BajaNomad - Tipping at a Pemex

Tipping at a Pemex

MitchMan - 5-1-2010 at 05:48 PM

In Baja, when you get gas at a Pemex, you get semi full service. That is, there is someone there who puts the gas into the gas tank for you, then you pay him directly.

Is there any protocol on tipping them? If so, how much?

On a couple of occasions, they have voluntarily put air into a low tire and on a few other occasions, they have sort of cleaned my front windshield.

JESSE - 5-1-2010 at 06:03 PM

you don't tip a dime unless they clean your windshield or check the oil.

DENNIS - 5-1-2010 at 06:07 PM

I tip 10 Ps if they wash my windshield, or at least offer to. I don't consider pumping the gas which I paid for service any more than I see somebody handing me my bag of burgers at McDonalds as service.

rts551 - 5-1-2010 at 06:07 PM

Windshield or other "extra" help

Tip

lookingandbuying - 5-1-2010 at 06:11 PM

While you should probably receive some type of "extra" service than just pumping the gas a tip is always appreciated by these guys. There are times I tip even when they are having an off day and have not gone beyond the call of duty. I actually appreciate the fact that they are even there to help in merely pumping the gas and a few coins or a buck is not going to break the bank or me.

Do whatever you feel is appropriate.

mojo_norte - 5-1-2010 at 06:25 PM

Spare change up to 10 Pesos depending on my mood , service and their attitude. They're poor - I'm not .

Woooosh - 5-1-2010 at 06:32 PM

10 pesos if they show me the zero'd out meter before they pump and clean the windshield.

irenemm - 5-1-2010 at 06:48 PM

we always give 10 and sometimes 20 when they do the back windows too.

mojo-norte we feel the same way.

If your getting gas 10 times a week well OK it is a little much but hey what is 10 or 20 pesos.

Russ - 5-1-2010 at 07:02 PM

If I know the station is an honest one and the attendant is friendly and stays with the nozzle and talks a bit I go 10 pesos on a tip. It's not much but the good ones really light up with that. There's a really sleepy guy in El Rasario that I really hate to have pump my gas but another guy really hustles and speaks English about as well as my Spanish we have fun while I fill up. That sleepy character has been then there a long time so I suspect there is a story with him.

mojo_norte - 5-1-2010 at 07:09 PM

Most of the El Rosario attendants have been there a long time and are honest - DK? I think I know the 'sleepy guy' he's OK - just his personality.

norte - 5-1-2010 at 07:14 PM

Now there is a new one for me. Speakiing nglish warants the tip
Guess thats why its Rasario

/

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ
If I know the station is an honest one and the attendant is friendly and stays with the nozzle and talks a bit I go 10 pesos on a tip. It's not much but the good ones really light up with that. There's a really sleepy guy in El Rasario that I really hate to have pump my gas but another guy really hustles and speaks English about as well as my Spanish we have fun while I fill up. That sleepy character has been then there a long time so I suspect there is a story with him.

DENNIS - 5-1-2010 at 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by norte
Now there is a new one for me. Speakiing nglish warants the tip
Guess thats why its Rasario

Thanks. Plain nglish supports your observation. :lol:

jak - 5-1-2010 at 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by norte
Now there is a new one for me. Speakiing nglish warants the tip
Guess thats why its Rasario

Thanks. Plain nglish supports your observation. :lol:

Ziggy Bombanuts was decorated in WWII for his selfless use of the flamethrower. :fire:

Udo - 5-1-2010 at 07:50 PM

Quote:

This is the best advice on this thread and a terrific rule of thumb.

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
10 pesos if they show me the zero'd out meter before they pump and clean the windshield.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 5-1-2010 at 08:48 PM

Hola, i'm sure they don't receive a lot in pay and if they " go out of their way " and clean the front and back windows, i give them 10 pesos. if they go beyond the call of duty and ask to open the hood and check everything, definitely 10 pesos, maybe more if i'm in the mood. also, if i take additional gas cans and they fill them up and put them in the back of the suv, still 10 pesos. maybe i'm cheap, i dunno ? that's the discussion here, right ?

if they get a 100 customers in the course of a day that do the same, i'll ask for a job pumping gas !!!! figure that out in the U.S., undeclared income !! that's a lot of rat food !!!

