Frugal Living

[Niko]

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:

1. Buy 1 loaf of bread and eat 1 slice in the morning, and 1 slice in the evening.
2. 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.
3. Drink as much coffee and tea you can for free at your school.
4. 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.
5. Make friends and get invited to their place for dinner.
6. Make friends with the school owner. He will then take you out for free drinks.
7. 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)

[karlw66]

Hear hear!

I arrived in Korea in much the same position (New Years day 2001) - maybe $50 USD all up. A $6 NZD suit I hadda but on lay-by (LOL) ex a salvation army store, 50 cent shoes and about 4-5 shirts from the same store!

Ate absolutely bugger all - street stall kai (food), you name it so long as it was cheap. Just be lucky we weren't born in the Sudan or wherever - THEN y'all can complain about yr situation sure......

Anyhows, had a ball - sure it was tough, but and as you rightly say mate, be friendly and folk's will treat you well.......it ain't bludging, one's situation is one's fkn situation.....all grist for the mill as they say.....

So, absolutely! Nothing ventured nothing gained.....and later, I was more than happy to help out newbs in similar positions - "goes around comes around"

Just do it! All else will follow if ya have the gumption to take a risk or two.....and you will meet a lotta gd people out there who'll help out provided you have a personality etc......

Cheers,

Karl W
NZ