Bangkok is really expensive..Some tips how to save more money?

[NoshowJones]

Living on 20k/month is pretty much poverty level....but guess what, you're not alone. Of the 67 million people who live in Thailand officially there are 10 million people living at that level.

Per Capita income in Thailand was in 2012 $5,210.

http://www.th.undp.org/content/thailand/en/home/countryinfo.html

But take heart....Thai people are communal in nature so families live together .....ie ...Grandpa, Grandma, Ma, and Pa and all the children often live under the same roof contributing.

good luck though living on that amount of money as my electric bill alone last month was 10,000 baht.

10.000 Bt electric bill, how many people live in your house? Do you keep AC units on all day? Have you rented a house and are paying about double the rate for

a unit of electricity to a greedy landlord?

[Minnehaha]

After decades of never seeing anyone at House RCA movie theater, I am not surprised.... but I should be.

Lido and Scala are also fine cinemas - not the most luxurious (Scala is better), but tix are 100 Baht. Popcorn is 40 Baht.

Scala is a beautiful Art Deco building across street from Paragon. Easy to find. Check out the Chinese restaurant on ground floor. Cool art deco down to the classic waiters uniforms. I can't speak to the food.

House RCA or (whatever its real name is) is a jewel. Good food too. Nice Thai menu they change all the time. Dishes are about 80 - 120 Baht, about par for a restaurant like this. Plus House has coupon card - buy 9 get one free. It also has small library of film criticism books, which I really enjoy reading waiting for the film.

The best part about House is the films!!! Independent pictures!! Many foreign films. Lots of good quality American ones too. Very few or none of the 'Blockbuster End of The World Asteroid' crap. I have found many surprising films there that were really good. Check their Facebook page for whats showing and times. It is up to date. Or call and talk to a human

We have not seen a need to pay 750 plus parking to see a film at Paragon or Emporium. Not because we can't afford it, but because the films are rarely ones we like. Much prefer 270 for 2 and popcorn coke. Dinner afterwards can be 250 Baht feast at Kao Man Gai Pratu naam or 1800 Baht for Italian in Thong Lor.

Dinner and a movie for me and Mrs. can be

[sammygood]

no remarks of expats that live the high life and spend this on a weekend out with "friends" ?

[Minnehaha]

Mr OP, you must be going to the wrong places or cinemas, I have not been to a cinema in years, but I understand it would cost around 100 Bt per ticket.

So how do you manage to pay 600 Bt even allowing for the cost of popcorn etc?

possum1931, you must be joking.

Cinema tix are 2-300 Baht at all major movie theaters now. Been this way for years now.

I think the OP is crazy with his budget being so low, but his point is well made.

Bangkok is not a cheap place to live, anymore. I am not complaining - just acknowledging that prices are about double what they were 10 years ago.

[NoshowJones]

Mr OP, you must be going to the wrong places or cinemas, I have not been to a cinema in years, but I understand it would cost around 100 Bt per ticket.

So how do you manage to pay 600 Bt even allowing for the cost of popcorn etc?

possum1931, you must be joking.

Cinema tix are 2-300 Baht at all major movie theaters now. Been this way for years now.

I think the OP is crazy with his budget being so low, but his point is well made.

Bangkok is not a cheap place to live, anymore. I am not complaining - just acknowledging that prices are about double what they were 10 years ago.

Gees, only last week I read somewhere about someone complaining about having to pay 100 Bt per ticket.

[Soutpeel]

Mr OP, you must be going to the wrong places or cinemas, I have not been to a cinema in years, but I understand it would cost around 100 Bt per ticket.

So how do you manage to pay 600 Bt even allowing for the cost of popcorn etc?

possum1931, you must be joking.

Cinema tix are 2-300 Baht at all major movie theaters now. Been this way for years now.

I think the OP is crazy with his budget being so low, but his point is well made.

Bangkok is not a cheap place to live, anymore. I am not complaining - just acknowledging that prices are about double what they were 10 years ago.