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

tjBill - 5-1-2010 at 09:19 PM

5 pesos is the rate with my neighbors; only if they wash the windows.

fixtrauma - 5-1-2010 at 09:36 PM

I needed this thread! Something that I have always wondered about. I have usually tipped 10 -20 p. Thanks for the information.

mulegemichael - 5-1-2010 at 10:02 PM

10-20 pesos depending on my mood...always at least 10...that's WITH my windows washed1

bajabass - 5-2-2010 at 05:39 AM

I always tip 10 pesos, more if she's cute :biggrin:

rhintransit - 5-2-2010 at 05:52 AM

in a similar vein, the guys at the propane plant get 5-10 pesos if they carry my small tank back to the car, 10 if they come to the car and carry the empty one in. every one of them seems to have learned to rush out to my little GEO when they see me regardless of how busy they are...

bajabass - 5-2-2010 at 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit
in a similar vein, the guys at the propane plant get 5-10 pesos if they carry my small tank back to the car, 10 if they come to the car and carry the empty one in. every one of them seems to have learned to rush out to my little GEO when they see me regardless of how busy they are...

T.I.P., to insure promptness. I use the same Pemex, grocery, cervecaria, cantinas all the time. They have ALL figured out I tip well for good service. Back when I used to stop at Puerto Nuevo for a late lobster lunch on my way to La Mision, the guy parking cars in front of Chela's would move a car to park my truck in front of the door to keep an eye on my stuff. I always tip well at the places I frequent, and get amazing service, it pays for sure. They sure seem happy to see me, and my money!

durrelllrobert - 5-2-2010 at 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan

.... on a few other occasions, they have sort of cleaned my front windshield.

Must be going to wrong Pemex. If the have the Cuali logo on sign you can expect ALL windows to be cleaned and offer to check oil, raditor, etc. The one I usually go to in Ensenada even wipes down dirt off entire car (unless they are really busy) :biggrin:

DENNIS - 5-2-2010 at 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If the have the Cuali logo on sign

I'm under the impression the Cualli classification is meaningless. It was a good idea that died. I saw the sign go up on a station under construction so it made me think it was a payed-for recommendation.

Tip! It's good karma.

Lee - 5-2-2010 at 08:25 AM

I tip 10 pesos for pumping gas. If my windshield is dirty, and the attendant cleans it, fine. If they don't, I"ll clean it myself, and that's fine. Part of my tip is for attitude. Good attitude is included in the tip. Not ripping me off is included as well.

Catching someone trying to rip me off is a bad attitude and get's no tip.

My windshield is usually clean and I don't need an attendant to clean it if that's the case. They get a tip for wanting to clean my windshield even if I ask them not to clean it.

If attendants are busy, I don't expect them to clean my windshield and I do it myself. I rarely have attendants, who aren't busy, standing around ignoring my dirty windshield.

I tip 20% in restaurants if service and food is good. If either is lacking, I'll usually say something to management. I don't tip for bad service or food. If food or service is bad, I send the food back and leave. No 2nd chance.

I don't know what Pemex attendants make but by my standards, they are at poverty level and aren't getting rich. I always feel good tipping.

rob - 5-2-2010 at 10:19 AM

My favorite PEMEX is ATI just beyond the Baja Ferries on Allende in La Paz. I have a large and dusty Suburban, and the act of cleaning the windows is itself is worth $20.

My least favorite PEMEX is the San Juan de la Costa crossroads (forget the windows - but its a convenient last port of call), but their debit card machine only seems to work once in every 2 or 3 visits. After putting out $1500 to fill the Suburban and couple of gas tanks for the workers and the boat, you get told that you have to pay cash - which is fine BUT HACIENDA WILL NOT REGARD A PEMEX FACTURA PAID IN CASH AS A LEGITIMATE EXPENSE! YOu can't even get a nota to come back later to put it on the debit card because you have already paid!

but I digress . . .

paul r - 5-2-2010 at 10:39 AM

... 10 peso... mas y menos..

