Cost of Living Index
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Cost of Living Index
People frequently ask about cost of living in our various states. I was wondering if we could create the cost of an artificial basket of goods for each country as a specific indicator.
My suggestions are:
Water, washing powder, petrol, Big Mac, mans white long sleeved shirt, 6 pack of coke, daily hire car and so on.
I'm happy to do the exercise for Kuwait and if people are interested then can they please make more intelligent suggestions for the basket than I have.
It will have some meaning and so satisfy some people although I have found myself that my main cash expenditure goes on to things that are not routine such as a night out and not predictable.
Join in if you wish
My suggestions are:
Water, washing powder, petrol, Big Mac, mans white long sleeved shirt, 6 pack of coke, daily hire car and so on.
I'm happy to do the exercise for Kuwait and if people are interested then can they please make more intelligent suggestions for the basket than I have.
It will have some meaning and so satisfy some people although I have found myself that my main cash expenditure goes on to things that are not routine such as a night out and not predictable.
Join in if you wish
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: Cost of Living Index
People frequently ask about cost of living in our various states. I was wondering if we could create the cost of an artificial basket of goods for each country as a specific indicator.
My suggestions are:
Water, washing powder, petrol, Big Mac, mans white long sleeved shirt, 6 pack of coke, daily hire car and so on.
I'm happy to do the exercise for Kuwait and if people are interested then can they please make more intelligent suggestions for the basket than I have.
It will have some meaning and so satisfy some people although I have found myself that my main cash expenditure goes on to things that are not routine such as a night out and not predictable.
Join in if you wish
My suggestions are:
Water, washing powder, petrol, Big Mac, mans white long sleeved shirt, 6 pack of coke, daily hire car and so on.
I'm happy to do the exercise for Kuwait and if people are interested then can they please make more intelligent suggestions for the basket than I have.
It will have some meaning and so satisfy some people although I have found myself that my main cash expenditure goes on to things that are not routine such as a night out and not predictable.
Join in if you wish
Would you put 'rent' in it? You probably should but it may be a bit tricky to compare like with like........
#3
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Cost of Living Index
Yes I would put rent in. In fact I would use the receptionists rent. Because all of the ex pats come in at different levels from MD to driver and some have an allowance then it would not work. The receptionist would proxy for the lowest acceptable rent for an ex-pat is my theory. I would also put the cost of a maid in for sat am as well because this is representative.
I'll put in the cost of a fare home and am going to leave out all of the food and drink and replace by dinner at the nearest reasonable restaurant. I know that is variable but is representative.
Those in Saudi and Kuwait will come out hugely cheaper because of the non=alc law.
I'll put in the cost of a fare home and am going to leave out all of the food and drink and replace by dinner at the nearest reasonable restaurant. I know that is variable but is representative.
Those in Saudi and Kuwait will come out hugely cheaper because of the non=alc law.
#4
Re: Cost of Living Index
Yes I would put rent in. In fact I would use the receptionists rent. Because all of the ex pats come in at different levels from MD to driver and some have an allowance then it would not work. The receptionist would proxy for the lowest acceptable rent for an ex-pat is my theory. I would also put the cost of a maid in for sat am as well because this is representative.
I'll put in the cost of a fare home and am going to leave out all of the food and drink and replace by dinner at the nearest reasonable restaurant. I know that is variable but is representative.
Those in Saudi and Kuwait will come out hugely cheaper because of the non=alc law.
I'll put in the cost of a fare home and am going to leave out all of the food and drink and replace by dinner at the nearest reasonable restaurant. I know that is variable but is representative.
Those in Saudi and Kuwait will come out hugely cheaper because of the non=alc law.
#6
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Cost of Living Index
No - I'll just ask the receptionist how much he / she pays. The difference is a derivative - a second order effect I'm not going to fight with models - I'll just create a database for Kuwait and anyone who wants to join in can do so. Perhaps I can put in inflation which will address your point to a small extent although as i want to quote costs in sterling, I'\m not sure how to do that. But I'll work it out!!
#7
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Cost of Living Index
They don't sell it at the restaurants so it gets excluded. Seriously though if you drink it is a real cost and if not then it is a real saving in the cost of living. I go out for a nice meal for two for 10 quid here. In the UK about 30 I think - and half of that is a bottle.
#8
Banned
Joined: May 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 554
Re: Cost of Living Index
Good idea Dago. I am embarrassed to say I rarely look at my food shopping receipts. I do know that my fav yoghurt is about 7dhs which is more than double back home.