The best day of the month is here -- payday. So I'm going to share some of my finances with all of you that are curious (all 2 of you reading my blog that is).
First lets talk about Chinese money. Chinese Yuan (CNY), Renminbi (RMB), Kuai 块 (slang like 'bucks'), it goes by a lot of names. and symbols: ¥ or 元. the exchange rate is about 6.35 CNY to 1 USD, which means that the 4000元 a month I receive is about $ 630 in real money. Which doesn't seem like a lot. But you forget, I'm in China.
No, I'm not living the high life, and no I'm not adding to my savings account, but I'm certainly not slumming it either. My accommodations are included, as are my electricity and water bills, which makes it a lot easier to afford some luxuries on 630 dollars a month.
Groceries:
5 gal. jug of water: 7
5 apples: 10
pack of 5 ramen: 8
veggies (green beans/broccoli/etc): 10
rice: 10
potatoes: 10
oatmeal: 20
nuts: 20
chocolate bar (import): 15
instant coffee: 15 (2-3 weeks worth is 30 or 40)
bread: 10
peanut butter: 10 (a jar is 20)
week total: 150元
eating out:
breakfast (street food -- jianbing, etc) = 5
lunch (noodles, or a plate of some dish with rice) = 10 - 15
dinner (group orders a bunch of dishes, veggies, rice dishes, meat, etc) = 20 - 40
nicer dinner (Western food, fancy restaurant, etc) = 50 -100
misc others:
bathroom scale: 60
cleaning supplies when i moved in (broom, mop, bucket, soap, etc): 200
dvds: 10 each
shampoo: 20
phone credit: 50 for a couple weeks
bike repairs: 50
comforter: 80
bath towel: 90
wireless router: 100
crappy little speakers: 20
Beijing:
round trip fast train: 100
hostel: 35 - 100 a night
eating out: 50 - 150
drinking out: 20 - 50 a drink
shopping at Yashow clothing market:
fake Longchamp bag: 30
small knock off gucci/coach purse: 100 - 200
fake D&G winter coat: 220
fake uggs: 125
During the week, I really don't spend any money. When I head to Beijing, however, all my money disappears on American luxuries. I fall into such a trap by being willing to pay out the wazoo for American comforts like familiar food. Which is why you should mail me some Whataburger. Anyone? Or some American candy?
My address is:
Kelsey Adams
+86 15830844021
中国
河北省
保定市071000
东二环路 166 号
166 Middle of the 2nd east loop RD.
Baoding, Hebei Province
071000 China
If you just copy and paste and print it with the Chinese and the English, it's more likely to arrive. Send me a Christmas present!
First lets talk about Chinese money. Chinese Yuan (CNY), Renminbi (RMB), Kuai 块 (slang like 'bucks'), it goes by a lot of names. and symbols: ¥ or 元. the exchange rate is about 6.35 CNY to 1 USD, which means that the 4000元 a month I receive is about $ 630 in real money. Which doesn't seem like a lot. But you forget, I'm in China.
No, I'm not living the high life, and no I'm not adding to my savings account, but I'm certainly not slumming it either. My accommodations are included, as are my electricity and water bills, which makes it a lot easier to afford some luxuries on 630 dollars a month.
Groceries:
5 gal. jug of water: 7
5 apples: 10
pack of 5 ramen: 8
veggies (green beans/broccoli/etc): 10
rice: 10
potatoes: 10
oatmeal: 20
nuts: 20
chocolate bar (import): 15
instant coffee: 15 (2-3 weeks worth is 30 or 40)
bread: 10
peanut butter: 10 (a jar is 20)
week total: 150元
eating out:
breakfast (street food -- jianbing, etc) = 5
lunch (noodles, or a plate of some dish with rice) = 10 - 15
dinner (group orders a bunch of dishes, veggies, rice dishes, meat, etc) = 20 - 40
nicer dinner (Western food, fancy restaurant, etc) = 50 -100
misc others:
bathroom scale: 60
cleaning supplies when i moved in (broom, mop, bucket, soap, etc): 200
dvds: 10 each
shampoo: 20
phone credit: 50 for a couple weeks
bike repairs: 50
comforter: 80
bath towel: 90
wireless router: 100
crappy little speakers: 20
Beijing:
round trip fast train: 100
hostel: 35 - 100 a night
eating out: 50 - 150
drinking out: 20 - 50 a drink
shopping at Yashow clothing market:
fake Longchamp bag: 30
small knock off gucci/coach purse: 100 - 200
fake D&G winter coat: 220
fake uggs: 125
During the week, I really don't spend any money. When I head to Beijing, however, all my money disappears on American luxuries. I fall into such a trap by being willing to pay out the wazoo for American comforts like familiar food. Which is why you should mail me some Whataburger. Anyone? Or some American candy?
My address is:
Kelsey Adams
+86 15830844021
中国
河北省
保定市071000
东二环路 166 号
166 Middle of the 2nd east loop RD.
Baoding, Hebei Province
071000 China
If you just copy and paste and print it with the Chinese and the English, it's more likely to arrive. Send me a Christmas present!
i want to send you a Christmas present, but I have a feeling that you would not get it until Christmas 2012!
ReplyDeleteI love you and I miss you!
did you find a place to watch the Ags play? I hope not, it was too sad!
xoxoxoxo