In many instances, the belief that life abroad is a realm of glamour and luxury takes root among individuals from the Indian subcontinent, often referred to as “desis.” This perception envisions people earning daily and indulging in opulent lifestyles come nighttime. While this might hold true for certain cases, the reality is far from universally accurate. The challenges of managing various aspects of life, particularly finances, can be formidable for expatriates, revealing the complexities that lie beneath the surface.
In light of this, we sought insights from individuals living abroad to uncover their strategies for managing their financial matters. The responses we received offer a candid and sobering reality check, defying preconceived notions.
Let’s delve into these unfiltered accounts:
- Melbourne, Australia – $4350
Residing in Melbourne, Australia, Gunjan Jain, a 32-year-old along with her husband, shares their monthly expenses. Rent accounts for $2000, ensuring comfortable living space. Transportation, groceries, entertainment, and household bills encompass $300, $700 to $900, $500 to $700, and $400, respectively. Health insurance claims $250, culminating in their monthly financial framework. - Amsterdam, Netherlands – €4100
Adelia Aresta, a 23-year-old employed in Amsterdam, details her €4100 monthly expenditure. Rent for a shared apartment is €900, while groceries, health insurance, transportation, and leisure activities consume €250-350, €250, and €500-600, respectively. - Jakarta, Indonesia – IDR 5.000.000
An anonymous 22-year-old from Jakarta, Indonesia, discusses an income ranging from IDR 12.000.000 to IDR 16.000.000. With no rent or groceries to pay, expenses encompass transport (approximately IDR 100.000), entertainment, eating out, and shopping, amounting to IDR 5.000.000 to IDR 7.500.000. - Ontario, Canada – $7000
Residing in Ontario, Canada, Sameeksha reveals a $7000 monthly expense, primarily allocated for rent and food, with an additional variable expenditure for recreational activities. - Groningen, Netherlands – €1290
Saloni Mangla, a full-time student in Groningen, Netherlands, allocates €820 for rent. Groceries, transportation, and leisure activities constitute €200-300, €20, and €150, respectively. - Ottawa, Canada – $2710
Daman Bhasin outlines expenses in Ottawa, Canada, accounting for rent ($550), utilities ($60), groceries ($200-$250), entertainment ($150), and additional car-related expenses ($700). - Glasgow, Scotland – £700
Shreeya Shetye’s expenses in Glasgow, Scotland, include rent (£500), groceries (£25/week), and phone bills (£10/month), totaling £600 to £700 monthly. - The United States Of America – $47,000
A perspective from the USA reveals a $90K annual salary. Rent, food, travel, partying, investments, and remittances account for $19K, $8K, $7K, $3K, $10K, and $19K, respectively.
In conclusion, these real-life accounts shatter the illusion of an idyllic existence abroad. Successfully managing finances in foreign lands demands a thoughtful and strategic approach, often requiring careful consideration of expenses to achieve a balanced and comfortable lifestyle. It’s worth noting that these experiences are individualistic and offer a generalized glimpse into the financial landscape for those contemplating life overseas.
