In Saudi Arabia, living costs are on par with those in the UK and the US. Across the rest of the Gulf States, they tend to be a little lower. However, your great pay package means that you can afford to live well and build up your savings, wherever you are in this region. On top of a generous, tax-free salary, most TEFL teachers receive free or heavily subsidised accommodation – meaning that you’ll cut out the biggest expense from your budget. You’ll be living a far from basic lifestyle too. In Saudi Arabia, for example, most teachers live in secure, fenced-off compounds complete with a swimming pool and gym. Even if you eat out regularly at mid-range restaurants (as many expatriates here do) you should still manage to save a few thousand pounds each year. The one thing that is pricey is alcohol. As it is prohibited in public places, hotels that do serve alcoholic drinks tend to charge a premium. While you may only pay 65p for a loaf of bread in Dubai, it’s normal for a small bottle of beer to cost in the region of £3.50 for example. Costs in Turkey are lower but so are wages, so don’t expect to save nearly as much here as in the Gulf States. The good news is that you will often get accommodation included in your teaching package, although quality can vary widely. As food and drink (other than alchol) are cheap across the country, you should be able to afford a decent standard of living. Just don’t expect to have too much over at the end of the month to save.