twice p/m.

Schooling will also add to it even though I am planning to do most of the actual educating myself and just have her in a Thai school to be around people.

Fortunately I tend to save more of my income than I spend without really trying. But do live a very content, simple life.

Bare basics as listed = 42,500 p/m, we will usually spend 50-60k though, things that pop up like insurance, new passport etc etc. clothes etc. Then the rest is saved. I find it a comfortable, yet simple life. If forced to live on less, a cheaper house up country would save some, but most of the other stuff would be the same, we don’t really want for luxuries and what we want adds up to this amout.

Edited July 3, 2013 by 1020

[up-country_sinclair]

Thanks!

Just out of curiosity, what did you have for dinner?

[ETatBKK]

if you are enjoying a simple life in Bangkok, that is about right !

I went through a similar thing in my mind as well, meaning a moment of wondering :-)

[lazygourmet]

Honestly, who cares ?!?

[1020]

Thanks!

Just out of curiosity, what did you have for dinner?

Wife cooked Khao Kai Jeaow, Tom Yam Gung, Pik Gai Tod. Last two days were Chili Con Carne topped with cheddar and a lot of lightly toasted baguette.

Not sure if your question was a pisstake or not.

[cooked]

฿42 000.- would give you a good life here in Isaan. Everyone is in a particular situation, but I think you are doing ok. It's the unexpected that you can't budget for...

[1020]

if you are enjoying a simple life in Bangkok, that is about right !

Agree.

We used to live downtown and used to get a lot of food delivered from Chefsxp instead of cooking, lots more going out too. Was probably double what we spent now and the missus was also renting a business unit.

IMO BKK on less than 60k would not be an enjoyable existence.

[1020]

Honestly, who cares ?!?

I thought some people who are thinking of coming over here to live might.

Perhaps ask a mod to delete it if it's better for the forum and your mental state.

[Soutpeel]

Ho Hum...A "my monthly budget" thread number 43,00000

So let the cheap charlie battle commence....let's see who can out spend the least...

A bit disappointed with the contents of this thread, when I read the title I was expecting an OP questioning why his wife was getting him to sign so many life insurance policy's and was getting an opinion as to whether the esteemed TV members believed that his wife was setting him up to be knocked off....

Edited July 3, 2013 by Soutpeel

[1020]

฿42 000.- would give you a good life here in Isaan. Everyone is in a particular situation, but I think you are doing ok. It's the unexpected that you can't budget for...

Absolutely.

The things listed that total 42k are not actually all our expenses. They usually run to about 60k. Absolutely right about unexpected things. The rest of our income is saved as it is one of my main beliefs - Save for the future and the rainy day. I would not recommend anyone in their 30's or 40's to be living a life where they are not putting money away every month.

[kurnell]

School fees etc will soon cut into that

[1020]

Ho Hum...A "my monthly budget" thread number 43,00000

They should make a subforum of stickies then.

Would be great for both people planning on moving over, and those with nothing at all to say but still need to post, to post on.

And by the way, there's nothing about 'my monthly budget' in it.

Edited July 3, 2013 by 1020

[1020]

School fees etc will soon cut into that

As will weekend breaks once we get them going again.

School fees won't be a lot in fairness. I have no confidence in any Thai school so will be mainly educating her myself. But that's just my peronal opinion and belief.

[Nana Cowboy]

Nice to see a realistic budget for a change. good work

[Soutpeel]

I would not recommend anyone in their 30's or 40's to be living a life where they are not putting money away every month.

Would hazard a guess and say greater than 70% of farangs living in Thailand dont follow this sensible advice, and one suspects most wouldnt even have the equivilant of 1 months expenses in the bank in reserve

[1020]

I would not recommend anyone in their 30's or 40's to be living a life where they are not putting money away every month.

Would hazard a guess and say greater than 70% of farangs living in Thailand dont follow this sensible advice, and one suspects most wouldnt even have the equivilant of 1 months expenses in the bank in reserve

Quite possibly true.

However, some probably call that 'Living!' some call it 'Madness'. Each to their own. I personally lived enough in my 20s, some grow up, some stay young and free of responsibility forever.

[Johnniey]

Save for when your kids are older as you'll need a lot more than that

[watcharacters]

Honestly, who cares ?!?

I thought some people who are thinking of coming over here to live might.

Perhaps ask a mod to delete it if it's better for the forum and your mental state.

.

Me things you've just been confronted with the "no good deed goes unpunished" concept.

I agree with you that providing the information you have can now or will be of value to some in he future.

My congratulations to you for saving and not spending all you earn. Having a nest egg for tomorrow's just smart. One day you'll wake up knowing you're about to retire and think "where'd the last 30 years go?"

[YeahSiam]

Nah.

Live for today.

Nobody wants to be one of those sods complaining about exchange rates in the UK pensions thread/saga.

[1020]

Save for when your kids are older as you'll need a lot more than that

A lot more than what?

[ETatBKK]

if you are enjoying a simple life in Bangkok, that is about right !

Agree.

We used to live downtown and used to get a lot of food delivered from Chefsxp instead of cooking, lots more going out too. Was probably double what we spent now and the missus was also renting a business unit.

