Money Matters By Liz and Tim

US Tax Information Timeline: – Now: File form 8822 – Change of Address – December: Get (tiny) earnings statement - Keep it! – By April: Read your handbook for filing instructions! Questions? – Read the Tax Guide in your Gunma Orientation Handbook. Dont lose it! – Liz for basic advice

Your Paycheck Salary – 280,000 per month Money in the bank – 238,000 per month, minus: Taxes (if liable) School lunch (kyuushoku) fees Tea service fees Teachers association fees

Banks Open a Japanese bank account (if you havent) – Your CO may require a specific bank for paycheck deposits – You can open a second bank account of your choice. Good way to get a debit card and/or access to an ATM network that spans the country. Close at 3pm

ATMs Longer hours, but still limited Provide most services you need from a bank Fees for night, holiday, and weekend usage Foreign bank cards: Try Japan Post ATMs

Furikomi A common type of money transfer Only offered in Japanese Need bank, branch, and account holder names and the account number and type Take your bill to a teller during bank hours if you need help the first time. Print a furikomi card to make recurring transfers easier.

Paying Bills Furikomi – Furikomi info will be on the bill Payment slips – Pay at a conbini Automatic transfer – Have your JTE help with the paperwork to set up Postal money order (yuubinkawase) Bill Payment slip

Credit Cards Foreign credit cards will work (if its set up) Works at major supermarkets and gas stations – Costco ONLY takes Amex – Restaurants and getting a cash advance is hit and miss Credit cards can make cell and internet signup easier – Payment methods can be switched after signup.

Getting a Japanese Credit Card Can be difficult Credit system in Japan is different A good bet is to try to sign up while with a company that you subscribe to for utilities (Internet/cable) Payment methods vary between cards – Make sure you are clear about payment methods or you may end up paying a lot of interest.

Is A (Japanese) Credit Card Necessary? Amazon and Rakuten can generally take furikomi, COD and convenience store payments Your home country cards work just as well unless you plan to use payment splitting or point programs

Sending Money 2 Main methods – Postal Money Orders Cheap (~1500) Slow Requires someone else to cash – GoLloyds Done thru furikomi <- easy, fast Higher fees (2000 yen flat rate) Referrals give you a bonus