JET Program Vlog #4 - MONEY!

[roycestevens37]

This is one very "sordid" video. =p

[laysampson1231c]

Your vid went viral on Mbabane

[myargonauts]

@laysampson1231c thanks for the heads up. What is Mbabane? :)

[brainsteww]

Wait- can you keep the money you make in a bank account in Japan? Why do you have to send it back home to save it?

[myargonauts]

@brainsteww maybe I am confusing you... Yes, you can keep your money in a bank acct in Japan. You never have to send money to your home country while you're living in Japan if you don't want to. BUT, I had to send money to America every month to pay for bills, like school loans and credit cards, I still had in America when I left for Japan.

[Andr3wco7]

TO new viewers: The pay is now different. They started a new 'tier' system this year. First year gets ¥3,360,000, Second gets ¥3,600,000, Third gets ¥3,900,000, Fourth and Fifth gets ¥3,960,000. Keep in mind for USA people that you are free from tax for the first two years because of the USA-Japan tax treaty. :)

[myargonauts]

@Andr3wco7 very good info! thanks

[nuorangejapan]

you're a good guy, also good vids, lots of info.

[Hanoiboy888]

Cool, very cool.Wish someone could do the same here in Vietnam. Keep up the VLOGS !!

[ShinyRedGloss]

Your videos are amazing

[myargonauts]

@ShinyRedGloss well, thanks! I appreciate the comment.

[Iamderelict]

Wow man, thanks a bunch! I appreciate the insight.

[Crzeimasha]

how much money do you have left after all the bills are taking care of if you started with $2,800?

[myargonauts]

@Crzeimasha check out JET Vlog #14 where I discuss monthly bills and expenses.

[michaelsama]

Very useful. You've saved me from freaking out again. Thanks Jason!

[StandardofPurity]

I like how you called it a 'keitai' hehe

I am about to finish my last year at my university and am considering applying for JET. I am half Japanese and am fluent in Japanese, do you think this will help me in getting accepted?

[myargonauts]

@StandardofPurity being good at speaking Japanese is a plus - have you taken any tests to qualify your abilities such as the JLPT? Having other classes at college in Japanese culture, lit, politices, history, etc is also good.

[SockCasserole]

There's 2 Jet Vlog number 4s? :S

[myargonauts]

@SockCasserole well, there is this one, under the "Becoming an ALT" playlist, and there is another #4 under "Applying to JET" playlist.

[chickenseechickenpoo]

When you recorded this video, 100 yen = 1 dollar = 70p-ish, not 50p.

[rc1inc]

Sir, That was a pithier vlog. I extend my appreciation for you accepting the fact that you are longwinded. Contrary, I will inform you that I am in a rhetorical writing class that focuses heavily on grammar. Considering the fact that I have been to Japan and Singapore, this vlog was very informative. Good luck in your endeavors. -J

[myargonauts]

thanks for the 2nd chance - glad you found the video helpful - good luck.

[Soupysauce]

So JET provides you with a place to live but you pay for the rent? My college has a flier that says JET pays for your rent.

Electricity, Internet costs about how much a month? Also how big are the places you live in? Happen to know the Square feet?

[myargonauts]

check out my "supplement" vlogs for a tour of my apt - and I also have a vlog on monthly bills.

most JETs get some of their rent paid for - mine was $400/month of which I paid $100, but some JETs live for free and other JETs pay $500/month - it really varies.

[diphyodont]

Ok, so this was a very informative one. I'm a teacher in the US, but lived in JP as an exchange student 12 years ago. I have a desire to go back, but I also have debt here...student loans, credit card, car...

Any tips or suggestions, Jason!?

[myargonauts]

well, I've sent money home every single month of all 5 years I've lived here to pay down/off my domestic debt. It's not difficult to do, but you might not have as much extra money to travel and have fun as the responsibility-free 20s around you.

[BlanFan2O]

I don't like credit cards or checks so I'm good with just cash. I don't like cell phones either so... I think I might be able to get $1000 but that's a really big "maybe".

[xshiny]

Question, Does Jet help in finding an apartment? I've been looking over their website but they make no mention of it.

[myargonauts]

as a JET you are provided with a furnished apartment or house - but it varies a lot from JET to JET what that apartment is like, etc.

[TakashiNippon]

why is the pay rising? 20 years and same pay? JET should say something since inflation is killing the system

[myargonauts]

yeah - it can be tough not getting a raise, but JETs still make more per year than most other ALT jobs you can find in Japan.  It's a very decent salary.

