How much money to send to wife

[Doll]

The prices quoted in Olga's clinics are actually less than what they would be in the US unless you have insurance, in which case they are about the same or slightly less.

The insurance does not cover dentists. Not that I am aware of.
I do have insurance in Russia but I am not sure I can afford what I want with "American" money that I have now.It is less than here but it is a lot.

[BC]

The insurance does not cover dentists. Not that I am aware of.
I do have insurance in Russia but I am not sure I can afford what I want with "American" money that I have now.It is less than here but it is a lot.

Insurance companies are in business to make money.. Better off when young to start putting aside money for dental treatment.. after all we're talking a few thousand bucks for an overhaul when you get 40 or 50..  Someone in their 20's putting aside 10 or 20 bucks a month will do much better than those paying high premium's nowdays for dental insurance.

[Doll]

BC, we are talking of a particular case with the wife in Ukraine.
She does not have the insurance to cover these expenses.

[ScottinCrimea]

The insurance does not cover dentists. Not that I am aware of.
I do have insurance in Russia but I am not sure I can afford what I want with "American" money that I have now.It is less than here but it is a lot.

I was referring to the cost after insurance in the US, not the FSU.

[OlgaH]

The insurance does not cover dentists.

Some does, but not everyone can spend tens of thousands rubles for the such insurance.

Even if the dentistry (only a basic) is included in a cheap Government insurance, you will be put on a waiting list and wait during one-two months (if your case is not so urgent), and after all you will get the cheapest treatment with Russian novocaine injection. 

[ScottinCrimea]

Maybe the experience is different in Russia versus Ukraine, but my wife has been seen by the dental clinic every time either as a walk in or with an appointment maximum 3 days out, quicker than she can be seen in here in the States.  No one that I know of there has every been put on a 1-2 month waiting list.  My experience was that I walked in and was seen within 15 minutes, with treatment comparable to in the US.  In fact, they fixed a crown that was not done correctly in the US.

My experiences have been more recent, while you have not lived in Russia for 6 years now.  Maybe things have changed that much?

I'm just curious:  What's the difference between Russian novocaine and American novocaine?

[Doll]

You are right-  you can get to the dentist quite fast and the treatment will be excellent. But the one you have just described costs a lot.
I am leaving for Russia in two weeks and already asked about the prices.
They are better than here but I will need quite a few bucks (if I am lucky- a couple of thousands)
I don't think there is any difference in novocain

[SANDRO43]

I don't think there is any difference in novocain

There shouldn't, and it was the Molecule of the Month for August 1999 (http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?ID=150#).

I didn't know there might be a monthly PlayMolecule Magazine, possibly with a center fold-out page for chemically-obsessed truck drivers to hang up in their cabs .

[Doll]

They probably don't use novocain any more in Russia- there is something more effective. Works very well!

[ScottinCrimea]

They show them reruns of Dom Dva and they go right to sleep.

[UTRO]

Common' Guys! All this bantering about Dentists! Just read back to page 3 where I describe my Orthodontist Treatment in Canada vs Lana's EXACT same Treatment in Kirov, but with White Porcelain vs my *snip* Metal.... $6500 vs $1000!! Common'!! I know one thing, I'm heading to Russia once my teeth are straightened and I need a Molar implant!
Jakeob, it has been a month since you started this Thread..... and about two weeks since you Contributed....... Tell us, what has become of You and 'Mommy Dearest'???

[OlgaH]

Maybe the experience is different in Russia versus Ukraine, but my wife has been seen by the dental clinic every time either as a walk in or with an appointment maximum 3 days out, quicker than she can be seen in here in the States.  No one that I know of there has every been put on a 1-2 month waiting list.  My experience was that I walked in and was seen within 15 minutes, with treatment comparable to in the US.  In fact, they fixed a crown that was not done correctly in the US.

Do you pay for it or the treatment is free?

1-2 month waiting list it is Obligatory Medical Insurance (обязательное медицинское страхование when the State guarantee the people a free and equal for everyone medical treatment.   

