Job Discussion Forums

[Jmthomas]

If a person with ordinary tastes and habits (eating out a couple of times a week at a western style restaurant, a taxi here and there a trip to the mall etc.) manages to obtain a job paying $3,500 (US) a month, accommodation is paid for (inc. utilities) and there are the other typical payments for transport etc. How much will they be able to save a month?

I have seen suggestions from recruiters that 2,500 of the above amount is saveable is that realistic or are they just being recruiters/sales people?


Thanks in advance for the reality check.

[nomad soul]

Those savings are doable depending on the allowances included. What are your qualifications (i.e., degree, TEFL cert, related experience)? Also, would you be bringing dependents with you?

[Halynka]

nomad soul: retiring teacher (M.Ed.), travelling with husband wants to know the answers to Jmtomas' questions.

[rainbowprof]

Further, teacher (M.Ed, ABD, much related experience) with family (wife and 4 kids) is interested to get similar idea. We rarely eat out...
I guess the allowances, school costs, transport fees, vehicle owned or rented, etc make all the difference ...

[posh]

I spend about 1,500SR ($400) on food, cigarettes, books and transport. Apparently some people survive on way less. The rest goes in the bank - how much that is, is none of your business.

[rainbowprof]

posh,you're in a major city?

[posh]

yeah

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

For many, spending is focussed on vacations.. If you spend 3 months of the 12 travelling to the gin joints and girly bars of SE Asia you may not save much.

Living in the KofSA alone, US$1000 a month should be enough. If accompanied, budget for a LOT more.

[rainbowprof]

Ha ha. No surprises there, nomad. The joys of having children rarely extend to the financial though some of the perks offered as part of family package in KSA could help off-set some spending that would normally be solely my responsibility.
Scot, your new location is Firth of Clyde?

[nomad soul]

[rainbowprof]

Nomad, stellar is hopeful. I'm waiting for the best one to roll in. A few are working their way through the system and it remains to be seen how much they value my presence. UAE look like they allow a spouse to work legally. My wife has extensive tertiary level esl experience but she's not looking for full time contractual work at this stage. Often we have found that smaller private deals develop after we settle in a new place. Well -spoken and educated females have work opportunities that spring up spontaneously in many locations. We are comfortable where we are but airfares are negatively impacting our lifestyle and the ME may help on that front should we choose to relocate.

[bulgogiboy]

[cmp45]

Everyone's comfort level is different, but would say an average of 2000 dollars is doable all things considered (being single helps)

Why no one ever mentions spending a bit on clothes...seems (males in particular)ESL teachers are so friggin cheap all they think about is saving at the expense of everything else...teachers coming to work dressed like they were living on the street; wearing shirts and pants that are thread bare and shoes that look like were purchased back in the early 80s. As a profession goes seems ESL teachers have to be some of the worst dressed 'professionals' out there. Come on guys invest in some new duds...when you look good, you feel good...every bit helps ease that "oh so horrible burden" of living in the kingdom. Don't be such cheap bast**ds!

[rainbowprof]

cmp, ain't that the truth!!