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Yep tanman - not worrying about money was THE primary motivation for leaving the usa. I lived well there - very well, but the toll in stress to get there and stay there just wasn't something I cared to do anymore...
I know I'm one of those guys that doesn't need much $ to get along here. In Isaan I payed 1500 b for a dorm room for 6 months - no air - during songkran time period and it was hot at night sometimes, but not a biggie. I'm very young (40) cough cough - and I find that for long periods I can go without much at all really. A mat on the floor, rice cooker and an electric range... is about it.
I'm thinking that by saving 20,000 baht each month here from this age I'm going to be OK by the time I'm 60. Factoring in interest and the fact that I'll probably never really STOP working - just slow down a lot after 60. I'll still teach some English classes to beautiful young university students just to get me out of bed every other day.
4 Million baht (100k usd) gives over 16000 baht interest each month. Add to that another 10,000 - 20,000 teaching 1-2 classes (3 times/week for 1-1.5 hours each) and I should be fine. I didn't factor in inflation and my intention to keep working to some degree probably wasn't mentioned in the article.
add a kid or two to this equation and things change also - but then so would my efforts now to save more.
I should have some other income too which should help - but that's not a given.
There are so many things that could change between now and 20 years from now that the future is completely up in the air. If one had 100K today and was getting 5% interest you'd be pretty OK if your needs are few.
Rent 2500 b
elect 500 b
water 50 b
5 gallon water in jug (2/week): 20 b
food 8000 b (eating at home mostly w/girlfriend cooking as I do)
motorbike gas 300b/mth
phone cards and internet on my phone 500/mth
drinks?
smokes?
cable?
p4p?
none of those apply to me - but for others - yep, might factor in quite heavily...
Here in Surat at present I'm really living high society! We found a new furnished house to rent with 3 bedrooms, 4 showers, great kitchen, great location, etc, etc. for 7000b/mth. Teaching some, and doing some photography - needed the nicer place. We're spending 500 for elect. on average. 8000 for food, 2000-4000 for misc. and we go to movies sometimes. Eat out sometimes. So, spending under 20,000/mth and we're happy.
Anyway - so, everyone is different. I don't think I'm the average guy - most others would have more expenses.
glad you enjoyed the read...
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