Laos or Cambodia? I got 400 USD for a month
Posted by xeaphean@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 126 comments
I just need to go somewhere for a month, I earn 400 usd a month online so I'm thinking Cambodia or Laos.
I'm a cyclist I don't drink or do anything crazy just cycle and work at night.
Which would be best for me? Anywhere near a mountain I can cycle up?
welkover@reddit
Laos has more mountains and is slightly cheaper. 400 is tight, you won't be going out much and may want to try to find a place you can book for a month at a discount. Luang Prabang is the obvious mountain destination there but with only 400 to spare you will want to look at a smaller town near it I think.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I have an emergency fund. But all I earn is 400 ahh
Enormous-Load87@reddit
People usually ask questions like "what do you do to earn 6 figures" but I'm curious, what do you do to only earn 400 a month? especially with a UK and Canadian passport?
Not trying to shit on you, I'm genuinely curious what job only provides that 5000 USD a year
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
400 USD base, + 5% commission on a football recovery and strengthening service.
Dm setting on Instagram 26 hours a week.
2nd month doing it.
Obviously I plan to find something else though 😹
LittlePicture21@reddit
Is that even legal? That's below minimum wage surely
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Dunno but it's better than nothing
pincheculerowey@reddit
Wait I still don’t understand how you’re making $. What specifically are you doing to garner a commission? I’m assuming football like soccer. Is it online gambling?
Genuinely curious just seems so fishy and vague
welkover@reddit
Alright. You know what you're doing, most people couldn't hack it in Thailand for 400 a month but if you are you are. Have fun up by Luang Prabang.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Ahha ya, at the end of the day I just need somewhere to sleep a internet connection and my bike to ride 😹
Pobueo@reddit
you got europe passport?
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
UK and Canadian
ConsciousPurchase958@reddit
Food to eat?
poopsack_williams@reddit
I think you could shoe string 2 weeks on $400, a full month would be…interesting. $13 a day will get you enough to survive I guess.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Been on survival mode my whole life. Still beats UK living conditions
Old-Quiet-2034@reddit
Lol you got downvoted but you're not wrong, UK is genuinely not a good place to be right now, yours sincerely a fellow British subject who has also fled and refuses to go back!
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
What else are we meant to do, sit in silence and suffer? Ahahaha
Old-Quiet-2034@reddit
Would sooner rather wing it on 300 quid a month in Laos or Cambodia than go back to the UK so I'm with you there boss! Been teaching online for just over a year now and it's doing me just fine for the time being, I'm riding this gravy train until the sweet bitter end!
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Awesome news. I might have to pick up the English teaching as a little side Husle. Is it easy enough to get into?
Old-Quiet-2034@reddit
Absolutely friend! Feel welcome to give me a PM and I'll point you in the right direction! Yours sincerely, another fellow brit in exile
littlepinkpebble@reddit
If you do Workaway it’s more than enough if not it can be risky amount of money …
VotesDontEqualTruth@reddit
He doesn't want work he's a minimum effort paper from the west.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Kys, I've had 3 different careers while traveling.
VotesDontEqualTruth@reddit
Career implies long term and indepth ... So you lie again
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
All sales related but different paths. Piss of scum
Confident_Web3110@reddit
What is Workaway?
littlepinkpebble@reddit
It’s like you work 20 hours a week for shelter and food. Cheap way to travel. Haters say it’s exploitation but fans say it’s cultural immersion and amazing
Confident_Web3110@reddit
I don’t really care what the haters say. That is the way I would do it!
Thanks for the info! Any countries on your radar?
littlepinkpebble@reddit
I’m doing Workaway in France now.. you can follow my adventures and art on my insta.. but my trip is ending though
Confident_Web3110@reddit
Thank you for the heads up!
littlepinkpebble@reddit
I loved Cambodia.. I dunno if it’s safe now. I’ve never been to Laos. If you wanna just chills Dan enjoy bali is amazing
Confident_Web3110@reddit
Good to hear about first hand experience with Cambodia, I bet the food is amazing too.
Heard good things about Bali as well, noted.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I've never heard of this. I'll research it
Alternative-Yak-829@reddit
Considering that Cambodia is in the middle of a war with Thailand at the moment, I would pass on going if I was you.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I'm sure it's safe on the other side
Old-Quiet-2034@reddit
Lol to all the drama queens that downvoted, this pissweed "war" all of you Muricans were mongering about lasted barely a week. Reddit drama class at it's finest
Many_Efficiency_7817@reddit
I would argue now is the time to visit since he is on a budget. Probably get a great deal.
