Job Discussion Forums

Suwon23 · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 50

Khyron, I'm guessing from your location you live in Tokyo, right? A woman I know who lived in Kyushu saved nearly $1000/month without trying, and even had a car... of course, that was ten years ago, and she was with JET, not an eikaiwa... But I understand it's MUCH easier to save in the "inaka" areas.

Maybe you veterans should produce a list of likely expenditures in your particular city/region. How much per month for binge drinking, how much for the occasional night out, how much for groceries, etc. It could even become a sticky!

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

JETs get paid considerably more than your average ALT/eikaiwa teacher, and often have housing provided/heavily subsidised, so there isn't really any comparison regardless of location. Actually on a JET salary with their perks $1,000 a month is probably the lower end of possible savings.

I think Glenski may have made up a price list of some kind at some point- not sure if it's in the stickies though.

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

Maybe this one?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=4201&highlight=cheapskates

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Quite often JETs are offered company housing which can be as low as 5k a month. I've been offered it a few times but its usually in bad condition and on the outskirts of town. If you want to save though its ideal.

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:43 am Post subject:

Just curious... Some of you have mentioned that best time for specials at supermarkets is an hour or so before closing.

What about at Seiyu supermarkets?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yes, also Seiyu supermarkets- I think pretty much every supermarket in the country does this. Things that are likely to be discounted are bentos, fresh produce, meat etc. and if there is a bakery attached to the supermarket, baked goods.

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:42 am Post subject:

But since seiyu is open 24hrs/day, is there a good time to go for discounts? It seems that none of the grocery stores in my area have closing hours... not that I'm complaining about being able to go shopping at silly hour in the morning.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Not all Seiyus are open 24 hours- the one 5 minutes from my apartment certainly isn't, it closes at 9pm, so can't help you there, sorry.

kensai · Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 2

Hi all

Don't try to overstretch yoursself here.
Set aside a reasonable amount for savings, say 30% of your salary and never touch it. don't evden think about the currency changes, you can always open up a multicurrency account and keep money and change it to and from between currencies when you need it.

With any other savigns left over from the other 70%, it means you will live on 70% of your salary and for som reason you will always adopat to that. ten after a year or two or longer here, you will realise that you have saved up, and you will not regret being so careless about it all.

Discipline.

Don't forget to enjoy yourself too. It is odd that somehow you WILL get by on 70% of what you learn.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

30%? You must not be married with a wife who doesn't work full time. And I actually use my passport (yes, I have met a few people living here tha no longer have a passport Cool

, that's how often they travel). I guess I enjoy living versus surviving Laughing

!

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN