Budget
I am realizing that the likelihood of me having to get some minimum wage job until I get a teaching job is quite high. I started planning a budget around that and I'm starting to wonder how I ever managed on that little before. Full-time minimum wage is about $1000 per month. Last time I had an apartment it was $600 and they were about to raise the rent. They like to do that every time your lease is up. I guess they figure it's easier for you to shell out another $50 per month than to have to go find another apartment, pack everything, move, and unpack. I seriously dislike apartment living. Let's be generous and say I could find an apartment for $500 though, that's half of my income. *is a little concerned about the safety of a $500/month apartment when I heard gunshots at the $600/month one*
Let's also give a low estimate of utilities at $100. That includes electric, gas, and water. Cable and internet aren't even factoring into this equation. A low estimate of $100 for gas for my car. I can spend more than that in 2 weeks, but let's just imagine I'm near a grocery store where I can walk through the gunfire to save some expense. Speaking of groceries, let's call that $100 too. I've rarely seen a $100 grocery month, but let's just pretend that the prices are good in the 'hood and I found some coupons on the ground. $150 for car insurance only leaves me $50 for a cell phone which I will need if I'm gonna get a better job. Money left over for emergencies: 0.
I was wondering how I did this before, but before the cost of living wasn't at the rate it is now. Everyone's salaries are dropping, but groceries, gas, and all the rest are still at the level when society in general was livin' better. In less than 6 months, my student loans will start coming due. I don't foresee any way of paying them, but if I put them on deferment, I will still have all that interest accruing. My mom has been having to get into what little of her savings for retirement every month. I can't blame her for being stressed out and wanting me to get out as quick as possible.
So my options are: get an evening minimum wage job so that I can possibly substitute teach during the day. I need to get my foot in the door somehow. OR teach English in South Korea. Free airfare and housing, plus better pay than I'd be able to make here. The con to that one is that I'm out of the country for a full year. If something comes available mid-year I can't jump on it. And if I don't leave until August, that means I won't be back until August. I would lose the summer to search for a job.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd like to hear them...
XOXOX,
Loch
Let's also give a low estimate of utilities at $100. That includes electric, gas, and water. Cable and internet aren't even factoring into this equation. A low estimate of $100 for gas for my car. I can spend more than that in 2 weeks, but let's just imagine I'm near a grocery store where I can walk through the gunfire to save some expense. Speaking of groceries, let's call that $100 too. I've rarely seen a $100 grocery month, but let's just pretend that the prices are good in the 'hood and I found some coupons on the ground. $150 for car insurance only leaves me $50 for a cell phone which I will need if I'm gonna get a better job. Money left over for emergencies: 0.
I was wondering how I did this before, but before the cost of living wasn't at the rate it is now. Everyone's salaries are dropping, but groceries, gas, and all the rest are still at the level when society in general was livin' better. In less than 6 months, my student loans will start coming due. I don't foresee any way of paying them, but if I put them on deferment, I will still have all that interest accruing. My mom has been having to get into what little of her savings for retirement every month. I can't blame her for being stressed out and wanting me to get out as quick as possible.
So my options are: get an evening minimum wage job so that I can possibly substitute teach during the day. I need to get my foot in the door somehow. OR teach English in South Korea. Free airfare and housing, plus better pay than I'd be able to make here. The con to that one is that I'm out of the country for a full year. If something comes available mid-year I can't jump on it. And if I don't leave until August, that means I won't be back until August. I would lose the summer to search for a job.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd like to hear them...
XOXOX,
Loch