Brendan’s month of blogging his budget came to a close on April 15th. The results were fantastic. In one month, he managed to spend just over $340 USD and saved nearly twice that amount!
Read the final analysis by clicking these underlined red words. >>
The last full week of the challenge went well. Brendan was invited on an all expense paid tour of nearby attractions. Massage has become routine. He experienced the thrill of motorcycle taxi’s, cooked at home, shopped online, and almost ran out of power. Overall, an exciting week. Read the week 4 summary by clicking these red underlined words.
Wednesday was just another typical working day. I had my standard delicious and healthy American breakfast (peanut butter and jelly sandwich) with green tea. Then I was off to my eight o’ clock class.
This week I am conducting mock job interviews as the student’s midterm. So far, so good. Nobody has failed, and a few have impressed. Of course, some dialouges have left me a bit disapointed, but who is to blame for this, the students or the teacher?
The students.
I went to a restaurant I have never visited before for lunch. To visit a new eatery had been my goal for the previous day, but the rain conspired to thwart such lofty ambition.
The place had the Hui-style fold-before-your-eyes noodles with the onion and cinamon broth, but the proprieters here Han Chinese. The couple running the shop complimented me on my speaking skills and served a tasty dish (hints of curry) for 5.5RMB.
Being the hungry dude that I am, I then went and got some deep-fried tofu and a deep-fried egg roll (with kale and tofu) for 2RMB.
My afternoon class was generally better than my morning one. Maybe because the students (and myself) have eaten and rested properly?
For dinner I had a cheap streat food feast. 2.5RMB for the peanut burrito, 2.5RMB for the Shandong Jen Bing, and 2RMB for sesame flatbread.
I studied my audio course (developed by Paul Pimsleur, truly an excellent resource for language learners) with a full belly. Then a Chinese friend came over to help me on my jokes and insults.
Daily Expenditure 14.5RMB
Total Expenditure (Thirty Days!) 2,310.9 RMB
Thats about $338.35 American
or 15,067 Indian rupees. (That’s alotta rupees!)
During this time, my income was
4,990RMB from Jiujiang University, plus
1,800RMB from the primary school, and
100RMB from teaching the Economics class
Total Income: 6,890 RMB
Net Savings: 4,579.1 RMB, or in real terms enough money for me to live comfortably in Kolkata for about four months.