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Awesome. I read the initial post and considered it middle class. It appears the concensus is that 18 bucks an hour with benefits is working class poor, and flat out poor if you have a family. I have a family and I would kill for something to pay me 18 bucks an hour. Bachelor's with a double major in two business fields. Only job offers I get are "hey, can you work this cash register?"
PS. GMAT score of 730 says I'd be middle of the pack in the MASTERS program at Harvard. I wish I could be middle class.
In Jacksonville and most major metros in the South, that's considered middle-class but anywhere else, forget it. A home on that salary will net you in the ghetto mostly everywhere else.
What are you talking about? I was approved for a 150K mortgage in Michigan two years ago, and the only requirement was that I show at least $1500 of income a month. Now that is a poverty salary, and I could have still bought into some very fine suburban neighborhoods.
A few years ago, a very smart coworker of mine laid it out. The world is changing, and America is changing with it. Gone are the days that anyone can just walk into a $20/hr job. If you want it, you've got to be worth it, and even then, there are no guarantees. I hear a lot of complaining these days about 40K starting salary for such and such job... If you don't want it, there are lines of others who would kill for it, and that's just the way it is right now.
In my opinion, 38K is not a poverty level salary, but it's nothing special. If it's worth getting up in the morning for, then keep at it and maybe good things can happen. The salary isn't the important thing. It's what you can do with it. Learn to budget, save and put money away for a rainy day.
I only make $36.000-$37,000 a year. It has health benefits also. I kind of feel sad
I'll take it. I feel horrible that at my age I don't make anything. I have nothing.
I went to college and did what I though was right, but the country is different now and I see little hope for me. I want a house and a good job.
I would take your salary and benefits anyday.
I have a straight low salary and no perks, except free lunch at my company some days.
I pray I don't get sick.
I think that is working class poor. You can make it on that wage, but not support a family on that. I don't see how you can afford a home on that salary.
Perhaps in Oakland.
Since Aug 2010 I have earned about 34k. On that I have paid mortgage, made care payments, care for my 8 month old daughter and have spending money for trips to Tokyo, Toronto, New York and Chicago. We do not slum it in those cities, however I do stay with the in-laws in Tokyo.
Recently, I have received a promotion which starts me at 44k, should be able to save even more now and perhaps take a fun vacation.
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