Monthly budget: Did I forgot anything?

[HowardCoombs]

Yes, I don't think anyone is disputing that eating more vegetables and rice and less meat will save you money - be that in Hong Kong, be that in France or be that anywhere in the world.

Glad we agree on something.
Take it one step further : I'm suggesting that buying local staples here (Veg, eggs, rice, noodles etc) is cheaper than buying local staples in UK/EU (Bread, potato, local veg etc) which leads to an overall decrease in a typical families weekly food budget.

Saying food costs are cheap in Hong Kong if you switch to cheaper foods is akin to saying reading costs are cheaper in Hong Kong if you switch to cheaper books & newspapers.

Thats not what I said, stop twisting my words:
http://hongkong.geoexpat.com/forum/6...ml#post2107174

The facts say - on a like for like basis - grocery shopping is a lot more expensive here. Even if you avoid the expensive imported items from CitySuper/Jasons/Taste you're still going to be paying up for everyday items.

Like for like : pick items that are common in Epicurean diet, and you'd be right (bread, potatos, pasta etc). Pick items that are common in asian diets (rice, fish, local veg, noodles etc) and you'd be wrong.

[dougmal]

I have only been here a bit over a month so far, but as long as i exclude the luxuries i buy from the imported cheese aisle, i've been very impressed with the prices of groceries here. (Moved from Oregon). Just shopping at the local Wellcome market i've bought chicken for a really good price, rolls from the bakery, though i'm not so sure on the bread since the loaves are different here. Juice is reasonable, though i wish they had powdered drinks.

I'm cheap though. I tailor most of my eating to conform to the best deals, with the occasional splurge for cheeses, because cheese is beautiful.

[TheBrit]

Like for like : pick items that are common in Epicurean diet, and you'd be right (bread, potatos, pasta etc). Pick items that are common in asian diets (rice, fish, local veg, noodles etc) and you'd be wrong.

First one I checked - rice - 10kg of basic rice - not much difference in price between Tesco and ParknShop.

http://www1.parknshop.com/WebShop/Sh...ink&sp=l148132
Tesco Everyday Value Basmati Rice 10Kg - Groceries - Tesco Groceries

Don't think there is a huge price difference in vegetables or fish to be honest either. Quick check on onions which shows Tesco is a little cheaper,

Tesco Everyday Value Onions Pack - Groceries - Tesco Groceries
http://www1.parknshop.com/WebShop/Sh...Link&sp=l55506

Plenty of cheap noodles at 11p a pop in Tesco too.. even cheaper than the cheapest on PnS

Tesco Everyday Value Curry Flavour Instant Noodles 65G - Groceries - Tesco Groceries
http://www1.parknshop.com/WebShop/Se...ink&sp=l104260

I am sure we can all find cheaper products than either Tesco or ParknShop - just picked two well known mass market supermarkets with online stores to illustrate some prices to question your points a little.

[HowardCoombs]

Basmati rice == imported goods, expensive and locals typically wont eat the stuff. Not appropriate to compare.
Onions == Tesco is 69p per kg (8.45 per kg), P&S is 5.50 per 2lbs (6.04 per kg)
Noodles == its more appropriate to compare egg noodles, fresh noodles, chinese noodles instead of flavoured instant noodles.

I am sure we can all find cheaper products than either Tesco or ParknShop - just picked two well known mass market supermarkets with online stores to illustrate some prices to question your points a little.

I'm sure you can, but you dont need to look at things one item at a time.

Ask your local friends/colleagues around you how much they spend on their grocery bill per week. Then ask someone from UK/EU and you'll get your answer.

[333s]

I got a job offer to work in HK for a bank. They pay HKD 50'000 per month.

Now I tried to figure out about the monthly cost and wrote a budget plan (we're a young unmarried couple).

Did I forgot anything or made some big mistakes?

Net salary: 41'000 (50'000 - 7'500 taxes and 1'250 MPF)
- rent: 20'000 -> find lesser
- public transport: 1'000
- groceries: 5'000 (we're fine cooking at home and eat local food)
- gas etc.: 2'000
- mobile phone: 1'000 ->
- health insurance: 1'000
- fitness club: 1'000 -> find lesser
- flights back home: 4'000 (3 flights per year to Switzerland)
- entertainment: 3'000 -> lesser
- various: 2'000 ->
- bills back home:1'000

All figures are for two persons. Bonus is not included in the salary.
Thanks for any advice and corrections!

well planned future, you can consider to cut off/ lesser if you wanna to save more, for future life.

[TheBrit]

Basmati rice == imported goods. Not appropriate to compare.

Would think virtually all of HK's rice is imported anyway. The point is rice is priced similarly in Tesco's to PnS.

Ask your local friends/colleagues around you how much they spend on their grocery bill per week. Then ask someone from UK/EU and you'll get your answer.

So, don't pick something empirical than can be objectively measured then... Got it.

[big_panda]

Your budget doesnt really leave any room for general savings? What's the point of coming to HK if you do not put aside some $$ for savings.

[bookblogger]

Your budget doesnt really leave any room for general savings? What's the point of coming to HK if you do not put aside some $$ for savings.

New experiences, happenstance, adventure, fun?

[HowardCoombs]

Would think virtually all of HK's rice is imported anyway. The point is rice is priced similarly in Tesco's to PnS. Do feel free to nominate what type of rice you think it much more expensive in the UK than here though, will be happy to continue checking.

Pick a rice variety that is eaten in quantity by the local populace : eg Jasmine rice or Calrose Rice.

So, don't pick something empirical than can be objectively measured then... Got it.

Feel free to find something more objective that encompasses overall buying habits if you feel you need more science behind it. Its pointless trying to compare singular items to each other, notwithstanding that onions are a lot cheaper here. You can get them even cheaper at wetmarkets.

Anyway, I've made my point and trying further to convince you is futile; I'll move on to more productive things.
HAND

[GeoDerek]

Your budget doesnt really leave any room for general savings? What's the point of coming to HK if you do not put aside some $$ for savings.

Good to see expats making solid investments in HK!