Income question

[possum]

Good to know that pelmeni are now an export product, along with borsch, tushonka and other traditional Russian foods. 
Well actually it does not differ a lot from the Dutch situation where the modern foods have taken over from the traditional ones.

Another thing to keep in mind is that more Russians eat out on a regular basis now than ever before.. Restaurants are not just for businessmen and government officials anymore, meaning more people are exposed to foreign cuisines and are willing to try new things..

[OlgaH]

Restaurants are not just for businessmen and government officials anymore, meaning more people are exposed to foreign cuisines and are willing to try new things..

Honestly, I don't remember the time when the restaurants in Russia were just for businessmen and government officials 

[possum]

Honestly, I don't remember the time when the restaurants in Russia were just for businessmen and government officials 

How about after the fall of the Union and then again right after the Ruble crisis of 1998?. Obviously, I'm not talking about Moscow, just the rest of the country..

[OlgaH]

How about after the fall of the Union and then again right after the Ruble crisis of 1998?. Obviously, I'm not talking about Moscow, just the rest of the country..

I have no problem to visit any restaurant after the fall of the Soviet Union and even during the crisis of 1998  People also organized their weddings in a restaurant. When there was the rationing system we were buying some food that we could not find in stores  (e.g. as different meat and sausages) in restaurants and at the markets (bazaars) 

[Ooooops]

I was comparing the 90's to the present day..

Why 90s?   

[possum]

I have no problem to visit any restaurant after the fall of the Soviet Union and even during the crisis of 1998  People also organized their weddings in a restaurant.

Weddings are a major event in people's lives so it's only natural that they spend ridiculous amounts of money on the food and drinks for the "reception", and that was also true for the "dark 90's".. that doesn't mean, however, that an average person could afford to eat out on any kind of regular basis.. I've heard about folks who had to borrow money so they could have a nice reception at a restaurant/banquet hall..

When there was the rationing system we buy some food that we could not find in stores  (e.g. as different meat and sausages) in restaurants and at the markets (bazaars) 

I don't remember that far back but I believe you.. I've also heard stories from my parents..

[possum]

Why 90s?   

Because I grew up in the 90's, for the most part..

[Ooooops]

Because I grew up in the 90's, for the most part..

Oh, dear...  how old are you?   

[possum]

Oh, dear...  how old are you?   

24

[Ooooops]

24

So you are just a Possum Kid...   

No offense, but I can't argue with a child, sorry...   

[OlgaH]

I don't remember that far back but I believe you.. I've also heard stories from my parents..

possum, I don't need to tell you the stories from my parents as I was in my 20s in 1990s 

[possum]

So you are just a Possum Kid...   

No offense, but I can't argue with a child, sorry...   

Hmm.. What can I do to prove to you that I'm not a child anymore?.

[Misha]

Misha, eating pelmeni and kvashennaya kapusta every day gets boring pretty quick, don't you think?..

It was one example. Here is another. I bought around three pounds of stewing meat for $15. Divided the meat into three portions and froze them. When I wanted to cook, I took out one of the portions. With this, I made two different soups and curried beef. The soups were enough to last two or three different meals. The curried beef supper and leftovers for lunch.

[Misha]

We don't have enough free time to make them. Instead we buy and spend $1 a meal. 

Well, the last time we made pelmeni, we invited a friend over who wanted to learn. We spent 3 hours making them and talking. As the friend did not speak English, it was a very non-stressful way for my wife to practice her English, and a nice way for me to spend time with my wife and our friend. Yes, it is easier to buy, but sometimes the time spent with your spouse is worth a lot more.

[Ooooops]

Hmm.. What can I do to prove to you that I'm not a child anymore?.

Sweetie, your birth certificate speaks louder then words.   

[Shadow]

Well, the last time we made pelmeni, we invited a friend over who wanted to learn. We spent 3 hours making them and talking. As the friend did not speak English, it was a very non-stressful way for my wife to practice her English, and a nice way for me to spend time with my wife and our friend. Yes, it is easier to buy, but sometimes the time spent with your spouse is worth a lot more.

You are right. I should sleep less to increase the 16 hours. 

[Misha]

You are right. I should sleep less to increase the 16 hours. 

It all comes down to priorities. I spend three hours with my wife making pelmeni, and we are set for a couple months. I find the process enjoyable. Some people plop themselves in front of a television, I make pelmeni.

[steviej]

It all comes down to priorities. I spend three hours with my wife making pelmeni, and we are set for a couple months. I find the process enjoyable. Some people plop themselves in front of a television, I make pelmeni.

My wife and I like to make pelmeni and then throw it at the television ....   

[possum]

Sweetie, your birth certificate speaks louder then words.   

