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johncanada24
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Posts: 119
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject: Can you Honestly Pay Your Debts Teaching in Japan? |
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I owe approx. $15,000 in debts
Student loans/ Credit cards
Can you honestly have enough money to pay your debts if your making 250,000 yen a year?
A) I don't party much
B) I might do some travelling around
C) I don't beleive in using heat sweaters are better
D) I bike ALOT and don't mind biking.
E) I probably won't eat out often since its so pricey
These things should help my living expenses. But yeah My main goal for going to japanese is of course the experience but to also pay of my debts.
Where I currently live good decent jobs in IT are scarce unless you move away to a different province in Canada. |
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luckbox
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 180
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| Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:18 pm Post subject: Re: Can you Honestly Pay Your Debts Teaching in Japan? |
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| johncanada24 wrote: |
I owe approx. $15,000 in debts
Student loans/ Credit cards
Can you honestly have enough money to pay your debts if your making 250,000 yen a year?
A) I don't party much
B) I might do some travelling around
C) I don't beleive in using heat sweaters are better
D) I bike ALOT and don't mind biking.
E) I probably won't eat out often since its so pricey
These things should help my living expenses. But yeah My main goal for going to japanese is of course the experience but to also pay of my debts.
Where I currently live good decent jobs in IT are scarce unless you move away to a different province in Canada. |
If you are going to be paying full rent/utilities and possibly key deposit (which could set you back a small fortune to start), plus your airfare -- the quick answer is no, you won't be saving much cash on your NOVA salary. What you say above about wearing sweaters and cycling alot may be fine and dandy, but it will hardly figure in your bottom line. The fact is, Japan is a first world country, very expensive cost of living, and if you really vow to sit in your dark, cold, expensive apartment all of your free time eating box noodles and counting your yen, sure, maybe you could stash a bit away, but don't count on it.
If you are coming to Japan via NOVA to make easy, ample money, you are greatly misquided and should re-consider. If you are coming to experience Japan and have some fun, not worry so much about your debts and money, you'll be much better off.
The newbies who are better off paying off their various debts are JETs, who earn 310,000/month, and often have fully subsized rent, plus other benefits (including a paid return airfare). I was able to pay off all my outstanding debts while on JET, and I spent loads on travel and fun stuff too. But there's no way I could have done that under a NOVA salary. Not a chance. As long as you're clear on this and ok with it, you can enjoy your experience. |
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johncanada24
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Posts: 119
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject: Re: Can you Honestly Pay Your Debts Teaching in Japan? |
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| luckbox wrote: |
| johncanada24 wrote: |
I owe approx. $15,000 in debts
Student loans/ Credit cards
Can you honestly have enough money to pay your debts if your making 250,000 yen a year?
A) I don't party much
B) I might do some travelling around
C) I don't beleive in using heat sweaters are better
D) I bike ALOT and don't mind biking.
E) I probably won't eat out often since its so pricey
These things should help my living expenses. But yeah My main goal for going to japanese is of course the experience but to also pay of my debts.
Where I currently live good decent jobs in IT are scarce unless you move away to a different province in Canada. |
If you are going to be paying full rent/utilities and possibly key deposit (which could set you back a small fortune to start), plus your airfare -- the quick answer is no, you won't be saving much cash on your NOVA salary. What you say above about wearing sweaters and cycling alot may be fine and dandy, but it will hardly figure in your bottom line. The fact is, Japan is a first world country, very expensive cost of living, and if you really vow to sit in your dark, cold, expensive apartment all of your free time eating box noodles and counting your yen, sure, maybe you could stash a bit away, but don't count on it.
If you are coming to Japan via NOVA to make easy, ample money, you are greatly misquided and should re-consider. If you are coming to experience Japan and have some fun, not worry so much about your debts and money, you'll be much better off.
The newbies who are better off paying off their various debts are JETs, who earn 310,000/month, and often have fully subsized rent, plus other benefits (including a paid return airfare). I was able to pay off all my outstanding debts while on JET, and I spent loads on travel and fun stuff too. But there's no way I could have done that under a NOVA salary. Not a chance. As long as you're clear on this and ok with it, you can enjoy your experience. |
1. That Comment about eating noodles in the dark made me laugh pretty hard.
2. I am deeply disappointed...why? Because it sounds as if I wont be able to send money home to pay my debts according to your comment.
3. What can I do? GEt a better job? BUT
4. What school in Japan would hire a newbie teacher with a 2 year college degree a TESL certification and pay 310,000 yen? is this possible?
5. It is really important that i pay my student loans. I'm very serious about debts can someone please help ! thankyou! what can i do ?
Maybe I could work at Nova for a year and then transfer to another school for higher pay? |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: Can you Honestly Pay Your Debts Teaching in Japan? |
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| johncanada24 wrote: |
| Maybe I could work at Nova for a year and then transfer to another school for higher pay? |
How? You don't have a degree. Immigration won't grant you a visa. You missed the boat if you want to send loads of money home. With the strength of the yen vs. the Canadian dollar, many of us Canadians have taken a 30% pay cut in the last few years.
Yes, you can save some money. How? You're going to have to work extra. Starting out can be tough, but remember, you leave Japan with your last paycheque and you don't have to pay rent that month. In addition to your savings, that's a chunk of money to plunk on your debts.
You can come here, be a hermit and take a chunk out of your debts. If your goal is to pay it down, it's possible, but the whole $15k, I don't think so. You could come close. You could probably send 50,000 yen home a month after your 3rd month and every month after that.
Can you really expect more though? You offer much less than the majority of foreigners here. You have no experience, no training and are below the minimum requirements for a work visa. Enjoy the working holiday, earn some money and take a chunk out of your debt, but don't expect to pay the whole thing off. |
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taikibansei
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Posts: 811
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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Paying off $15,000 in credit debt while on a 250.000/month NOVA salary would be a bit much. However, a single person living a conservative lifestyle--and most importantly, living outside of Tokyo--should be able to save $300-500 US per month.
Glenski used to post a breakdown of costs/savings on this salary--perhaps ask him directly?
My first salary was only 220,000/month (back in 1988 when I was living in Kyoto). I still saved $4,500 US that year. How'd I do it? I bought only used furniture (and just what I absolutely needed), cooked at home (or ate in the cheaper local shops), participated in either free or very inexpensive cultural activities (e.g., learning Aikido at the Budokan), traveled everywhere by bike (got into great shape doing so...), and hit the bars maybe 2/month tops. My priorities at the time were learning the language/culture and saving money--I did both, and had a blast.
Realize, of course, that if you live anywhere near Tokyo, saving at that salary is nearly impossible. Realize also that if you want to hit the bars every week and/or travel frequently via train between different cities in Japan, you'll save little to nothing.
Good luck! |
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wangtesol
Joined: 24 May 2005
Posts: 280
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| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:05 am Post subject: |
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Paying off $15,000 will be hard. Just expect that you will be able to take a chunk out of it. Expect to save around CDN $500/month. If you go back to Canada for the Holidays, then lower that to $400/month.
And then if y | | |
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