What's your income?

[Sir_Winston54]

I'm on £12'000 before tax but I do get 4 weeks payed holiday !

That works out to $19,441.20 U.S. if you wanna stick it in the poll.

 

[PertPerth]

I'm what is known as "a package". I work hard (well smarter, not harder), take on extra responsibilities at work, study hard (getting my MBA at the moment), and diversify my investments. My holidays usually involve renovating houses (I'm taking a break from renovating for 2 years while I finish my study) and I generally make almost as much renovating as I do with my day job.
Now all I need to do is find Mr Right for me, and I'll be set! One of my close friends is worried that a guy is going to marry me for my money. I'm more worried about guys being intimidated by how much I earn. I have dated a few guys who didn't like the fact that I earn more than they did.
US dollar amount, over 100k

 

[Marquis]

I think I'd have a hard time dating someone that earns more than me. Unemployed that I am, I am often in the position where I have to ask my sub for money, and she picks up the check when we go out.

Really not into this.

 

[Primalex]

I'm more worried about guys being intimidated by how much I earn.

I would be more worried about guys being intimidated by your signature.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I think I'd have a hard time dating someone that earns more than me. Unemployed that I am, I am often in the position where I have to ask my sub for money, and she picks up the check when we go out.

Really not into this.

If the shoe were on the other foot, would it fit? When one has a good reason for being unemployed and broke (rather than just laziness), is trying *not* to be unemployed and broke, and the other is able to help and wants to, what's the problem, other than pride?

You would freely and happily do the same for her if your positions were reversed, would you not? Why do you begrudge her the chance to do something for you when she can?

Marquis, we've disagreed about various things at various times, but I have never thought you to be one who could easily accept the largesse of another, rather that you would do everything in your power to not need to do so. Given that assessment, I hope you can accept the fact that you *can't* at this time avoid it, and accept her freely given assistance with grace. I think you probably do - as much as you may be a cantankerous dick at times , I think you *are* a gentleman.

 

[intothewoods]

I think I'd have a hard time dating someone that earns more than me. Unemployed that I am, I am often in the position where I have to ask my sub for money, and she picks up the check when we go out.

Really not into this.

If the shoe were on the other foot, would it fit? When one has a good reason for being unemployed and broke (rather than just laziness), is trying *not* to be unemployed and broke, and the other is able to help and wants to, what's the problem, other than pride?

You would freely and happily do the same for her if your positions were reversed, would you not? Why do you begrudge her the chance to do something for you when she can?

Marquis, we've disagreed about various things at various times, but I have never thought you to be one who could easily accept the largesse of another, rather that you would do everything in your power to not need to do so. Given that assessment, I hope you can accept the fact that you *can't* at this time avoid it, and accept her freely given assistance with grace. I think you probably do - as much as you may be a cantankerous dick at times , I think you *are* a gentleman.

I can understand where Marquis is coming from. For a lot of men, being the breadwinner and provider is very important to their self-esteem.

It would be hard for me to be with someone who makes a lot less than me. On the other hand, your take home pay isn't everything. And I mean that in a very practical way. Great benefits and a flexible schedule come in very handy.

 

[BiBunny]

I can understand where Marquis is coming from. For a lot of men, being the breadwinner and provider is very important to their self-esteem.

Yep. Master got laid off several months ago and has been having a terrible time finding a job. He tries to maintain a positive outlook, but I know he's depressed that Mistress and I both have jobs, and he doesn't. Poor guy. I think he's about to go in business for himself, however, and I hope that makes him feel a whole lot better.

 

[ecstaticsub]

At this moment both hubby and I are unemployed and homeless. (we sold our house faster than we thought so we are living in a hotel) However, last year we made over 100K. Fortunately I knew that we would be in the position we are now so I managed to put into savings about 75% of our income during the 18 months prior to becoming unemployed. Being able to sell our house was a huge bonus. So we are somewhat looking at what we have now as an extended vacation and trying not to get too nervous.

