Job Discussion Forums

MELEE · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject:

What a nice thread I'm glad thrifty or someone hasn't ruined it yet.

I haven't been at this quite as long as some of the others, but only because I'm not as old as them Very Happy

! I was only in Japan 18 months and very early in my TEFL career so I wouldn't say I've ever been in "a money pit" I have found myself in a very comfortable position in one of those "other countries". I'm happy with my life here and, at this point in time, have no plans to go "home". This is home. I'm married, but as a female I do think its different, most cultures outside the English speaking word there is much more of a double standard, I imagine my husband contributing more to our finances than me when I imagine our future. For the time being, he is in graduate school, so that's not the case. But like others have mentioned, in most of the developing world, more education means more income. There's no reason why we won't be upper middle class here in Mexico. For now, I bought a house through a Mexican government housing program, but hope to build another one in the future, and my job pays into a retirement plan, that as long as I stay in Mexico will do me fine. I'm like a lot of others who have posted, I'm not going to be unhappy now, just for the thought of cushioning my future. I may never make it to that future. I can't say it better than Teacher in Rome, Gregor, Tedkarma and the others, but I just wanted to say ME TOO! ( And throw a female voice into the pot)

Jester18 · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Middle East

Thanks Guys for some of the advice.
Gregor---I agree w/ your live in the present tense attitude at times, but as I get older(40 now) --sometimes it gets more difficult. My wife also nags me a bit about this way of thinking. It drives me up a wall at times. Just Curious----is your wife Korean like mine? haha! I learned at a young age not put a lot of stock into the American way of thinking that you described. My mom died the same year my father reitred and all of those plans for retirement went down the drain. Got to live for the present!
Teacher in Rome---I agree about finding a place and home where you can enjoy the quality of life. I'm in Saudi now and that doesn't really exist here. Saved 50K in a few years to put towards a house----but I've lost a bit of my sanity here along the way. Hope I can find it when I leave here in 9 months.
Thanks All

MELEE · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:24 pm Post subject:

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Congratulations, you have a $25,000 house.

I hope it is appreciating at a decent rate.

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:11 am Post subject:

I could totally appreciate a 25 000 dollar house in Mexico Very Happy

Got any to spare?

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:05 am Post subject:

Rather than being TOO focused on the future OR on the present - try this James Dean quote:

"Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die today"

Try putting PLAN in place of dream.

It is silly and irresponsible to blow off your older years as only "maybe" happening. Have some self respect and don' be a burden on those around you - or your family.

But - don't forget to live EACH day along the way.

If you take your career and expatriate lifestyle seriously - behave responsibly - but have a GREAT time doing it!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Very true, a balance of living now and planning for the future is really needed. Not always easy to do, but that's juggling, trying to keep several balls in the air at the same time. Smile