“It’s a Salary”: South Africans Amazed at American Woman’s R93k Monthly Budget in South Africa

“It’s a Salary”: South Africans Amazed at American Woman’s R93k Monthly Budget in South Africa

  • A woman from Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, relocated to South Africa and shared what she spent per month
  • The mother of two daughters provided a breakdown of her monthly expenses, noting that she spent R32 000 on rent
  • The large monthly budget mentioned in the video surprised a few South African members of the online community
An American woman shared her monthly budget in South Africa.
An American woman living in South Africa shared that she spends R93 000 monthly. Images: @ashleyinafrika
Source: Instagram

Ashley Cleveland, an American woman who relocated to South Africa, shared that she spends an average of R93 000 each month. The total cost of living surprised a few locals, who noted that the money she spent could be someone's salary.

The Ghanaian internet marketing service Webnation Africa interviewed Ashley about her life in South Africa and shared a snippet on its TikTok account. After living in Johannesburg for two and a half years, the Cleveland family, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, moved to Cape Town.

The businesswoman wanted to be on the African continent and in an international metropolitan city that gave her some of the comfort and familiarity that she knew while living in the United States. She also wanted to be surrounded by culture.

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"I knew after taking a two-year sabbatical from my career in marketing, tech, and economic development that I wanted to get back to work at some point. I knew I didn't want to do it the way that I had been doing it."

The mother of two daughters shared a breakdown of her monthly expenses in the full YouTube video:

  • R32 000: Rent for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the Northern Suburbs
  • R6 000: Food
  • R6 000: Transport
  • R23 000: Education for her two daughters
  • R6 000: The cost for a live-in house manager
  • R10 000: Entertainment and self-care
  • R5 000: Gym and fitness
  • R5 000: Utilities

While the above totals R93 000, Webnation Africa shared on TikTok that Ashley spends R4 750 (approximately R84 000) every month.

Monthly budget stuns the internet

The amount Ashley spent every month surprised a few members of the online community, who took to the comment section with their reactions.

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A surprised woman looking at her phone.
The woman's monthly budget stunned a few South Africans. Image: JGI/Tom Grill
Source: Getty Images

Referring to the monthly budget noted in the TikTok video, @mfundo50 asked:

"$4 750 = R85 500. It’s a salary. So, where are the savings for relocating?"

@adenow24 informed the online community:

"I’m now in Sandton, Johannesburg, on vacation since June and will be returning to New York. I’ve spent R216 000 ($12 000) during the last two months. Life could be expensive here, too."

@mmase13 shared with the girl-mom:

"You must be very wealthy spending that much money. Welcome to South Africa, Mommy."

@caitlinccloete humorously stated:

"I love how she’s talking about culture, then the majority of the video is her getting coffee from Woolies. I feel you, Ashley. Shopping at Woolies is the best part of living in South Africa."

On YouTube, a stunned @justs7605 said:

"Woah, her budget is extremely high compared to what locals earn or can afford to spend."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

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3 Other stories about Americans in Mzansi

  • In another article, Briefly News reported that an American couple in Johannesburg shared how they could afford to pay their gardener far above their usual rate.
  • Another American couple relocated to South Africa and shared their journey of purchasing a luxury home at a fraction of what they sold their house for in their home country.
  • A woman from the United States revealed why she moved to Cape Town and showcased her stunning apartment. The locals welcomed the woman to the country.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Jade Rhode avatar

Jade Rhode (Human Interest Editor) Jade Rhode is a Human Interest Reporter who joined the Briefly News team in April 2024. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhodes University, majoring in Journalism and Media Studies (distinction) and Linguistics. Before pursuing her tertiary education, Jade worked as a freelance writer at Vannie Kaap News. After her studies, she worked as an editorial intern for BONA Magazine, contributing to both print and online. To get in touch with Jade, email jade.rhode@briefly.co.za

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