Is my husband making enough money?

10POSTS

19 years ago

My husband has been in Kazakhstan for 5 months. He is making 125,000 dollars a year. He is a mining engineer. Is his salary comparable to others living abroad? I think he should be paid more. What do any of you think? Thanks, Kristal

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loloieg ViP

378POSTS

19 years ago

125,000 dollars a year ... do you mean, this is his salary or this is what he can keep after paying everything (bills, food,...) ?

To my point of view, you have to think about what you can keep after paying everything. Because in some countries your salary could be low but the cost of life is lower...

Kristal Mays Member

10POSTS

19 years ago

Thanks for responding. This is his salary. Before everything is paid. The cost of living is about the same as in the U.S., if you are a smart shopper. if not, food and clothing can be alot higher. Kristal

Julien Founder

53163POSTS

19 years ago

Determining of much to get paid to work abroad, I mean you're sent abroad by your company, is quite complicated.

You must at least get paid as much as you would be in your home country for the same job. Then consider that you might be working 10 hours per day (you're often sent abroad because you're the "specialist" and you're very solicited at work).

Add your children's education cost (expatriates often send their children to english-speaking schools), the cost of your travels each time you want to go home, communications, the local cost of life ... and then see if you've got enough to feel comfortable

I've read your post about the cost of life in Kazakhstan looks like it's expensive over there! (the accomodation is as expensive as in Paris)

Gary ViP

1845POSTS

19 years ago

It all depends how important money is to somebody. I guess it is to you, Kristal, otherwise you wouldn't have made your post.

Try to see it this way: If your husband is happy with his job, if you (and if you have them, the children) are happy, if you guys can do what you want to do, then yes, he makes enough money. Would you you be more more happy if your hubby made 10 or 20 grand more per year?

Money is not really important for me - I just need enough to pay the bills. Maybe it's because I haven't been working for a company ever since 1988. I have had years when I made 300 to 400 grand per year, I also had years when I made less than 20. It doesn't matter to me. I need to be happy! (and be able to pay the bills...)

Sinbad Member

47POSTS

19 years ago

If you do find that he is making too much money, please contact me and I will try to share the burden of wealth.

Khan Musti Contributor

112POSTS

13 years ago

I only want to say that I also want to send my CV to your husband,s company.

Adim Active member

98POSTS

13 years ago

Enough regarding his diplômas and experience,, or enough according to your living standards?

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15641POSTS

13 years ago

The global average income per head is about US$4.50 a day.
So as long as you earn over US$135/month (US$270 for a couple, US$540 for a family of four) you have more than most others.
Count yourself lucky!

Christine ViP

42879POSTS

13 years ago

#10

Hello,

just to inform that this is an old thread (2006)

Primadonna Jordan Expert

5339POSTS

13 years ago

#11

Sinbad wrote:
If you do find that he is making too much money, please contact me and I will try to share the burden of wealth.

Woehahahahahahaaha
Woehahahahahaha
Woehahahahaha

This is really funny

kiwiinkorea Serial expat

385POSTS

13 years ago

#12

Depends on what he does for the money. I used to earn similar money once and found I was trading my lifestyle for it. After some years it became apparent that time was worth more than the money. I live this way now, I earn far less now but am substantially more happy.

kiwiinkorea Serial expat

385POSTS

13 years ago

#13

Another question to think about.
Would he be on comparable money at home? Or is the reason he is abroad is because employment opportunites are better, if this is indeed the case why not ask him if he feels he is being paid what he's worth.

Primadonna Jordan Expert

5339POSTS

13 years ago

#14

One of the reasons that we moved to Jordan is that my hubby wants to spend more time with us. In the Netherlands he has his own business and worked 70 hours or more...

Now he is an tourist guide.
When there is enough work he is less home and earn good money.
But no work, no money!

At this moment I am a stayhome mom.
I don't like it all the time. But when the times comes, e.g means when I can speak and read proper Arabic then I start my own business.
Beside this, my hubby doesn't want to this job for a long time so we've invested in land and make a sort of fruit orchard to sell it later on when the harvest is big.
This in combination with tourism.
But that is a whole different story.

HaileyinHongKong ViP

4723POSTS

13 years ago

#15

Does any woman think her husband makes enough money?

jazzy851 ViP

1487POSTS

13 years ago

#16

Or does the Husband make enough money and the wife spends it all?

kiwiinkorea Serial expat

385POSTS

13 years ago

#17

HaileyinHongKong wrote:
Does any woman think her husband makes enough money?

Probably not. Especially if she's a gold digger.

James ViP

11272POSTS

13 years ago

#18

I can't believe how many people are responding to a topic posted in 2006! Talk about raising Lazarus from the dead..... and that was only after 4 days.

Cheers,
William James Woodward - Brazil Animator, Expat-blog