Job Discussion Forums

[mdickun83]

I was just wonder about how much money I could save in China. I'm 27, my degree is in Communications, I don't have any prior experience. I'm hoping to go to a big city (Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing), and I like to go out on the weekends and tip a few back at a bar.

With my experience what would I be able to save? I've seen that a lot of jobs are offering about 8K RBM for 20-25 hours/ month. How much overtime is available? Are you allowed to do private lessons in China? If so, how hard is it to get the job?

Thanks for any help,
Matt

[RonHex]

Its a difficult question to answer.. a drinker earning 8000rmb could easily go in the hole 2-5000rmb a month... if youre talking 1 or 2 drinks a week at a seedy little joint its not gonna put such a big hurt on ya.

your full-time job maybe able to offer unlimited overtime or may have a hard time giving you the 20 contract hours... Part time work can be found but it usually takes a bit of time before landing good reliable work.

First year in China i was earning 8000 and spending every penny.. 4 years later I am earning 15000 and saving about 12000 a month..

Is housing provided? 8000 between wine/women/housing wont leave you 2 fen to rub together.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Different places, different salaries and costs.

For example, if you plan on working legally in one of the big cities, you can earn upwards of 15,000-20,000 RMB a month, housing provided.

And when I say legally, I mean a fully accredited university degree from a recognized university and two years' teaching experience.

However, I personally know guys who have not even finished high school and are doing well over 10,000 RMB a month, housing provided.

Controlling spending is a big key. I cook for myself, seldom go out, and yes I am a drinker.

If you are really interested in saving money, I would strongly suggest looking into South Korea. All you need there is a university degree which it sounds like you have.

People who advocate low wages are going to tell you otherwise. But all those jobs at 8,000 RMB a month IMHO are a great big scam. Why would you work for a thousand bucks a month here but not in your own country?

China is not cheap any longer, and there are so many things you end up spending money on and it adds up. I did some checking last night and have seen on-line flyers in America which advertise chicken legs, apples, pasta, pasta sauce.... much cheaper than I can get here.

So in answer to your question, yes you can save money. But at the jobs you are looking at, you will be living a frugal existence.

Good luck.

[mdickun83]

Thanks for the info fellas, it helped.

The funniest thing to me is that the rallying cry on the South Korean message board is "Go to China; you can save more there." I wonder if its a case of "grass is always greener."

I feel like I'm in a winning situation either way (China or Korea). Both ways get me out seeing the world and learning about a new culture. Perhaps it'll take a little while longer to find a job offering 10K RMB/ month though. It seems tough because I lack the two years experience.

Has anyone lived in both (Korea and China) and can actually tell me where the cost of living is cheaper?

[Zero]

I don't think you can save much money. I say this because you seem to seek the big-city experience, complete with going out on the weekends and tipping a few back. That experience and saving money are conflicting goals.

A person can save money in China, but on teaching wages, it requires austerity measures. In some ways a medium-sized city is better because the cost of living is lower and the temptations to spend fewer. But indeed the wages are higher in a big city, as are the opportunities for additional income.

I, personally, could probably save quite a bit in a big city. But I don't drink, don't like bars or clubs, don't have expensive tastes in food or much of anything else, and don't mind putting in extra hours. If you can become as horrendously boring as I am, you can save!

[nickpellatt]

Why would you work for a thousand bucks a month here but not in your own country?

Because you cant work for 15 hours a week and get housing and utilities thrown in for the same salary. I teach EFL in the UK when Im at home, and its a worse deal than in China!

Anyway ... Of course you can save in China, but realistically....I dont think you are likely to in your first year really. Thats the time when you want to do everything, see and experience as much as you can. All that costs $$$. I have saved money, and I know people who have saved, but not in their first year. The savings tend to come after when you have settled in and are more prepared for cooking at home and quiet nights in.

[mdickun83]

Well, how much money do you guys actually put away from your salaries? Just so I have some concrete numbers.

Additionally, while I will enjoy the nightlife, I don't plan on turning into Caligula when I get to Asia. I go out on the weekends here (in Southern California, which is pretty pricey) and don't spend a fortune. I also eat out occasionally but I love to cook.

The big money savers in Asia (either China or Korea) will be no rent and no car payment (selling my car before I leave). But I'm not just doing it for money and nightlife; a major reason I'm doing this is to see the world and experience another culture. That's why staying home and making a grand/ month doesn't really appeal to me. Also, finding a job that would allow me to save a thousand/ month is tough in the US right now. Especially for someone with a Communications degree.

Anyway, again, thanks for any help. The China board is friendlier and less judgmental than the Korean one.

[RonHex]

Nick is bang on.. If you can afford it you should consider the first year a write off.. Even if you are able to put away some cash if will likely be blown on a month long vacation during the summer..

Cooking at home will help depending on what youre cooking.. A bowl of noodles is a whole lot cheaper than a plate of homemade spagetti

[cormac]

[The Edge]

[mdickun83]

[dean_a_jones]

As you can see, it is pretty much up to you and your experience. Some people will tell you yes, you can save a lot; others no, its not possible. It is pretty much up to what you end up doing day to day (and to some degree where you live). I live in Wuhan, don't do any moonlighting, and in my first year saved 40,000RMB on a pretty average university salary for this part of the country. I eat out all the time, but in cheaper places and never western food; I drink much more than I should, but not really in bars (they are pretty rubbish here if what you want is a decent pub) and at home, I don't go to Metro and buy lots of imported beer, I make do with the local stuff and baijiu; I don't really shop for anything (outside of food) other than books, so I save there as well. So it is certainly possible to save here, but it is really dependent on lifestyle choices and location.

Best of luck.

[cutiepiesweetiepie]

dean_a_jones is right. you can save that way and with a 40hr/week routine. Be sure your school is kind enough to let you do some moonlighting.
i do that and save 10k a month.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[El Chupacabra]