How to go from being 'affluent English teacher (by affluent, I mean having a paycheck) in Seoul, Korea' to being 'poor college student in Grahamstown, South Africa'

Over the past couple of weeks is has come to my attention that I have become slightly...umm...cheap, as they say.  Two incidents really showed me how cheap I had become.  The first was when I found myself complaining that I needed a new sponge for dish washing but that sponges are just too expensive.  Well folks, sponges costs about R10 (which is about US$1.20).  While that may seem a bit much for a sponge, I ought to think that it is worth it for clean dishes.

The second incident that brought it to my attention was at the liquor store.  I saw a brand of wine that Ross and I bought when we were travelling here last year (weren't poor college students yet) and remembered how nice it was and thought that I should get some.  Then I looked at the price.  It was 80 Rand!!! (which is only about US$10.00).  I was quick to laugh at myself for ever spending that much on wine when I realized that I should really be laughing at myself now, as I have been afraid to spend more than $4 on a bottle of wine...

So I have written up this little guide to going from having a paycheck in a very affordable country, to living on limited scholarship money in a small town with inflated prices:

Step 1: Instead of going out like you did in Korea, convince your friends that it really would be more fun if they came over to your house:
"Yeah, guys,  it will be awesome...we can buy a R30 bottle (about US$3.50) of wine and play board games!" (still working on mastering this technique)


Step 2:  Instead of buying basic household goods (plates, silverware, pots, pans, towels, etc), just get engaged.  If you are about to get married, people want to give you presents.  It is absolutely wonderful.  (don't worry...that isn't why we got engaged.  Ross and I got engaged before we became poor college students--but it doesn't hurt)


Step 3: Re-orient yourself to appreciate smaller things.  Aka:
In Korea: Wow, I've worked really hard this week, and I've been saving so much money...maybe I should treat myself by buying a new Lomography camera that costs KRW100,000 (about US$90.00).
Now: Wow, I've studied so hard this week and deserve to treat myself.  I think I will buy a bar of chocolate.


Step 4: Unplug appliances when they are not in use (like the microwave and the stereo).  Just make sure not to accidentally unplug the fridge when you go away for the weekend and end up losing all your food.  Yes, we did this.  No, it wasn't fun and no, it wasn't cheap...


Step 5: Buy cheap toilet paper.