How much spending money is normal

It is always good to have a job in Qatar.

I find this place dry..when if u get 500QAR or 2000QAR..aft sometime u will feel bored as nothing much to do in Qatar..!

So I think to find a job is better..!

Why not try to get a job then you earn your own money and then you are free to spend as much as you like of it..

"The best way to predict the future is to create it".

****Be honest to yourself, do self-assessment, check out your real requirement, schedule your expenses according to you budget after doing all that if you saved some, spend that as you like…for fun, for entertainment what so ever. But be careful and avoid over spending it is really a bad habit!!

Good Luck****

To be loved Do love……..

Give Your Smile To Every One But Your Heart To Only One!

You should thanks GOD!

Imagine the life of those workers who are paid QR 500 per months-they have to survive in this money, manage everything here in this expensive place as well as they have to look after their family back home. I feel pity about them.

If you have enough money or can't find way to spend, please donate some money to them- his is my humble request for the sake of humanity!

Money is a means of exchange. Ask your husband to give you all he has and spend it. That's the purpose of money!

C'mon guys, give her a break! A girl needs to pamper herself with nice things which can be considered as useless for others. There are so many staff that make a girl happy, and yes chocolates, make-up and sushi might belong here. And men budget is much easier to maintain, as they don't need make-up, hairdresser, beauty saloon, accessories, varios types of clothes for various types of events and so on...

And especially when you come to a new country you might be impress of all the new things which are not available in your country and tend to spend more in the beginning. She will get use to it soon.

It's true that had working hadn't killed anyone yet, but why to take risk?

The easiest way to see if the amount is "fair" for your situation is work out what you had as your allowance back home and multiply it by the exchange rate. That will give a figure but not allow for price difference between the two countries. Just a point, from what I've seen here sushi is really expensive, and thats just at Carrefour, comparing to the UK which is normally really expensive compared to here. You got the choccies from Bateel (yummy) which around these parts is one of the most expensive places, but they are worth it. Having said that compared to the UK they are cheap.

I would suggest driving aswell as transport is either expensive or a nightmare to get. Honestly its much better when you are in control of the vehicle. Being from the UK thinking about driving on the right got me confused but when you are driving yourself its just "natural" and you will get your freedom back. Petrol is cheap here so even if you have a big car its not an issue. For example that 130qr trip would have paid for my petrol for 2 weeks or more and I have a big 4x4. That includes school runs, grocery shopping, general running about.

It takes a while to settle in and get a feel for the new place, you will have quite a lot of expenses when setting up but thats normal you just need to discuss with your hubby what is acceptable and go from there.

I am willing to act as driver/scout/guide etc for a nominal salary and a place at the table when you eat out..

depends... sometimes u r happy with 500 a week.. sometimes.. it will be over in a day.. i dont think there is a limit like that..

I've got two double chins and a pork belly just waiting to pop ;)

Honestly, you must have balls of steel scarlett cuz I'm scared to drive in this city. I just can't get my head around those roundabouts. And I think the driver ripped me off. He charged me 130 QR there and back to the Qatari noble's house with a short excursion to pick up her gift of chocs from Bateel Bakery.

We took the little un's to the royal plaza at "rays reef" and I saw a cute little japanese place. Ordered a rainbow roll and 1 serving of hamachi sushi and was stunned when they charged me 110QR for it.

When we move to a new country there are so many things that we need to buy. Most of everything I have was left back home because my suitcase just wasn't big enough.

lol. sorry Scarlett.. I'm not a dietitian.. Ha-ha!

and I'm not aware! lol. i guess i should buy a book

about diet..

cheers,

paul

I think the post is out of this world, spending QR 500,--weekly for make up sushi and chocolates is profane to say the least, when many here are barely earning QR500,--

It would be better to ask among friends/acquaintances first before posting this.

I have to be honest I can't believe money can be wasted in such a way especially as in Amiland they don't have any more money and have become inventive as how to support a public who are all living 3-6 salaries in advance not to mention the banks same as in England and most of Europe.!!!!!!!

""""So far I've been getting 500Qr a week from my husband. But I'm not sure this is enough. Just buying some makeup, sushi, and a present of chocolates took it all in 2 days""".

These comments don't seem to me like something that is a grocery budget.

In fact QR 500,-- is too much money to be spending foolishly good your husband is a "tightwad" in the end he is earning the money.!!!!!

you taught me well and thank you for that.. :P.. and i don't need to ask it out how to spend my money.. :/

a very good morning to you as well momsy..:-*

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

don't you know the laws of calories?? Chocolate and sushi negate each other...its like the broken cookies in a container have no calories since they fall out when the whole cookie breaks..which is why you only eat the broken ones...its virtual health food!!

