Job Discussion Forums

diderot · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 30

I have a question about money.

I will be arriving in Japan early in May, and I think I have everything taken care of as far as my arrival and set up are concerned.

However, my future employer has suggested that I bring $3000 with me for expenses during my first month. That is, until I start getting a paycheck from them.

Is that much really necessary?

I won�t need any new clothes or furniture right away and I can live without a phone or an internet connection for a month, right?

Do I really need three grand for food and transportation? Or am I missing something?

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

How much is your rent? Figure an average of 50,000 to 80,000.
Food will be 30,000
Utilities 15,000
Plan on your employer paying for your transportation, but he might be the type that reimburses you, so you'd have to shell out 15,000 for the first month before he pays you back.

Already, that's 110,000 to 140,000 for the first month.

No entertainment (video rental, going out, eating at McDonalds, etc.).
No health insurance. No emergency medical payments, either.
No snacks.
No sightseeing.
No travel.
No reading material.
No purchases (batteries, CDs, notebooks, etc.).
No phone (which may already be installed for you and will cost 4000-8000 per month depending on how much you call, because even local calls are not free).
No souvenirs.
No postage or shipping.
No dry cleaning

Have you heard when that first paycheck will come? Some places pay after 6-8 weeks. That means you will have to pay 2 times the figures above even before you get a single yen paid to you. And, in the meantime, you still would have no entertainment, health insurance, snacks, sightseeing, etc.

Bring the $3000.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

I suggest you bring as much as you can. However, most eikaiwas set up your apartment and deduct your rent from your paycheck, hence you won't be handing over any money for rent until you receive your first check. Transportation is usually reimbursed. But if you living in a small city/town, or living near your school, you may be using a bicycle or walking, which would keep costs down.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Bring what you can. However, if you don't have the money and you're desperate, I'm sure your boss will advance you some of your pay. But this isn't the best way to start off the relationship.

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

I wouldn't see the money as lost, you just need a certain amount of cash flow to get started (e.g. key money)..

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

Hmmm- I think you should ask your new boss a few questions so you have a better idea of how much you really need.

Check how much your rent will be and if it will be required up front or just taken out of your first pay check as homersimpson suggested. I've never heard of anyone having to pay rent up front if the apartment was provided by their company. I can't imagine you'll have any utilities to pay before a first paycheck either.

Check if you are going to have company provided health insurance and if so when will the first payment be. If it's the national scheme it will be very cheap anyway.

Ask if there will be any travel expenses?

Situations all vary of course but I certainly didn't bring that much with me when I came and I was fine until the first pay.

Where are you going to be living? An expensive area or a cheaper country area?

BTW when you say $3000 do you mean US$3000?

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Since I know you are going to be working for AEON I can guage exactly what you need.

Absolute minimum of $1000 US. You will be struggling with this amount but you'll make it. You might find yourself borrowing from people. Your life will be pretty miserable.

$1500 is still a bit of a struggle, but you shouldn't have to borrow money from anyone.

$2000 with meet all your needs and enable you to have a bit of a social life.

$2500 and up is what I advise you to bring. With this amount you won't feel trapped. You can enjoy life to a reasonable degree. If your situation turns out to be ugly, then you have enough money to escape

Laura C · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 211 Location: Saitama

Hi,

I took a thousand pounds with me as a graduate loan when I went to Japan, to cover me til my first month's pay. This was on the recommendation of JET. I only used half of it though -- and I was out sightseeing, eating out etc most days. Yes, it was a few years ago-- but it was also the centre of Tokyo I was living in!

I really don't think you would need 3000 dollars, unless you are being extravagant and buying everything you want right away (I would though do as the other posters advise and check exactly what rent etc you have to pay). As you say, you can live without phone/internet for the first month. It is normal to live frugally for the first month of a job, until the paycheck comes in, even in your home country. Of course you can spend 3000 if you want, but you don't have to. I will be bringing minimal money with me when I arrive back in Japan, simply because I don't have any. Sad

Yes, it will be a tough first month for me, but I've been a student and I can cope.

Glenski -- please tell me that the figure of 15,000 for utilities is an overestimation to make the OP feel better when he spends less than that! I'm budgeting for around 8,000 -- I'm sadly misguided and still working on 20th century figures, aren't I? Sigh... Confused

L

ryuro · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 91

Let's beat this dead horse a little more!

I've done plenty of recruiting for a number of different outfits and my mantra has ALWAYS been when people ask me this question is to bring a MINIMUM of one month's salary (which work can work out to $2000-3000 USD).

Certainly people can get by on a lot less, but bringing any less can be a stressful struggle. Also, as one who has been in a position to have to extend a salary advance- it's usually acceptable for a newly arrived teacher, but as someone previously stated, it's not necessarily the best wayto start out a work relationship. I always advise my candidates to be financially prepared for this type of move.

So good luck,
ryuro

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

My utilities run about 40,000 yen/month in the winter. Maybe 20,000 in the summer. That is for a house and 3 inhabitants.

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

No I don't heat the whole house, but I do heat our main living room. I've started putting some extra insulation around the doors and windows. I know all the heat is just escaping. We use gas for most of our heat and it's expensive.
Last winter we froze and I guess we're making up for it now trying to be comfortable. Not sure what the summer will be like as we moved in here in October, but there are 3 big aircons in the house. Should be interesting.

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

diderot · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 30

Thank you everybody for your input.

I am going to bring the $3000 as everybody recommended, including AEON.

I am, however, still a little perturbed, I don�t want it to be that expensive.

Oh well.

Now, I have another question.

In addition to the three thousand dollars, I am going to bring a credit card for emergencies. I have heard repeatedly though, that credit cards are not nearly as popular in Japan as they are, say, in the U.S. Can anybody tell me if my Discover card will have any usefulness? If not, is there another? Will I be able to get cash from an ATM machine in Japan?

~Ciao