Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rooster_2006]

Let's say my public school offers me 400,000 won a month as a housing allowance.

I take the housing allowance.

I pay 240,000 won a month for my 고시원 that gives me my rice and kimchi for free.

I keep the remaining 160,000 won a month.

Voila, $1666.56 in extra income every year without lifting a finger!

Or is there a reason I can't do this?

[kprrok]

Possibly b/c your math sucks and you should be investing it in lessons? At the current rate, 160,000 is only about $138.

[rooster_2006]

[ben-ja-mas]

Don't see what the problem can be, reckon you can go ahead and do it.

Hey kprrok you made a right a.ss of yourself there.

[rooster_2006]

[jadarite]

If you can get 8 hours of overtime a month, then you could get a nicer place. Goshiwons aren't that good. I stayed at a goshitel in August. I couldn't stand it and got out as soon as I could.

However, add into all this savings, like free internet connection and no utility bills or monthly administration/maintenance costs that you would be paying for at an apartment.

[rooster_2006]

[kprrok]

So maybe instead of picking on the OPs apparent lack of math skills (I admit I did misread the number as a monthly savings instead of yearly, I've been looking at Korean won figures too much), I could pick on the general lack of logic.

Let's see, the exchange rate will certainly change. We have no idea what it will be. So posting a potential yearly savings in a currency your salary is not paid in is pretty pointless when that currency exchange rate changes daily. Posting a yearly "bonus" in the currency that you are paid in would be much more logical and practical.

160,000원 may not be worth $100 next month or 6 months from now. It may be worth $200 dollars next month or 6 months from now. Basically, it was still a silly way to write it.

Of course, after reading the posts that followed, I can see more clearly about the OP. Best of luck.

[rooster_2006]

[kprrok]

[PRagic]

So for less than 2 grand over the course of a year, you want to muddy your stay in a foreign country by residing in a hole? To each their own, I guess; priorities clearly differ. If you just graduated from college, maybe 140 bucks a month seems like a lot. It's not, and it's not worth sacrificing your comfort and peace of mind for.

[rooster_2006]

[kprrok]

I've had both...employer paid the housing directly my 2nd year here, but my employer pays me at my current school.

Just remember that any housing allowance paid directly to you is taxable.

[rooster_2006]

[Aussiekimchi]

I stayed in one of those places for 2 weeks. I was supposed to stay for a month and paid upfront.
I could not handle it. Too small. Too hot. Too smelly. Too weird.
Quality of life is more important than money.
If you want to have a bit more money is your pocket after the year is finished, do some privates.