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First Month in Japan - Money

 
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SomeGirl8



Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 8
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:41 am    Post subject: First Month in Japan - Money Reply with quote
How much Yen did you bring with you for your first month in Japan and was it enough?

I'm going soon and although they recommend an amount, I wonder if it's even enough to last a month.[/b]
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JimDunlop2



Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Stickies are your friend.

HERE:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=3788
and here:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=4129
and here:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=19893

Direct quote from the first link:

Frequently Asked Questions
About Working In Japan wrote:
When you come to Japan you should bring at least US$5,000, and several thousand more if you need to get your own place in a big city like Tokyo or Osaka (where most of the jobs are).
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You really haven't given us enough information to compare fairly.

Are you coming with JET or another type of employer, or are you coming on a tourist visa to job hunt?
Where will you be posted?
What is your employer providing? (and not providing)
Will you need a car?
Other than answers to these questions, only you can make an educated guess as to how much money you will spend on such things as going out, sightseeing, etc.
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SomeGirl8



Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 8
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Jim, thanks, I'll check the stickies.

Glen, fair enough - I did not provide much info in order for anyone to answer that question accurately.

I'm going with Aeon - I'll be a city with a population of roughly 780,000 people (i don't give the exact name for the purpose of maintaining some anonymity). - I am told to bring at least $1200.00 US. I suppose I want to know the rough estimation of what is spent in the first month prior to getting paid. Does that amount include buying a cell phone?

Thanks! Very Happy
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azarashi sushi



Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 562
Location: Shinjuku
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
One thing to check is if you are required to pay your rent in advance or if AEON will deduct it from your first pay. If you do have to pay it in advance, that will reduce your spending money to about $800 . . . Anyway, if you're frugal and don't need to catch trains, hook up the internet, get a mobile, buy a bicycle etc... this should be fine.
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SomeGirl8



Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 8
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ok, I can be frugal, but I do need internet set up and a phone and so on and so forth...but I will check with Aeon about the first month's rent.

Thanks for the input.
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Synne



Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Posts: 269
Location: Tohoku
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Most cell phones are free, if you would like a fancy one then you will be looking at about 3000yen - 15000yen.

The bill will come the next month after registering.
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PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
SomeGirl8 wrote:
Ok, I can be frugal, but I do need internet set up and a phone and so on and so forth...but I will check with Aeon about the first month's rent.

Thanks for the input.


I don't know about the policy at AEON, but at some of the big schools you are on a probation income, and depending on when you arrive and start work, you may not see part of a paycheck that month, but it will rolled over to the following month, so say the month goes till the 20th, and payday is on the 25th. You start work on the 5th of July and you get paid for the time you work in July until July 25th, get no salary in July, but it gets paid at the end of August, not July. as well as August salary. Better check what you will get and when after you get here. I know at NOVA it can be up to 3 months before you see a full paycheck when you add in a probation income or you borrow money off your employer.

AEON on the whole is above board (they are not a bank though) and won't try and rip you off, but you dont want to get here, blow your savings in the first few weeks and then find you dont get paid until the following month.
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