Job Discussion Forums

[jackflash]

Can any experienced hands offer some advice on, or criticism to, my plan. I'll be teaching at a university in Chengdu come September. It's my first rodeo in China, so there are a lot of uncertainties. My goal is to stash away $15,000 USD by the completion of my contract at the end of June. But, I'm only giving myself 30 weeks to accomplish this because I want to travel during the New Year's break and the occasional sabbatical/sick week. Basically, I intend on hustling 15 weeks each semester.

For the month of September, I'm going to scout for privates and a weekend job at a kindergarten. I need to make about 3100 RMB per week. So, my plan is to teach privates for 5 hrs/week (1000 RMB) and 12 hours at the kindergarten (2100 RMB). My university gig is pretty standard, 12 hours/week with 5600 monthly salary before taxes. Although, I plan to use this money for food/transportation/etc.

Am I delusional? Any folks in Chengdu that can offer some insight on the possibilities of part-time work and saving opportunities?

[Alien abductee]

I think you're a bit delusional. Your salary is just shy of $1000/month, so at the top end you're only banking $12,000 for the year, and that's only if you get summer pay as well. You need to live and even a bare-bones lifestyle is going to eat up 25% of your salary, and since it's your first experience here it'll take some time for you to figure out how to live more cheaply. Plan on spending more your first few months. Private work can earn you another few hundred a month but again you're just starting out and it takes time to build up a network. I can't see you banking $15,000 unless you get lucky with lots of privates and work yourself day and night. Set the bar lower, $8,000 is more achievable, and enjoy the experience.

[Mandrews1985]

[jackflash]

[Darshinator82]

I have been reading a lot of this forum over the past few days as I am trying to see the feasability of paying off my credit card debt/student loans in China while having a high quality of life. So it seems to me that the best strategy for a newbie (me) with that goal is:

1. Look at tier 1.5-2 cities for a uni job that has low hours, paid housing, nice perks such as paid summers, plenty of vacation, flight reimbursement, and contract completion bonuses.

2. Work at a "mill" or work as a private tutor during the year part time

3. Teach at said mill during the summer, make some bank but long hours

I have calculated that I need at least 4000 Yuan per month AFTER living expenses and tax in order to pay my monthly credit card/student loan bills. That is my minimum needed, although I could dip below it for 1-2 months in an emergency situation. If I had 6000 Yuan/month AFTER living expenses, I would be able to save a little bit or pay off loans faster.
8000 extra - credit card debt is gone in 1 year.
10,000 extra - I pay off all my credit card debt AND save five grand.

I need to do more research on the cost of living in various cities, how much I should have saved up before I go, and what cities I would enjoy living in.

Do you all think the 3 step plan is accurate? Do you agree with my initial assessment that I can have 4000 Yuan/mo after living expenses?

Thanks,

Darsh

[Non Sequitur]

The big expense is having your own accom rather than school provided.
If you get that in place plus the standard stuff like airfare and paid summers then you should be able to get your surplus.
The exchange rate will have a bearing on how much RMB gets into your US$ account at home though.
As another has mentioned don't expect to be making your expected surplus from Day One. Think of your first year as being from the sixth to the eighteenth month.
Commuting to your Saturday job can be time-consuming and unpaid. If you can get a uni near to the downtown that will mean proximity to language schools. There are exceptions of course.
Your students will be a good guide to where to eat cheaply and of course school dining hall meals are subsidised.

[rj1984]

[NiHaoDaJia]

China's salaries are not as high as those in Western countries because China is still developing. However, we as foreign English teachers actually make much more money than local Chinese teachers. Also, the local costs of living can be quite low. It is best to see our experience as foreign workers as a way to explore the culture and scenery of China, not to save money for taking outside of China. Moreover, it is not permitted to have a part-time job outside of the full-time position. As guests, we must be careful to follow the rules and regulations of China.

[LarssonCrew]

The Chinese teachers near me have BMW and Audis and 2 or 3 houses.

Do I make more than them?

[Non Sequitur]

The only development work done at my last school was to double the size of the teachers' carpark.

[jm21]

I am at my first uni job in Qingdao. $5k per month, nice apartment, and something like $8k flight reimbursement. I can save money but choose not to this year. Bought a nice phone and TV but most of what I saved so far went to travelling in Thailand. Will save some more next semester then blow it travelling to vietnam this winter. I can earn more per hour running a business over the internet than teaching privates but don't really want to do either this year at least. Maybe take a crack at writing a novel. One teacher here got deported for teaching at 2 schools so be careful.

I have my student loans on income based repayment and have no plans of going back so don't care too much about those at this point. If you have a huge amount of credit card debt that is making it difficult for you to survive file for bankruptcy... That's what it's for.

The OP's ideas are feasible but over-thought. You can make a crapload of money selling blinds door to door or any number of businesses if your focus is entirely on money. Teaching at a uni here for me at least is more about vacation time and working too much eliminates that.

I did not read the whole thread.

[wangdaning]