We are on a two year placement in a very expensive country. Because of cost of living and other allowances DH is receiving almost double our net UK income, with no housing costs.
Theoretically, we could save a lot of money while we are here, but in the first six months we haven't saved a penny. There have been a lot of costs in getting set up, but we have also been on a holiday, one which we never would have been able to do from the UK.
The day-to-day living costs are high, which is fair enough, that's what the cost of living allowance is for. But it's the optional extras, living the expat life, which could really make a difference if we reined it in.
I'm torn between making the most of being here - the lifestyle, travelling - and saving so that we have something to go home with, something which makes this disruption in our lives (well, mine mostly, DH and the dcs' lives have continued pretty much as they were) worth it in the long run.
Or is the experience what makes it worth it?
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How did/do you balance saving vs lifestyle on a temporary placement?
3 replies
heppi · 11/01/2017 06:04
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