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Overall that's not a bad wage but the Bay Area ain't cheap. If you were making that much while living in Sacramento, Chico or Redding then you'd be able to save quite a bit more each month.
Me: 26,single mom 1 kid:
*No food stamps or any assistance
38,450 per year salary
100 month child support.
1166 bi weekly after health, dental, 401k & taxes
Las Vegas
Rent 825 2/2 house
Car 320
Elec 100
Gas 40
Net & cable 80
Braces for kid 100
Phones 150
Food 200-400 depends on coupons, sales
Car Insurance 212
Student Loan 50
Some months I feel poor, some months I feel middle class. My daughter travels every summer and has braces, so I guess were doing ok. When she's gone & during the holidays I pick up seasonal work to help out with extras. The worst time of year for me is Aug - Dec. January thru April is usually good because of tax refunds & money saved from seasonal jobs. We live in a safe, gated community.
I am assuming that many proably think 36-37 k per year is considered "poor, weak" etc... and I thought so too at one time. I was one of those "When I graduate college I am going to be making 35-40k at least"-not anymore, not at all. I think 30-36k is awsome, i certinally won't complain.
I am assuming that many proably think 36-37 k per year is considered "poor, weak" etc... and I thought so too at one time. I was one of those "When I graduate college I am going to be making 35-40k at least"-not anymore, not at all. I think 30-36k is awsome, i certinally won't complain.
Post college certinally humbles a person, heh...
I've got a friend that treated his post college 30k/year job like a joke. Basically ran his mouth and complained until they gave him the boot. Thought he would have another one in a week. 2 years later, and he has to put "taking care of sick mother" in the "relevant experience" column.
thats rough, though at the same time by purposely "running your mouth" you are asking for it.
He also made some comments regarding a coworkers sexual orientation. The only reason I heard was because I had another friend at the same office. Kinda funny actually, as he was a major blowhard whose parents constantly told him he was special. Little different in the real world...
For us-it would be rich at this point. We've paid off our house, have no credit cards, no car payments. We'd be fine with that-and yes, we DO live in a expensive area of Southern Dutchess-in the Hudson Valley. Right now-we are living like others-on my $10hr. For a family of 5. We'd be living good again making 37K. It's pathetic that neither of us can find jobs that even pay $20k. Why is that even an unreasonable number-I don't know.
If you are able to pay your bills and put some aside to build up, I think your doing pretty good these days.
its only because you made good financial decisions in the past that you can afford to live on $10 an hour.
Most people have to pay rent or a mortgage every month. It takes like a $30,000 salary just to pay for the basics (apartment, car expenses, groceries, phone, utilities, etc)
Indeed. My professors said I'd be in the $80k/yr range as long as passed the FE and PE exams. Well screw them, I've passed both and have come up well short of that number.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottay
Indeed. My professors said I'd be in the $80k/yr range as long as passed the FE and PE exams. Well screw them, I've passed both and have come up well short of that number.
College professors have a vested interest in keeping you there until graduation - it means job security for them. They cannot predict what you will make since they have no crystal ball to tell them what the economy will be like, or what jobs will be going overseas or be replaced by technology.
36-37k before tax (tax is 15% where I am) won't let you lead a 'truly comfortable life'. you can take care of basic expense, save a few peanuts, go-out sporadically, and pursue some cheaper hobbies, or one quasi expensive hobby. On the flip, if time is what you value most and you're getting 2 weeks vacation at most, it definitely doesn't fall into the truly comfortable category.
Don't get me wrong, you can get/be comfortable on that amount, but it would take some stellar planning over probably a 3rd of your life-span to be able to begin to breath easy...and even than you might still not have the time to yourself due to money obligations.
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