One of your major expenses will be local housing. Depending on where you live, you may well be paying US$2,500 to $5,000 per month for housing. Make sure the employer covers most of this cost or the cost is significantly reflected in your salary base. In many cases employers will provide a housing allowance which allows you to choose your own level of housing. In other cases the employer provides the housing directly. This may involve a company apartment or housing compound. Also figure in your housing the cost of utilities -- which can be very expensive in some countries, especially electricity -- and maids, servants, guards, and gardeners.

In many countries it is essential that you hire maids and servants because they are not do-it-yourself societies. Simple living matters, such as shopping for groceries, cooking meals, and washing laundry, are still major chores in many countries. You may need full-time staff to get these things done. In many countries you will also need to hire a full-time private guard to look after your home. Hopefully, this person will also have some gardening skills.

You may also want to discuss a home furnishing allowance. In some countries housing is very basic -- devoid of such items as closets, window treatments, air-conditioning, and telephones. If you have to purchase your own cupboards, wardrobe cabinets, bookshelves, window blinds and curtains, air-conditioners, and a telephone connection, you may discover you just added another US$5,000 to your housing expenses.