Marina Ranieri
Where are you from? Buenos Aires, Argentina
How long have you lived here? 4.5 years.
Do you have kids? Victoria (13) and Ignacio (10), who go to ISB.
What does your husband do? He works in the oil business.
Are you a spender or a saver? Both. I try to look for good quality for a good price.
What do you spend on? Education.
Where do your clothes come from? These jeans are from Yashow and this coat was tailor-made at Leatherlady. Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Where do you like to eat? For Italian, I go to Assagi. I also like the lunch at Mosto.
Khatuna Rayyis
Where are you from? I was born in Georgia, but I’ve lived in America.
Have you lived here long? Three years and three months. We used to live in Beijing, but we just moved back from Delhi, India. We’re glad to be back.
How many kids do you have? A 9-year-old, Yasmine, who goes to BCIS.
What do you do? I’m a conceptual designer. I’ve designed boutique hotels.
What do you like to spend money on? Health and good food.
Where are your clothes from? This bag is Mango, the coat is Zara, and the jeans are Banana Republic. But I bought them all on sale! This scarf was bought on the street in Morocco.
How much is rent each month? RMB 17,500 in the CBD.
Triina Tombak
Where are you from? Talin, Estonia.
How many kids do you have? Twin boys, 18 months old.
How long have you lived here? About a month. We just arrived.
First impressions? Everything is so huge! It’s more developed than I expected.
What does your husband do? He works at the World Bank.
Are you a big spender or a big saver? I think I’m a saver.
What do you think it’s important to spend money on? Travel.
Where do you like to eat? Herbal Café and at The Place.
Tell me about your clothes. My shoes are Gucci, the sunglasses are Esprit, and these jeans are Levi’s.
Hedi Carpenter
Where are you from? Seattle, Washington.
Do you have any kids? Sam (11) and Nicole (7) who go to BCIS.
Are you a spender or a saver? My husband would say I’m a spender, but I think I’m a saver.
How much is your rent? USD 3,500 for our place in Central Park.
Do you go for massages? Yes, foot massages at Oriental Taipan.
Where did you get your clothes? This coat is Kenneth Cole, and my top and jeans are from Calvin Klein. I buy my clothes in the US.
Sandra Wenk
Where are you from? Switzerland. The French part.
How many kids do you have? Julien (10), Sacha (9), and Timothee (8). They go to the French School.
What does your husband do? He works in reinsurance.
Are you a spender or a saver? I’m impulsive, but I don’t need to shop to feel happy.
What do you like to spend money on? Leisure. Traveling and my library are more important than clothes.
Where are your clothes from? Shanghai and Switzerland.
Describe your style. Casual elegant.
How much is rent? RMB 36,000 for our apartment on Gongti Xilu.
Where do you like to dine? Mosto.
Birgit Eberlein
Where are you from? Berlin, Germany.
How many kids do you have? Elisa (17), Fabian (15) and Franzi (12). They go to WAB.
What do you do? I’m starting my own business, Expat Expert (www.myexpat-china.com). I want to provide counseling service to families living in Beijing.
Are you a spender or a saver? Saver. I’ll bargain at the markets to buy my Starbucks coffee.
What do you think it’s important to spend money on? Education and the future.
Describe your style. Sporty. I like to shop at Puma and Adidas. I’m not into elegant.
Where are your clothes from? These pants are from Esprit and this coat was tailor-made in the 3.3 building.
