Sept Oct
Rent $560 $550
Eating Out $473 $377
Groceries $205 $181
Entertainment $208 $241
Transportation $159 $43
Electricity $16 $16
Water $4 $4
Internet/Phone $66 $21
Medical $9 $87
Tuition/Visa $130 $130
Misc. $197 $207
Total $2,027 $1,740
Per Day $68 $56
61 day cumulative total in early retirement living- $62 per day
The bottom line.... we basically spent $290 less this month than last! The main factor that contributed to that was that we did not have any more initial start-up costs this month like buying a microwave, fans, toiletries, groceries, and supplies for the condo.
The surprise....we really thought we would have been much higher in the "eating out" category compared to last month. It seemed to us that we ate alot more western food this month which is markedly more expensive than the mom-n-pop Thai restaurants we frequented when we first arrived. I guess we were wrong about that and it's a very pleasant surprise.
Our rent went down this time because the exchange rate was in our favor this month. Medical expenses went up due to our dentist visit as well as Lori's purchase of some contact lenses.
Transportation went way down this time because we didn't have the cost of buying bicycles this month. To keep transportation costs down we rode our bikes, walked, or took songthaews (red trucks) around the city. These rides cost a mere 20 baht per person (60 cents) anywhere we need to go around the city. Not a bad deal!
Overall, not bad at all for our second month of slow travel. Of course we realize that this could all change if anything major should arise. We know for a fact that our food and entertainment expenses will go up in January when our son Chase arrives for a month during his holiday break from university in China. I guess we will have to share that month's expenses too....yikes!