Cost of Living in Indonesia - anyone knows?
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:33 am
Hi,
my maid of 8 months is getting on my nerves as she likes to tell me how poor they are, how BIG our money is, she cannot buy this buy that etc.
After parting some $ on a few occassions, I am starting to find myself wondering if I have been 'conned' to some extent.....so thot I better find out more on the cost of living b4 more
Just to share all the maid's sob stories, she's quite 'creative' actually......
#1 - Money left with family was stolen....but only 3/4 of it. What puzzled me is got this kind of thief one meh??? How come never steal all? IGNORED her.
#2 - House was burglared middle of night. Kampong place also kena?? Where is all the kampong spirit and not scared meh?? Anyway, IGNORED her again. Then hor, each family member has a mobile phone....but kept telling me her 2 kids no $ to buy top-up card. IGNORED
#3 - I bought a new PC and she wanted to know the price in SG, told me her DD eyeing one for a long time, but no $ to buy. One week later, after a phone call with her son, claimed the son went ahead to buy a PC for the younger sis, asking for IDR 1million. Of course I IGNORED , and she never brought up the issue again.....think a scam to make me cough out $.
#4 - Maid mom died.....this I gave some money for funeral expenses. But at a recent conversation, maid said I gave her $ for Grandfather funeral. I thot was her mom?!?!
#5 - Maid uncle scolded her son, wanted his contribution for the funeral expenses back.... IGNORED .
#6 - Asked me how much my kids' tuition cost....I stupid and told her. A few days later, claimed has to stop her DD's external English tuition cos' no money. Already owed tuition teacher 3 months fees + books ie. IDR 1million. Took pity and told her I'll fund for as long as she works for us. Next day, remitted some $ over. THEN she claimed, still worried for next year's as need new shoes, uniforms, books etc. Since her loan is almost completed and she would have ~S$1.2K by Dec, told her dun worry......but I almost fainted when she claimed may not be enough to get the books, uniforms and shoes!!!! Gold plated??? By now, I felt quite cheated already and wonder if the English tuition is real or really so EX (~S$50/mth)
Next was, SON not happy that younger sis gets to buy new stuff, he wants a motorbike. I will IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE .
Sometimes, I feel the maid is using pressure tactics. When she first came, repeatedly repeated claim her ex-employer so GOOD & Generous buy her this, that etc etc....but yet she left them. Now, she kept telling me oh, how generous I am giving $ to her children buy this & that.....her children think I very generous, very good......etc etc....when some of the $ remitted is hers.
Anyway, just hoping to get some any inputs on the cost of things in Indonesia to have a gauge. Just estimated range will do....thanks.
a) Cost of school uniforms, books, bags, shoes at start of each year.
b) Mid-range PC
c) Mid-range motorbikes
d) Mid-range mobile phones
e) tuition per month per subject
IF what she says is true, I dun mind funding a little for her children's education, that's about it. She will get extra bonus when she completes her contract.
my maid of 8 months is getting on my nerves as she likes to tell me how poor they are, how BIG our money is, she cannot buy this buy that etc.
After parting some $ on a few occassions, I am starting to find myself wondering if I have been 'conned' to some extent.....so thot I better find out more on the cost of living b4 more
Just to share all the maid's sob stories, she's quite 'creative' actually......
#1 - Money left with family was stolen....but only 3/4 of it. What puzzled me is got this kind of thief one meh??? How come never steal all? IGNORED her.
#2 - House was burglared middle of night. Kampong place also kena?? Where is all the kampong spirit and not scared meh?? Anyway, IGNORED her again. Then hor, each family member has a mobile phone....but kept telling me her 2 kids no $ to buy top-up card. IGNORED
#3 - I bought a new PC and she wanted to know the price in SG, told me her DD eyeing one for a long time, but no $ to buy. One week later, after a phone call with her son, claimed the son went ahead to buy a PC for the younger sis, asking for IDR 1million. Of course I IGNORED , and she never brought up the issue again.....think a scam to make me cough out $.
#4 - Maid mom died.....this I gave some money for funeral expenses. But at a recent conversation, maid said I gave her $ for Grandfather funeral. I thot was her mom?!?!
#5 - Maid uncle scolded her son, wanted his contribution for the funeral expenses back.... IGNORED .
#6 - Asked me how much my kids' tuition cost....I stupid and told her. A few days later, claimed has to stop her DD's external English tuition cos' no money. Already owed tuition teacher 3 months fees + books ie. IDR 1million. Took pity and told her I'll fund for as long as she works for us. Next day, remitted some $ over. THEN she claimed, still worried for next year's as need new shoes, uniforms, books etc. Since her loan is almost completed and she would have ~S$1.2K by Dec, told her dun worry......but I almost fainted when she claimed may not be enough to get the books, uniforms and shoes!!!! Gold plated??? By now, I felt quite cheated already and wonder if the English tuition is real or really so EX (~S$50/mth)
Next was, SON not happy that younger sis gets to buy new stuff, he wants a motorbike. I will IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE .
Sometimes, I feel the maid is using pressure tactics. When she first came, repeatedly repeated claim her ex-employer so GOOD & Generous buy her this, that etc etc....but yet she left them. Now, she kept telling me oh, how generous I am giving $ to her children buy this & that.....her children think I very generous, very good......etc etc....when some of the $ remitted is hers.
Anyway, just hoping to get some any inputs on the cost of things in Indonesia to have a gauge. Just estimated range will do....thanks.
a) Cost of school uniforms, books, bags, shoes at start of each year.
b) Mid-range PC
c) Mid-range motorbikes
d) Mid-range mobile phones
e) tuition per month per subject
IF what she says is true, I dun mind funding a little for her children's education, that's about it. She will get extra bonus when she completes her contract.