Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance
Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance

renting

    Friends get together to share food in Cambodia

    Saving Money: Teaching & Living in Phnom Penh

    by Nick & Raychel February 19, 2019

    Saving Money: Teaching & Living in Phnom Penh

    Teaching English in Cambodia is certainly not as popular as teaching in countries such as China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. This is for a few reasons, one of them being the misconception that you can’t save money in Cambodia.

    If you’re teaching in Beijing, you may get paid very well, but the cost of living is very high. Of course, everything is relative. In Cambodia, the pay may be low but so is the cost of living. And here it is – the answer to the most popular question *drumroll please* …  Yes! You can save money while teaching in Cambodia.

    We are here to give you a breakdown of an example savings plan and some tips on how to save money while living in Phnom Penh.

    Salary : $1,200.00 USD average monthly salary for a teacher

    Rent: $300.00 USD this should include all of your bills

    Groceries: $80.00 USD

    Motorbike: $50.00 USD

    Gas: $10 USD

    Social: $80.00 USD

    Misc: $20.00 (shampoo, feminine products, etc)

    Savings: $660.00 / month USD

    Please note: Everything is based on a monthly budget, and coming from two social people – trust us: we made your expenses REALLY high.

     


    Tip # 1: Negotiate your salary

    You don’t have to have a lot of experience to ask for $1,400.00/month. In fact, nowadays, there are a few schools that advertise this as their starting wage. Be ready to settle for $1,200.00, but don’t be afraid to aim a little higher.


    Tip # 2: Negotiate with your real estate agent

    You can get a great apartment in a great area for $300.00 USD/month. In fact, this is pricy. Our advice? Don’t bother with anything that costs more than this. This can be your budget and it should include EVERYTHING. We have friends living in places the size of my family home for $300.00 all included with a pool.

    Your real estate agent should help you negotiate, too.


    Tip #3: Shop at local markets

    Unless you’re after packaged meat or something specifically imported, avoid Lucky Supermarket at all costs. When we first moved to Cambodia, we would only shop at supermarkets (we were a bit queasy walking through the meat aisles at the local market) and we wish we would have just sucked it up and shopped locally earlier.

    To be fair, we are both vegetarian so we don’t buy meat. We know most expats buy their meat packaged at a supermarket, and that’s fine. Everything else, however, like rice, beans, vegetables, noodles, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, etc. – buy it all locally.

    This will save you a lot of money. To put it clearly for you: our bill (for 2 people per week) was $80.00 when we were shopping at Lucky / Super Duper. When we started shopping at our local market, our weekly bill dropped down to $15.00 per week for 2 people.

    Yes – That is $7.50 USD each for groceries per week.

    Shop at your local market. You will support the locals and save money while doing it.

     


    Tip #4: Rent (or buy) a motorbike

    As much as we recommend downloading the Grab app, it is not the most efficient way to get around the city on a day-to-day basis.

    When we were both taking Grabs to/from work each day, to Aeon Mall, to the markets, etc., we calculated that we were each spending roughly $150.00/month on Grabs alone. For a couple, that is $300.00/month.

    A motorbike rental is $50.00 – $60.00 per month for most expats. Yes, you can try to negotiate this. Gas is roughly $10 per month. As a single person, you could save upwards of $100/month on transit. As a couple / pair of friends, you could save upwards of $250/month. Regardless, you will save money and get around a lot faster.

    We should also mention that it is likely a better investment to buy a motorbike, rather than rent one. To be honest, we likely would have done this but we never had enough money in our savings to make the investment.


    Tip #5: Live like a local

    Shop where the locals shop, eat the local food. The easiest way to save money in Phnom Penh is to live like the locals do.

    Opt out of the touristic restaurants for some songvak (fresh fish lettuce wraps), a noodle soup, or a local curry. Meals can be as little as 2,000 riel (roughly 50 cents USD).

    Shop at the markets and little stores on the side of the road, rather than at Aeon mall or Sorya Center.

    Ask your Khmer friends where they get their hair done, where they buy their jewellery – they know all the best places!



    There are so many ways to save money in the capital city, especially if you’re working as a foreign teacher. Foreign teachers get paid a significantly larger wage than most people in Phnom Penh, so always remember to be mindful of that.

    We saved the majority of our paychecks by just being mindful and conscious of spending – and hey, we got to really immerse ourselves in the culture that way.

     

    In the video below, we talk about our experiences in Cambodia ( in retrospect) and touch on saving money. Check it out if you want to know more:

    Find our Youtube channel here for more!