BajaBruno - 5-2-2010 at 11:23 AM

Rob, I hate that San Juan de la Costa Pemex, also. Crummy attitude, pump your own fuel, and hope they remember which bill you gave them when you pay in advance.

I tip all the normal Pemex people, but I don't let them do the windows because they usually do a poor job. I carry my own Windex and microfiber towels, but then, I'm a little fussy, and I don't expect the rest of the world to live up to my personal standards.

Mexicorn - 5-2-2010 at 11:54 AM

1-3 Pesos if I have to ask them to clean the windows or (Parrabrisas en espanol) 5 if they do it on thier own. I use the same station and several have already caught on. Repeat after me (Limpia la parrabrisa porfavor).
P.S. I never buy the adetivos (Addatives like fuel injector, window cleaner etc.) for the gas. Its cheaper to pick them up at Auto zone or Kragen on the other side when they go on sale.
Puro Heads up from this Mexicorn Amigos.
PS Dennis you going to that thing in SD at the end of may? If so I'd like to sit down and buy you and Doug Means a beer!

DENNIS - 5-2-2010 at 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexicorn
PS Dennis you going to that thing in SD at the end of may? If so I'd like to sit down and buy you and Doug Means a beer!

I don't know anything about it, but thanks for the thought.

wessongroup - 5-2-2010 at 12:28 PM

Quote:

ditto's

Martyman - 5-3-2010 at 10:56 AM

I don't tip at gas stations. Yeah I'm a cheapass and yes 10 pesos will kill me!
This whole tipping thing bugs me. When I was a kid, restaurant normal tip was 10% then 15% then 18% now twenty %!!
This is a conspiracy from restaurant owners so they don't have to pay real wages!
My son works at a 5 star bed & breakfast in Calif. For the free breakfast, europeans (especially english) rarely tip. I should move to europe.
So you guys feel good (like big shots?) when you tip. I feel great when I don't and I get a stinkeye. Thanks for screwing up everything with your 20 peso tips.

DENNIS - 5-3-2010 at 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martyman
I don't tip at gas stations. Yeah I'm a cheapass and yes 10 pesos will kill me!
This whole tipping thing bugs me. When I was a kid, restaurant normal tip was 10% then 15% then 18% now twenty %!!
This is a conspiracy from restaurant owners so they don't have to pay real wages!
My son works at a 5 star bed & breakfast in Calif. For the free breakfast, europeans (especially english) rarely tip. I should move to europe.
So you guys feel good (like big shots?) when you tip. I feel great when I don't and I get a stinkeye. Thanks for screwing up everything with your 20 peso tips.

That's a valid point, Marty. It's not how I do it, but I understand why you do.

Cypress - 5-3-2010 at 12:45 PM

Tipping? Who you gonna tip? :tumble:

DonBaja - 5-3-2010 at 01:26 PM

A Pemex attendant in Loreto told me he gets paid 100 pesos a day in wages and he was happpy if he made another 100 pesos a day in tips. I tip 10 pesos if the attendant asks to wash my windshield, I may or may not want it washed, sometimes they make more of a mess then just leaving it dirty. If the attendant has a good attitude and is friendly he gets 10 pesos just for chatting it up with me.

DENNIS - 5-3-2010 at 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DonBaja
A Pemex attendant in Loreto told me he gets paid 100 pesos a day in wages and he was happpy if he made another 100 pesos a day in tips. I tip 10 pesos if the attendant asks to wash my windshield, I may or may not want it washed, sometimes they make more of a mess then just leaving it dirty. If the attendant has a good attitude and is friendly he gets 10 pesos just for chatting it up with me.

Yeah...thanks. I know they get paid, not a lot, but some here think they get nothing.
It's on the employer to pay a better wage....not leave it up to the whims of the customer.

wessongroup - 5-3-2010 at 02:07 PM

"So you guys feel good (like big shots?) when you tip."

No I don't feel like a big shot, rather I'm hoping they are able to "LIVE"

Think your boy could get buy on $10 a day?

I have worked for tips, as has my wife... if you're getting minimum wage, gee lets see what is that if you're getting even full time per week... which most don't get these days.. alone with no benefits, no holidays..