Gees, only last week I read somewhere about someone complaining about having to pay 100 Bt per ticket.

most likely complaining that they are not THB 100

[beachproperty]

Living on 20k/month is pretty much poverty level....but guess what, you're not alone. Of the 67 million people who live in Thailand officially there are 10 million people living at that level.

Per Capita income in Thailand was in 2012 $5,210.

http://www.th.undp.org/content/thailand/en/home/countryinfo.html

But take heart....Thai people are communal in nature so families live together .....ie ...Grandpa, Grandma, Ma, and Pa and all the children often live under the same roof contributing.

good luck though living on that amount of money as my electric bill alone last month was 10,000 baht.

10.000 Bt electric bill, how many people live in your house? Do you keep AC units on all day? Have you rented a house and are paying about double the rate for

a unit of electricity to a greedy landlord?

None of the above.....Have six units..

[NoshowJones]

OP, as you can tell from the replies so far there are a lot of asshats on Thai Visa (my electric bill is more than that, blah, blah).

You've received a couple of decent tips so far - go to the movies on half price day, eat meals at the Terminal 21 food court (if you live near there), buy fruits/veg at the markets, etc.

You could consider looking for a roommate to split living costs, might free up some money that way.

After living expenses, you have about 300 thb/day left to spend. If you don't spend it all, put whatever is left aside in a "collection" place.....do that for a few days a month and you'll have some extra pocket money as it accumulates.

Best of luck, things in Bangkok are definitely more expensive than in other parts of the country.

How can anyone living near Terminal 21 survive on 20.000 Bt per month?

What's the cheapest rent you would pay living in that area? Unless your sharing with someone.

[NoshowJones]

Living on 20k/month is pretty much poverty level....but guess what, you're not alone. Of the 67 million people who live in Thailand officially there are 10 million people living at that level.

Per Capita income in Thailand was in 2012 $5,210.

http://www.th.undp.org/content/thailand/en/home/countryinfo.html

But take heart....Thai people are communal in nature so families live together .....ie ...Grandpa, Grandma, Ma, and Pa and all the children often live under the same roof contributing.

good luck though living on that amount of money as my electric bill alone last month was 10,000 baht.

10.000 Bt electric bill, how many people live in your house? Do you keep AC units on all day? Have you rented a house and are paying about double the rate for

a unit of electricity to a greedy landlord?

None of the above.....Have six units..

They must be on most of the time eh?

[beachproperty]

Living on 20k/month is pretty much poverty level....but guess what, you're not alone. Of the 67 million people who live in Thailand officially there are 10 million people living at that level.

Per Capita income in Thailand was in 2012 $5,210.

http://www.th.undp.org/content/thailand/en/home/countryinfo.html

But take heart....Thai people are communal in nature so families live together .....ie ...Grandpa, Grandma, Ma, and Pa and all the children often live under the same roof contributing.

good luck though living on that amount of money as my electric bill alone last month was 10,000 baht.

10.000 Bt electric bill, how many people live in your house? Do you keep AC units on all day? Have you rented a house and are paying about double the rate for

a unit of electricity to a greedy landlord?

None of the above.....Have six units..

They must be on most of the time eh?

11 aircon!

[DogNo1]

OP, the real problem is not being short of money now. It's your savings for retirement. TV has many stories of destitute elderly farangs being repatriated to their countries to live on welfare and get free medical care. You should think hard about how you can increase your income to a point that you can afford to put away 25% of your earnings in a retirement fund. Time is fleeting and if you find yourself broke when you get around sixty, you'll be truly miserable. My advice is to increase your qualifications and move to a place where you can make good money. Living in Thailand can be pleasant but also be a trap. Good luck!

[weegee]

Mr OP, you must be going to the wrong places or cinemas, I have not been to a cinema in years, but I understand it would cost around 100 Bt per ticket.

So how do you manage to pay 600 Bt even allowing for the cost of popcorn etc?

possum1931, you must be joking.

Cinema tix are 2-300 Baht at all major movie theaters now. Been this way for years now.

I think the OP is crazy with his budget being so low, but his point is well made.

Bangkok is not a cheap place to live, anymore. I am not complaining - just acknowledging that prices are about double what they were 10 years ago.

