Anything you'd have to sign a waiver to endeavor. I can understand that.
However
I do believe that a coronary event during the Dominican national pastime (no, not beisbol) is covered. I can snorkel in the Keys.
- Thread starter Robert
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Living Costs in the Dominican Republic
Anything you'd have to sign a waiver to endeavor. I can understand that.
However
I do believe that a coronary event during the Dominican national pastime (no, not beisbol) is covered. I can snorkel in the Keys.
I do it on roughly 4k a month w no mortgage for 3 soon to be 4. We live ok and have money left over at the end of the month but we have only one maid now, drive an older suv and purchase local products. Dominicans are very materialistic and its easy to get caught up in the financial one up man ship that permeates our "culture". If you stick to being around foreigners it will be easier to stick to budget and not have to worry about "saving face" by having the newest and the best.
and they fly you out independend of how hard you get hit? like a simple broken arm and you get a airambulance with a doctor and a nurse to get the arm fixed back home?
thats great, and sure worth 15 bucks per vacay
Mike
Six,
First, thanks for sharing your expenses, it's very helpful.
Next, not all folk will have some of the same levels of spending. A couple with a small child will probably not spend $2,000 on food, if they buy local when it makes sense. Further, going through $300 in alcohol may be high or low, depending on their lifestyle.
Oh, so you're talking about 4500 CAD? That's currently worth about $3,500 USD, which is still doable if you're careful, but you won't have a huge cushion. Be careful, take your time, try and find work and/or develop a skill you can do online (and get paid in USD, EUR or CAD), spend nothing you can't easily replace, and DO NOT BUY any real estate for at least the first year.
Good luck!
I'll be the first to admit that we are spenders! My $2,000 a month at the grocery store isn't just food. That includes laundry soap, dish soap, diapers, toilet paper, paper towel etc...
I guess, the biggest lesson I have learned it that everything costs twice as much, and lasts half as long. You don't just hop down to walmart and buy a replacement. (I just came through Miami a month ago, and drained my checking account buying cheap stuff). But.... Now, that am I here and have learned, I spent an hour today rewiring a beach umbrella. Back home, I would have just thrown it out, here I fix ****! My jackass handyman/gardener/pool boy who costs me a fortune in Rum, taxi's, and food has saved me even more by fixing things I would have just thrown away!
Cinco Quintiles
The Central Bank released an interesting study on how much and on what Dominican households spend.
The households are divided in five income groups ('quintiles') and their 'canastas familiares' are broken down to various expenditure classes.
In my view the figures have little to do with 'gringo' living costs.
El Caribe ? Pobres gastan m?s en comida y los ricos en transporte
donP
The Central Bank released an interesting study on how much and on what Dominican households spend.
The households are divided in five income groups ('quintiles') and their 'canastas familiares' are broken down to various expenditure classes.
In my view the figures have little to do with 'gringo' living costs.
El Caribe ? Pobres gastan m?s en comida y los ricos en transporte
donP
My budget (in STI):
Rent 3 be house: 500
Electric: 40
Water/sewer/trash: 20
TV/internet/land line: 45
Wine: 400
Food: 200
Restaraunts: 100
Propane/car: 100
Cellular: 30
Insurance/car: 80
Repairs/car: 50
Air travel: 300
Medical DR: 20
Insurance/medical/us: free
Drugs/Rx: 200
Services: 200
Hobbies: 200
Sex: 0
DR travel: 30
About 2500/mo (and maybe 3000). It started at about 1500 as I cautiously started.
15000 startup, 1 year later 8000 for car.
These are my gringo costs.
Rent 3 be house: 500
Electric: 40
Water/sewer/trash: 20
TV/internet/land line: 45
Wine: 400
Food: 200
Restaraunts: 100
Propane/car: 100
Cellular: 30
Insurance/car: 80
Repairs/car: 50
Air travel: 300
Medical DR: 20
Insurance/medical/us: free
Drugs/Rx: 200
Services: 200
Hobbies: 200
Sex: 0
DR travel: 30
About 2500/mo (and maybe 3000). It started at about 1500 as I cautiously started.
15000 startup, 1 year later 8000 for car.
These are my gringo costs.
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Food buying Club
After reviewing the list of expenses recently posted here as well as the constant analyzing of my own expenses since I arrived it is clear that food is a significant expense that we all endure. Based on discussions I have had with local vendors and the Induban delivery guy there is significant savings to be had if one buys 200 lbs of potatoes, 500 bags of coffee, 100 lbs of rice and sugar at a time. The fruit and Veggie vendors would love to be able to offload their offerings in quantity. I started buying my alcohol by the case and the savings are worth the initial expenditure.
The amounts involved for most food stuffs don't make sense for the individual, but a standing group purchase of the staples each month would be advantageous. Yes it does require some work for someone to order, receive and assemble the various items but if payment was one month in advance and pick up was prompt, the savings over retail prices would be quite large and would offset the effort required.
Just food for thought...
