All righty. Things are pretty settled and established so week to week there hasn’t been much change. Items of interest this week include our accommodation going up by 20% (“high season”) and a motorbike rental which, even with buying gas, is actually cheaper than taking the very affordable xe oms (motorbike taxis). Then there was our karaoke night out and going to see Ratatat (again) at a new club which totally blew the budget.

For my fifth week (Dec 2-Dec 8), I spent an average of $20.22 per day (384,180 dong/day).  Here’s a general breakdown of where it went:

lunch/dinner at restaurants: $29.00 for the week, average of $4.14/day

water/snacks/drinks/groceries for breakfast: $12.47 for the week, average of $1.78/day

beer: $9.74 for the week, average of $1.39/day

taxis and buses: $2.53 for the week

motorcycle rental and gas: $13.68 for the week, average of $1.95/day

accommodation: $47.60 for the week, or $6.80/night

manicures: $2.84

karaoke, cover charges: $23.68 for the week

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So, for my fifth week, I spent $141.54. My balance from the end of week four was $340.80, so that leaves me at $199.26. I don’t get paid until Jan 1st so hopefully it can stretch that far.  Doubtful. But the Jan 1st cheque will be big so I’m not too worried. At this point, I am living very comfortably, have my own motorbike, and am eating pretty much whatever I want. You could definitely do it for cheaper but hovering at the $20/day mark is working perfect for me.

(Version française plus bas)

Funds on Nov 30th: 2 307 200 Dong ($126.18) (84,29€)
Current funds on December 6th: 1 319 000 Dong + 1 809 720 Dong (=$99 remaining from
paycheck)= 3 128 720 Dong ($171.15) (115,29€)
Spent: 1 792 520 Dong ($98) (66€)

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Has it been 4 weeks already? Holy crap. How time flies.

I will just say that being sick is great for the wallet. I was taken down with a nasty stomach bug so for a couple days I didn’t really eat much. Spent a lot of time lying on my bed which was conveniently located right next to the bathroom. Although because I was so weak, I spent more on motor-taxis as I kept attending my classes but didn’t have the energy to actually walk there myself. Oh yeah, and I GOT PAID THIS WEEK! YAY!

For my second week (Nov 25-Dec 1), I spent an average of $13.88 per day (263,700 dong/day). Compare that with an average of $20.54/day from last week. This is directly linked to the fact that I was ill so my beer and food consumption went sharply down and I managed to sneak into the Loreto Fest to see Ratatat which was normally a $25 ticket. Here’s a general breakdown of where it went:

lunch/dinner at restaurants: $30.26 for the week, average of $4.32/day

water/snacks/drinks/groceries for breakfast: $9.95 for the week, average of $1.42/day

beer: $0 (you now know how sick I really was)

taxis and buses: $15.85 for the week, average of $2.26/day

motorcycle rental: $1.32 for one day

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

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So, for my fourth week, I spent $99.79. I got my first paycheque which was 7,000,000 dong ($368.00). My balance from the end of week three was $72.59, so that leaves me at $340.80. I have started renting a motorbike ($1.32/day), but that will actually work out cheaper than the taxis I’ve been taking. Now if I can just manage not to kill myself…

A bit of a bummer is that our accommodation cost is going up. We had an “arrangement” to fix the price, but apparently the owner forgot about that initial conversation and effective December 1st, our housing is going up by 20% for the remainder of our time here (for “high season”). It’s a bit late to start looking for a proper apartment (we’re only here for two more months), and we all really like it where we are so we will probably suck it up. Still not cool, though, Hai Ha!

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…

(Version française plus bas)

Funds on Nov 16th: 3 012 283 Dong ($168.45) (113,05€)
(PS: I made a little mistake last week: I had 3 012 283 VND left, not 2 908 000 VND)
Current funds, on Nov 22nd: 579 283 Dong ($32.39) (21,73€)
Spent: 2 433 000 Dong ($136) (91,25€)

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I’ll have to admit, knowing that I have a job has taken a lot of pressure of the whole financial situation.  However, in true Kris form, I neglected to ask when I get paid so things could get a bit tight before that first cheque comes in.  But I’m spending under $20/day including accommodation, transportation, food, etc., which was my goal, and there’s a lot of room to save in there if need be.

For my second week (Nov 11-17), I spent an average of $19.69 per day (2.454 million dong).  Here’s a general breakdown:

lunch/dinner at restaurants: $36.91 for the week, average of $5.27/day

water/snacks/beer/groceries for breakfast: $27.81 for the week, average of $3.97/day (to be honest, the majority of this is beer)

taxis: $5.06 for the week, average of $0.72/day (this was 3 separate rides!)

sightseeing: $0.84 (War Remnants Museum)

tailors: $17.98 for two custom made shirts

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

unaccounted for: $6.80 (give me a break, I’m not an accountant, all right?)

Considerations:  3 days a week, I will be teaching at a school quite far north from where we are.  It’s around $2.25 roundtrip for a taxi, which works out to close to $30/month, or I could rent a motorcycle for around $50/month.  I’m currently having a dilemma about which route to take.  For just a bit more every month I could have my own vehicle which would be awesome, but you are taking your life into your hands every time you enter traffic here and I’m not sure I’m a skilled enough motorcyclist to pull it off. We’ll see.

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So, for my second week, I spent $137.87.  My balance from the end of week one was $354.24, so that leaves me $216.37. Hopefully I get paid soon and the balance starts going up!