[Al_C]

Here's my two cents:

She survived just fine on her own money before she met you.  Why does she suddenly need it now?

Possible reasons:

1.  She is taking English lessons that cost her money that she cannot afford.  If so, pay for the lessons yourself.
2.  She is in the final 2 or 3 weeks of preparing for her interview and winding up her affairs, already stopped her work, and plans to hop on a plane to the U.S. right from Moscow.  If so, send her some money.  She gave up her job for you, so the least you can do is support her.
3.  She really is living in poverty and you have lots of money to spare.  Fairness would dictate that you do not continue to sit on your mountain of gold while she shivers in the winter for lack of heat.

But absent situations like these, I see no reason to send her money.  Vanity, i.e. showing her friends how rich and generious her new husband is, is just plain dumb.  A mentality like that will result in a wife who will demand a fur coat and diamonds when she is here to show off to her friends for the same reason.

And when you send her money, remember that a little bit of momey in Russia goes a long way.  You were there and saw for yourself how cheap things are.

[Misha]

Common' Guys! All this bantering about Dentists! Just read back to page 3 where I describe my Orthodontist Treatment in Canada vs Lana's EXACT same Treatment in Kirov, but with White Porcelain vs my *snip* Metal.... $6500 vs $1000!!

I can give you the name of my dentist. Five+ times cheaper and the flight to my city from Toronto is cheaper than going to Ukraine 

[Doll]

And when you send her money, remember that a little bit of momey in Russia goes a long way.  You were there and saw for yourself how cheap things are.

Like what?

[msmoby_ru]

Hi Neil

just found this topic..OMG what a question to ask, and you must be quite desparate to ask it here .  The "milk is spilt" and we should try to help you..

Every relationship is unique, and really only you can know... my feeling is that £400 / $800 is not an unreasonable amount to send a non-working wife.

Only you know how good/ bad your good lady's teeth are, but as you know a root canal filling on the UK National Health service costs £190 ( $400)

I believe your wife may have higher expectations than you wish and only you know if this is partly your fault or a flaw in her character.

My Wife is very careful with money and when in Russia has dental work done there.. not because she doesn't trust Cypriot / UK dentists - but she feels she is getting better value.

She has just returned from the UK having been in Cyprus, too and she was shocked how much groceries had gone up in her part of Russia.

I think you have to bite the bullet, mate and agree budgets when together.

No matter how wealthy you are, a good wife will try to be careful with the family budget and rely on you for surprises.

Good luck and be honest

[ScottinCrimea]

Here's my two cents:

She survived just fine on her own money before she met you.  Why does she suddenly need it now?

Possible reasons:

1.  She is taking English lessons that cost her money that she cannot afford.  If so, pay for the lessons yourself.
2.  She is in the final 2 or 3 weeks of preparing for her interview and winding up her affairs, already stopped her work, and plans to hop on a plane to the U.S. right from Moscow.  If so, send her some money.  She gave up her job for you, so the least you can do is support her.
3.  She really is living in poverty and you have lots of money to spare.  Fairness would dictate that you do not continue to sit on your mountain of gold while she shivers in the winter for lack of heat.

But absent situations like these, I see no reason to send her money.  Vanity, i.e. showing her friends how rich and generious her new husband is, is just plain dumb.  A mentality like that will result in a wife who will demand a fur coat and diamonds when she is here to show off to her friends for the same reason.

And when you send her money, remember that a little bit of momey in Russia goes a long way.  You were there and saw for yourself how cheap things are.

Apply these ideas to a new AW wife and see how unreasonable they sound.  How long do you think your marriage would survive with this type of attitude?  People seem to forget here that once you marry, it is no longer only your money.  I personally want to see my wife have a better life because she married me.  If you have married a vain, demanding wife, it's your mistake.

[Misha]

If you have married a vain, demanding wife, it's your mistake.

I agree with Scott. Another good reason to know your wife before marrying her and not to rush into marriage.

