Well, the answer to that question is: progressively broker.  I am working, but I don’t get paid until the first of each month (no bi-weekly pay here).  And I’ve been spending more because I know that money will be coming in…eventually.

For my second week (Nov 18-24), I spent an average of $20.54 per day (3.655 million dong).  Here’s a general breakdown:

lunch/dinner at restaurants: $34.05 for the week, average of $4.86/day

water/snacks/drinks/groceries for breakfast: $9.27 for the week, average of $1.32/day

cover charge for clubs and beer: $21.97 for the week, average of $3.14/day

taxis: $11.80 for the week, average of $1.69/day

gambling: $5.62 (lost a bet)

1 hr massage: $12.36 including tip

hotel accommodation: $42.41 for the week, or $6.06/night

unaccounted for: $6.30

I’m planning on getting a motorbike this week which will save me on taxis…it will cost me about $8.50/week to rent my own. Easy choice if you’re willing to brave the traffic.  I also separated the beer budget out because lumping it in with groceries and snacks is simply misleading.  And I’ve been drinking a lot more beer lately.

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So, for my second week, I spent $143.78.  My balance from the end of week one was $216.37, so that leaves me $72.59. I will have to dip into the credit card until I get paid because the money won’t stretch until the 1st of the month.  But my first paycheque will be about $364.00 so I’ll catch up with that.  But waiting until the 1st of the month to get paid will screw me for a bit…December will be tight but then my cheque in January should be over $1300.  The idea is more longterm…