Gees, only last week I read somewhere about someone complaining about having to pay 100 Bt per ticket.

No mate....that was for the ticket to use the TOILET in the Theater....

[NoshowJones]

This is what I suggest.....

Go to an out of the way backwater, erect a Tin Shed, buy a 45yr old partly complete motorbike, and eat leaves from trees around you...

Stop wasting money on Popcorn....

Absolutely. It is not necessary to be paying big bucks for the popcorn. Ladies bags are checked but it is still possible to sneak a 7/11 pack of m&m's and a milo box in your pockets.

Ladies bags are checked???? I know what I would tell anyone who tried to check my wifes bag.

[kinmaew]

20k a month and living like a pauper, what kind of life is that but you have a TGF and if you are happy then that is all that matters.

[kinmaew]

most of all STOP EATING KFC that "Food" is absolute garbage and will ensure you enter an early grave.

[bazza40]

Places like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Buriram etc. are much cheaper than Bangkok in terms of living costs. Food is quite inexpensive in the regular local markets.

On 20,000 baht a month, you really can't afford to be spending on popcorn. Get a job with more money, or move out of Bangkok. IMHO, Bangkok is not the future of Thailand.

[Shiver]

What are your working hours like? (meaning could you take on a second job?). I'm sure most people on here used to work pretty hard and often long hours in our respective former lives, though it's easy to get used to having tasks that only require a few hours a day. If it's something like a teaching job in BKK and if it is full time then that sounds like low pay. I'm in Isaan (Udon city),and although I have never worked here, teacher friends in this area expect to make more than 20K, with 30K being about right, so I would have thought BKK would be quite a lot better salary to cover the increased living expenses there.

Of course if it's a lifestyle choice because you enjoy bustle and variety of the capital, or if your job is specialist that requires you to be in the BKK then it may not be appropriate to relocate, but if you're prepared/able to move then you can spend a bit less (not always that much less, depending on lifestyle choices), but if you can earn more as well as spend less, and also working out your time efficiency could improve things by multiples.

For many years I've aimed to live on 10% of income, and never achieved better than 15%, and currently more like 50% with my lax money management, but as an earlier poster said, you really should keep an eye on a rainy day account because unexpected stuff happens, and if there's no room for error it could topple your world in an unpleasant way when 'stuff' happens.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Shiver

[Pmax]

BKK expensive ?

I commute to BKK every week. Work there Tuesday to Friday and spend the weekend with my family on Phuket.

Phuket is way more expensive in every aspect.

That said...I really wonder how someone (western foreigner) can or want to live in TH with 20K/month ?

I need more than that in a week and got no rent to pay.

First step to a quality life - get a job that pays better !

My Thai secretary (28) makes 45K / month !

My Thai Engineer (45) makes 105k/month.

qualified mechanical workers (Thai), willing to Travel to china once a while get 35K

what the hell are you doing ?

Cheers

PM

[HooHaa]

how much living could you do anywhere in the world on sub 6000 USD per month?

what do expect for that money?

[swissbie]

It's possible, to live with 20k/month in Bangkok. I need about 30k, for a family of three, don't have to pay rent, but maintenance of house/houses is even more expensive. Cooking yourself will not help you much if you're living single, try to share with your/a GF. I pay about 1500 Baht/month for electricity, we are fully airconditioned, but use it only if needed, 10000 a month, better relocate to alaska..

[Cypress Hill]

Did the OP say what job he does? Regardless, he should find a better-paying job.

I've ever tried teaching English - and never WILL - but can't imagine it's fun commuting in the heat for 20 large a month and then having to go without the comforts.

It's possible, to live with 20k/month in Bangkok. I need about 30k, for a family of three, don't have to pay rent, but maintenance of house/houses is even more expensive. Cooking yourself will not help you much if you're living single, try to share with your/a GF. I pay about 1500 Baht/month for electricity, we are fully airconditioned, but use it only if needed, 10000 a month, better relocate to alaska..

Family of three?! On 30 large?! What, you and two gerbils??

[HidyHo]

Bangkok is not a cheap place to live, anymore. I am not complaining - just acknowledging that prices are about double what they were 10 years ago.

