Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Can anyone comment on the claims by a CERTAIN POSTER that he has saved US$40,000 a year for 5 years while teaching in Japan ?

the thread is "money" over on General Discussion.

I cannot belive that anyone saves this in Japan - or anywhere else !

[canuck]

Edit: A year? That's a lot of money...a year, teaching English. Maybe in the glory days, during the bubble, but I find it extremely hard to believe that's possible now.

[sidjameson]

Well seems that you wont give up.

I remember this thread as i posted on it. As you have called me a liar, how about these other posters, I guess you think that they are liars too.

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 11:01 am Post subject:

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As I mentioned in another post, I do lots of p/t work on top of my f/t job. Soon all my work will be part-time (starting in April). It definitely pays the bills. With the work I have secured for the next couple of months, I am guaranteed at least 700,000 per month. I will have quite a bit of free time too...



I know its possible as I have done it myself, at the moment with my university and weekend work I am making that much. But obviously it means 12 hour days (in cappers case from 9 till 1 and his second job working until evenings). But its not the kind of thing you can keep up long term though. You really dont have a life outside work and commuting, not time to enjoy it, IMO. No time for travel, and sightseeing, no time to learn Japanese, no time for girlfriends etc.

These guys earnt A LOT more than me. 700,000 a month is $6500+ I was earning that at my peak but not for the long haul. Knowing you though you probably still think that I am still lying.

[azarashi sushi]

For what it's worth Sid, I believe you. I wish I had your drive and determination.

[sidjameson]

Thanks mate. Actually don't know why being called a liar by a cynical old beep (censored myself ) got to me, must be an honour thing.
looking back I think that for 4 years at least I was just totally focused. Out of the house 6 days a week and long days too. But it really wasn't difficult at the time. In fact I enjoyed it. I liked the teaching, liked being in Japan and liked the way my life was improving month by month. Feel proud about what I did too. But I couldn't go back and do it again. I had x amount of teaching in me and I think I have taught x+1. This is my last year in Japan and I leave having bought a house in England.

[azarashi sushi]

Well done Sid! I did that kind of heavy teaching schedule for about a year but couldn't keep it up... Actually, I didn't want to keep it up... I'd rather have more free time than money. But I really admire you for having worked so hard and bought yourself a house. Congratulations and good luck in your next venture.

[Albulbul]

What puzzles me is why Sid James wants to impress us all with how much money he has ( or has not) salted away.

I thought there was a convention that gentlemen did not talk about money.

But then Mr James is probably one of those vulgar young oiks who has grown up post-Thatcher.

And incidentally I am not impressed by the market value of your house in Chipping Sodbury or East Cheam.

BORING !

[sidjameson]

I mentioned it in a post only to highlight my story. Money is not the most important thingat all, but Jesus the fact thatpeople have earnt money in countries that are shall we say not viewed as a "prison" by some of its own posters seem to really annoy the guys in the middle east.
And yaesterday you called me a liar and then Scot347 posts this what am I supposed to do?
Sorry I had a good time and earnt money.

[monty97]

Good luck to you Sidjameson, carry on saving. Shame that you bought a place in the UK though, i'm working (and saving) 6 days a week in HK to buy a slice of freedom in NZ. It definitely takes great determination, discipline and sacrifice to achieve what you have.

[Gordon]

Good for you Sid. Once you have a family, you can slow down and enjoy it. I did something similar to you 9 years ago in Korea, but only for a year ($5-6,000 US/month). I banked the money and it's still there.

[sidjameson]

Wow Gordon never thought Korea could pay so well. $60k in one year is very impressive. Not surprized that you only did it for a year though you must have missed the sun that year.
Actually I have slowed right down. I now work half of what I did and enjoy those loooong school holidays.
Monty I have to say you're right. I would love a house in NZ but I was cursed with a UK passport Actually I never wanted a house in the UK I bought one to rent out and live off the rent. So how far will NZ$1500 go in NZ?
So the bitter brothers, Scott666 and Aboohoohoo how about an apology? Or does a few years in the East turn your average TEFLER into lying, delusianal "fabulist"?

[lostinparis]

sid and gordon-

if you wouldn't mind, it would be interesting if you could post what your schedule was like while you were making all that moola.

if you could list your approximate hours spent teaching / time spent in transport / free time (was there any?), i think it would give people a better idea of what you actually did to earn and save all that money. (and who knows... maybe even convert some unbelievers in the process?)

anyway, i work 12 hour days here in Paris and don't make even half that. I'd be curious to see how you organized it all..

cheers

[sidjameson]

Mon leave home 8 6.5 hrs teaching, rest travel, 2 hrs break, home 9
Tue leave home 10 6 hrs teaching, rest travel, 2 hrs break, home 9
Wed leave home 8 6 hrs teaching, rest travel, 1 hr break, home 9
Thur leave home 9 6 hrs teaching ,rest travel, 1 hr break, home 8
Fri leave home 8 6 hrs teaching, rest travel 2 hr break, home 8
Sat leave home 11 4 hrs teaching, rest travel 1 hr break, home 9

This was my full on schedule and would earn me about $7000 at 105yen to $ but very rarely did I have all these classes. I wasn't paid for cancellations, holidays etc so I often earnt less than this but I did earn more than $70K p.a. for 3 years.

In case the older guys in the ME are cranking up their flame throwers again. I would just like to say that I am not trying to be arrogant. I did this to overcome my financial fears, nothing more. I see no worth in earning a lot of money par se. Japan was my probably only chance at earning good money and I took it. I only wrote this in that it may help others who feel as financially fcked as I did. Japan for the right person/lucky can still be a very lucrative country.

[lostinparis]

eee! 6 days a week! I have no voice and can barely stand after teaching & commuting all day. I am also exhausted and really grouchy too, the boyfriend tells me... and I only do the 12 hour gig three days a week.

you must be superman. seriously. to do it for three years?

i think maybe your commute time was better. the deal for my three days is:

6:30 wake up
7:30 leave home to walk to metro
8:30 arrive at university
9 - 1 teach two classes
1 - 2 eat my lunch on the train back to Paris
2 - 5 teach class at school #2
5:15 back on the metro
6:00 arrive at school #3
6:30 teach one class
8:30 arrive at home, grouchy and tired

anyway sid, i wouldn't worry about other posters believing you or not. if it was me, and i had 200k in the bank, people could call me whatever they wanted....

[sidjameson]

yea you're right. I think miserable old geezers just seem to wind me up. Probably a Freudian rejection of the father figure.

3 years but never felt like it. Oh and plenty of school breaks. Couldn't go back though. Funny it was the first hard work that I ever did. Years as a lazy student and unemployed/able before. Didn't even know I could get out of bed in the morning. I am proud that I worked hard for a goal and feel confident that I could work hard again if need be, but I couldn't go back to teaching that much.

Good luck with your plans.