I will most likely be the primary wage earner for the rest of our lives. Hubby has been through enough stress being active duty and with his past deployments. He deserves to be a stay-at-home parent and relax. The large decrease in income is fine with us. He is alive and home with us and that is all that matters.

Hopefully we will have everything figured out by the time school starts so we can have the kids in school where they can stay without having to transfer again.

 

[slavetonanette]

I made about $36K last year, but insurance etc. ate it up. We barely scrounge by.

 

[Marquis]

If the shoe were on the other foot, would it fit? When one has a good reason for being unemployed and broke (rather than just laziness), is trying *not* to be unemployed and broke, and the other is able to help and wants to, what's the problem, other than pride?

You would freely and happily do the same for her if your positions were reversed, would you not? Why do you begrudge her the chance to do something for you when she can?

Marquis, we've disagreed about various things at various times, but I have never thought you to be one who could easily accept the largesse of another, rather that you would do everything in your power to not need to do so. Given that assessment, I hope you can accept the fact that you *can't* at this time avoid it, and accept her freely given assistance with grace. I think you probably do - as much as you may be a cantankerous dick at times , I think you *are* a gentleman.

Thank you Winston, I do have my moments of chivalry here and there.

I would do the same for her, were the positions reversed and for the most part I try to look at it that way. She has never pressured me and for the most part asks me to treat what's hers as mine.

But I miss the independence that comes from having my own money, so much so that I can barely talk about it. I miss coming home from work with a snazzy new tie and getting a long kiss before I can even put my briefcase down, I miss coming home from work period. I miss ordering drinks and appetizers and dessert cause fuck it its Friday and I said so.

 

[Homburg]

40 H week.

Hahahahahahahaahhaaaa!!

next q...

My income starts looking considerably less impressive when you factor in the "out of work half the time" thing.

I identify with both of these.

If I worked and billed for every hour of a 40hr week in a year, I'd turn in excess of $100k. As is, I do more flat rate shit than hourly billing, and I have my own business. Part of that is funneling income for contracts to subcontractors, taking my little piece of that pie. So I have no idea how to answer that question.

Gross reported is probably circa $60-65k or so, average. Net is significantly less, as subcontractors like to eat too. Lots and lots and lots of deducts though, so my tax burden is miniscule. Thus my net after taxes isn't too far off from my net before, at the end of the year at least.

And I'm glad to see that, like myself, none of you are taking unreported income. kthxbye.

 

[DiscusDave]

And I'm glad to see that, like myself, none of you are taking unreported income. kthxbye.

What do you mean? Like the "Good Neighbor" bonuses I get form my nex-door neighbor Vinnie from time to time?

 

[rosco rathbone]

Here's a good, panicky, feelbad link (read the sidebarred links on the right)

http://theautomaticearth.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-17-2009-40-ways-to-lose-your.html

 

[Sir_Winston54]

.... I miss the independence that comes from having my own money, so much so that I can barely talk about it. I miss coming home from work with a snazzy new tie and getting a long kiss before I can even put my briefcase down, I miss coming home from work period. I miss ordering drinks and appetizers and dessert cause fuck it its Friday and I said so.

Yeah, I can see that. There *is* a certain sense of freedom and empowerment from having that job, knowing that someone values your skills enough to pay you to use them in their behalf. Remember, though, that *not* having that job doesn't take away the skills OR your inherent value - it just means that the economy sucks; and remember, too, that you are young and resilient and this too shall pass.

 

[Cattypuss]

I'm a full-time employee. Contracted to work 35 hours a week for 46 weeks of the year. I do only work 46 weeks, but I rarely work as few as 35 hours. The last couple of weeks it's been well over 70 hours a week, but that's rare. Salary is British £44,800 a year (there's no paid overtime), and I also get some employer pension contributions that are nice to have but are at such a a low level that I find myself thinking, "Well, it's the thought that counts".

In the present economic climate I count myself lucky to have a job at all.

 

[Homburg]

Here's a good, panicky, feelbad link (read the sidebarred links on the right)

http://theautomaticearth.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-17-2009-40-ways-to-lose-your.html

Sounds a bit excessive. The average person will not be able to afford petroleum products of any sort in five years?

