Job Discussion Forums

[techshots2]

Hi,

I'm considering teaching in Japan, but I'd like to save at least $1000 a month.
Is this possible for an average lifestyle?

How much would you say I could save if I had this type of lifestyle:

-eating out everyday
-some travel inside of japan
-not a bar person

thanks so much,

HN

[Glenski]

"average". There is a word that people will argue over.

Depends on where you live (city vs. countryside), for one thing.

Average rent = 70,000-90,000 yen/month
Average food costs = 30,000-60,000 yen/month
Average utilities = 20,000 yen/month
Average phone bill = 5000-8000 yen/month (depending on Internet use and whether you have a land line or cell phone)

Add them up:
Average expenditures on these basic necessities = 125,000-178,000 yen/month.

Subtract from a standard (but falling) salary of 250,000, and you have 72,000 - 125,000 left over.

How you spend that is up to you. Yes, some people can save 100K per month, but you really, really need to know their individual situations.

Some people have outstanding loans (e.g., student loans, car payments) to make back home.
Some people like to go out twice a week (which can set you back an easy 50,000 per month).
Some people rent videos, have cable/satellite TV, go to movies (1800 yen a pop), have a car (with parking to pay for), etc.
Some people prefer the 800 yen haircuts, while others go for the full dye and perm jobs for 20,000-40,000 yen.

What kind of insurance are you going to have? National health insurance is 2500 yen the first year, and ten times that subsequently. Or will you go with some private policy? If your employer offers corporate health insurance, he will/must pay half. It all depends.

It all depends on the individual.

Eat out everyday. Well, eat what? 500 yen bento? 1000 yen Royal Host meal? Eat once a day, twice, 3 times? Learn to cook, I say, not just for the cost but the health aspects.

Some travel inside Japan. To be expected, but how? By bicycle, car, train, plane? How often? What island are you on and plan to go to? From Hokkaido, plane fares to Honshu will run several 10,000 yen. These things can't be averaged easily.

Not a bar person. That's ok, but just what are your hobbies?

Look up this thread, which I started, just to see a few ideas from people here on how to spend cheaply. http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=4201&highlight=cheapskates&sid=e8150d8d89b2b2ea1764a7e366234793

Here is another with 4 links inside.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=49872&highlight=cheapskates&sid=1b9861329ba6a47849ebca5e124032dd

[Quibby84]

Going out to eat everyday for every meal is going to drive you in the hole fast...I would suggest cooking, you can save a lot of money that way. We only eat out for weekends and it is pretty expensive. The resturants themselves are not that expensive but you have to eat at least 2 times a day, so yeah...it adds up.
Maybe without doing that you could save $1000 a month...

[gonzarelli]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Quibby84]

We make a compromise with eating out..cook on the weekdays and eat out on the weekends. The crazy thing is that food for the weekdays is at most $50 (for two people) and for the weekends we spend at least $100 (including treats here and there). We save a lot with that (my husband whole salary).
The food here is super good...we found this tiny Thai place and...oh my gosh...we have to fight the urge to go there everyday...we limit it to once a week...

I dont think that the books are to expensive (1000 to 2000 yen). The selection is where I have the problems. I am getting close to reading all of the good books that they have to offer. I also have to pace my book reading...even though they are not super expensive, it does add up. I always buy my books at the bookstore in Aeon.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

If you go to Kinokuniya right by Shinjuku station, there's a good selection. But maybe you aren't in Kanto.

[Mothy]

[pastis]

[southofreality]

Cooking at home is fine, but for one person, eating a different style meal every night isn't that much cheaper unless you're really skilled at recycling ingredients.

Or, of course, you could prepare a large amount of food one night and have leftovers for the next two or three. The problem with that is one of storage. If your apartment is small, your refrigerator is likely to be small too.

If you eat out for around $1000 on weekdays (cheap, fast food) and then have nice meals on the weekends without going out and living it up otherwise, you might be able to save the ￥100,000/month or so you'd like to save. But, a more fulfulling experience here in Japan might have you saving closer to ￥70,000/month on a ￥250,000/month salary.

[Quibby84]

If you spend $1000 on meals a week...well...you are just nutty...hehe

I bought some small containers and when I buy the meat I split into daily portions (make sure you freeze it so it lasts longer)...then I just put in a pan with onions (or whatever) and frozen veggies (or fresh) and eat it with rice. For two people we average about 350 yen per meal. Would be less with one person because then you could use the same meat for two days instead of one.

[alicat_blue]

go to Korea

[kerryn]

go sumwhere else- seriously- you cannot save this type of cash with eating out everyday alone mate!!
learn to cook- u need sumthing to do anyways at night- thast if u get home before 10h30pm!