From my understanding the OP is from a class which
a) is moderately educated and english speaking. That rules out quite a bulk of the population right there
b) has access to and understands usage of computers in daily life (rules out yet more people)
c) OP was living in the US or abroad herself (rule out yet more)
keeping those factors in mind, of course 30K is less for her to survive in in pakistan.
Let's retain perspective people.
I agree. OP's case is strange. Going from US/UK to live in a lower-middle class house, it's obvious that it'd be a tough task.
When I spoke about 80% of the people I meant it ... You just need to do a simple search to see what the real salaries are of people living in the suburbs of Pakistani cities.
Regarding people with computers ... that was my initial point too ... I have seen people in Pakistan who live in impoverished states yet have TVs with Cable/Satellite and Mobile phones but have no proper rooftop or footwear ... it is the state of Pakistan ... regarding Computers with internet I make no assumptions these days about class. However, eating out and buying high end does still very much distinguish the affluent from the poor.
Also my figures were of household incomes ...
Within my own broader family in Pakistan there are people earning:
Rs 15,000 (plus support) per month per household (free or no rent) but no loans to Rs 120,000 per month, with car, mortgages and loans ... which compromise spare cash ... all within the same city.
The thing I am pressing on is that despite earning more those families do not have super luxurious lifestyles above and beyond those earning much less, because they have chosen to be more lavish ...
Extend this further to those living in the lower middle classes and a similar thing is experienced.
By the sound of it ... the OP only has an issue with the SILs eating food on a regular basis, but without knowing where other spending is going we can only make assumptions about what is or is not "possible" ... The point is quite a lot is possible but the real question is where the people wish to make those sacrifices ... by not feeding their relatives or elsewhere ...
psyah, you have been making this point (trying to insinuate that the lack of funds is from other spending, not food) from practically the first post. if you read her posts you will see that feeding the extended family is not the problem per se, the problem is what they are eating. if she has an islamic duty to feed her guests, they also have islamic duties not to impose and then eat the same as the family is eating. those spoilt kids who demand food from outside or whoever asks for new salan when the old one is not finished, are the ones that need the lectures.
In complete agreement with stoppit. How about we put it in better terms psyah
The OP can feed and is happy to feed family whatever they are eating even though itll still be a stretch.
The OP cannot afford to go out and feed them better than what the household itself is eating (:P caviar) on a daily basis
Can't you see? The OP is saying MONEY IS SO TIGHT that they are **BORROWING for RENT every month!! In other words, they need people's help to keep a ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.
psyah, you have been making this point (trying to insinuate that the lack of funds is from other spending, not food) from practically the first post. if you read her posts you will see that feeding the extended family is not the problem per se, the problem is what they are eating. if she has an islamic duty to feed her guests, they also have islamic duties not to impose and then eat the same as the family is eating. those spoilt kids who demand food from outside or whoever asks for new salan when the old one is not finished, are the ones that need the lectures.
And my comments dealt with this aspect too ... didn't they? :)
In complete agreement with stoppit. How about we put it in better terms psyah
The OP can feed and is happy to feed family whatever they are eating even though itll still be a stretch.
The OP cannot afford to go out and feed them better than what the household itself is eating (:P caviar) on a daily basis
Can't you see? The OP is saying MONEY IS SO TIGHT that they are **BORROWING for RENT every month!! In other words, they need people's help to keep a ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.
**
I would like to feel my most recent comments were about "comfortable living" not about the OP's circumstances ... I have given a number of responses based on the drip feed style of the OP ... In fact I have commented on threads like this in the past ... nothing is sufficient because a new piece of information makes the response invalid and people start all over again ... I guess that is one way to make threads linger ...