Shanghai on a shoestring: jobless couple live on 30,000 yuan a year
Husband and wife happy being frugal in the mainland's most expensive city
How much does it cost to live in the mainland's most expensive city? A couple's revelation that they got by in Shanghai on less than 30,000 yuan (HK$38,000) last year has triggered heated debate on just how much it takes to live decently amid the city's surging expenses.
"We don't go to work, so we have no need for new clothes and spend little on transport and restaurants," the man said, adding that they cook most of their meals and spend 1,000 yuan a month on groceries at local wet markets.
The couple live in their own flat and pay 400 yuan a month for property management fees, water, electricity, natural gas, internet and television services. Their monthly expenses for phone services and transport add up to 70 yuan, and their only "luxury" is a monthly buffet dinner, which costs 120 yuan each.
The man said he had 1.5 million yuan in his bank account and 500,000 yuan invested in the stock market, and was happy with his life.
"We have no plans to find jobs," he said.