    1 PinterestEmail

Categories

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019
Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

Not Luxe

Recent Posts

  • the interior of a budget van build
    Australia - Working Holiday

    How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • road trip
    TravelVan Life

    How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Cultus Lake Chilliwack BC
    CanadaTravel

    Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021

GUIDE TO MARKETS | PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v49HKtlIk

IS CAMBODIA SAFE? LIVING IN PHNOM PENH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NShIg00dj8Q

KAMPOT & KEP | PEPPER PLANTATIONS, KAYAKING, BOAT TOURS & TAPAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3DgTbP4SKQ

LONGBOARDING IN THE PHILIPPINES | LAPU LAPU & OSLOB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6ABZE4mSE

CAMBODIA | PROS & CONS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLMhjVTJUxE&t=14s

Subscribe and Follow

Keep in touch

Instagram Pinterest Youtube

Recent Posts

  • Van Life Myths : Debunked

    November 3, 2021
  • Travel The World For Free With Trusted House Sitting

    February 14, 2021
  • Things Worth Buying as Minimalist Nomads

    April 28, 2020
  • Markets to Visit in Phnom Penh: A Guide

    March 19, 2019
  • How to Move to Cambodia & Teach English

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Tips You Need to Read BEFORE Moving to Phnom Penh

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Things to Know Before MOVING to Cambodia

    March 10, 2019
  • Currency in Cambodia: Explained

    March 5, 2019
  • Saving Money: Teaching & Living in Phnom Penh

    February 19, 2019
  • Where to Stay in Phnom Penh : A Visitor’s Guide

    February 12, 2019
  • Day Trip to Phnom Chisor: How to Get to Phnom Chisor from Phnom Penh

    February 5, 2019
  • WHY You Should Teach English in Cambodia

    January 29, 2019
  • How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021
  • Van Life Essentials List | What We Can’t Live Without

    November 3, 2021

CATEGORIES

ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

Read More

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019

Instagram

  • We worked the whole time, we just left the desk. 

And turns out there was world out there full of opportunity, friendship, and love we had never quite experienced before. 

We know this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but it’s for us - and we’re so glad we went for it. 🫶🏼

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

—-

Tags: #notluxe #budgettravel #vanlife #traveldiaries #cheaptravel #gapyear #travelgirls #girlslovetravel #travelgram #getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #homeiswhereyouparkit #vanlifediaries
  • How much does van life in Mexico cost?
The truth is, it’s going to be different for everybody.

But here is a breakdown of our budget for 4 months of van livin’ on the beach this winter. 

**Please note that this DOESN’T include our trip to Mexico City which was $497 USD. Full breakdown of that air travel trip can be found on our profile!**

Any questions?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

__

Tags: #notluxe  #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifemovement #vanlifereality #campervan  #vanlifegirl #tinyliving  #camperlife #homeonwheels #vanlifers #vanlifecouple #travelcouple  #granolagirl #lifeontheroad #roadtrippin #vandwellers #vanlifemexico #yvr
  • Van life: Las Vegas ✨🫶🏼

I don’t even have to words to tell you how fun this evening was. We were almost not going to make it to Vegas this trip, but didn’t it was @cakin_bakes birthday - we couldn’t say no. 

This is what it’s like stealth camping on the Las Vegas strip. 🥂 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

—-

Tags: #notluxe #vanlifecouple #tinyhome #vanlifers #vanlifevirals #vanlifemovement #vanbuildout #vandwelling #vanlifediaries  #vanlifemovement #vanlifeexplorers #lasvegas #vanlifevlog #stealthcamping #travelblogger
  • Crossing the Mexico/US border: the end of van life Mexico 🇲🇽 

We have crossed a lot of borders in our lives, but only 2 in our ambulance conversion. 

The added stress of having your entire home with you, a stranger walking through your van, etc. isn’t the best feeling, but as you can tell watching this video - we were just fine. 

Anyone else get unnecessarily nervous at border crossings?

(thanks @geneandshay for the inspo to film the live interaction on our phones)

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

—-

Tags: #notluxe  #camperlife #camperlifestyle #vanlifeproject #vanlifeculture #tinyhome #tinyliving #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #travelblogger #bordercrossing
  • Van life in Mexico: driving up the Baja Peninsula. 

We spent a few days in La Paz, Mulegé & Guerrero Negro before crossing the border from Mexico into California. This is what it was like. 

A moment of appreciation for Bahía Concepción - shall we? 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

___ 

Tags: #notluxe #vanlifecouple #tinyhome #vanlifers #vanlifevirals #vanlifemovement #vanbuildout #vandwelling #vanlifediaries  #vanlifemovement #vanlifeexplorers #vancouverblogger
  • It’s official: we are leaving Mexico. 

The past four months in this beautiful country have been nothing but a dream come true. We’ve met amazing people, ate incredible food, and drank probably 500 shots of tequila. 

But as you know, Nick and I work seasonal / temp jobs and it’s officially time for us to find work again. 

So come with us up the west coast, it’s time for a new adventure!

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

___

Tags: #notluxe  #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifemovement #vanlifereality #campervan #camper #vanlifegirl #tinyliving #vanbuild #camperlife #homeonwheels  #campinggirls #granolagirl #lifeontheroad #roadtrippin #vandwellers
Follow Me!

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • 2

    Living in the Okanagan Valley, Canada (What It’s Like)

    May 29, 2020
  • 3

    Living in Kelowna vs. Living in Vancouver

    February 25, 2021
  • 4

    Top 5 Neighbourhoods to Live in Vancouver, BC

    January 12, 2021
  • 5

    What To Pack For Cambodia

    July 22, 2019
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top