Money Saved From Teaching?

[Gord]

Hey gang!
I know teaching english and simply living in japan will be one of the highlights of my life, but I was wondering how much you guys have saved doing such a thing? After a year or so, how much did you save after taxes and buying all the japanese goodness you can grab?
Thanks!
Gord

[Mandylion]

Keep in mind I live in the country where 1) the cost of living is a bit lower, and 2) there is nothing to spend money on!

Check your PMs.

Hope that helped :)

[Brooker]

I didn't attempt to save while in Japan and pretty much spent everything, but I was living it up while I was there. Some people I knew were saving and I think it was working out well for them. Yen translates well into other currencies - more or less depending on where you're from. I did save my last paycheck and was able to live back home for about six months without getting a job (being careful with my money). I didn't want to save money while I was there because I wanted to use my money to experience Japan as much as possible. If you're saving, you might be a little limited as to what you'll be able to do, but it's possible to save if you're motivated to.

[metqa]

I bought one of those little can banks. It is just like a large food can but with a little slot in the top and the only way to open it is with can opener. I wasn't really trying to save, but everytime I used the atm, I took 10% of the withdrawal and stuffed it into the can. So 10,000 I put away1,000 yen, If I was getting my hair done, I calculated the cost, added 10 % then put that away. I never missed it, it just meant one less fancy dinner. I did this for half a year or so and when I opend the can I had about $700 that I had never missed. Not to mention the money still in my bank account that I hadn't spent yet. It was sweet. I didn't make large trips mostly because of scheduling conflicts but I enjoyed living there. I didn't feel deprived and I bought lots of gifts for family and friends back home. I was thrifty, and didn't alway buy the most expensive (most of my gifts have been shoved in a closet and forgotten. oh well). I was able to live off of that money for the 3 months it took me to find a job in the Rotten American economy of post 9/11. I am glad I saved.

[mad pierrot]

I know another JET who lives in the countryside and he's saved about $17,000.00 US in his first year.

But I would say he's an exception. I do know many ALT's who have paid off their college loans in the programme.

[chiquiliquis]

YES... living in the country HELPS... I posted on this in a different thread, but I'll say it again (and I don't make the high end of ALT/AET incomes--just average): 250,000･/mo. (-)10,000 for my apt./mo. ~(-)10,000 for cellular and DSL. My company pays all utilities AND transportation. The only thing left is food. If I am diligent, I can save ~1,500 US$/mo.

But I am only half an hour from western Tokyo, so I wind up blowing a lot of change on anything and everything. If I ever want to buy something nice, I am diligent for a month, and indulge myself the next month. Once I get more used to the idea of saving, I think I will probably be pocketing seven or eight hundred dollars a month. So far I have been way too self indulgent though: computer, TV, guitar, exotic liquors--if you wind up in the countryside, you will understand the reason for this; aint nothing else to do. That is, if you have access to shopping :0)

[mad pierrot]

Damn. Chiquiliquis, what's your signature from? I KNOW it, but I can't remember from where. It's driving me nuts!

[Ewok85]

I've got my shopping list up and ready.
First and fore most is a phone. Then internet connection. Motorcycle licence then motorcycle. Trip to Shikoku to train at the Shorinji Kempo hombu. Ooo so much stuff so little money :D

[chiquiliquis]

Damn. Chiquiliquis, what's your signature from? I KNOW it, but I can't remember from where. It's driving me nuts!

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the scene where they try and philosophize with Socrates.