 

[PertPerth]

I would be more worried about guys being intimidated by your signature.

Then it's a good thing I didn't get it made into a T-shirt, huh?

Income is security for me. I don't have much family, but my Dad, my role-model was "THE provider". His cousins, his mother, his nephews and nieces...even some friends - turning up on our doorstep.
I never wanted to be the person knocking on the door. So far, I've only ever been made redundant once. I was very lucky to find another job straight away. But then, I don't mind taking a pay-cut. I have done that a few times - by choice.

 

[bridgeburner]

Hard to calculate my income since there are so many deductions coming out of my paycheck at the mo. I'm eaking by on $1400 a month and it's freakin' tough. When I got laid off three years ago and decided to go back to school and change professions I was making more than twice what I do now and my rent is only $100 less a month. This should be the toughest year, though. Well, actually, last year was tougher but I still had savings that I was supplementing my expenses with. I appear to have planned the finances of being out of work and then going to work for a small salary down to the last screaming penny. It should get better every year from here on out.

I can't wait!!

 

[Marquis]

Hard to calculate my income since there are so many deductions coming out of my paycheck at the mo. I'm eaking by on $1400 a month and it's freakin' tough. When I got laid off three years ago and decided to go back to school and change professions I was making more than twice what I do now and my rent is only $100 less a month. This should be the toughest year, though. Well, actually, last year was tougher but I still had savings that I was supplementing my expenses with. I appear to have planned the finances of being out of work and then going to work for a small salary down to the last screaming penny. It should get better every year from here on out.

I can't wait!!

I spent a lot of time planning my finances, which makes sense I suppose for a financial planner.

My personal budget and income/cashflow statement is a three sheet excel file that tracks the variability and standard deviation in my bills and makes projections on how quickly I could pay off my various debts at differing rates of contribution.

It's a depressing picture overall, but like you I take some comfort in being in taking control of it and seeing it for what it is.

 

[CurlyKat]

I make about $45,000 a year now, which was supposed to be a huge raise compared to my previous job. When you do the math, though, I make the exact same per hour. Just way more stress, longer hours, and more difficult people to deal with. At least it's letting me pay off student loans faster and all that kind of good stuff.

 

[bridgeburner]

My personal budget and income/cashflow statement is a three sheet excel file that tracks the variability and standard deviation in my bills and makes projections ...

Uh, I said I "appear" to have planned. Seriously, I've done some sort of macro-calculations, but I don't even physically balance my checkbook and haven't in years. I just tend to know how much money I've got available to me. If I know that it costs me $1600 a month to live without discomfort and I've got $6400 in savings I know I can stand to be unemployed if unavoidable for no more than 4 months before I'm fucked.

Like right now, I know I've got the cash to pay all my bills for two months and then I have to have a paycheck or I'm quite literally moving into a friend's garage. However, in two months is when the school year begins and assuming I get a teaching contract I will receive my first paycheck just in time to meet my zero bank balance and keep on keeping on.


Now, this isn't planning, per se. If I had planned I'd have figured out what I wanted to do years ago and be 15 years into my vestiture in the state retirement etc. and much higher up the pay scale.

I think the best that can be said for me is that I'm managing the assets at my disposal. I'm managing them to within an inch of their lives!

 

[Primalex]

I spent a lot of time planning my finances, which makes sense I suppose for a financial planner.

My personal budget and income/cashflow statement is a three sheet excel file that tracks the variability and standard deviation in my bills and makes projections on how quickly I could pay off my various debts at differing rates of contribution.

Anyone who doesn't do this at least in a certain scale has a financial problem anyway in my opinion. It's more useful to invest one day per month just to think about your finances than it is to work a month to pay for the fact that you didn't do it.

I've one excel (actually the free OpenOffice) sheet, column the months and the rows the various fixed payments I have to do in that month, be it monthly or once per year. Last row sums it up for the month and subtracts it from the income. It's just too easy to forget an annual payment. This way I can see that f.e. in January I have merely $300 left, but in December $1300, so it's wise to save something for the next month.