After reviewing the list of expenses recently posted here as well as the constant analyzing of my own expenses since I arrived it is clear that food is a significant expense that we all endure. Based on discussions I have had with local vendors and the Induban delivery guy there is significant savings to be had if one buys 200 lbs of potatoes, 500 bags of coffee, 100 lbs of rice and sugar at a time. The fruit and Veggie vendors would love to be able to offload their offerings in quantity. I started buying my alcohol by the case and the savings are worth the initial expenditure.
The amounts involved for most food stuffs don't make sense for the individual, but a standing group purchase of the staples each month would be advantageous. Yes it does require some work for someone to order, receive and assemble the various items but if payment was one month in advance and pick up was prompt, the savings over retail prices would be quite large and would offset the effort required.
Just food for thought...
We buy fresh veggies and fruit every three or four days and the total cost for five of us is less than 1000 pesos per week. Cooking gas is approx. 2000 pesos per month, and 900 for 50 LB bag of Dos Pinos rice, another 500 for cooking oil. My MIL spends another 5000 a month on various food items...tomato paste, chicken....etc. Internet/phone 2400, cell phone 1800 pesos. Gas for car , varies considerably depending on how many trips to Santiago but approx. 5000 per month. Booze 110 pesos on Friday for one Jumbo Bohemia for me; my wife doesn't drink. Electric bill for two houses, around 2400 per month. I buy coffee 20 lbs at a time, same with sugar. We don't really keep a budget , we just buy what we need or want. All I know is we don't spend that much on actual living expenses.
Lean red meat is rich in protein and B vitamins. Don't buy into the vegetarian/vegan propaganda!
and plantanos produce a effect eating braincells over the years.
the most suitable diet for a human body/system is a mixture, meats and produce/veggies, important is to stay away from the foodie dumpsters named fast food chains, thats where trash gets cooked and served with taste additives to make it taste gourmet.
Mike
a good point, DV.
it sure is possible to live in DR "cheap"/on a small budget, but the same is possible and by many millions practiced in 1st world countries up north, too.
back in Germany i spent more money for myself than i do here for the whole family, but that has nothing to do with living in one country would be cheaper than in the other. it was different times and under different circumstances. i left germany 20 years ago by the age of 30, making very good money there during young adult years meant always a very nice new car, the newest equipment for music and TV and computers etc, as a good money earning single eating out a lot, party a lot, doing expensive vacations/travels around the globe. the meat in the fridge always been the top of the line stuff, so been clothes and all the other surrounding stuff.
now, 20 years later, i am 50 year old, have a wife, raised a dozen adopted children up to adulthood, one own daughter which is 4 years old now. i make very good money with my own business here, but priorities change in life. i drive a 2001 Pick Up Truck and do not care about the soundmachine in it, because it suits me fine for the job to be done and come around, i still love good beef but do not even look on the super expensive offered mediocre Imports from abroad in the supers, we kill a own calf every once in a while to have good quality for a reasonable price, other meats i buy at a local butcher who proofed over years to deliver acceptable quality for a good price. the newest TV in the house at this moment is a 6 years old LCD Flat, been expensive back in the day when i purchased it, but worth it, as todays i do not feel the need anymore to have the most up to date stuff, i just want good quality stuff that last for a longer while. we cant compare our todays lifes on the island easily with our prior behaviors/needs a long time ago in a very different country living under very different circumstances. i am pretty sure i would have changed my spending behaviors/needs also if i would never have moved to an other country.
if i would spend here in the DR for the same things i did back there, the same and maybe even more, if i would like to have the same kinda stuff and update the same i did back in the day. luxury items like cars and electronics are expensive here compared to the same quality items in a first world country, they are all imports and things which are "normal/average" there are considered a luxury for some few here on the Isle.
here on the Isle we could live easy and comfy by today's needs with $2.500.-US a month as a couple with a 4 years old(once she starts intl school that adds up a good piece of course), back There i spent that for myself just for the Rent and the basics every month, plus all the little extras.
who lives on a poor level in a 1st world country, will in my opinion here on the Island come by cheaper than in the northern spheres. if you are used to a mid class lifestyle in a 1st world country, then you spend at least the same, most likely even more for the same lifestyle with the same luxuries/needs/items etc here on the Island.
and in addition to the normal running costs you have to see extra expenses which you ned savings for on a account, like if special not included med treatment would be necessary, flights to visit family back in the home country etc.
