OrangeDragon wrote:

LaudJohn wrote:
I would choose to work back in Australia for a 3-4 months a year earning way more than that, live like a hermit and then spend 8-9 months living on $2k per month in Cambodia or SEA without the need to turn up for a job every day and stress free.

Isn't that already what you do?

Kind of, but they haven't quite figured it out at work yet.

Mind you they might when I tell them next week I will be gone at the end of the week for another 2-3 weeks, the fourth such trip since the end of March. However come October I will actually be spending most of my time in SEA working on some new businesses.

I will probably spend more time back in OZ than I planed working as I want to see my daughter. Interestingly I interviewed for another job this week. I told them straight up I take at least 8 weeks off each year and that is non negotiable (although in fairness any more than 4 weeks is unpaid). According to the recruitment consultant they are making me a better offer than my current position.

What about the people working the NGO scams. There should be some pretty high salaries sucking off of that tit.

I appreciate the responses. I think I am just going stick it out in the Reap for a while, if the situation remains unchanged; I will probably leave the family here and fly over to OZ or NZ to seek for employment, or might take LJ on his offer

In SR but also Snooky and PP, what does the average retired person live on ? (In $)

EdinWigan wrote:In SR but also Snooky and PP, what does the average retired person live on ? (In $)

Beer. And Zeeagra.

I don't earn a fkn thing in Cambodia. I make a shitload overseas, which I then spend (waste) on the Cambodian economy. Although I do wish I could find a job here that suits my skill sets and pays even half what I normally earn as opposed to constantly flying in and out for work.

Soi Dog wrote:I prefer to make my money outside SE Asian, wherever I can get the best salary and a moderate cost of living. This allows me to save quite a bit, hopefully for an early retirement, when I can then live anywhere I want and do whatever I want.

That's what I do. Saving a bit, too. Will try to find some decent endeavors to put a bit away to make money from money in a bit, too.

And if things go belly up, I can still pull up stakes and move anywhere in SE Asia and still make $2,500+ a month ... Love it.

I have to agree that making money abroad is much more lucrative. Several years ago I did a few work stints back in the west to fund myself, but then decided to live here for good. I know I could make around 2-3 times my current salary abroad, but I've made the conscious decision to take a paycut because every time I was abroad, I literally couldn't stop thinking about when I'd be going back. I couldn't concentrate and Cambodia dominated my thoughts. The constant "itch" was just so strong that I figured I'd be happier being here full-time. For others it's wiser to make money and come here from time to time. Different people make different decisions. To each their own.

Up until fairly recently, I could live in Cambodia comfortably, but found saving quite difficult. That's what really worried me in terms of long-term perspectives. I've got a better job now and I'm finally able to save a significant (for me) amount of money each month, and the gap between what I make here and what I could expect in the west is smaller than before so I'm quite happy. I also own some real estate here which helps.

If you need to do a cash-run FC, I suggest you go to NZ or Australia. If you don't have anyone to crash with in Kiwiland then it might be a bit risky, but if you do have some family, go for it. You'll find yourself much more focused in the west and it'll be easy to set financial goals and reach them. As others have said, Cambodia isn't really a place to make big bucks as an employee unless you bring a very specific set of locally marketable skills to the table. And rural Cambodia certainly isn't a place to make money in your situation...I'm actually also considering a work stint abroad in the coming months. If only for a few months to a year or so to replenish my coffers. I know it would be hard, but it might help solidify me financially, so I'll see when the time comes.

If you are working in Cambodia and...........are happy, can save a bit of money each month, have some game plan for your later years, and have enough for an emergency..........I would say you have a good plan.

IMO, the cost of living in Cambodia will likely continue to increase in the future. I fear that many expats who are now scraping by, will find it near impossible to exist...........and will have no viable option to work elsewhere.

Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote:

If you need to do a cash-run FC, I suggest you go to NZ or Australia. If you don't have anyone to crash with in Kiwiland then it might be a bit risky, but if you do have some family, go for it. You'll find yourself much more focused in the west and it'll be easy to set financial goals and reach them. As others have said, Cambodia isn't really a place to make big bucks as an employee unless you bring a very specific set of locally marketable skills to the table. And rural Cambodia certainly isn't a place to make money in your situation...I'm actually also considering a work stint abroad in the coming months. If only for a few months to a year or so to replenish my coffers. I know it would be hard, but it might help solidify me financially, so I'll see when the time comes.

Thanks, I hear you. But like I said, I will stick here for now and see how things go. Arggg fuck it, I will tell you (guys) straight up, my daughter already got an automatic New Zealand citizenship. My wife keep on telling me to leave her here and take the baby but I can not get myself to do it....I keep on telling her that we are going to sail this journey together, let us sail together