Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

Leon,
As I've pointed out countless times here, on a 250K salary, you will spend half of it on basic necessities.

Of the remaining 125K, going out to drink moderately (as you have described) will burn another 30,000-50,000 yen/month.

That leaves you with 75,000-95,000 yen each month for everything else in your life (including emergencies).

[Gypsy Rose Kim]

Japan is a place for living, not saving money. There is too much to do and see there. I can't fathom why people would even limit themselves. If I wanted to save money, I'd go home and live somewhere boring.

[dove]

I think Japan can be both--a great place to live, to experience a fascinating culture, to travel; AND a great place to work your butt off to save money, to pay-off debt, to sock away more of your paycheck than back in your home country. I paid off all my debts here, I started my own retirement fund, and I bought some land in Brazil, all from working here over the years. As an ESL teacher, I have found more opportunites here in Japan for private lessons and for part-time corporate classes than I ever could in my own country.

Sure, when you work like a banshee, you miss out on a lot of travel opportunites, on festivals, on all-night drinking parties....but being debt-free with money in the bank is the greatest feeling in the world!!!

I keep using the word opportunity. That's what Japan can give the ESL teacher. Lucky us that English is in demand here. Lucky us that we can choose the kind of Japan experience we want. There's no one right way. Choose what's best for you.