[Andrew]

You married her, she's your wife now suck it up and pay.
Always remember, no matter where they are from when you marry them, whats yours is hers and whats hers is hers 

[Doll]

 Just a reminder 

[KenC]

Of course the conflict here, as it has been from the start of this thread, is whether this hasty marriage should be given the same credibility as one more thought out.  You know, the "old fashion" kind of marriage where the bride and groom actually know each other!

Some here (BillyB, Al C and myself) tend to ignore the fact that these two are married and treat the "marriage" as a non event as it should have never happened anyway.  Others here (Scott, Andrew and Misha) seem to want to honor the sanctity of this marriage no matter how big of a sham it is.

To me it is difficult to show the proper respect for this marriage when the participants were so casual about entering into it without not even knowing each other.  It is a tough situation that Jacob has placed himself into.  I still feel bad for him even though it is a matter of his own impatience that has done him in.  The only way I see this as the least bit "fixable" is if by some rare miracle this couple finds love together.  But their hasty actions have probably nixed that possibility too.
KenC

[Mishenka]

Send her what she needs! 

Having just returned from spending a month in Russia and Uzbekistan, I can tell you,  all prices are going up in these countries the same way Gas is going up in USA - daily. When I took Galina to the Dentist in her city it cost a whopping $3 USD yes thats 3 dollars for the Xray and Doctors examination $4500 Uzbek. When my blood pressure was going up and down like a yo-yo, the doctor made a houes call and it cost me another whopping USD $2, or 3000 Uzbek.  When we took a Taxi it is still dirt cheap at less than a dollar to go anywhere in town, sometimes as low as .75.  It's still  .30 to ride the Metro each way.  Now when Galina had a gold crown replaced, that was a bit more.  Moscow was a different story.  a cuppa tea with a fruit salad cost me a fortune at the airport, $19.50 which would pay a years worth of Natural Gas in Galina's flat. Her water bill is high at 25 per month for hot and cold water. These are not metered so this means unlimited use of both Utilities. Electrical is cheap there.  At these prices why consider coming to America?  Well,  If you are lucky enough to have a job, wages are about USD $200 per month, (on paper) but they have other income. $50 per week,  10 bucks a day. This is what our food bill was each day for a family of 2. This brings new meaning to the phrase "Spending a days wage just to eat. It's a good thing the utilities are cheap. I will never get used to the exchange rate of 140,000 Uzbek to USD $100. You walk around with all this cash in $1000 bills in your pocket.  It makes you feel rich for a moment until you pay the restaurant tab for 4 people at $75,000 Uzbek. 
Cheers
M.

[OlgaH]

Send her what she needs! 

Having just returned from spending a month in Russia and Uzbekistan, I can tell you,  all prices are going up in these countries the same way Gas is going up in USA - daily. When I took Galina to the Dentist in her city it cost a whopping $3 USD yes thats 3 dollars for the Xray and Doctors examination $4500 Uzbek. When my blood pressure was going up and down like a yo-yo, the doctor made a houes call and it cost me another whopping USD $2, or 3000 Uzbek. 
M.

I remember the last denomination in Russia in 1997-1998 when a lot of bread cost about 2000 rubles (if not more), $1 = 5960 rubles and average salary was $160-170 

But we survived

_____________________________________________

An average salary in Uzbekistan is $150, in industrial and transport spheres - about $230-240, and in social sphere $90   

http://www.avestagroup.com/lib/research/fr080305r.pdf

$1=1307.50 sum (Uzbek money)

http://www.nbu.com/news/currency/

A lot of bread cost about 1000 sum

http://www.centrasia.ru/newsA.php?st=1208475480

[Mishenka]

I was there in 99 and 2000 when they printed the new Rubles without the 000 on them, over night, 6000 became 6. and exchanged at 6 to 1.  Interesting time, now the exchange is about 24 ruble= 1$ The difference now is that people earn more and spend more yet the quality of life is really not changed.

[OlgaH]

The Russian economists-experts called that last denomination as the "war against dollar"