Money Matters

Okay, I'm sure you know from the title that this post is from the male side of the equation. I thought I'd share a comparison between the US and our new country. I was expecting things to be a lot cheaper, and in some cases that is certainly true. You can take a taxi anywhere for about $1 ($2 max). Eating out at a nice local restaurant will run a family of 5 around $8 and that is ordering more food than we can eat (no tipping allowed). Even KFC and McD will be around $2.75 for a value meal (under $2 for a breakfast value meal). Pizza hut is probably around the same as in the US. You can get a cold 20oz Pepsi for about $0.30 and fruit on the street is incredibly cheap (about $0.35 for a whole pineapple peeled and ready to eat).

Regarding our apartment, we negotiated a deal where we would pay a lower rent over 3-4 years (about $250/month for a 1500 ft^2, fairly new in a nice location) in exchange for 1) buying the floor, 2) kitchen cabinents, cupboard, countertops, 3) 4 A/C units and the hot water heater. If we had not provided these things, we would have no idea what things they would purchase, and our rent would have been around $410/month or so. Therefore, over 4 years, we will save around $7500 (and I don't foresee us moving anytime soon). The wood floor cost around $1700 installed and everything, 4 A/C units around $2000, hot water heater around $195, and the kitchen should run around $800 or so. I think cheaper than US, but I'm not sure since many of those items typically come with the house/apt. One interesting note, you typically pay the full year's rent when you start the lease and this occurs annually.

On the more expensive side, we purchased a microwave (average one) for about $70, a washer/dryer combo (not two separate machines but one that does both) was $800, everything technology is more expensive, the only oven we can find in the whole city cost over $1000, and it is small compared to US ovens (no burners with that)...pray for us here, we're not sure what to do. Nice/decent couches will cost a minimum of about $700, kitchen tables and chairs around $700, etc. Of course, you can spend any amount of money you want to, but this is for what we would consider decent, new furniture. I'm thankful that our company did provide us with an 'outfit allowance' which will cover most of these costs. Additionally, we will probably have some savings every month so we could always use that for these purchases. But all in all, these bigger items were more expensive, probably because the demand over here is not as high for them. Maybe they are considered luxuries, although more and more the general population is aquiring them.

To conclude, we are struggling somewhat between making our home 'comfortable' for us and still living at the level of the people we are seeking to reach. Part of that problem is that we really don't know what 'their level' is, and as I understand it, it varies quite dramatically. I think we are about on track but in time, hopefully we will realize any mistakes we are making and be able to correct it at that point.