Job Discussion Forums

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

As I've been looking over the site, it seems most go to KSA to save money. But I'd like to talk about this in more detail. Assuming that people are spending about $1,000 a month from their salaries:

It seems like with rough ride recruiter/ contractor , one might be able to save $24,000-$30,000 a year after all the shenanigans. If they catch you in one of there various traps, you might end up saving $17,000-$20,000.

With direct hire universities, depending on qualifications, it seems like people can save between $36,000- $45,000 a year.

With the military contracts, one may be able to save between $50,000-$$70,000 a year.

Please let me know what you think or know.

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

As a direct hire at a university, I can easily save between $50,000 - $55,000 USD a year, but I spend around 5,000 bucks during the summer break, so let's say an even 50 grad per year that I can put into my bank back home. I don't have a family (no wife/kids to support), nor any bills in the states, so keep that in mind. With a family, one might be able to save around 30,000 USD per year as a direct hire.

I have noticed salaries in the Kingdom are getting lower (even though KFUPM had an increase to its min. salary) and lower each year. Supply and demand. I have seen the same thing happen in the ESL field in Japan during the late 1980's and early 1990's. I was there for three years during that golden time.

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 6:28 am Post subject:

I was going to make a new thread with the following title, (but it seems appropriate here):

Signs your co-workers have joined the "500 club"

(edit: that is 'do not spend over 500 RIYALS a month')

1- There is never any toilet paper (or liquid soap) in the school restrooms...but I swear....it was stocked at the beginning of the week!

2- The community water cooler suspiciously goes from 2/3 full to empty on Thursdays

3- certain individuals only ever attend functions when free food/drink is on hand

4- The local shwarma delivery service visits villas more often than the mailman

Laughing

I think Ican represents a good overall average.

So many things to factor in beyond salary and other perks (internet, phone, utility bills, fuel, etc.)

- frequency of vacations,
- 5 star, 3 star (or lower) vacations,
- personal goals,
- daily habits (diet),
- dependents + debts
- extra income (investments, p/t work, online work, etc.)

If pressed, I'd guess the overall national average is right around 40,000 USD for any given year.

Obviously there are those who do much better than that.

Also (it should be obvious) Saudi has "the lifers," "the short-termers," and the ones in between - and that planned for stint has a lot of bearing on how much one saves each month.

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

Really appreciate the information.
@cnthaikasrok that 500 club is funny!

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:50 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Dependant wife/wives and children cost money. Many KSA TEFLERs spend a lot in vacation periods. Maintaining or buying a home outside KSA can be a real expense. Of course some dispense with that luxury or go down the route of letting out their property in the Homeland.

A lot take to the SERIOUS worship of Mammon and end up trapped in the 500 Club mentality.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Hope it's not single ply!

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

cultofpersonality · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 94

I've met far too many members of the 500 club and I've even lived with one. I rarely knew the guy yet he felt the need to take my food as if it belonged to him and I didn't exist. He was on some serious hustle. I had to confront him and tell him that we earn the same. Saudi attracts those that are very desperate to erase the outstanding loans they have accumulated for one reason or the other.

Let's just say you can save a good portion of your salary in Saudi Arabia. The cost of living is cheap!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Aiming to save US$4,000, ie SR15,000 a month is a bit unrealistic. You need a LIFE !! Unless that is you wish to surrender to the demands of the 500 Club Regime !

bigdurian · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:22 am Post subject:

Personally I always aim to save 10,000 SAR a month, but I do have a wife and two kids here with me as well. As someone else said, they cost money, and holidays play a part too. A week boozing in Bahrain can soon put a hole in your savings that month.
One of the nice things about being here for me is not having to worry too much about what things cost. Some people beat themselves up about the price of a taxi. You might as well enjoy yourself a bit while you're here and that normally involves spending a bit of cash.

psychedelicacy · Joined: 05 Oct 2013 Posts: 180 Location: Beijing