MONEY MATTERS

People have come with 100,000 to 200,000 yen in wallet and done fine. How much money you need to bring depends somewhat on your own lifestyle and spending habits.  I brought about 100,000 yen and that worked out great for me, I didn't have to pay my rent until my pay check came - so my expenses went to buying food, household items, and going out.
Most people are paid on the 20^th or 21^st of each month. Some host institutions may be able to give advances to the new arrivals, but do not rely on this. Even when having to buy almost everything from scratch, after the first one or two paychecks, most people are living comfortably.

Fortunately, few JETs in Gifu have to start from the beginning. If you are not the first JET in your position, the previous JET will probably leave you many things, and sell you large items from beds to CD players. But do not feel that you are required to buy everything your predecessor wants to sell you. You can always wait until you get here to buy the things you need. In some cases, the host institution has fully equipped the apartment, so there will be little or no cost involved. Ask your host institution and the JET.

How much do people pay previous JETs?

New JETs are usually given good deals by departing JETs. However, there may be a couple who try to sell you things at inflated prices. Have the JET be specific about what they are selling and what is owned by the host institution. An average price range can be from 30,000 to 80,000 yen, not including a telephone line. Do not feel that you must buy whatever your predecessor is selling. Take your time. When you get to Japan, if you are not in a rush to buy something, and even if you are, take some time to look at prices and options before buying. Some people spend much more than necessary. Most of the prices below are based on buying the items new, unless otherwise stated.

What are some general prices?

Telephone line: This will be the biggest expenditure for most people. A new line costs around 80,000 yen. JETs generally hand the line down for 60,000 to 70,000 yen. If you have to buy a line yourself, there are telephone brokerages that will, for example, sell a line for 70,000 yen and buy it back for 50,000 yen. This is cheaper than renting. There are also private classifieds in several English-language monthlies.

TV: Depending on size, age, etc., you need not pay a fortune. You can get a decent, remote control, bilingual TV for less than 35,000 yen.

VCR: You can buy ones that only play tapes, and do not record for about 10,000 yen. Recording and/or bilingual VCRs can be found for less 30,000 yen.

CD PLAYER: Large players of well-known brands can be bought second-hand for 9,000 yen to 20,000 yen.

Having some sort of bilingual device (enabling you to play dubbed programs in the original language) will make your life a little nicer. Some stereos are equipped with bilingual channels, so you can listen to the TV through the stereo - this can work out to be cheaper than buying a bilingual TV. Bilingual adapters are also available. In any case, the English language TV programs are not of the highest quality unless you are a fan of re-runs of America`s Growing Pains and Full House.

BICYCLES: Most JETs rely on these for transport. For example, there is no bus route to my school. Your host institution will usually provide one, but, if not, a basic “shopping” bike with a basket and no gears will be about 15,000 to 25,000 yen. Mountain bikes are still quite new in Japan. They start at about 40,000 yen, but this does not guarantee the same quality and standards that you may find at home. It may be worthwhile to bring your own, especially if you are tall or attached to your bike. Once again, second hands are available. People are able to even pick out a bike for free from the “big trash” days.

FANS: The most important investment next to a kerosene heater and your air conditioner. New ones range from 3,000 yen and up. *Note: air conditioners only come with some apartments. You can buy your own but they tend to be very expensive to buy and get installed (start around 90,000 yen).

KOTATSUS: These are tables with a heater underneath. A thick blanket is draped over it and the detachable table-top placed on the blanket. The result is a warm cave for your legs and any other part of your body you can fit under it. The Japanese find it amazing that JETs squeeze their whole bodies under such tables. New ones start at about 13,000 yen.

HEATERS: There is a wide range of heating devices available. A kerosene fan heater will cost around 25,000 yen new, and is a much cheaper way to heat your apartment than electricity. You can also find electric heaters, which start at approximately 3,000 yen, but some apartments don't allow these.

OVENS/TOASTER OVENS: Ovens are not part of the standard JET kitchen but they are a great asset. The prices can be high but you can find some for a little over 10,000 yen. Toaster ovens can be bought for about 3,000 yen and up depending on the options.

Remember that you do not have to spend all your cash and buy everything new. For the serious bargain hunter, there are special days when everyone throws out large “trash,” things they do not use anymore but are still in good condition. This can yield surprising dividends. This trash is called “sodai gomi.” There are English language newsletters (the Nagoya Calendar and Gifu`s own Sekai wa Hitotsu) that have classifieds of other foreigners selling their stuff. Plus, there are second hand stores around. For those with access to Nagoya, the Osu-kannon shopping area has stores selling new and used cut-price electrical goods. In Gifu City there area few discount electronic shops like Gigas. Ask the renewer in your area on where to go for the things you need.