August 28, 2005

Random Blather | Rick Salasar's Handy and Indisputable Guide: Part 3

Who woulda thunk it?!! (See why I ain't teechina da eengleesh?) Only, like, a week and I'm already steaming in here with the oh-so-glorious Part 3 of this life-affirming guide to getting on in the the LoBS (yes, that's right, LoBS - more on that later, my adoring audience). What drives me to do this for free? As a great philosopher once said, "Don't ask questions, ladies, just enjoy the prices!". Ok, so he wasn't quite Plato, but "Ackney's very own Big Dave" was a remarkably astute piss-artist.

First, let's recap. Before we worry about how to manage staying here, of course, we had to review WHY we want to stay here. For most, if not all, of the farang in Thailand that at least starts out, if not actually ends, with the LBFM (look it up, yo).

Part 1 covered the first and foremost definition of the phrase "Making it in Thailand". Of course, this really isn't for those of you already here, it's more for the great unwashed masses who have never been and are wondering about the reality behind all the fable and lore.

While you're at it, why not review my earlier potted series on how to avoid the common disasters and pitfalls lying in wait for so many unwary visitors to the Land of Sly Smiles.

Ok, so what's the latest great secret? What's the second most likely way to make it in Thailand? Sorry it's not as glamourous as you're probably hoping.

2. Split your time between earning at home and in Thailand. That's right. If you haven't been able to work yourself up to making enough money before you come to Thailand in order to retire here, do the next best thing. Make your money abroad and come here to spend it.

This slight, but fundamental, (eh? wot?) variation on number one, above, is probably the most realistic and popular option for anybody with brains. Again, this means I haven't chosen this path, either.

As another great philospher said, "Just do it". Make your money abroad, spend it here.

Ok, I know you've all read this far. Well, you have if you're reading this, aincha? The other two have buggered off somewhere vastly more interesting and useful but as you've hung in this far, I hope you'll hang around to get your teeth into the main course. The parts still to come in this series will be the real meat of the matter: how to actually live here and make enough money to pay for it without leaving.

Granted, most of you have probably sussed parts 1 and 2 already, at least in principle. Trust me, for the vast majority of you, I have already presented you with the most likely and intelligent options. Don't discount them out of hand.

Even if you don't earn what's considered a huge income by the standards of your own country, you probably already realise the massive difference between the Thai economy and most of the developed economies. So DON'T SPEND IT ALL AT HOME.

Wherever you are, get the cheapest digs you can manage. Who gives a crap what people think, ok? Long after you've fled to a life of leisure on a beach in the tropics, all the people who thought you were a silly pleb will still be working their butts off to pay their mortgage and the lease on their impressive, shiny import, ok?

And don't stop with the cheap digs. Cut your spending to the bone. If you're fresh out of college, hmm, ok you probably have massive loans to pay back but at least you SHOULD be used to little money. Whatever, just don't develop the stupid high cost of living that everybody ends up with.

It's time to go ninja, ok? Small, cheap apartment with a cot, a stove and some weights. Read some books and work out. This dovetails nicely with the first part of this series. Save your money and work on yourself when you're not working on your savings. Become a lean, mean, money-saving machine. The partying can come later.

Arrive in Thailand with a fat wallet and a slim waist.

Posted by Rick Salasar at August 28, 2005 02:56 PM

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Posted by: Jon at August 29, 2005 10:03 AM

Posted by: Jon at August 29, 2005 10:05 AM

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