What Did you do to your XC this week .

**Adrian** · 02-26-2011, 12:57 PM

0.5L (~1 pint) of beer is 10-15 USD at random places, up to 30$ at restaurants. But then again minimum wage is 50k USD, average wage is 72 785 USD (2009.)

But ye, i'm not getting my licence back until June, so i'm not stressing out about getting another car yet

**tinker** · 02-26-2011, 07:37 PM

I re-installed the front bumper cover assembly which got peeled off the car a while back.

I also ordered an upper engine mount bushing and got a case of transmission fluid.
Perhaps I'll have more to add to this thread next weekend...

Cheers
Tinker

**billr99** · 02-27-2011, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by Adrian

But then again minimum wage is 50k USD, average wage is 72 785 USD (2009.)

The one thing I've learned living in different countries is that it is pretty meaningless to compare costs in any one single currency. Exchange rates only mean something if you are earning a wage in one place and spending it somewhere else. What I've always looked at is what does the average Joe make in a year or a day and out of that how many beer or MacDonalds can you buy. In other words, what is an average person's labour worth.

As an example (and I'm guessing here a bit on the actual numbers), up here min. wage is about $18K CDN or so per year and a bottle (550ml) of beer at a restaurant is about $2-$3 CDN. So compare that to what Adrian has posted and see how that compares. Comparing things like fuel prices is a waste of time other than to illustrate what level of taxation is imposed on the public by the State or what market forces are in place if you want to compare things like car prices (like why a VW Jetta is $5K more here than in the States

).

Cheers,

Bill

**Astro14** · 02-27-2011, 07:25 AM

Agree Bill. The real cost of living is: how many hours do I have to work for basic goods...

Having traveled to 35+ countries - the cost of living is interesting to me...naturally, I use the cost in $$ as my yardstick, but that wasn't the case here.

When I was stationed at NATO, I had the chance to talk to lots of my peers; military officers who were stationed overseas....and their perceptions are what I was conveying...

In Adrian's case, Norway has a very high per capita GDP (oil revenue...), much higher than the US or the rest of Scandinavia. My Danish neighbor (LCOL, Danish Army) has extended his tour here to enjoy the lifestyle. He's got three Harleys, a Suburban, a Touareg and a Jag.

In Denmark, with a 150% import duty on vehicles and huge annual taxes on vehicles, he can afford one Volkswagen...

We're both the same rank, but in his country, he can only afford one car....now, his kids' college is paid for...and I am struggling through that...but the cost of things, (apples to apples, how many hours you have to work to buy a car, or a cup of Starbuck's), is far lower here than in most of Scandinavia...Adrian's experience not withstanding...

**n00bkiller944** · 02-27-2011, 10:57 AM

Coolant Flush, oil change, and replaced my polyurethane upper engine mount with a stock one... Too much vibration for me

**Aviator** · 02-27-2011, 03:23 PM

Agree Bill. The real cost of living is: how many hours do I have to work for basic goods...

Having traveled to 35+ countries - the cost of living is interesting to me...naturally, I use the cost in $$ as my yardstick, but that wasn't the case here.

I agree. You have to compare apples to apples, and stop making the comparison between currencies and what the pound is equal to in dollars or whatever. That shet will drive you nuts!! Just live and do whatever the hell you want!!

Dave.

**Ocean Racer** · 02-27-2011, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Astro14

When I was stationed at NATO, I had the chance to talk to lots of my peers; military officers who were stationed overseas....and their perceptions are what I was conveying...

My father in law works at NATO. Fun place, been there many times and have many funny stories.
I especially like the "No classified chat.." posters in the cafeteria.

Bill I also agree with you, its just an interesting comparison thats all.

**Astro14** · 02-27-2011, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Aviator

I agree. You have to compare apples to apples, and stop making the comparison between currencies and what the pound is equal to in dollars or whatever. That shet will drive you nuts!! Just live and do whatever the hell you want!!

Dave.

No worries my friend, wasn't comparing currencies per se, the issue is what it costs to buy a car...and I am not saying the grass is greener anywhere...

I have lived in a couple of countries...and 9 very different US states....rarely been a selection of my choosing, by the way...but I enjoy the experiences and the differences and find them interesting, that's all...

Wonder where I'll end up next?