No Money? Become a frugal teacher!
You think you have it tough? You have no money, hence your excuse for not going abroad to teach. Well, think again! I did it, and so can you.
I first came to
teach in Japan when I was 22. My first few months were tough. Frugal living was the name of the game in order to survive.
Japan is one of the most expensive countries in the world to live, so my mission to survive was going to be even that much harder.
Here's my crash course on
frugal living abroad:
- Buy 1 loaf of bread and eat 1 slice in the morning, and 1 slice in the evening.
- Buy instant noodles. Cheap throughout Asia! Eat 1 packet for lunch and 1 for dinner. Eating instant noodles is great. You get a meal and a drink at the same time.
- Drink as much coffee and tea you can for free at your school.
- Don't use the heater or air-conditioner. This just sucks up your money. Instead dress warmly wearing a heavy parker in winter to bed.
- Make friends and get invited to their place for dinner.
- Make friends with the school owner. He will then take you out for free drinks.
- Walk everywhere. The school will feel sorry for you and give you a free bicycle.
I did the above for 1 month in Japan. It was my first month in Japan, and I really didn't have any money. I am too proud to ask my parents for money, so did it tough. My frugal living (excluding cost of rent) amounted to ￥200 (USD 2) per day.
You may think I'm a real bastard and user. But I never made friends to take advantage of them. I only made friends cause it's my nature. What more can I say? I'm just a friendly type of guy.
Nowadays, I have more money, so I do help where I can to those who are in the same boots I once was in.
So, I don't want to hear you have no money as an excuse for not heading abroad to teach. If you really want to do something, you will surely find the means to do it.
End of story. No if's or but's. Just do it!
Frugal Living Guy
(Frugal English Teacher - Shizuoka, Japan)