Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mithridates]

I was thinking we should have a thread for ways to save money here. Um, not so much save money as interesting things we can do to make our money go farther that most might not know. Things we can do that won't affect the lifestyle we already lead, so no tips like eating 400won ramen and buying rice by the trucklod, more like frequent flyer type programs and whatnot.

Which reminds me, I'm an idiot for never signing up for a frequent flyer program. Should I get one through Star Alliance?

Coffee shops...The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is better than Starbucks, and they not only have a stamp card that gives you free coffee but also some other swipe card that you can apply for until March that gives you points that add up to things later on. That's my tip.

Are there any cards that give mileage or whatnot for using the subway? I have that T-Money card but aren't there credit cards as well for the subway?

[Sage Monkey]

[peppermint]

Actuallly, you don't need separate cards for each airline. I've got an Aeroplan card, and I've earned miles from United, Asiana, Thia and Singapore Air with it. I've got enough saved up now for a pretty decent vacation at some point in the near future.

[Sage Monkey]

[jajdude]

Best thing to save money is lay off the drink.

That's why I have saved so little.

[peppermint]

I generally show them my card at the airport without any problems. Sounds like you just got a chick on her first day.

[mindmetoo]

Eat more pork vs beef. I can pinch a dime until it screems but I have a hard time thinking where I can cut back. I read the IHT free at Starbucks vs buying the Herald/Times.

Yeah drinking is the real killer. That and taking cabs everywhere. I walk/subway it. And I enjoy both.

Entertainment is probably the biggest expense we have in Korea.

Gas is expensive. Luckily I live over a bakery and my apartment is usually quite warm without heat. During deep winter I turn my ondol on during the morning for an hour and then turn it off. Cook with your electric toaster oven, microwave more than your gas range. Electricity seems cheaper in the long run than gas.

[teachingld2004]

This is funny: Worked with a teacher once who saved money on her water bill by only taking a shower every other day, and only flushing the toilet once a day (don't ask...) Also raerly used the washing machine, washed clothes in the sink. Her water bill was just over 3.000 a month. And I take showers every day, flush the toilet when used, and do a wash when ever the machine is almost full, and my water bills are only 7,000 a month. Saving that 4,000 won is not important.

Oil is expensive, so using a space heater is a good idea. I use the rice cooker to cook soup and stews. Also buy fruits and vegetables when in season, because you know how prices go up and down.

Cooking at home usually is cheaper then eating out, but then again if I go for Kalbi 7,000 won is cheaper then buying it, cause of all the side dishes. On those nights I will make salad or tuna for lunch, no big deal. Pasta and rice are cheap and filling. It is better to use 1/2 white and 1/2 brown rice. Barley is cheap also, and if you mix barley, white and brown rice with some chopped carrots and onions that is the base for a great meal. A package of curry for 5 or 6,000 rounds off that for quite a cheap meal.
Do not use the curry but put in an egg and what ever veg you have in the refrig and you have bib-im-bop. Ad some ggochu-jung and voila!

Drink water instead of soda. I could go on and on (I think_ but that would bore people.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

Set up a ���� account at your bank. You get a much better interest rate on your savings. I have one where I put 1 million in it every month, right after I get my paycheck. There are two benefits:

1. The minor benefit is that it can be worth an extra 300 thousand a year.

2. The major benefit is that you are forced to save a million every month. That adds up to 12 million a year. Its awesome if you have discipline problems. And if its locked up in the ���� account you cant touch it for some whim of the moment purchase or a night out (well you CAN but it takes extra steps to break the account and that would pretty much kill the spontaneity and would make you think twice).

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

For anyone who can stand it, drink cold barley tea (������) instead of water.

Sparkles*_*

[just because]

Over the winter, we bought an electric heater instead of using gas,

Our monthly electric bill went up 20 000 won.
If i use gas, it goes up well over 100 000 won.

It feels the same heat wise(except when you go into another room) and over the 3 months of winter when you use it that is a BIG saving

[peppermint]

Another thing you can do is seal up the windows with some duct tape and heavy plastic sheeting. It'll help keep heat in.

[desultude]

You can get a Korean Airlines credit card through your bank. Every 1500 won is worth 1 mile on your account. Between travel and everyday expenses, I figure I can add at least 10,000 miles a year- if I charge everything. Since my charge card is paid in full every month, there is no reason not to charge everything, rather than pay cash..

There is another good reason for using a credit card- I was recently told by one of the administrators at my school that credit card use is tax deductable over a certain amount (I think about 4,000,000 per year). The advantage to the government is that they can see what you spent, and who collected the VAT.

[mindmetoo]

[Sage Monkey]