[Dovelike]

@TakashiNippon The Jet pay is very reasonable considering the state of the Japanese economy and when you compare to non-Jet ALT jobs or English teaching jobs when teaching is a business.

[PrincessGarnet85]

thanks that was helpful. It'll be hard to get used to not using my debit card, i hate carrying cash around with me.

[SpinningBirdKick1]

Pots and Pans? lol I ate instant hyaku yen yakisoba and ramen almost everyday while I was over there, but I was only there for 2 months.

[ryanakron]

I feel like jets deserve a small signing bonus to cover the first few weeks before the real pay starts

[myargonauts]

yeah - those first few weeks can be a stretch - I had just about enough money to last me.

But JET does fly you over to Japan and put you up in a nice hotel in Tokyo for your first few days, they set you up with furnished housing with no key money, etc - so IMO it's still the "E-Ticket" of ALT jobs.

[syriangamer]

Keep making these Jet Vlogs. Im sure i speak for everyone when i say we appreciate the time and effort you put into them.

[saiyansgirl]

Hey I'm from Ireland. It's easy enough to find out the yen-dollar-euro changeover, so don't worry about what currency terms you use :D

Appreciate these videos greatly. I was looking for some sort of JI(USA) equivalent for Japan and never even knew JET existed.

[prego02]

hey, great vlogs! very informative!

so you make about 3500000 yen?

after they take from taxes etc. how much do you have leftover?

[myargonauts]

the monthly pay is 300,000yen. Taxes vary based on how long you've been here and what country you're from, but most JETs have about 20,000 taken out for pension and insurance and local tax, so about 280,000 take home each month give or take.

[Hitomi328]

This was a big concern of mine, actually, so thank you for addressing that:)

btw, totally random, but did you ever go to Dragon*con too?

[myargonauts]

never been to Dragon Con - I have been to WonderCon and APE, but I've never been to a con outside of Calif.

[AzureEyesD]

Oh and I am talking about an American debit card.

[AzureEyesD]

If you have a debit card you can pull money straight out of it from the ATMs at 711, I did this when I went to Japan. I does charge you, but only 5$ and the exchange rates were not inflated at all.

[redlimeoriginal]

Hi,

I could use my (Canada) debit card, at the post office! (5$ + fair exchange rate).

[TheBowlerHatGuy]

is there a reason for it being a cash society...with plastic retailers can profile customers...do they use customer loyalty cards?

[myargonauts]

I'm not sure why credit cards aren't more widely used here - I'm sure there is an interesting cultural reason.

And yeah - "loyalty cards" are used everywhere here - the electronics store, the convenience store, the donut shop - you name it.

[NullnV01d]

I got a loyalty card in a ramen restaurant I went in to! Wonder if they'll still honor it although it was 3 years ago and I still need to have 9 more bowls for my free bowl.

Actually I'm not sure what I got after 10 bowls cause I couldn't read it lol

[Rictof]

Comic-con huh? Yeah, you're definitely from California. Awesome vlog, very helpful. I'm going to start getting a strategic budget, should I ever be accepted by the program.

[rachofthejungle]

HI, I've been thinking about JET for 3 years now. Your videos are very helpful to me in helping me make the decision about applying.

Can't wait to watch the rest of your vids as I clean my apartment. Thinking of JET really lifts my spirits and hearing your down-to-earth, friendly insight makes it more real and tangible!

Thanks again for taking the time.

[myargonauts]

Thanks for the nice comment.

good luck in your decision.

[Joxxol]

"Thanks for watching these JET vlogs"

Thanks for posting them. I realize that there is probably very little personal gain, if any, for posting these videos. They are appreciated and you are appreciated!

[c3058872]

wow $1000 to bring....... When I go (hopefully 2011 after i finish uni) I'm planning on having about $10,000 (AUD). I guess I don't have to worry so much. lol

[42317]

It's funny how you always state that you hadn't said anything substantial... :-)

[myargonauts]

haha - yeah, I gotta stop doing that... :)

[TrouserEnthusiast]

Depends if you have to pay key money for your apartment or something...

[eevieg]

By the way, LOVE your Batman poster.

[myargonauts]

Thanks - can't wait to see the new Batman - Dark Knight movie this summer! :)

[djmugenh]

I have a question regarding salary you said you receve 28,0000yen Per/month if you don't mind me asking how much do you pay for basic living (i.e rent utility electric bills) you mentioned cause I read somehwere regarding Jet that these expenses are covered probaly wrong though thank you in advance.

