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.

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…