No one gets nothing other than the opportunity to work for minimum wage part time at Staples or some other entity ...

So it's the same for the Mexicans .... they get nothing ... or is $10 dollars a day a good wage..

Seems this was an issue at La Fonda.. sometime back.. that fella did not believe in wages... just tips.. the flip side of the issue...

oldjack - 5-3-2010 at 02:22 PM

I tend to tip at the PEMEX and other service places.... if I am given something in return..... but maybe it is better to "go native" and not tip at all like most of the Mexicans I observe...

Cypress - 5-3-2010 at 02:32 PM

wessongroup, Tip all you want and don't let the liberals put you on a guilt trip. Liberals are "one trick ponies". I would not engage 'em on any serious issues. They don't rate it, and will only resort to calling you a redneck racist, homophob or whatever flavor of the week that fits their agenda.

Jobs with tips

lookingandbuying - 5-3-2010 at 02:44 PM

Tips are the way business owners try to ensure their customers get good service. It weeds out the good staff from the bad. Good wait staff know the better service they give the bigger the tip...hopefully. Bad staff can't make any money (no tips) so they have to move on to another job.

Personally, I like the tipping system much better than the "NO" tip countries. Go to some of these countries that operate on a no tip basis. You want some serrvice from the waiter...fuggetta about it!!! Extra service?? They don't even know what that is.

A tip is a sign (not always) of appreciation expressed by a customer for making their time spent getting the service a better experience. While a tip may not work for a one-off visit it sure makes things better when wait staff know you are someone that will reward their extra efforts. People that hold on to their 10 pesos tightly will never experience the benefits...that's their problem as far as I am concerned.

For me I have found that by giving a token amount as an expression of appreciation goes a long way. As a kid I pumped gas for fifty cents an hour. When someone reached into their pocket and threw me a quarter it meant a lot. I am sure these guy's at the Pemex stations appreciate it too.

About the comment regarding La Fonda you should keep in mind that great jobs (ie PAY A LOT OF TIPS) are hard to get. Getting a job at La Fonda meant someone was going to go home with a lot of tip money in their pocket at the end of the night. Maybe this is not so much the case anymore as all business is down and people are holding onto their money. Anyway, a business owner can't afford to pay very high wages and they know the wait jobs are in demand because of the tips. So, if a wait staff union trys to play stick-up you change the location of the kitchen so you are not a hostage to unreasonable union demands. As far as I'm concerned the wait staff at La Fonda always work hard to provide you a good experience as they are working hard for your tip!!

To each his own. As far as tipping goes do what you are comfortable with. Keep in mind a few Pesos released from your hand can open a lot of doors and make whatever you happen to be doing a better experience as a result of it.

Bajahowodd - 5-3-2010 at 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If the have the Cuali logo on sign

Cualli program has nothing to do with service by the pump, so to speak. Or clean windows or paper in the rest room. It is more about Pemex encouraging their franchisees to modernize stuff like the environmental control and automate their financials. Below was taken from the Pemex website. The word itself is

Cualli
Programa de modernización de la Franquicia Pemex
"Cualli"

Las empresas privadas tienen diferentes conceptos para reconocer la atención a sus clientes. Pemex, empresa mexicana, utiliza una palabra Náhuatl, para que el cliente identifique a aquellas Estaciones de Servicio distinguidas por la Franquicia Pemex que están comprometidas por mejorar la calidad y el servicio al consumidor.

Que significa: "lo más, lo mejor, servir bien".

Cualli

El Programa de Modernización de la Franquicia

En mayo de 2006 Pemex Refinación dio a conocer el Programa de Modernización de la Franquicia, para impulsar el cambio en el modelo de la franquicia, que permita evolucionar de la comercialización de combustibles a un formato de negocios, que ofrezca beneficios al consumidor final, al franquiciatario y a Pemex Refinación.

