Job Discussion Forums

maryknight · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 83

hi, i'm trying to decide between china and japan. it looks like the future is becoming brighter in china. how are things now? are you able to save money? thanks, mary knight

elektricki · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

Hello Mary! I can't help you out but I just wanted to say that I'm from Portland too. I'm going on my first gig in China next month. I'm quite excited. I'll be going to Shenyang in northern China. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

Depends on how much money you make and the kind of lifestyle you want.

Refer to some threds discussion pay in China. There are several.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:00 am Post subject:

Mary, your question is sooo subjective, but the short answer is 'yes', subject to:-

Total salary package (does your school pay for elec., gas, water, drinking water, internet, full medical insurance)

Lifestyle

Location - big cities offer more lifestyle options, at a cost

Eating habits - Chinese food is soooo cheap, fine dining on foreign food can cost an arm and a leg

Drinking habits - I am under the impression that many, albeit predominantly male, foreign teachers spend a lot of their salary on alcohol

Skirtchasing - I guess this one won't apply to you, or would it?

On a salary of 7,000 RMB per month I save 4,000 RMB.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

I think you should look at China in completely different way - many things are so cheap here, so it's a great place to spend money!!! Want to save - go somewhere where it's very expensive - easier in those places to force yourself to live on a budget!!!

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

I think it's possible to save a bit depending on where you live. My first gig I lived in Shanxi and was making 5000 RMB a month, of which I managed to save around 3000 a month, which isn't really all that much.

I'm working in Shanghai now though, and this semester I can save quite a bit more because I have a part-time job in addition to my regular job. It seems that you get significantly higher per hour wage from your part-time job because they don't have to sponsor your visa, pay airfare, vacation, travel, etc., so the trick seems to be to find a regular job that will allow you to also work part-time (I'd ask them up front about it).

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

Yes, you can save money. If that is what you want you can. I have met FTs who have a relatively low salary and save money to travel during the holidays and FTs who have saved money to pay off their student loans.
The spectrum is broad. If you work for an international school you can earn up to 30,000 or more a month, no problem saving there. If you work for a language centre and work heaps of hours you can earn just as much.
Money is not a dirty word it gives you choices.

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

When it comes to salaries and money, this forum should remind you of the story of the blind men and the elephant. There are just too many variables! FWIW I managed to send a little over half my salary to Canada the first year I was here (I have a home there I have to make maintenance payments on), I lost money bigtime my second year, and sent almost as much money home the third as the first. Now I'm married and we have a wee baby, I don't think I'll save much at all for a few years!

andrew_gz · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 502 Location: Reborn in the PRC

I have a friend who has made over 400,000RMB teaching here in Guangzhou over the last two years.

He just borrowed a couple of bucks from me tonight.

Some people can save and some can not.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

elektricki · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

I saw over in the Nihon forum she decided to go there instead. Probably no use in replying to her post.

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

I am always amazed at how some foreigners I meet never seem to have any money, even when their salary is higher than mine. Each month I spend 400 RMB on transportation, 1000 RMB on food, 200 RMB on entertainment, 300 RMB on clothing, and another 200 RMB on miscellaneous stuff, totalling 2200 RMB. This is when I don't really keep track and just buy whatever I want. I guess if I was in a big city I would spend a bit more. But I don't think I could spend all of my salary in a normal month even if I tried.

AB

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

if saving money was my primary concern, china wouldnt even be on my list of prospective places to look for work. i can do equal amount of work in korea, taiwan or japan and make 3-4 times as much.

7969

saint57 · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:57 am Post subject: China to Save Money

If saving money is your number one goal. Korea beats China hands down. However, if you work as hard in your home country you will save just as much. Korea is a tough place. Don't consider China to save money, it is possible but you'd be better off doing it in Korea.

Plan B · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen

I am saving money for the first time in my life!

Teaching abroad - in general - takes you away from the debt culture that we have in the west. We live from paycheck to paycheck. Most people do not have substantial outgoings.

As for my own experience in China, up until about 9 months ago, I tended to spend virtually all my money. Since then, two things have happened - the novelty value of China has disappeared. I am no longer a tourist - this is my home now. I don't have any desire to visit expensive restaurants or bars anymore. The pay increase has also helped matters.