Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RedRob]

[Jove]

When I first got here, I was able to live on about 500,000 won per month, but that has gradually gone up as I've increased the pleasure in my life. I'm now up to about 900,000 won per (girlfriend accounts for most of that, I live on about 10-15,000 won a day during the week), but I'm still able to save several million per month (6 hrs. a week of privates and some editing work on the side).

Budget suggestions have been good. One way I save is to cook for myself and cook a lot. Make a big meal once a week and make extra so that you have something to reheat when you get home (instead of deciding to pick something up on the way home). It only takes a few minutes and makes a nice change from some of the lessor Korean foods.

The most important thing is to make a realistic budget that allows you to have fun. Don't limit yourself so much that when friends plan an unexpected binge in Hongdae or where ever, you have to say no. Factor in an extra bit of money into the budget for such occassions. I enjoy having a good meal once in a while (dinner at the Hyatt or the Japanese restaurant near my school), so I factor in 50,000 or more for a really good meal every month or so.

[tokki]

Set up an acount that locks your money in for a year. You get a better rate than a normal account. About 4-5%. That however osnt why its useful. It allows you to put your money in a place where you wont be able to touch it, hence you wont be able to blow it on a whim. I usually put a million won a month into such an account, although before I was able to put in 2 million. When the year is done, I have a lot of money, which I wouldnt have if it was just sitting in a normal account, accessible any time. Last year I saved a little bit under 20 million, this year Im planning to save another 12-15 more. With my final paycheque, bonus, airfare, and security deposit I will be pushing 20 million again.

[Eazy_E]