CincoDeMayo88@reddit
"We in Cambodia offer a great deal for travellers at the moment indlucing cheap rentals and the possibility of dying"
Aorus_@reddit
With all the landmines, this has always been true
CincoDeMayo88@reddit
Landmines dont compare to airstrikes and an active warfare.
CincoDeMayo88@reddit
Another one: "The whole country is in turmoil, the people are miserable and anxious about this conflict, but hey, the rentals are cheap!"
WritesWayTooMuch@reddit
Be greedy when others are fearful - warren buffet
I don't think he was talking about travel hacking but hey...why not lol
Noble_Vagabond@reddit
If this is the middle of war then I guess it’ll be over by next week
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I'm not too worried about it just brothers having a little spat
Fluid_Complaint4923@reddit
People are dying so I wouldn’t call it a little spat.
Ok_Sign7741@reddit
You should be worried. Airstrikes are not something to be taken lightly. You only have one life.
ZartecAi@reddit
You can use Onaera Ai to help you plan your trip from itinerary to flight hotel and also budget optimisation and many other things
torben99hu@reddit
Try India! Way easier to get through a month with 400$ and the Indian Himalayas are stunning and extremly beautiful!
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Sure but I've never looked into India. Could you recommend me somewhere?
torben99hu@reddit
Better Stick to himachal/uttarakhand. For foreigners it can be a bit difficult to travel around sikkim, you need permits, can't hike alone, and there are quite many restricted areas. Himachal & uttarakhand are both stunning and beautiful.
RIPREADERBULL@reddit
Try himachal uttrakhand or some North eastern states like meghalaya or sikkim . All are equally beautiful and I think sikkim is coming up with some work from hill Village with all the facilities needed Just check that out . Meghalaya doesn't have Himalayas but is hilly nonetheless and the monsoons are great or you could go to kerala in the south they have some hills too.
TanTrailblazers@reddit
Cambodia is way to expensive- Vietnam would be your best option
Forward-Higher@reddit
Kampot, Cambodia. At a hostel. Recommend Karma Traders.
anton19811@reddit
I used to live on 400$ per month in Cambodia. But that was 20 years ago. Was able to afford a large apartment with a terrace overlooking the Royal place (for about 150$ per month) and rest was food/fun. Nowadays, you need double that. Laos should be slightly cheaper and also has mountains (unlike Cambodia which is flat).
Soukchai2012@reddit
nowadays that apartment would be $1000
anton19811@reddit
Yup. I can imagine. I still could not believe my lack.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Good to know interesting.
Gonna start researching India as well and maybe Vietnam
Huge-Name-1999@reddit
So are you aware that Cambodia and Thailand are on the brink of a pretty nasty war due to a border dispute? I would do Laos just for the sake of your own safety or wait till its been remedied before making a decision
B0ringPudding@reddit
It’s a pissant war. It’s going to evolve to nothing.
LouQuacious@reddit
Cambodia has no Air Force or air defenses, no long range missiles or guidance systems and tanks from the 1950s. This war will not evolve into anything and it’s likely the worst has already happened. Malaysia brokered a cease fire and neither China or the US want a wider war so the big uncles are saying cut it out.
Old-Quiet-2034@reddit
It's reddit though, a lot of keyboard basement dwelling individuals from a certain country in the western hemisphere who love to warmonger and act like pretend experts in geopolitics or war generals over nothing. Check out the Taiwan sub, plenty of them shouting and screaming there, it's like you're watching a live play of the board game Risk
heretomorrowtoday@reddit
Yeah I expect it to simmer down to nothing soon.
HippyGrrrl@reddit
And Cambodia is trying to involve Laos.
