Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SojuQueen]

Having been in Korea for a couple of months, I feel that I am having a good time, yet seems that its hard to save money.

I like having a social life, yet get condescending remarks when I tell fellow expats when I can do this or that because of funds. I like having fun, but feel like I can do more with my time and money that frequent the local watering holes full of gossip from I don't know when.

Any tips of how to balance this?

[normalperson]

Focus on something you want/need. I know it sounds "Cliche" but it works.
Find something that you really want, plan how much your going to save every month/week and put that money aside in a box or something.
But if you dont have a strong enough desire for it, chances are you'll end up spending it.

[Died By Bear]

It's like the wise man said, relax yourself,
When it's moving too fast, you set ya down.
When the going gets tough, then get to going,
If you really wanna speak, then make the sound.
Keep your eyes on the prize and realise,
That the struggles gonna come in all shapes and size.
But you gotta stay strong, don't let your knees buckle,
Gotta keep the hustle, keep hustling, do it, do it, do it.

Let the lovin, let the lovin come back to me

[tideout]

You've identified one of the problems here. My impression is people waste bucket fulls of money here on booze etc..
You'll probably go through many ups and downs while in Korea and may really want to leave at the end of your contract. Hard to imagine in the beginning but if you save money and leave financially better at the end you preserve a win in either case.

[Globutron]

I basically don't spend money on drink, right?

I do go out and have fun but I can get through a night on 3 or 4 drinks. But I only do this once every few weeks, or once a month.

Yet, I have been abroad twice this year, travelled Korea pretty damn extensively, bought a PC, musical equipment, more clothes than ever before (not saying much though) and basically not been rationing myself in any way, yet I still think I can get �6,000 out of this year saved (if I start saving now. I'm gonna see how much I can squeeze)

Probably says a lot for the alcohol abuse other's go through who I've seen leave this country with about �1k spare.

[tideout]

[jrwhite82]

Make a list or collage of all the things you want. Like a car. Student loans paid off. New wardrobe. Whatever you desire most. Then hang that up in your apartment on the inside of your door. Every time you leave the house you can look at it and remember what you are working towards. So instead of buying the super sized McDonalds set, go to the Kimbap restaurant. Take the bus instead of a taxi. When you go bowling play two games instead of three, etc...Keep saving towards that goal.

And don't buckle to peer pressure. Be your own person. If your friends don't respect you for trying to save for your future, get some new friends that have similar interests.

[DorkothyParker]

You can do this one of two ways:
After paying bills, take out the amount of money you have for "fun" and only use that money. When it's gone, it's gone.

Take out in cash what you typically need for survival / savings and then use your debit card for fun.

Same difference. It's just easier to spend sensibly when you divide up the cash early on. I actually divide my post bill money by the remaining days till payday. I will round the weekdays down to $30 typically. Then when I spend $10 on a weekday, it's like I gave myself $20 for fun on the weekend. Cha-ching!

As for balancing with socializing, I have no idea.

[chungbukdo]

You a gal? Go on dates, get the guy to pay.

[methdxman]

[SojuQueen]

Yea, but you know what that means most of the time...lol

[jwilks]

[drinkyogurtsoju]

I like your name sojuqueen.

[SojuQueen]

Expect me to pay? I expect to get laid.

Exactly! I don't think that's the way to go.


Thanks drinkyogutsoju, I like yours too

[Globutron]

SojuQueer, more like