Job Discussion Forums

[decafdave]

Hey everyone,

I'm considering teaching abroad in Taiwan (as well as S korea and Japan) this coming August/September and am putting together some preliminary budgets to estimate how much savings I'll have at the end. But for some reason my end savings seems to be slightly higher than what certain websites say they should be. I do drink a couple times a week but would probably only go clubbing once every 1-2 weeks.

I'll post a single month's budget below and I'd really appreciate it if people who have taught in Taiwan could tell me about any red flags I may be missing.

Quick note: as I understand the first 6 months I'd be taxed 20% and the next 6 months 10% so I assumed this month to be the former.


Monthly Amt.
Salary 48,000
income tax 9,600
health ins 500
rent & utilities 12,500
Take home NT =25,400

Food 3,600
Entertainment 2,500
Travel 1,600
Misc 800
Savings* =16,900 *For the last 6 months I estimate 21,700

With these numbers I have a yearly savings of about $ 7,380 USD.


Anyone have any thoughts on this? Also, is my salary conservative enough since I'll have just graduated with a 4 year degree?

I also estimated about NT 44,000 will be enough as start-up money.

Thanks again!

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[decafdave]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[Hightop]

Last month I spent 13,000 on food. That is cooking at home and eating out. Breakfast always at home and 50% of lunch and dinners at home. That is just eating normal healthy food (meat, vegetables, fruit, cereal, milk and the like) with the occasional western restaurant thrown in. I think for 3,600 you will not be eating well at all.

Saving money on 48,000 a month will not be easy at all. If you want to save decent money go to Korea or Japan, work some privates and you will be saving at least $1000usd a month without having to compromise your standards of living. Trying to save on 48,000 a month will be a hard slog and more than likely will leave you not enjoying your time here.

[steve_c]

I live in Taoyuan; here are some of my basic monthly expenses, averaged over the past 6 months (I keep track on a spreadsheet):

Rent 5,500 (one-person apt., includes Internet)
Elec 500 (will at least double in the summer)
Water 100
Phone card 300
Food 10,000
Household 1,800 (non-food stuff for house)
Laundry 700 (don't have my own washer)
Transportation 500 (bus, train, MRT in Taipei)
Scooter 600 (gas, minor repairs)
Clothing/haircut 650
Entertainment 2,000 (includes travel in Taiwan, which I haven't done much of in the past 6 months)
TOTAL: NT 22,650

If you want to see what my 5,500 rent pays for, you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2lAdWEjUU

As for food: I eat out everyday, at least lunch and dinner, usually at cheap food stands (but I often make a salad at home).

Lunch is about 30-50nt (zhuabing, biandang, 7-11 sandwich, etc.) dinner about 80-100nt (beef noodle, chicken and veggies, etc.) I eat fast food (MosBurger, don�t care for McD�s or KFC) about once a week (120NT). I eat at sit-down restaurants about 2 to 6 times a month (100-300NT) almost always as part of a social gathering.

My biggest food splurge is imported coffee beans, which costs about 600/month, and Pizza Hut (550 for 2 large pizzas, but that order lasts me for 4 days). Alcohol can be expensive; I limit myself to 2 bottles of cheap wine (300nt) a month.

Of course, I have other expenses not listed here (life insurance, Chinese learning, pet costs, etc.), but this will give you an idea.

[steve_c]

[zipper]

Steve_C: You could always buy a second hand/used washing machine for as low as 1500 NT. I paid 2500 NT for one a few months ago, and we have had no problems with it thus far. We use it daily. Not much of a difference with the water and electric bill, either.

[steve_c]

[zipper]