Huge-Name-1999@reddit
Based on their relationship, that would be a likely outcome... maybe OP should wait till he has a little more saved and just go to Vietnam
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I didn't realize Vietnam is cheaper. I definitely could. I've already spent a lot of time in Danang but I was hoping to try somewhere different
Huge-Name-1999@reddit
Yeah, it's pretty affordable, i have family in HoChiMin city so I always have somewhere free to stay but the cost of everything is cheap (I'm an American so for me its like super super cheap)but yeah maybe just check out a different city if you've already been to Danang
Soukchai2012@reddit
The cheapest accomodation you’d get in Laos for a single month is $6/night in a scruffy dorm in vientiane. Double that elsewhere. So thats half your money gone already. If you lived on bananas during the day with a cheap meal at night, and only drank water bought in bulk you could just about do it for $400/month.
Comrade_Connolly@reddit
Just got back from Cambodia. The nicest hotel in the country is $175 a night. Food is fire, everything is pretty cheap. Don’t worry about all this war bs I promise the nation is a lot nicer then most ppl think
TerribleFuji@reddit
In Luang Prabang there is a spot Where the corpses of your brothers rot And every corpse is a patriot And every corpse is a hero
Mourn your dead land of the free! If you want to be a hero follow me Mourn your dead land of the free! If you want to be a hero follow me
And now the boys all envy me: I fought for Christian Democracy With nothing but air where my balls used to be Now I'm a fucking hero
Radiant_Signal_9567@reddit
Laos
adamosity1@reddit
Don’t think you’re being realistic
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Just trying to find somewhere I can live doesn't have to be those countries.
It's all I earn
Scarpscarp@reddit
is English not your strongest language?
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I'm British. I left the country because it made me suicidal
Educational_Life_878@reddit
Teach English then. There is high demand for native English speakers in SEA and you can make 1k+/month which is a much more feasible amount to live on.
If you’re willing to go to other parts of Asia you can probably make 2k or even 3k in China, but in Laos and Cambodia will probably be closer to 1k.
Educational_Life_878@reddit
I did budget travel in both those countries and was still spending $30/day. I don’t think $400/month is possible. Cambodia had a lot fewer options for cheap food than Laos iirc.
Laos is maybe doable if you sleep in the cheapest hostels you can find and live off the $1 sandwiches they sell on the side of the road, but it will be a pretty miserable way of living and get old pretty quick. You will have nothing leftover if you have any unexpected expenses.
letmechngmyusername@reddit
I met a few girls doing Thailand on $500 and they regretted doing it so badly, couldn’t do anything, couldn’t pay to see any of the historic sites, often got into sketchy situations because they couldn’t afford transportation, had to stay super far away from everything to fit their budget and couldn’t afford the transportation to get anywhere. The world / travel is not as cheap as it used to be.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
It's fine because I just cycle everywhere
Valuable_sandwich44@reddit
Honestly, for 400 bucks a month, you should consider Nepal.
100 bucks can get you a very basic bedroom with bathroom.
10 bucks a day for food is also doable.
It's not much of a living if you ask me and I wouldn't put myself in such a situation.
800 bucks is a more responsible and "humane" budget - don't expect freebies or compassion from locals - they'll tell you you should've stayed home.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Bruh I don't ask anyone for anything. I've paid my way the entire way.
That being said I'm very happy doing what I'm doing. The alternative was being borderline suicidal in the UK. I'd rather be homeless that live there.
Not that it'll get to that point
Admirable-Refuse1337@reddit
Nepali here, 400 a month is very doable but idk if people will rent rooms to you considering that you’re a foreigner. If you have to stay in hotels, even the cheap ones, No way you’re getting by with that budget. I would look more into Vietnam and maybe even parts of India or Thailand tbh. Those places can be much cheaper and and you can have a better quality of life than Nepal.
mr-blue-@reddit
Bruh sometimes this subreddit feels so out of touch. Cambodia is nearly in open war with Thailand. Much of the border region is a level 4 do not travel
porquesinoquiero@reddit
Could probably do both. That’s what I did. Started in Laos and then down to Cambodia
refreshmints22@reddit
Just avoid the border of Cambodia and Thailand
NoAdministration5555@reddit
Nope. You’d have to go back to the 90’s for that
jessiegirl82@reddit
Not cambodia in the early 90s unless you want to end up dead
valeyard89@reddit
Don't forget to pack a wife.
Hot_Concert8388@reddit
At least the slums have soul.
Shuddupbabydik@reddit
Underrated comment
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Fr? I can live in Thailand on that
MayaPapayaLA@reddit
So why are you looking to leave Thailand?
