Dinero

[Michaela]

Hola todos!

Just wondering how much money you guys are planning to arrive with? Just curious.

Ciao!
-Michaela

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[pittel]

A tip from someone whose been there: bring as much as you can! I think the program manual says 1,000 USD...yeah, no way that's gonna work, haha.

Keep in mind that along with the exchange rate (which takes a nice chunk in and of itself), you're going to need a few nights in a hostel while you're piso searching, month (or 2) deposit on a piso, 1st month's rent, plus a million little things like a phone, food, transportation...things add up really really fast.

Add in the fact that a lot of communities don't have the greatest track record for paying on time...you're talking a good chunk of change, even if you're in a region with a lower cost of living. Obviously places like Madrid, Barcelona, and País Vasco are more expensive, but when you have no income for a month or two and are paying rent, gastos, etc, it goes fast.

So start saving NOW! All the little things add up, so it's not going to hurt to bring as much as you can.

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[meliss589]

 

A tip from someone whose been there: bring as much as you can! I think the program manual says 1,000 USD...yeah, no way that's gonna work, haha.

Keep in mind that along with the exchange rate (which takes a nice chunk in and of itself), you're going to need a few nights in a hostel while you're piso searching, month (or 2) deposit on a piso, 1st month's rent, plus a million little things like a phone, food, transportation...things add up really really fast.

Add in the fact that a lot of communities don't have the greatest track record for paying on time...you're talking a good chunk of change, even if you're in a region with a lower cost of living. Obviously places like Madrid, Barcelona, and País Vasco are more expensive, but when you have no income for a month or two and are paying rent, gastos, etc, it goes fast.

So start saving NOW! All the little things add up, so it's not going to hurt to bring as much as you can.

Oh man, sounds like I've really gotta come prepared.  How much do you suggest is more reasonable than $1000?  Is $2000 enough, assuming the paycheck is late?

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[pittel]

I guess it all depends on the region. In País Vasco, we only get paid twice (which they told us up front, to be fair), one lump sum in November and the rest in April. We didn't get paid til the end of November, but we still got paid before some communities that were supposed to get paid monthly.

I brought almost $2,000 and it was not enough, to be blunt. And I'm sharing a room with my bf, who also brought about that much. País Vasco is really expensive, so it probably would have been ok in Andalucia or Murcia (somewhere with lower rent, etc), but we were pretty frugal-we didn't travel at all and didn't go out that much until we got paid. Maybe some people have better success stories, but I would err on the side of caution and bring as much as you can save.

So yeah, it sucks to think of how much money you have to save for this, but it's better to know now, I suppose. Also, the faster you can get on private classes when you get here, the better. It's a lot to think about in the first couple months, but it saved our butts before we got paid. Trust me, I'll be saving all my money this summer so it doesn't happen again when I get back to Bilbao!

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[Michaela]

Wow. Thanks for the advice!

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[jesspanol]

I did the program in 2009-2010 in el País Vasco and arrived with about $1,400.  I was able to find a room in Bilbao for 300 Euros monthly which included everything but food.  My only expenses outside of rent the first few months were my monthly train ticket, which was about 54 Euros, a 10 Euro metro ticket for occasional use, and food, which I bought very cheaply at supermarkets and prepared at home.  I think you can live pretty cheaply in most parts of Spain if you're frugal.

That being said, there is the problem of many communities not paying on time which can cause problems if your money is running low.  In el País Vasco, we had the same problem in 09-10 as they apparently had this year.  We were paid nearly two weeks late in November and three weeks late in the spring.  We had been told we would be paid by the end of March, but we were actually paid about three weeks later.  By that point I was down to my last 1,37 Euro or so (which was partially my fault because I'd traveled over the Christmas holidays thinking I would still have enough money to last until the end of March and believing I'd be paid then) and spent my two-week Semana Santa break very hungry because I was rationing out my last few cans of vegetables.

I completely agree with pittel's advice to bring as much as you can save - you will avoid so much stress and worry, which will help you have an even better experience.  This time I'm planning on having at least $3,000 saved by the time I leave, but hopefully it will be even more.

Best of luck!

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[Reportinglove]

In terms of supplementing the grant money with income from private lessons -- how much would you guys say is the benchmark/reasonable hourly rate to charge?

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[Michaela]

I read  the recommended amount to start with was $3000/$4000 including flights. Which seems about right (leaning towards $4000 of course). :O)

Gracias amigos!
-Michaela

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[halawson]

Does anyone know if we get to pocket the full grant amount (700E in most places, 1000E in Madrid)?  Or is some taken out for taxes/fees/other things I don't know about?  I had seen somewhere that in Madrid you only really take away 888E....

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[GNGN]

I'm assuming it is 3-4,000 USD we're talking about?

Thank you for the clarification. I definitely want to be prepared!

I read  the recommended amount to start with was $3000/$4000 including flights. Which seems about right (leaning towards $4000 of course). :O)

Gracias amigos!
-Michaela

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[Michaela]

Yes friend, USDs.

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[GNGN]

Thank you, Michaela! 

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[trebles]

Oh man, sounds like I've really gotta come prepared.  How much do you suggest is more reasonable than $1000?  Is $2000 enough, assuming the paycheck is late?

I think $2500 would be just enough, expecting a late paycheck.. anything less and you might be counting every eurocent and stressing till you get paid.

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[bwhyte]

I'd love any advice about finding flats/extra income in Pais Vasco (Basque Country)

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[serendipity]

Does anyone know if we get to pocket the full grant amount (700E in most places, 1000E in Madrid)?  Or is some taken out for taxes/fees/other things I don't know about?  I had seen somewhere that in Madrid you only really take away 888E....

in madrid, the 1000euros is tax free. i believe they only taxed auxiliares in the first year or 2 of the program, but currently, the grants (whether 700 euros or 1000 euros) are tax free.

and as far as private classes, it really depends on the area and the families/people you are able to find and their social level/demand. for me, i charge no less than 20 euros an hour in madrid (some are kids, some are adult couples), and in one of my classes i make 25 euros for 2 kids at the same time. however, it really depends. tusclasesparticulares.com is your best friend

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[Jeremyd87]

Im living in Madrid with one of my friends and were both bringing about 6,000 and we plan on doing it big and traveling a lot so bring what you want to spend.

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[m_palazuelos]

does anyone know if we're paid monthly? i got my assignment in Madrid...help please! i wanna be prepared financially!

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[redbull]

Does anyone have any cost of living estimates or sites where I can look it up?

Thanks!

ETA:

Never mind, ha ha

/reading comprehension

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