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

she'd get fat with QR500 worth of chocolates and sushi.

cheers,

paul

daughter, haven't I taught you how to spend money??

and good morning!!!

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

i know this cabin crew from Qatar Airways. She has an outstanding balance of QR18000 in her credit card! That's like 2 times (maybe) her month's salary! Ha-ha! She got lots of Louis Vuitton bags she brought from Bangkok! :))

she told me "its worth it Paul."

i mean, we should all know how much is the right amount to spend and our capacity..

i know its none of my business but i just want to share!

cheers,

paul

don't know, a matured person should know when, what where to spend their money..there's no normal or AB when spending money.. should be always logical about it..never thought that spending money could be that complicated.. :/

just a question, every week do you need to buy something? every week you need to buy make up, chocolates, sushis and whatever?.. :/

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

probably...which is why I do the 4...

Ok I am NOT going to post anything having to do with numbers anymore before I have my coffee!!!

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

some of those expenses you listed shouldn't be included in your personal budget. Honestly speaking..your husband, whom you switched your entire life around to move here to be with him, needs to understand that you need to be happy...

as for your transportation...go ahead and drive yourself..its easy once you learn the roads ...and our licenses are accepted here for, I think 2 weeks before you have to get your Qatar license..

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

you mixed up the conversion... QR to $ divide by 3.65, $ to QR multiply by 3.65... :) GM

edited.

there... no more shortchange Baldrick ;)

that's what im preparing now :)

no coffee for me, wont let me sleep later =))

my money issues is different from hers... LOL

such a lucky lady of leisure :)

Isn't it 3.65?

I think you may be short changing yourself there ;o)

Did you Google it first?

you are right...where's my coffee???

there, fixed it...thanks!!!

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

If you are trying to adjust to Doha then I suggest the first thing you do is learn to use discretion in your words and actions here in Qatar. You're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Now, that being said...take the 500 and divide it by 3.56 and you have the amount in US dollars. Or do what I do and divide it by 4 (its easier and close enough) Now take what you used to spend back in the States and multiply it by the 3.56 or 4...tell your husband that is what you used to spend. If he says its too much then cut back on your extraneous expenses. Its very easy.

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

I know..I tried to do that too but it wouldn't let me then saw she posted in forum.

I actually do things like that when I have a bit extra in my wallet. One day in City Center, this sweet lady was working in the ladies toilet area, cleaning up...poor thing must have been over 70...and when I was on my way out, I handed her a 100 riyal note, folded up...she came running down the hallway to tell me thank you...What's little for us, is huge for others. Why not share???

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

As much as you can get--and with 87% of the population here being male, you should have no trouble finding more than one source of funds.

--

Since Allah has given me a brain, it would seem like a sin not to use it.

Scarlett that was exactly along the lines i was going to post in the Q&A section but couldnt post it there for some reason. I'm sitting here reading that question and i'm like WOW she manages to blow up 500 bucks a week and she finds Qatar expensive, i wonder how the labour who get a MONTHLY SALARY of around that much find it??

Good Fortune always comes knocking at your door...when you are sh*tting in the toilet!! :)

_[]~SMoKE~[]_

Now there perhaps it is in bad taste but then thats what happens when we marry tightwads.

Anyway its a new currency and standard of living here thats just different then back home. And I'm trying to get to grips with how much I need at the moment. My goal is to make the transition to Qatar a positive and fruitful one.

And I am just trying to work out a budget

For my own transportation

clothes

makeup

eating out with friends

hygiene

fun days with the kids

AWA fees

groceries

makeup, sushi, chocolates 500 qr sufficient for minimum Qty.

does that covers weekly grocery? If not, 500 is sufficient , I guess .

Well, to be honest, I find this question rather in poor taste, but since you put it out in public..here's what I suggest....

Take what your husband has given you and do with it what you need to do, when you run out, you are out of spending money. If you are uncertain of how to spend it, why not fold it over twice and give it to one of the workers that are working for a mere pittance and living 6 or more to a room in the workers' camp. That way you at least KNOW it will be well spent. It will lift your conscience of what to do with you "leisure" money and you would be helping someone who has nothing.

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

if your husband gives you QR2000/month for your shopping i think its enough..

cheers,

paul

How long is a piece of string ??

In my opinion 500 a week for yourself should be sufficient..But different people have different spending habits and needs.

QR1000 a month for beer and wine should see you happy!

Did you Google it first?