Job Discussion Forums

Dougb · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:44 am Post subject: $$$MONEY$$$

In general. What would be the best place to teach to save the most Money? That is to say where do they pay the most with the lowest cost of living and no taxes? I don't mean to sound too greedy, but I the thought intrigues me.

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

This gets posted about once or twice a year. Please do a search to dig up the responses.

You must also realize that low cost of living usually coincides with low salary.

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject:

With a relevant graduate degree - probably the UAE. With a BA/BS/B.Ed. most likely Korea or Japan - with frequent debate about it.

Bottom line though for MOST newbies - probably Korea. There are a few highly competitive jobs in Japan that offer significant savings - but are not easy to come by unless you have something special to offer.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

jezebel · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 53

By MA you mean MA in TESL or education or related field?

tedkarma · Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:40 am Post subject:

Nothing wrong with an M.Ed. either. I have one.

joe2012 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

What's wrong with Saudi Arabia? Big Bucks!

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:54 am Post subject:

I spent five years in the Kingdom. When I needed to save more money - I went back to Korea rather than the KSA. Almost the same amount of savings - and you can't compare apples with oranges. More contract hours, five day work weeks, shorter vacation in Saudi - and the quality of life . . . well - you know.

But - here we are talking about graduate degrees and years of experience.

In the Middle East - a lot of my friends from the KSA bailed to the UAE - made much more money and far better quality of life.

M109A3 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 99

Ok, here's a twist. I have an MA and my wife has three BSs (I know gluttons for punishment). What would y'all say is the best bet for us? I know she won't got to the Middle East. Her view of the Arab culture is not, shall we say, favorable.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:41 pm Post subject:

If the Middle-East is out, Korea is probably your best bet. With a graduate degree - and a little experience, you should be able to land a decent university job - your wife might be able to work in the uni hogwan - and together you should be able to save close to US$2500 a month as a couple.

The amount you can save depends on your lifestyle of course, but saving US$1000 per person per month doesn't reguire any special frugality.

atiff · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 66

Taiwan is a good bet too, in my opinion (OK, maybe I'm biased).

We recently looked at living costs here and you can live comfortably with quite a few options on NT$25-35,000 per month (depending on location and your own habits - it is easy to spend more if you want to, but the same can be said anywhere).

Incomes can range as high as NT$60,000 per month after tax (by which I mean the initial 20% withholding tax) for standard (Bachelor's degree) new teachers, depending on workloads and pay rates.

That's close to US$1,000 a month in savings (for one person), or US$2,000 (for a couple).

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

So your organization pays $23,000 a year, which is about 55% of the average UK salary.

Wouldn't a prospective teacher have better chances of a career moving up the ranks in McDonalds?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

M109A3 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 99

Ok, I'll add a curve-ball to the twist. My son is five and his educational opportunities are most important. I've already discovered he'll be expensive to educate via private means. I'm still looking at China, but other eastern contries that can also meet his needs but at a cost we can afford are also open.

M109A3 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 99

In the U.S. I save about seven pounds a month (around my middle that is or so it seems)!!!