I have a green folded birth certificate, what does that say about me?.

[DKMM]

Back to the topic, I told my girl early on what my salary was.  Later when we got more serious I showed her a breakdown of my budget and what her budget would be for running the house.

Girls may not ask, but they wanna know about your finances.  Its better than dealing with an awful surprise later.

[Majestic]

Interesting viewpoints in this thread.

Let me ask about my situation if I may...

I make about 70k per year and live in California.
I have no children and have very little debt, thus a significant portion of my income could be termed "disposable".
I currently rent because the housing market in California has sucked for several years.

I have plenty of extra cash; I currently use most of my disposable income for travel. Perhaps I should have saved more, but I wanted to see some of the world while I was "young, wild, and free"...   so to speak.

I am definitely not poor, but I am certainly not rich either (especially living in cali).

So, my question...

In general, how will the typical RW view my situation? Am I "financially stable" enough?


I appreciate any feedback. I assumed my financial situation was adequate, but this thread, and some of the responses, got me to thinking  .

[Shadow]

Majestic,the question you must ask yourself is this one :

Do I have enough money to support a family, and still make occasional trips around the world ?
If you can support your wife and (eventually) children without her having to take a job, dish out a bit extra cash for language and other skills, and travel to Russia once a year then you have no worries. That does not mean your partner will not be willing to contribute to family finances, but it will be good if she does not have to.
If it is tight, there is still no real worry, however you will need to be honest about it.
Never spend money on a RW that you do not have, and do not appear to be something you are not.

[BC]

Interesting viewpoints in this thread.

Let me ask about my situation if I may...

I make about 70k per year and live in California.
I have no children and have very little debt, thus a significant portion of my income could be termed "disposable".
I currently rent because the housing market in California has sucked for several years.

I have plenty of extra cash; I currently use most of my disposable income for travel. Perhaps I should have saved more, but I wanted to see some of the world while I was "young, wild, and free"...   so to speak.

I am definitely not poor, but I am certainly not rich either (especially living in cali).

So, my question...

In general, how will the typical RW view my situation? Am I "financially stable" enough?


I appreciate any feedback. I assumed my financial situation was adequate, but this thread, and some of the responses, got me to thinking  .

The critical phase is after she arrives.  A good bit of saved cash stuffed under the mattress for the first year or two... say anywhere from 20 K+ depending on your lifestyle, whether children are involved etc etc.  Costs of a wedding or anything but a junker additional.

I cringe when I hear of someone going into debt to finance this venture.

[Fashionista]

In general, how will the typical RW view my situation? Am I "financially stable" enough?

Normally it works like this.  You file an application and send it to your prospective fiancee.  A crew of financially savvy people will review it and if it is approved, you are a happily married man.   After your wife arrives all that's left to do is call a phone number and activate her (security reasons).

On a serious note, if you yourself think that you are ready to get married (financially and otherwise), you should look for a person who likes you.  It's that simple. In my opinion that is.  On the other hand, if you are looking for someone who looks for a certain income, you will certainly find her, there is no shortage of such girls anywhere.  I dont know it it'll make you happy though.

[steviej]

Interesting viewpoints in this thread.

Let me ask about my situation if I may...

I make about 70k per year and live in California.
I have no children and have very little debt, thus a significant portion of my income could be termed "disposable".
I currently rent because the housing market in California has sucked for several years.

I have plenty of extra cash; I currently use most of my disposable income for travel. Perhaps I should have saved more, but I wanted to see some of the world while I was "young, wild, and free"...   so to speak.

I am definitely not poor, but I am certainly not rich either (especially living in cali).

So, my question...

In general, how will the typical RW view my situation? Am I "financially stable" enough?


I appreciate any feedback. I assumed my financial situation was adequate, but this thread, and some of the responses, got me to thinking  .

In general I'd say a single man making $70K with no debts, no kids, no alimony, should be alright. Especially if you've got an extra $20k in the bank. And like someone else said here, don't misrepresent who you are or what you have. You don't need to. The nice girls don't need to be rich. Another quesiton would be: are you at the top of the scale for your type of skill/career now? Or, do you have a lot of headroom for income growth? If you're already at the top, it'll start out a little tight and stay tight. If you have good reason to expect opportunities for income growth , that's good too. And, as someone else said, there's a bunch of $$ required during the search/courtship phase, and during the first year or two  your wife is here. She needs everything, foro the most part, when she gets here. I mean, clothes for your area, perhaps another car, health care, ... the list of stuff really adds up. But, I believe, if you're a good man, the right girl is there for you, and you've got enough to be honest and credible. You're not trying to bring some unsuspecting girl back to a backwoods trailer to hoe your potatos LOL