an ordinary EFl teacher over there living non-extravagantly, what would one's earnings be for a 25 period a week teaching load plus office hours, and how much of it could one put aside after paying for one's daily living costs? Please answer in US dollars.

Ok, it is only fair to answer. Even pushing the boat out a bit, the odd visit to the pub, western supermarkets, and so on, I still managed to save pretty well.

For 20 teaching contact hours and the rest of the time sat online in the office, I was gettting 3,500 USD a month in equivalent local currency. So it is definitely possible to save. Eating locally, cooking at home is cheap. Alcohol is expensive, more so than the UK and you need a permit if you want to buy. So it is more restrictive if you are into beer than China. Girlfriend? Not even going to happen, non muslims can be deported for that.

I should add it is soul destroying work. You only need to listen to and observe your colleagues, as there is an unseemly scramble come July to GTFO and go home or travelling. Lots who have done it for years, get burnt out on it. I would only repeat it if things got very dire, as it is, like you I can save half of 5,000 rmb a month.

Cheers and happy w/e,
SMGS