Mike
it sure is possible to live in DR "cheap"/on a small budget, but the same is possible and by many millions practiced in 1st world countries up north, too.
back in Germany i spent more money for myself than i do here for the whole family, but that has nothing to do with living in one country would be cheaper than in the other. it was different times and under different circumstances. i left germany 20 years ago by the age of 30, making very good money there during young adult years meant always a very nice new car, the newest equipment for music and TV and computers etc, as a good money earning single eating out a lot, party a lot, doing expensive vacations/travels around the globe. the meat in the fridge always been the top of the line stuff, so been clothes and all the other surrounding stuff.
now, 20 years later, i am 50 year old, have a wife, raised a dozen adopted children up to adulthood, one own daughter which is 4 years old now. i make very good money with my own business here, but priorities change in life. i drive a 2001 Pick Up Truck and do not care about the soundmachine in it, because it suits me fine for the job to be done and come around, i still love good beef but do not even look on the super expensive offered mediocre Imports from abroad in the supers, we kill a own calf every once in a while to have good quality for a reasonable price, other meats i buy at a local butcher who proofed over years to deliver acceptable quality for a good price. the newest TV in the house at this moment is a 6 years old LCD Flat, been expensive back in the day when i purchased it, but worth it, as todays i do not feel the need anymore to have the most up to date stuff, i just want good quality stuff that last for a longer while. we cant compare our todays lifes on the island easily with our prior behaviors/needs a long time ago in a very different country living under very different circumstances. i am pretty sure i would have changed my spending behaviors/needs also if i would never have moved to an other country.
if i would spend here in the DR for the same things i did back there, the same and maybe even more, if i would like to have the same kinda stuff and update the same i did back in the day. luxury items like cars and electronics are expensive here compared to the same quality items in a first world country, they are all imports and things which are "normal/average" there are considered a luxury for some few here on the Isle.
here on the Isle we could live easy and comfy by today's needs with $2.500.-US a month as a couple with a 4 years old(once she starts intl school that adds up a good piece of course), back There i spent that for myself just for the Rent and the basics every month, plus all the little extras.
who lives on a poor level in a 1st world country, will in my opinion here on the Island come by cheaper than in the northern spheres. if you are used to a mid class lifestyle in a 1st world country, then you spend at least the same, most likely even more for the same lifestyle with the same luxuries/needs/items etc here on the Island.
and in addition to the normal running costs you have to see extra expenses which you ned savings for on a account, like if special not included med treatment would be necessary, flights to visit family back in the home country etc.
Mike
people who live in DR on a tight budget are those who cannot afford anything better. it's very simple. everyone aims to better their existence. in DR, those dominicans who live a bit better spend more. they invest in better schools for kids, better cars, better neighbourhoods, better food. the only people who ever want to downgrade their living conditions is down on their luck first world hipsters who are high on thoreau and want to "simplify".
exactly right.
and where/how would you storage the stuff for a month in advance? that would be a significant extra cost for storage/extra fridges/freezer running on elec etc etc, eating the small savings of purchasing in big quantities.
nd many things i would not like to buy in advance for a lengthy time frame. fruits and veggies i would not like to have lying around in the house for many days, the fruits stands are everywhere along the roads to buy that stuff for reasonable prices fresh on the way home from work etc. things like for example Rice, i buy in 50lbs sack, as we use a lot of it, rum (by the half gallon) and beers (by the case) for visitors. the cheapest prices for products are found at the big supermarket chains for most products, veggies and fruits are best/freshest at specific fruit stands, none would store stuff for you because you pay a month's worth of Items for a month in advance. you could make such deal with prepayment with a bigger Colmado, but the Colmados are just 2nd row resellers, so their inicial prices are from the beginning higher than the supermarkets, even to get a prepayment discount there for storing your Items of a month's worth you would still not safe much if any, with the risk that you always have a month's worth of expenses out there like a credit given to someone, and you need to administer your "stored" stuff there to keep track what is still already paid for and what been used off and needs to be purchased newly.
i don't see how such idea could work out either way.
Mike
I would agree moving here on a "shoe string" budget would not work for me at all. Who wants to stress about how your going to make ends meet every month. While not living in luxury we live comfortable. I enjoy a bargain just as much as the next person but running around town trying to find the cheapest deal constantly does not appeal to me. I have my spots to shop and in the end it evens out. I know many think moving here is the answer to a stress free life but it is not. It may not be the same stress you had back home but there is stress. Being smart and being prepared is the approach.
I agree in part, but at some point enough is enough. No one loves the idea of being the key participant in a "rat race," but we do it. One of the reasons is because of lifestyle inflation, in which the expenses in your life magically increase in direct proportion to your income.
Increasing your lifestyle so that you're living comfortably, you are healthy and properly nourished, and your kids get a safe, high-quality education is obviously desirable. However, when folk start to get materialistic and driven by purely selfish needs, then it's time to rethink your life.
I live alone, but have a house that's about 4k sq. ft. I have friends who own three cars per driver, and purchase vacation homes they hardly visit. Folks who hardly watch TV spend crazy amounts on 900 channels of nothingness, while others fill their mini-mansions with stuff off QVC. We all know people who went from Ramen noodles and frozen pizza to being extra fussy in this week's newest trendy farm-to-table hyper-organic restaurant.
After a minute, that stuff gets kinda silly, and becomes an obvious attempt at substituting material possessions for living happily. It's just a way of separating folks from their money, thus justifying more time spent in the aforementioned rat race.
Done right, simplifying can cut out much of that BS from your life, and encourage you to focus on what's most important.