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Visa out of time. I'm coming back on a student visa potentially
thecheesegriller@reddit
You obviously aren't taking the flare up itself seriously, your life, your choice I guess. But I would just add to also consider that if you dip to a hostile country during active combat operations thats something that could potentially lead to your student visa application getting revoked, or trouble during reentry to Thailand when they see your passport stamps and dates.
D0nath@reddit
Cambodia is more expensive than Thailand. I'm not sure about Laos. Go to Vietnam then.
Ok_Sign7741@reddit
Laos 100%. Cambodia is in a middle of a war with airstrikes and artillery shelling.
alliandoalice@reddit
This is how I find out??? I just left Thailand and Cambodia a few months ago
Present-Day-4140@reddit
I used to live and travel all around SEA on a budget of 25 USD a day in the early 00s. I don't know how possible it can be nowadays for a non local.
Dry-Pomegranate7458@reddit
I'm not dissing you, but how do you only make 400 USD a month?
It's hard to get by on that alone, even in Asia
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I work 26 hours a week as a DM setter. Basically a VA.
There's commission too but my boss is shit at closing leads.
Looking for a other but my life quality is better in Asia on this than in the UK.
I'm still looking for more online work and considering being a English teacher but I'd rather keep it all online if possible.
Dry-Pomegranate7458@reddit
the thing about online is, it will more quickly be replaced by cheaper options and AI.
on-site is where the money is at, but I'd strongly recommend getting a teaching credential first.
cheesomacitis@reddit
I have been living in Laos for over a decade. $400 for one month staying in cheap guesthouses and eating cheap food is very minimal but might be possible…barely. The visa itself will cost about $40, depending on nationalityp.
B0ringPudding@reddit
Laos is much better than the corrupt and depressing Cambodia.
Luang Prabang is a place where you could post up for a nice amount of time. Alternatively the south is more low key. May be worth looking into cycling the Thakek Loop.
belowsealevel504@reddit
With the political climate atm, Laos.
Mattos_12@reddit
NB: I wouldn’t worry too much about all this war talk, it’s a border dispute. You should worry more about traffic than being shelled.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Fr I'm really not worried about it tbf.
Bus drivers are way more dangerous
DismalCrow4210@reddit
Nong Khiew has what you want.
Very geopolitically well placed to avoid the hysteria I read in this thread .
Your $13 a day Budget is pretty thin, but doable on the bare side here.
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
I'll check it out thanks!
disputeaz@reddit
Be careful out there with current things going on. Better Vietnam 🇻🇳 Id say
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Fair
Consistent-Peak1529@reddit
Where are you now ?
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Thailand
paddlock555@reddit
Not your question but Vietnam is possible although it will be a gruel. A hostel in Da lat costs £1 a night and it has a pool
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
It's dalat cheaper than Danang? I've never been
GeeJayPerth@reddit
Cheaper, cooler and close to mountains and more greenery.
Ok-Draw7063@reddit
bro wants to visit a war zone
xeaphean@reddit (OP)
Would be pretty cool tbf
Unique_Comfort_4959@reddit
VT
giganticsquid@reddit
If you like cycling then go to Laos
Miserable_Flower_532@reddit
Despite everybody talking about the war, it actually might be a better time to get a good price and if you’re nowhere near the border, you should be fine. I spent a couple weeks in Ukraine last year and no problem. I wasn’t anywhere near any Warzone.
You’re not gonna be hitting any air-conditioning at that price. And my others have said I hope you have a back up.
Chris_in_Lijiang@reddit
PT job at Bensley's resort in the Elephant and Cardomons?
_KittenConfidential_@reddit
Cambodia is surprisingly expensive, even more than Thailand.
mrsir1987@reddit
I was sketched out traveling back and forth from Cambodia and Thailand while they weren’t near full fledged war. I probably wouldn’t recommend it now.
tsupaper@reddit
Cambodia is on cheap discounts, just like turkey was during its earthquakes
badsp0rk@reddit
Laos is cheaper than Cambodia for sure and there are a lot of fun things to do, but no ocean.. Cambodia has some solid beaches.
I'd still go laos. Better food, cheaper, more fun.
Peter_Retarrdo@reddit
The land border between Thailand and Cambodia is currently closed.
Digfortreasure@reddit
Cambodia for sure its so great
Chirsbom@reddit
Well, since there is about to be an all out war involving one of these the choice should be easy.Â