El consumidor tiene beneficios al adquirir la gasolina y diesel en las Estaciones de Servicio Cualli, entre ellas:

* a. Puede realizar el pago de gasolina y diesel al contado o por medio de una tarjeta bancaria o tarjeta propia de la Estación de servicio.
* b. Tiene la tranquilidad que el de despacho de la gasolina y diesel se realizan en dispensarios que cumplen con la NOM-005-SCFI-2005, como equipo certificado para la medición de combustibles.
* c. La Estación de Servicio cuenta con el sistema de control volumétrico, que permite contar con información comercial y administrativa de las Estaciones de Servicio, que se transmite a Pemex para generar indicadores de desempeño comercial y desarrollar proyectos ligados con tecnología digital para aprovechar oportunidades de atención al cliente.

En la instrumentación, Pemex Refinación ha contado con la participación de diversas dependencias de la administración pública federal, como son: las Secretarias de Hacienda y Crédito Público, Economía y Energía; además del Servicio de Administración Tributaria, Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor y la Dirección General de Normas. No menos importante ha sido el papel de Nacional Financiera y de distintas instituciones financieras; además de los proveedores de dispensarios y Desarrolladores de Sistemas de Control Volumétrico.

durrelllrobert - 5-3-2010 at 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lookingandbuying
Tips are the way business owners try to ensure their customers get good service. It weeds out the good staff from the bad. .................................
A tip is a sign (not always) of appreciation expressed by a customer for making their time spent getting the service a better experience.

Yup, I once gave the tailor at Mens Depot a good tip when he measured my in-seam :lol:

wessongroup - 5-3-2010 at 06:53 PM

"For me I have found that by giving a token amount as an expression of appreciation goes a long way. As a kid I pumped gas for fifty cents an hour. When someone reached into their pocket and threw me a quarter it meant a lot. I am sure these guy's at the Pemex stations appreciate it too."

I'm coming from the same reference point... and by the way... how's the service station attendent up there in the States.. you seen some one come out and wash your window, ask if your oil is ok, check your water ... stand and talk with you while the pump is going..

maybe I'm missing something.. but as far as customer service, down in Baja.. it's overall been excellent.... at least for this "El viejo"... and it's been nice.. thank you Mexico.. folks down here appreciate a buck... even if it is only one....

Small Tips

lookingandbuying - 5-4-2010 at 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Yup, I once gave the tailor at Mens Depot a good tip when he measured my in-seam :lol:

Never had the tailor tipping problem myself, BUT, when measuring my tip they never needed to get real close, pull out the small ruler (in centimeters), put on the coke bottle thick type reading glasses and squint real hard either. Oh well some endowments (tips) are less than others? :lol:

[Edited on 5-5-2010 by lookingandbuying]

BJSoccer16 - 5-7-2010 at 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by irenemm
we always give 10 and sometimes 20 when they do the back windows too.

mojo-norte we feel the same way.

If your getting gas 10 times a week well OK it is a little much but hey what is 10 or 20 pesos.

For some people mucho dinero (especially when you gas up daily); that said, I give 2 for front windows and 5 for both; there are some lazy attendants who will lean back when you are the only car and do nothing...they get nothing. At the same station there is a guy who will wash your window even when it's busy; he gets more. 20 pesos is a lot of money down here, but I have no problem with people who can afford it paying that much.

[Edited on 5-7-2010 by BJSoccer16]

DENNIS - 5-7-2010 at 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BJSoccer16

20 pesos is a lot of money down here,

I agree. It's an overkill tip for washing a window, but 20 Ps isn't a lot of money anywhere. It was in 1960. 20Ps would buy 40 draught beers at the Mazatlán Beer Garden in the Pacifico brewery.

Dave - 5-8-2010 at 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Yup, I once gave the tailor at Mens Depot a good tip when he measured my in-seam :lol:

Question not heard much anymore:

Sir, do you dress left, or right?

Bob and Susan - 5-8-2010 at 05:52 AM

my favorite place...

http://www.livevideo.com/video/C1CCA30E64884815B7783DB6110AA...

sam.jpg - 30kB

MitchMan - 5-8-2010 at 07:33 AM

I asked the original question in this thread. Got excellent response and I gratefully got great answers. I now know what to do at Pemex stations. I intend to tip reasonably for courteous prompt service and will tip a bit more if windows, tire air, oil check is done upon request.

