Do you ever get tired of all the taxes, high food, gas, "gotcha" taxes and fees? (Sacramento: vehicle registration, to buy)

[Senno]

None of them have been in this thread yet. That's kinda strange.

/paging OT.

[sponger42]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

... think it's OK to wipe out upper middle class people with taxes. The fact they like it tells all you need to know.

Yeah, since when did engineers, researchers, technicians, and other white-collar professionals become people "with no ambition"?

We can't all be investment bankers you know. Somebody actually has to make the stuff, or run the systems that support the people who make the stuff.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

If one counts food stamps as welfare, 15% of Americans are on that program. In some states, 23%.

15% of Americans Are on Food Stamps

But they aren't, they are an agricultural price support program administered by the Department of Agriculture.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I'm still wondering where the "high food" part comes in, as pertains only to Calif. I'm earnestly seeking clarification from the OP.

I dont think groceries and certainly produce is better and cheaper in CA. Ive noticed restaurant/fast food prices a bit higher there, kinda like gasoline.

[Think4Yourself]

Originally Posted by slo1318

Uhhh, you'd still pay state income tax in CA

It's a progressive state income tax system with even the highest rates being pretty low. If you make $30k per year you'd pay ~$450 BEFORE deductions and if you made $100k per year you'd pay ~$5500 BEFORE deductions are taken into account. Also the property tax rate will be about half that of most cities in Texas so you will save money there and you will spend about half as much on utilities each month because you hardly need to run your AC or heater. Lastly, your state income taxes are deductable from the Federal income taxes so you once again get back some money there.

There will still be a difference but even in the 100k salary range the difference simply won't be that large. I think some people are missing the forest for the trees especially since over all salaries tend to be higher in California than in Texas so you'll more than likely end up coming out ahead.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by Think4Yourself

It's a progressive state income tax system with even the highest rates being pretty low. If you make $30k per year you'd pay ~$450 BEFORE deductions and if you made $100k per year you'd pay ~$5500 BEFORE deductions are taken into account. Also the property tax rate will be about half that of most cities in Texas so you will save money there and you will spend about half as much on utilities each month because you hardly need to run your AC or heater. Lastly, your state income taxes are deductable from the Federal income taxes so you once again get back some money there.

There will still be a difference but even in the 100k salary range the difference simply won't be that large. I think some people are missing the forest for the trees especially since over all salaries tend to be higher in California than in Texas so you'll more than likely end up coming out ahead.

Property taxes are higher in Texas for sure, unless you buy in CA at todays prices and then its not far off. Even if the rate is half, the property values here make up for that so you dont pay more.

Utilities true, in the coastal regions, not true in the inland areas and deserts.

The real and honest difference, is YES it costs more to live in California. As we always say; supply & demand rules. Higher salaries do NOT make up for that cost, and the ones most hurt are those on the lower and moderate income side. Wealthy people dont care, theyre going to live in Newport Beach, Fresno , or Santa Barbara anyway!

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by slo1318

Property taxes are higher in Texas for sure, unless you buy in CA at todays prices and then its not far off. Even if the rate is half, the property values here make up for that so you dont pay more.

Utilities true, in the coastal regions, not true in the inland areas and deserts.

The real and honest difference, is YES it costs more to live in California. As we always say; supply & demand rules. Higher salaries do NOT make up for that cost, and the ones most hurt are those on the lower and moderate income side. Wealthy people dont care, theyre going to live in Newport Beach, Fresno , or Santa Barbara anyway!

Right. And my favorite example, personally, is one often cited here by people "fleeing" the state:
the cost of gasoline.
Here is a frightening breakdown:
average annual miles driven by individuals: 14,000
average mpg: 20
number of gallons of gas used = 700
average difference cost per gallon between California and other states: $0.40
$0.40 x 700 gallons = $280 more per year to drive in California

Now if that frightening revelation isn't enough to justify spending tens of thousands of dollars uprooting yourself and family and send you running for Montana or Texas or N. Dakota or Tennessee -- well you are a man/woman with ice in your veins.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

Right. And my favorite example, personally, is one often cited here by people "fleeing" the state:
the cost of gasoline.
Here is a frightening breakdown:
average annual miles driven by individuals: 14,000
average mpg: 20
number of gallons of gas used = 700
average difference cost per gallon between California and other states: $0.40
$0.40 x 700 gallons = $280 more per year to drive in California

Now if that frightening revelation isn't enough to justify spending tens of thousands of dollars uprooting yourself and family and send you running for Montana or Texas or N. Dakota or Tennessee -- well you are a man/woman with ice in your veins.

I dont disagree. I drive lots of miles and it would cost probably $50/month more in CA for gas then here. Its the combination of costs that make it more expensive.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by slo1318

Ive noticed restaurant/fast food prices a bit higher there, kinda like gasoline.

I can still get a 4-egg pastrami and cheddar omelet with hash browns, homemade pico de gallo and red chile, and a piece of French toast for $7.95 at the diner down the street, so I'm satisfied. I won't EVEN go into how cheap the Mexican food is around here.

[Senno]

Wait a sec, Slo. Gotta get that intro in.

Now pinchhitting for OT, we have Slo. Slugging a magnificent 1.318, and batting righty. Formerly with CA since traded to TX in a multi-player 2 for 1 deal.

(It's almost baseball season, yay)


Baseball "Take Me Out to The Ball Game" (1908) - YouTube