Job Discussion Forums

[ord2world]

Hello All,

I couldn't find a real answer to this, so if it's posted somewhere please send me the link.

I'm considering teaching for EF Surabaya. I've been to Indonesia before, so I'm aware of how cheap things are. Since the salary is around 7.5-8 million, is it possible to save 2-4 million rupiah a month? If I decide to teach there, I would send part of this money to my U.S. bank account every month.

Are there any teachers that are actually saving this much, and if so what's your lifestyle like? Do you eat out everyday or cook at home? How often do you travel? Are you taking any cooking, language or dance classes?

Saving money isn't my MAIN reason for going to Indonesia otherwise I'd choose another country. I'm really excited about gaining int'l teaching experience and immersing myself in the culture. I just don't see how you can spend your whole salary each month.

Thank you!!!!!

ord2world

[father Mackenzie]

ord2world, you can save as much as you like depending on how you want to live. If you want to buy the local girls or are a big drinker or party goer then you will see your money run out.
Most of my teachers seem to enjoy their life on their EF salaries and are saving around 2 millon a month.

Girls, Beer and western food are the main things that cost the most money. But there is no reason why you still cant enjoy travelling through the country and take other kinds of classes.

My teachers spend their weekends either out and about in the city or visiting other parts of the country.

[scooby doo]

The other large expenditures are usually accommodation and transport.

I think EF provide a room in the teachers' house so you don't have to worry about rent.

I've heard that teachers spend around a million/month on taxis to get to work. But you can find cheaper ways to get around other than taxis. If you are willing to brave the crazy traffic, a second-hand moped is cheap and very easy to resell.

[malu]

[father Mackenzie]

Yes Malu, You are right! My teachers do teach on Saturdays but not all, so the teachers rotate in and out of weekends and those not teaching do get out and about.

[JLL]

[basiltherat]

My apologies for going off topic just this once, but in response to .......

[travelNteach]

i think it is a bit optomistic to say u can save as much as u like. 95% of the ef teachers i know are broke at the end of the month. in order to save, u must be extremely budget conscious and live more like a backpacker or local than normal lifestyle. buses vs taxis, eating on the street vs. nice restaurants, 6 hour bus to P ratu vs hire car. ask to talk to some of the teachers and find out how much they save vs their lifestyle. TBI and IALF in sby pay slightly more, but i think they require experience/CELTA.

ef is what it is..... an entry level positoin that generally has the lowest salaries. u can still come and have a good time, but dont expect to save much, especially 4 millon unless u live like a hermit. and what is the point of coming all the way here to live like that and make yourself miserable to save a few dollars.

another thing to consider........ to wire money, the sending, receiving and intermediate banks all charge money..... the total will be 40-60 dollars per transaction. a pretty high percentage to send 200 dollars. western union or moneygram or some similar organizaton might be better if u want to send small sums on a monthly basis. maybe someone else on the board can help u with that.

[malu]

I must confess I move money the old fashioned way - I buy UK currency in Indonesia when the rate is good and take it back in my hand luggage when I visit mother.

[Eva_madison]

I was wondering the same thing, what are the best ways to transfer money home? Or if it was worth it.

When I was in Korea(primarly as an exchange student and teaching part-time) I spent most of the money I saved by travelling and what was left I flew home with and put in my account here.

Does anyone have any tricks on how this can be doen cheaply?

[JLL]

[malu]

Why bother? Because you can eat very nice bebek betutu, rendang sapi and a whole host of delicious and varied international cuisine in pleasant surroundings if you are not forced to live like a back-packer. I'm not averse to eating street food occasionally but I'd hate to think that every meal would be on a rickety trestle table, sweat dripping into cheap nasi goreng or bakso.

[travelNteach]

JLL, i am used to nasi gorneng and can live like a local and speak the language and know the culture. i did the language school deal and ate on the streets. sometimes i still do..... the only difference is now i have a CHOICE. when i worked at a language school living in a crap kost and eating on the street and hopping on metro minis was all i could afford. u dont have to be poor to enjoy the culture here. actually i think i enjoy now more because i have the money to go out and travel as much as i want.

backpacker lifestyle........ been there, done that, not interested and nothnig left to prove. i think Malu has it right on this one. how much can u enjoy life when u are counting every rupiah or denying yourself things to try a save a few miserable dollars each month. its great to live life wtihout a budget.

[basiltherat]

If I ever lose my mind and end up returning to Jakarta, the first place I'd probably head for is a warung (roadside meal outlet)

Eating in Warungs has several advantages over eating in higher class establishments such as hotels:

1. The warung guy (or woman) really knows how to make the dish. Compare soto ayam in a 5 star hotel with soto in a relatively clean warung on the roadside. The difference is collosal. Far tastier in a warung. You can add as much as you want of what you want; kecap manis, sambal, tomoto sauce etc.

2. You get large portions compared to a portion at a 5 star hotel. The hotel is mean in this regard to say the least. One mouth/spoonful and it's virtually gone !

3. It's quick. No hanging about sucking your thumb for half an hour waiting for your horridly dry nasi goreng. In a warung they are onto your order pretty swiftly.

4. You can choose which piece of beef or chicken (for example) you want from a 'mountain' of it. If you want lean beef (like me), point to it, you want leg of chicken, the same. Imagine doing that in a hotel restaurant.

5. It's cheap. Do I need to elaborate ?

The same goes for other dishes. Compare a greasy, delicious nasi goreng in a warung to a dry, 'attractively' laid out (who the feck cares !) nasi goreng in a hotel.

Give me warung-type meals anytime; just like my wife makes 'em. Yum yum.

Just make sure the place is relatively clean. I made a mistake once and ended up with hepatitis. Nasty. Mind you, it wouldn't put me off warungs.

About you being seen in a warung ? Who the feck cares. It's cheap and it's delicious.

Long live warung-type meals !!

Best
Basil

[JLL]