When 28-year-old Yang Ming first proposed to his girlfriend, Bi Xiaoyan, three years ago, her response was only half in jest.

She'd agree to tie the knot, she said, when his income rose above 3,000 yuan (US$366) per month.

In fact his salary as an architectural designer later increased to 5,000 yuan (US$610) a month, more than matching her pre-condition.

Since then, his earning potential has increased still further. But he seems no nearer putting a wedding ring on his beloved's finger.

"When I first set the requirement, his salary increased to over 2,500 yuan (US$305) within months," recalled Bi, who is one year younger than Yang. "And it continued to rise afterwards. But I do not want him to feel it is so easy for him to make it.

"I think our happy marriage should be based on a sound financial condition that we two strive to achieve together."

That typically sums up the attitudes of young couples planning marriage in modern- day Beijing.

The two young lovers came to Beijing in 2001 after their graduation from a university in Xi'an, capital of northwest Shaanxi Province. Beijing is the third city they have lived in since leaving their native Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to study in Xi'an.

"When you talk about the cost of living in a city like Beijing, it is hard to talk about exactly how much you will spend here," said Bi. "There might be a bottom line of minimum expenditure, but no upper limit. All depends on what you can earn and what kind of life you want to have here."

Without any friends or connections in Beijing, the young couple started from scratch as strangers to the city. Together they earned no more than 2,500 yuan (US$305) working as design engineers in a state-owned architectural institute.

Yet surprisingly when they look back now, they do not recall feeling short of money at that time. "We spent virtually nothing on housing as we lived in the dormitories provided by our work unit," recalled Bi.

What they did spend went on food, transportation, telephone calls and very occasional dining out.

They might face a budget crisis though if they entertained visiting former classmates or took part in recreational activities.

Said Bi: "I seldom bought new clothes at that time. Maybe just one item every two or three months."

According to Bi, two people could get by on around 1,500 yuan (US$183) per month back in her hometown Urumchi, a figure which some in the capital consider to be surprisingly high for such a far-flung area. "I think the reason why the cost of living in Urumchi is not that low is due to its distant location, which mainly increases the cost of some items like clothing and entertainment transported from hinterland areas."

Their real experience of personal financial management began in 1996 when they first started university in Xi'an. During the five years in college, they each had a remittance of between 300 yuan (US$37) and 400 yuan (US$49) per month from their parents.

"I did not find it difficult to live on that amount," said Yang. "In addition to the expenditure on food and other items, I dined out with classmates, went to karaoke and made trips to nearby scenic spots from time to time. What money I got could cover the cost. I feel that Xi'an is an ideal city for comfortable living thanks to its size and lower cost of living."

After three years working in Beijing, Yang and Bi continued to add to their bank account, managing to save about 50,000 yuan (US$6,098) in past years.

That is largely down to Bi's farsighted financial planning and determination to place strict controls on their expenditure.

Recently, Bi has left her original architectural design institute for a better-paid position in a real estate company. "I must find a new job with higher payment because we have a new financial burden now," she said.

That burden is one of the biggest any couple ever takes on: the purchase of a new apartment. With support from both parents and their own savings, they have paid the first large down payment, 280,000 yuan (US$34,146).

They also need to pay 1,500 yuan (US$183) to the bank loan each month for the next 30 years. "Although we together earn more than 7,000 yuan (US$854) a month now, we still feel the pressure," Bi admitted.

"In fact, the cost of living is a matter related to your own income. The more you earn, you more you want to spend as you desire more enjoyment," she said.

"Looking back at our own experiences, people like us can make a living with a minimum of 2,000 yuan (US$244) a month. Now we earn more than three times that figure, I still do not feel it is enough," said Yang. "In my opinion, 10,000 yuan (US$1,220) a month would ensure you live a comfortable life."

(Beijing Weekend March 12, 2004)