Young lecturers get harsh money lesson

He Ying, a young lecturer at Capital Normal University, earns 7,000 yuan ($1,100) a month before tax and is feeling the financial strain of living in Beijing.

"My husband and I pay 8,000 yuan for our house loan each month, more than a third of our joint monthly income," said the 29-year-old. "We can save very little after paying our essential living expenses, and I worry about the future.

"My parents are getting old and I'm concerned that if they become sick I won't have the time or money to provide them with good care. We plan to have a baby soon, but the cost will be huge."