I wasn't sure why the Pemex stations handle cash the way they do, I think it is a form of accounting internal control to split the acquisition of cash between two people similar to the handling of cash at a movie theater (pay for your entrance ticket at the window, hand your ticket to the guy who lets you into the theater). At any rate, it seems appropriate to tip the guy who pumps your gas a little bit.

I am pretty sure that the local Mexicans do not tip at all and that they tip very littlle if at all at restaurants. The Mexican culture is one where they are used to living at a subsistance level and that doesn't conform to a practice of giving money away and I think that the service provider and the Mexican consumer both understand that between each other.

Where the Mexican culture is generous is with their time... often (although not every) time. Local Mexicans tend to be very helpful when you genuinely need help. I have been in dire straight types of situations where I really needed assistance and local Mexicans have volunteered to save my a$$ while not expecting anything in return. Wouldn't have gotten as much help so readily north of the border.

The places where I hate to tip are 1)in Paris because you get absolutely crappy and bad service and bad attitude but must pay the added 15% tip 2) Fancy expensive American restaurants where the food server makes two to three times as much per hour on tips alone as a tenured grade school teacher. Basing the tip as a % of the total bill seems inappropriate and extravagant when equated to the amount of work done by servers at those places.

I don't like to give money away, but I feel tipping the Pemex guy for some service is OK with me. I am glad to find out that it is customary.

[Edited on 5-8-2010 by MitchMan]

DENNIS - 5-8-2010 at 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
I'm pretty sure that the local Mexicans do not tip at all and that they tip very littlle if at all at restaurants.

I don't know about that, Mitch. Image is everything in this culture.

Reminds me of a personal story. I was tending bar in Wyoming in '67 and some real cowboys used to frequent the place.
Well, I got to know them well enough to ask, "Hey...why don't you guys ever leave a tip?"
The reply was, "Tip??? Nobody tips us."
I was really sorry I'd asked.

MitchMan - 5-8-2010 at 11:09 AM

I have a good friend food server at the Bismark malecon restaurant in La Paz. He tells me the truth about everything. I will ask him and do more careful observation to verify if my guess is right about locals not tipping much at restaurants. If I do confirm that they don't tip much, it won't affect my inclination to tip. Their financial circumstances are different than mine. I feel that we Americans get good value in Mexico overall and tipping is a way to try to give some of it back.

So long as you own your own Mexican home, two people can live fat on $500 per month, including auto ins, health ins, food, gas, utilities, prop tax, etc. Can't do that in California.

DENNIS - 5-8-2010 at 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan

So long as you own your own Mexican home, two people can live fat on $500 per month, including auto ins, health ins, food, gas, utilities, prop tax, etc. Can't do that in California.

I don't see how anybody can live normally, let alone "fat", on $8.30 US per day.
Well, maybe those Hindu Mendicants or Buddhist beggars who wander around with their outstreched cup, but not in Mexico.

[Edited on 5-8-2010 by DENNIS]

Ford - 5-13-2010 at 07:31 AM

I always tip.....when they dont try to rip me off! Which is alot more often than you would think!
The big one was always not clearing the meter before starting. Now I have caught one guy distracting me while the other guy put the key in the pump and makes some quick move and add like 40 pesos to the meter! I usually leave someone behind the tinted glass and tell them dont take your eyes off the guy pumping!

MitchMan - 5-13-2010 at 12:16 PM

DENNIS,
The following living expenses are per month for two people in Baja in one home that is owned outright:
Mx Med Ins - $33.33, Auto Ins one Vehicle - $14.16, Propane - $12, Electricity - $20, Prop Tx ($90K house) - $4, Food + Supplies - $250, Gasoline - $30, PPD Cell Phone - $30, Water + Sewer - $8, Other - $98.51, Total per month = $500. The last "other" category can absorb, internet access (although I use public places for their free internet and the very cheap internet cafe's), clothes, cable TV if you must, haircuts, occasional medications, etc. If you have special needs, then obviously your monthly expenses can go through the roof.

