Korean Job Discussion Forums

[justin moffatt]

I have been working straight for almost 8 months, having between 8-12 contact hours daily with clients/students up to 6 days a week (not including prep time). Normally, after 3-4 months, I take a little long weekend trip to unwind. However, with the current US exchange rate and my mounting bills this doesn't seem feasible for a while. I expect these hours to dwindle in the next while due to the financial crisis, and slower seasonal period. Although, I am also concerned that if I don't attempt to maintain as much work as possible, that I:

a) can't support my monthly living costs (which have substantially increased in rent, food, etc.)
b) save enough money for future education and family costs.

As a result, I am virtually obsessed in continuously searching for new contracts and part time work. My free time consists of mainly organizing my employment obligations, scheduling, and administrative duties. In other words, I would greatly appreciate some advice on how you manage to find that happy balance (especially for those of who are independent contractors) between reaching your financial goals and keeping your sanity . . .

[cruisemonkey]

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

[Horangi Munshin]

Family $$$$$
Debts in US $$$$ Now $$$$$$
Further Education $$$$$$
Inflation $$

Adds up.

[DCJames]

I'm assuming we'll hear more of these stories from teachers who are getting burned on the falling won and need to work harder for fewer and fewer won.

It doesn't seem worth it to me.

[Horangi Munshin]

That and more people saying they are leaving and citing the exchange rate as the reason.

[D.D.]

If you feel the same when you wake up as when you went to bed then you are burned. Life is too short to work too much.

Most people who are stressed need to learn how to say "no" and cut out things that are not needed.

It's usually not lack of work but how we manage our cash that gets us broke.

It's quite hard to be broke in Korea.

[John_ESL_White]

I was doing the same thing and making great money but it was KILLING me.

I dropped my morning classes and now I feel SO much better.

How much do you really need a month? 4 million is more than enough for a least 6 months out of the year. That's teaching 30 hours or so, right? No need to go over that for more than a month at a time. Or your asking to burn out.

[Horangi Munshin]

Hmmm. I'd like to average 4mill a month.

[Draz]

[samcheokguy]

broke? My net worth is $-3500.

[red_devil]

[Draz]

[Horangi Munshin]

Sure if you don't need to make monthly payments on debts back in the states you could wait it out here. If you do have debts I think you have to weigh up the pros and cons of staying in Korea.

[D.D.]

If you have a high monthly payment to the west staying in Korea is not a good option. So leave if you can get a job there.