IMO BKK on less than 60k would not be an enjoyable existence.

seems you just moved in to a new house out town ? that happens to us as well, now we rarely dine out, not even once a week. we both enjoy cooking and of course the best place is our kitchen, and that is not really about food, isn't it ?

good thing about living in Thailand, you have choices of different lifestyles. someone enjoy clubbing every night, someone prefer living 2km away from the road. having a simple life even in Bangkok, is good enough at a decent cost too.

well, having said that, the cost of living is also inflating, prepare for it.

[1020]

if you are enjoying a simple life in Bangkok, that is about right !

Agree.

We used to live downtown and used to get a lot of food delivered from Chefsxp instead of cooking, lots more going out too. Was probably double what we spent now and the missus was also renting a business unit.

IMO BKK on less than 60k would not be an enjoyable existence.

seems you just moved in to a new house out town ? that happens to us as well, now we rarely dine out, not even once a week. we both enjoy cooking and of course the best place is our kitchen, and that is not really about food, isn't it ?

good thing about living in Thailand, you have choices of different lifestyles. someone enjoy clubbing every night, someone prefer living 2km away from the road. having a simple life even in Bangkok, is good enough at a decent cost too.

Yup, we actually moved here 18 months ago after living downtown for 5 years. After a few years of that is out of your systems moving to the burbs is great.

well, having said that, the cost of living is also inflating, prepare for it.

You better believe it! haha.

[itchybum]

In actual fact the cost of your life here is about 10b and 5k baht for someone to use it.

[1020]

In actual fact the cost of your life here is about 10b and 5k baht for someone to use it.

Haha, I woulda valued that at the promise of 1000b to a local junkie. Isn't it 5k baht for a .22 to the head of a politician out running in the park?

Edited July 3, 2013 by 1020

[joeaverage]

does not even touch on cable tv (apparently the tv is on all day), generally around 2k, i have 30/3 true hispeed (2k with taxes etc) telephone and data packages for 2 2K

add 6 k minimum to the fixed costs you state.

should you go in to the city, 200-300 thb each way for taxis, otherwise same amount expended on gas and parking.

i think if you were honest you would admit your simple life costs you much closer to 100k pm than the 42 you describe here.

Edited July 3, 2013 by joeaverage

[itchybum]

Yeah, insurance, hows them nappies going? nanny/maid ? Doctors costs for that baby over last 12 months, car rego and insurance, repairs, services....and the list goes on

[1020]

does not even touch on cable tv (apparently the tv is on all day), generally around 2k, i have 30/3 true hispeed (2k with taxes etc) telephone and data packages for 2 2K

add 6 k minimum to the fixed costs you state.

should you go in to the city, 200-300 thb each way for taxis, otherwise same amount expended on gas and parking.

Actually we don't have cable. We had it in our condo down town and when moving knew we wouldn't miss it. The only thing I watch on TV is the live Saturday night football. We actually have free internet from our landlord as part of the rent and I stream it for free in English off Sopcast.... Otherwise it would be around 1000b (10mbps). Or class our rent as 14k and internet bill 1k . TV is mainly playing Baby Einstein, Dream English or Aerobic DVD's nowadays.

We actually don't go into the city at all anymore. Surprising how once you move out you really find there is very little pulling you back in. If I do need to I take my bike or ride to the closest BTS (Morchit).

i think if you were honest you would admit your simple life costs you much closer to 100k pm than the 42 you describe here.

Sure it does, more than actually if including our savings. The cost of our basic living as described = about 42k p/m for amenities etc. We actually go through between 50-60k in reality. Then add savings on top. I thought it was all posted already, sorry you missed it.

Edited July 3, 2013 by 1020

[1020]

Yeah, insurance, hows them nappies going? nanny/maid ? Doctors costs for that baby over last 12 months, car rego and insurance, repairs, services....and the list goes on

All added under the extra column.

Nappies and baby stuff is fine. Twice weekly shopping averages 2k a go and includes all the little one needs.

The extra money as listed (50-60k pm) includes things like the little one's Vaccination and Check-Up Program at a top private hospital which was about 10k for the first 12 months. Insurance and service etc. were already discussed.... Some of you guys seem angry and can't read too well.

[aussiebebe]

I really like the idea of starting a thread like this to help people who might think about moving to Thailand get an idea of costs, so good on you 1020 - I'm sure many people will find your thread via a Google search.
However,just to give you an example of how complex it can get....

'Vehicle: Bought for cash. Gas approx 500 p/w.'

It would be possible to calculate a monthly cost for running a car, if you wanted to, but it's a lot more than just gas. As you know there's the annual road tax, insurance, and servicing costs - I have a little Honda City and just paid 14,000baht for the 60,000km service - that's quite hard to budget for. You've then got tires, batteries, cleaning costs. Some people might also factor in depreciation.

Where you'll really lose track is health care and education costs...

[itchybum]

Yeah, insurance, hows them nappies going? nanny/maid ? Doctors costs for that baby over last 12 months, car rego and insurance, repairs, services....and the list goes on

All added under the extra column.

Nappies and baby stuff is fine. Twice weekly shopping averages 2k a go and includes all the little one needs.

The extra money as listed (50-60k pm) includes things like the little one's Vaccination and Check-Up Program at a top private hospital which was about 10k for the first 12 months. Insurance and service etc. were already discussed.... Some of you guys seem angry and can't read too well.

Damn right I'm angry that my life costs 3 times yours.