Except taxis and rent price. Motocycle taxis not included ... that definitely went up a ton!!!

[mihalis]

I dare say, going back home and living off the same would be impossible.... I find Bkk cheap compared to Phuket, and Samui, yet, other towns are cheaper to live than Bkk...

[swissbie]

Did the OP say what job he does? Regardless, he should find a better-paying job.

I've ever tried teaching English - and never WILL - but can't imagine it's fun commuting in the heat for 20 large a month and then having to go without the comforts.

It's possible, to live with 20k/month in Bangkok. I need about 30k, for a family of three, don't have to pay rent, but maintenance of house/houses is even more expensive. Cooking yourself will not help you much if you're living single, try to share with your/a GF. I pay about 1500 Baht/month for electricity, we are fully airconditioned, but use it only if needed, 10000 a month, better relocate to alaska..

Family of three?! On 30 large?! What, you and two gerbils??

No, wife and daughter, and it works quiet well, could afford more, but don't like to be the farang atm, friends and relatives around have to live with much less.

[mihalis]

No where is i this world, is the same as 10 years ago... Inflation, yet Bkk, is a lot cheaper than the western world... or is your home town, cheaper..

Bangkok is not a cheap place to live, anymore. I am not complaining - just acknowledging that prices are about double what they were 10 years ago.

Except taxis and rent price. Motocycle taxis not included ... that definitely went up a ton!!!

[WorthyDan]

I once ate 35 baht thai food 3x a day, drank only water, bread w/ complete shit fake butter while saving $$ to pay off credit card debt. After rent paid 10,000 total. Wasn't the best but I swam or exercised at my condo everyday, read books, studied thai and tried to become a better teacher. I suggest that is what you do... apart from that fake butter gargabe. It probably took a few years off my life.

Also, as some have suggested.

1. Move close to work as transportation costs even 20 baht a day add up fast.

2. Eat only 35-50 baht Thai food. Try to compare other expenditures to meals. You'll become a saver.

3. Find cheaper rent/ cooler apartment/roomate I am lucky/smart and have a corner apartment up high, wind blows through my whole apartment and no need for aircon. You will acclimate.

4. Use your spare time increasing your skills, finding better jobs, finding ways to make money part time.

5. When you get more money treat yourself a bit, but appropriate it to funds like; emergency medical, dental, flight, clothing etc. Good luck.

Edited June 27, 2015 by WorthyDan

[rocketboybkk]

I can see you gf not being around much longer if you're only getting 20k a month. It's a frugal life on that, not much if any luxury.

IMO only you need 50,000 maybe more.

Better to live in your own country & work there rather than living like a peasant & struggling by

As already said you need lessons in making money not saving on a shoestring as the savings will be little if that

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tonray]

I am single in BKK and easily live off of 35 K a month. And am able to save 10K per month ....live frugally and not HiSo and you can do it. But 20K a month you are being underpaid I think as a farang.

[Time Traveller]

3 solutions to your problem are:

1. Get a 2nd job

2. Move somewhere cheaper

3. Find a rich benefactor.

Personally, I would recommend number 2.

Seriously your income is 20k baht a month?. Other countries offer their unemployed welfare that pays more than that and instead of the time spent working you could be studying or learning a skill to get a job.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Time Traveller

[bamukloy]

3 solutions to your problem are:

1. Get a 2nd job

2. Move somewhere cheaper

3. Find a rich benefactor.

Personally, I would recommend number 2.

Seriously your income is 20k baht a month?. Other countries offer their unemployed welfare that pays more than that and instead of the time spent working you could be studying or learning a skill to get a job.

Well id say he could rule out mooving upcountry. Will cost a small fortune to get his stuff mooved and they probably wont pay him any more than 20k up there anyway.

Ive heard the Samsen area (near khao san rd.) referred to as the farang ghettho in Bangkok, as are old appartment type buildings very cheap.

Can walk to the klong boat and pay 13 or so baht to get to city.

Is a different lifestyle and not suited for all though. Probably best to stick to yourself as the last thing you want is every tom dick and harry derro asking to borrow money!