My statement was "... two people can live fat on $500 per month". By my use of the word "can", I mean with some realistic focus on managing your money and being wise, moderately frugal and reasonable, you can have all the necessities of life without any problem. Be like the locals when it comes to cel phone use, only make calls that you have to, be short and specific and get off the line asap. Don't let the water run on and on, don't use airconditioning when you can get by without it, Turn on your hot water heater (50 liters) for a half hour only just before showering every day, then leave it on pilot - you'll have all the hot water you need or the rest of the day), use energy saver bulbs and turn lights off if you are not in the room, choose to own a reasonable and reliable used vehicle (compact Honda or Toyota) that gets decent gas mileage that uses regular gas (heck, get an 89 Toyota pickup 4 cyl, 4x4 - it will get over 25 mpg). All you need is common sense price analysis, wisdom, and a little discipline. It's not hard nor taxing nor at all Spartan.

The place where people waste money is in "choosing" unnecessarily to consume expensively by owning and using unnecessary gas guzzlers, unessential and unnecessary use of utilities (including un-monitored phone use), and the way they buy and consume food. Eating at restaurants frequently and un budgeted grocery shopping without analyzing prices. These types of lack of control will unnecessarily add several (if not many) hundreds of dollars to a monthly budget. If by living fat, one means living, extravagantly and not excersizing any frugal controls, well, that is not at all what I meant.

I don't need to eat at restaurants because I can cook better than what I can get at most any restaurant (except Jesse's restaurant - can't beat that). I eat really well: beans & rice & tortillas, fideo, lots of fruit, plenty of chicken and fish, some pork and beef, lots of great pastas (I make several killer marinaras), lots of home made soups, and three full meals a day. All in all, I eat better than any one else I know. A lot of people don't know how to cook (a concept that I have never ever understood as everyody eats several times a day, every day of their lives, how could they not know how to cook with all those thousands of opportunities on something that everybody loves to do, i.e., eat good food?) and that will cost them several hundreds of dollars a month, easily.

[Edited on 5-13-2010 by MitchMan]

Cypress - 5-13-2010 at 12:35 PM

Why not just stop and tip everybody along the way. Jeez, sorta like Mardi gras! Fling that cash in every direction. Here comes Santa, the tooth fairy and Daddy Big Bucks. :lol:

DENNIS - 5-13-2010 at 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan

Propane - $12,

Turn on your hot water heater (50 liters) for a half hour only just before showering every day, then leave it on pilot - you'll have all the hot water you need or the rest of the day),

This scedule would put Thomas Merton to shame. :lol:

A 45 kilo tank of propane is 430 Ps so 12 bucks won't buy much and I've never seen a ten gallon gas water heater, but I'm sure they have them.
The lifestyle you suggest I would hardly consider if I was camping. I guess I'm getting old.

Thanks for the break-down of expenses.

MitchMan - 5-13-2010 at 05:21 PM

I realize that the level of frugality varies quite greatly between people at every income level. I can't remember which world wide known billionaire it was, but two of them live in their original homes before they got wealthy. I believe it was Buffet who still lives in the home that he bought for $31,000 circa 1960 and I believe it is he and Slim Helu who don't own a jet. But, one of my clients with a net worth of $10 million does. I believe it was Buffet who still drives his 15 year old 240 DL Volvo for local transportation. Most people consume more than they need to, others know exactly what they need and don't need and are quite content to use only what they need. That would be me, my extended family, some of my friends, and all of my wife's extended family and kids as well.

Just before I bought my house in Baja, I did some calculations and research on utilities usage. My attorney's legal secretary in La Paz said that her family of four gets by for two and a half months with one tank of propane (approx $32 USD) for a family of four. My La Paz carpenter turned me on to the gas on for 1/2 hour a day for the water heater usage. I tried it and it works. In La Paz, it is so hot during the summer (La Paz summer = June 1 to Sept 30, then it is just plain warm the rest of the year except Dec thru feb) I don't turn the gas on at all, just the pilot light. Works just fine, the black tinaco water tank on the top of the house gets pretty warm in the sun.

The Mexicans know how to get by on very little. I have learned many of their tricks, it works, and I don't feel deprived at all.

