JET Program Vlog #14 - Monthly Expenses

This one was supposed to cover banking too, but I ran out of time, so my main focus is listing some of my monthly expenses so you can get an idea of the cost of rural living.

Of course these numbers will vary quite a bit depending of where you live in Japan and your personal habits.

As for my intro about the loss of comedy genius George Carlin - do yourself a favor and search his name here on YT for some great and insightful entertainment.

And you can head over to my blog:
http://www.jasoninjapan.blogspot.com/
to see one of my favorite routines and my short eulogy for one of my heroes.

Peace!
-jason

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• ALT
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[gaiachaos2000]

The NHK fee is actually the license fee, which is pretty much standard throughout the world, except in some countries like Canada, USA. There should absolutely be no commercials when you watch programs from NHK. You can avoid paying the fee by simply stating that you don't have a TV or radio --- though be prepared in case the collection agent inspects your place for proof.

[myargonauts]

@gaiachaos2000 I've been ok with paying since I do enjoy watching Sumo, but recently they switched sumo from BS to only being on NHK-G and I can't see that channel with my current TV.  I've called NHK and we're working on it, but it might get fixed when I buy a new TV in December. Anyway - you're right about the license thing. And the fee has gone up since I made this video - it's about 2000yen per month now.

[gaiachaos2000]

@myargonauts Analog was completely phased out three months ago (July 24). :D

[myargonauts]

@gaiachaos2000 right, and that might be the issue with getting a "new" digital only channel vs the BS "cable" channels I normally watch. A lot of the hassle is just language barrier stuff. I'm sure I'll have it figured out by the end of 2011.

[drhikarisan]

wow, $400 was actually what i was guessing for the rent but then you said you only pay $100. That's an insanely good deal.

If you don't have an actual dryer do you just hang them out to dry? and if so what do you do in the rainy/snow seasons?

I read that for the NHK guy even if you don't watch it he harasses you to pay it so I heard someone suggest you lie about not having a tv but I'm not really comfortable with that necessarily

330 yen for a lunch sounds fair enough to me

[myargonauts]

@Andr3wco7 well, the only reason I had such cheap rent was because I was a member of the JET Programme and my rent was subsidized by my employer, the local board of education. Now that I'm teaching at a university and am "on my own" I pay about 48,000/month in rent - still cheap but much more normal.

[TheRationalDude]

@myargonauts Do you have an english degree? Please make a vlog about it :)

[myargonauts]

@TheRationalDude I plan to make a vlog about this soon, since so many ask now, but the short answer is someone at the uni that knew me from JET recommended me, and the salary is good - more than JET at least.

[TheRationalDude]

@myargonauts How did you get a job teaching in the university?? Whats the salary like there?

[gaiachaos2000]

@myargonauts If video quality is not an issue for you, then I'd recommend just getting the digital converter box and stick with your old TV. Seriously, this route is a lot cheaper. You can ask the technician about this perhaps. The installation is not that hard. If time is an issue, look for the PRODIA brand --- I remember seeing a website where a young man was in the same situation as yours and he used that particular digibox while keeping his old TV.

[Andr3wco7]

@myargonauts Thanks for the answer and reply! Helps so much! Planning to join JET in 2 years when I graduate, and I'll talk to my employer about rent getting lowered (not sure if its something I have to bring up or they offer at hand???).