Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zach with a Z]

ello

my gf and I are going to Korea in August and we are looking to save some money and maybe do some traveling while in Asia (a shocking plan I know).

I was just curious what kind of a budget two people living in Busan could expect to live of off, being rather frugal. We both have been living the life of poor college kids for a while, so we are not flashy, eat nearly all of our meals at home, and do most of going out drinking in the form of heavy doses of pre-funk'n or pre-game'n or pre-drinking what ever you want to call it... but it makes for a very cheap night out when you only need 2 more for the night...

so anyhow...

what is a reasonable amount for a budget for the two of us? I've seen some estimates but I am assuming this is a one person budget. Its been my experience that you can save an ass load of money splitting bills and food costs et cetera...


thanks!

[D.D.]

News flash- University is over you don't need to live like a bunch of hobos. You can have fun and still save 2000 between you every month. Busan tends to have lower wages but it is not expensive.

[michaelambling]

[MollyBloom]

My fiance and I live in Seoul. We make a pretty decent salary between us, but are really saving up. We each take out 500,000 from our salaries and put 250,000 each towards food/house supplies every month. We go to Kim's Club and Costco for bulk/cheap goods. Any surplus we use it to go out to dinner. However, we do get pizza a couple times a month I have been able to save 2 million a month so far. We don't really drink too much so we don't spend money on that.

[prairiegirl81]

I'm also here with my husband and agree that, depending on your starting salary, you should probably save about 1 million won a month each.

Concerning staying in to eat - you may find it cheaper to go out! Eating in and eating healthy food (not Ramyon noodles) can often be more expensive. Fruits and Vegetables are expensive here - but then again I live in quite a small city where the only real option is E-Mart...

Good luck!

[sokocanuck21]

haha, silly hobos...

[farrepatt]

My husband and I live just outside of Seoul. We spend just over 1,000,000 a month, bills included (but not rent). We don't feel like we're living like hobos, but neither one of us buys much in the way of clothing or 'fun stuff' other than movies, dinners, and alcohol. It'll be a bit more expensive for the first few months while you're settling in and getting things arranged, but living here is pretty cheap.

[Gaber]

OP, you'll have to get used to being Zach with a Ch once you get here. Or maybe a hard S. I'm living with my girlfriend, and honestly I save less these days because the company means I'm a lot more likely to eat out than when I lived alone. Still putting away about a million a month though

[fishy]

My hubby and I were poor grad students for most of our marriage, but now even though we're flush with cash, so to speak, we still budget and save 75% of our income.
Total expenses for the month (excluding rent for which the university deducts a nominal fee) including weekly spending money and costco trips are around 1.3 M won a month.

[Nierlisse]

My husband and I haven't really budgeted yet, but I imagine we'll be saving at least 1 million won a month, each. We eat out every other night and when we do eat at home, it's usually rice with a stir-fry of whatever we have lying around. Although we made hamburgers and hotdogs once, along with homemade french fries! I would cook even more if we had an oven. As it is, we found a yummy pizza place with pizzas for under 10 dollars and that will feed both of us for dinner. So, it's pretty cheap here. We probably spend the most on alcohol, but he drinks beer and I prefer soju, both of which are pretty cheap here. As long as you go for the Korean beers and not the foreign imports.

You'll definitely be able to save money here; even more so with the two of you. Good luck!

[losing_touch]

I live with my wife. She doesn't work. We manage to save about a million per month on my salary alone. It isn't difficult, and my budget is rudimentary at best. With both of you working, you won't be having a problem.

[bassexpander]

Just make sure she goes with you when you get your hair cut, and you'll be able to save a lot.