Job Discussion Forums

fred23 · Joined: 23 Nov 2010 Posts: 10 Location: IRL

Just curious, how much cash would be needed landing in China with a job sorted until your first paycheck, being stringent but realistic, and obvisously realising things rarely ever go exactly to the plan?

Cheers

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

Paid housing? Bringing a computer? Need internet with a good connection? Cooking at home or going out? Location and what sort of clothes are you bringing?

Sorry, it is just impossible to answer, even roughly, without more information.

fred23 · Joined: 23 Nov 2010 Posts: 10 Location: IRL

Excuse my vagueness, didn't really think that one through.

Probably Guangzhou of Fuzhou.

Accomadation is provided. Iwill be bringing my own laptop, will need an internet connection. Eating, don't want to live like a hermit, but also don't want to splurge, a happy medium. Probably need to get some clothes on arrival rather than bringing them with me, I gathered that clothes were cheaper than the UK.

Thoughts please
A rough guide, if possible

Lister · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 264

Obviously the more cash reserves you have the better.

Something else you may want to consider is the possibility of the job not working out for whatever reason, and you having to either find a new one or fly home.

John9900 · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 22

If nothing goes terribly wrong I would say about 5000 RMB to get you through the first month. That should be more than enough. That doesn�t cover return money to go back home if some thing does go wrong. A 100 RMB a day would cover most of your needs such as food, beer, and some other necessities. 1000 RMB on clothes. 1000 RMB for whatever else comes up.
Again, the more cash you bring the better.

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

Bear in mind that you're probably going to be fleeced when you first come over since you won't have Chinese or the familiarity with bargaining. I'd recommend 5k simply for living since you'll likely be taken to a few western type places with your fellow workers and you'll want to chip in with them. We all have our pride and It all adds up. I tend to recommend to friends to have about 7k-8k for the first month. Even you don't need it, it'll be handy as a start for savings. Considering the perception that everything costs less than your home country, going out to the pub or nightclub can be quite expensive, so be prepared to stay out of rounds. The other FTs you meet will have their own budgets through experience and you might be tempted to match their spending.. so be careful of that.

Make sure you either have a return ticket or enough cash to buy a flight home. There's no real guarantee that things will work out in your school, so its best to have some security.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

On my last job in China, arriving just before Xmas and knowing I wasnt due a paycheck for 6 weeks, I brought 5000 RMB (�500 at that time). I had a few initial expenses with a key deposit for accom, buying a kettle and ironing board, sim card for phone etc. When I got paid 6 weeks after arriving, I still have around 1500 of that 5000 left. I ate out everyday, and drink often, but I do eat/drink Chinese stuff.

Of course, I have a couple of credit cards for any emergencies.

Old Surrender · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 7:30 am Post subject:

Point of reference: 1000 RMB equals 150 USD, 96 Brit pounds, 155 Aussie bucks.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

Plenty of people I know have gone their first month on 2-3 K. IMO you probably won't really need to buy a lot clothing, as its not as taboo to rarely change clothing in China, like it is in the US.

Note, I'm not sure how happy those people who brought 2-3 k were for their first month

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I think it depends where you are, and your lifestyle choices too of course. For me, a 600ml beer in a bar was 7RMB, a typical meat dish like kung pow chicken with rice was <30RMB, and I had subsidised lunches at my school. On that basis, 100 RMB a day (or the 3000 a month mentioned) was more than enough for me to eat every meal out, and get drunk if I wanted to!

If you want to buy cheese and imported food, eat steak in a faux-western restaurant, and drink Guiness .... you will spend 3x as much I would guess.

Lister · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 264

It would also depend on when you arrived, and when payday is at your new school.
If you arrived say, in the middle of the month and you get paid at the end of the month you should have 2 weeks of salary coming pretty soon.
May be worth asking the school so you could factor that into your arrival date if possible, and if money will be an issue for you.

AnotherExpat · Joined: 14 Oct 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Hebei, China

When I came to China for the 2nd time, I brought 4000元 in cash, lost my wallet and made it through the month with borrowed 500元。
Have some emergency dough at home, tough.
(Which I highly, highly recommend).

I think it depends on your lifestyle. As I said, I made it with 500元 and it wasn't even as bad as it sounds.

However... You should absolutely, definitely and most advisably have money for a flight ticket (at all seasons) either in China or in your country and some good friends / family that will send it to you, when necessary.

Trust me... Keep flight-ticket money.
Even if you'll never have to use it, you will come across situations where you'll understand why this is a good idea.
Promise. Wink

Enjoy your stay!