One thing that boggles my mind is that most all people do not actually know what gas mileage they get on their vehicles, especially those with the big trucks and SUVs. 9 out 10 people I ask haven't got a clue as to what their gas mileage is, they are not even curious!
[Edited on 5-14-2010 by MitchMan]

[Edited on 5-14-2010 by MitchMan]

mojo_norte - 5-13-2010 at 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan

I am pretty sure that the local Mexicans do not tip at all and that they tip very littlle if at all at restaurants.

[Edited on 5-8-2010 by MitchMan]

My observation is that the locals do tip a bit sometimes? - Pemex Grocery restaurants

MitchMan - 5-14-2010 at 08:18 AM

A waiter friend of mine that works in La Paz at the Bismark restaurant said the Italian tourists do not tip. He said it was particularly vexing in that they want alot of service and usually come in groups. Over half of the restaurants in Italy include a 15% gratuity in their charges when you pay your bill. At least you get good friendly service (unlike Paris where all restaurants charge 15% gratuity and the service is consistantly worse than bad with the worst attitude I have ever encountered).

Spent a month in Italy last June, toured the entire country. The Italians have got pricing down to a science in that everything and anything that you want/need has a price - an expensive price. Thirsty? Want a glass of water? That will cost you $3 to $6 USD at almost all restaurants. There are virtualy no public drinking fountains anywhere in Italy. Want to go to the bathroom? That will cost you $.75 to $1.50 USD at a public rest room. Sometimes toilet paper is rationed. Want to use the internet at your hotel? That will cost you from $2.50 to $7.50 USD per half hour at most hotels. Want 4 ozs of Gelato? That will cost you $4 to $8 USD.

BJSoccer16 - 5-16-2010 at 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

This scedule would put Thomas Merton to shame. :lol:

We do the same thing w/ the water heater; we only have to change the tank every three months for three people; he's not too far off... However most people will spend more on food (including us)

bajalera - 5-18-2010 at 12:51 PM

My vote for World's skimpiest tippers goes to Australians, who brag about being cheapos. An Australian guy I once shared a table with at a restaurant in Barcelona picked up the loose change I had left on the table as a tip, and looked like he was going to make off with it until I growled at him.

DENNIS - 5-18-2010 at 01:06 PM

Lee...He's lucky you didn't bury a fork in his hand. Next time?

Bajahowodd - 5-18-2010 at 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
A waiter friend of mine that works in La Paz at the Bismark restaurant said the Italian tourists do not tip. He said it was particularly vexing in that they want alot of service and usually come in groups. Over half of the restaurants in Italy include a 15% gratuity in their charges when you pay your bill. At least you get good friendly service (unlike Paris where all restaurants charge 15% gratuity and the service is consistantly worse than bad with the worst attitude I have ever encountered).

Spent a month in Italy last June, toured the entire country. The Italians have got pricing down to a science in that everything and anything that you want/need has a price - an expensive price. Thirsty? Want a glass of water? That will cost you $3 to $6 USD at almost all restaurants. There are virtualy no public drinking fountains anywhere in Italy. Want to go to the bathroom? That will cost you $.75 to $1.50 USD at a public rest room. Sometimes toilet paper is rationed. Want to use the internet at your hotel? That will cost you from $2.50 to $7.50 USD per half hour at most hotels. Want 4 ozs of Gelato? That will cost you $4 to $8 USD.

Much was because of the strength of the Euro and the weakness of the dollar. Go back today and your bathroom break will be cheaper. :lol:

MitchMan - 5-19-2010 at 09:46 AM

Yeah, when I went to Italy last year the eur/usd was $1.43. Today it is $1.24. So, the prices I reported in my earlier post would have to be reduced by 1/6th, that is, if the prices haven't gone up due to inflation since then. Still, in my opinion, a bit pricey.

Barry A. - 5-19-2010 at 09:58 AM

My wife and I spent 5 weeks in Italy/Sicily recently---------conclusions: beautiful place with fantastic people & history, and we loved it. BUT, and it is a big BUT, we will never go back as the expense was just overwhelming. Europe in general will have to do without our bucks from now on. We decided that seeing North America pencils out much better than overseas, and there is so much to see right here.

Barry