[myargonauts]

good question - I'll cover my monthly expenses in an upcoming vlog on banking. Thanks for the suggestion.

[gregsdaone]

See Tokyocooney vlogs for utilities.

[WhiteMatrix2006]

This one of the main things I had questions about when becoming a JET. Thank you very much for covering this. How much do you typically spend on groceries a week? I will actually be going over there with my current fiance (will be my wife by then). Do you think this could make things a little more difficult money wise? She would not head to Japan for 1 to 2 months until I got situated in and prepared for her arrival.

[myargonauts]

Nope - shouldn't be more difficult. Many JETs do just what you're talking about - come over, get set up and then have their significant other come out to join them.

[WhiteMatrix2006]

Oh ok. Thank you for the response.

[petchay8099]

very informative! thanks jason :)

[myargonauts]

yeah - don't stress too much about it. I've often heard of BoEs lending their new JET money to help them get by when they first arrive - they know you're good for it and aren't going anywhere. :)

[6Firebird]

Yeah, the swiss frank also runs around 100yen and the euro at around 163 yen

[JEHPhotography]

from what i saw 2 days ago 1 australian dollar was buying just over 100 yen something like 100.35

[jidoujidou]

Yeah, it took some getting used to with the credit cards, especially with groceries... The thing is, you get way too much change in Japan in the form of 1 and 5 yen coins, and you have to work around those as well or else you end up with a huge bag of 'em like me...

[myargonauts]

Yeah - that's something I forgot to mention - that the smallest money paper bill is the 1000yen note (about $10). So $1 and $5 equivalents are coins. So you do get weighed down by all the coins in your pocket. Luckily there are vending machines on every corner to take your change - interesting that! :)

[nyannyan123456]

$30500 a year being english teacher. Sounds like thats about par with elementary teachers in the U.S. I was in japan for just a week and me and my wife spent close to 2000 dollars and we really didnt go anywhere really fancy. You mentioned you eat Ramen soba that must be how you save your o-kane (money)

As always really informative video I also like the translations you put in your comments I like learning new words. (omiyage)

[myargonauts]

3,500,000yen per year is closer to $33,000 per year with today's exchange rate. Yeah - it's a livable wage - not great, but better than most language schools offer.

[nyannyan123456]

Iam sooo glad I did not convert my yen from last years trip to dollars. May of 2007, 1 dollar bought about 120 yen. Right now a dollar buy right around 104 yen.

I guess thats good for you Jason since you send money back to the states.

[cruxay]

These are useful for those interested in JET. I'll definitely send these videos over to anyone interested about it!

[myargonauts]

Great - thanks! Just simply commenting, like you just did, and rating helps get these videos seen by more people, so I really appreciate it.

[maven451]

Where did you get all your movie posters? I remember a long time ago local video shops would just give those away, wish I kept those. Nice video as always, very informative.

[myargonauts]

Yeah - I have TONS of movie posters, from working at video stores and from buying them at comic conventions and from working at a comic store. I'm a big movie fan.

[Dominilucy]

Holy cow! I was just thinking about my debt ... but this was very informative. Thank you. I was wondering, if you had to pay a months rent before hand when you arrived at your apartment?? I will probably be commenting on all your vlogs especially because I like to be very prepared. I wanted to also ask what should one bring as gifts??? Thanks!

[myargonauts]

I'll go over rent in an upcoming vlog - but to answer briefly, no - I didn't have to pay a deposit or "key money" since my apartment is owned by the town I work for and every JET has lived here.

I'll also talk more about gifts (omiyage) when I talk about packing.

Thanks for watching!

[Graehaus]

I love the fact they are cash oriented, I mean I have problems with my atm every now and then. Thanks for posting Jason.

[justawolfbite]

Thanks for the info - never knew about cards not being used thanks

[matman125]

Very helpful. Most people I know are surprised that credit cards are not as commonly used in Japan as they are at home.

GolLoyds ...I wonder of that works like Paypal.

[myargonauts]

GoLloyds is not really like Paypal - it's pretty much just a wire transfer service. It's expensive, but with the time difference the money arrives in your bank account the same day you send it. That's way better than a postal money transfer or sending cash in an envelope to relatives back home.

[quantumcactus]

one of your best clips imo!thx for all the infos!

[Senoska]

Great work Jason, these movies are great and informative. Keep up the good work!

[myargonauts]

Thanks to everyone here for the nice comments.  I appreciate the feedback.

I'm gonna try to post 3 or 4 this week.

[kansaiPJ]

Good video. Informative. Wish I had had such clear advice when I came years back.