Stretching the dollars--how much does one need to live?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
April 27, 2018 4:04pm CST
My state is one that is going through a teacher walk-out this week. There are a lot of things contributing to this but the one thing that puzzled me most was that they want more money and so many say that they can't live on their salary, which averages between $36,000-$42,000 according to a pay scale I looked up. I always thought that was a pretty good salary. 
Last year I supported my DIL and granddaughter on $29,500. She was unemployed (not by choice) and spent most of the year home with her daughter, with my blessing. With that money I paid $1150 a month rent, a car payment, insurance and gasoline for 2 cars, food for 3 people, utilities averaging $300 a month, and my own medical costs (I have no medical insurance). Plus monthly charges for pest control, yard maintenance, oil changes, etc. I did not have much left over at the end of the month but I could pay all my bills and put a little in the bank. 
So I can't think of why anyone could not live on a teacher's salary unless they were in a high cost area like New York (but then their salary would be more).
I'm not saying our teachers make too much, or don't make enough--the whole issue just made me wonder how anyone could say they could not live on that annual wage. What do you think? Could you live comfortably on $36,000-$42,000 per year?
Last year I supported my DIL and granddaughter on $29,500. She was unemployed (not by choice) and spent most of the year home with her daughter, with my blessing. With that money I paid $1150 a month rent, a car payment, insurance and gasoline for 2 cars, food for 3 people, utilities averaging $300 a month, and my own medical costs (I have no medical insurance). Plus monthly charges for pest control, yard maintenance, oil changes, etc. I did not have much left over at the end of the month but I could pay all my bills and put a little in the bank.
So I can't think of why anyone could not live on a teacher's salary unless they were in a high cost area like New York (but then their salary would be more).
I'm not saying our teachers make too much, or don't make enough--the whole issue just made me wonder how anyone could say they could not live on that annual wage. What do you think? Could you live comfortably on $36,000-$42,000 per year?12 people like this
12 responses
@BarBaraPrz (45420)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Apr 18
I'd live like a queen if I got that much annually.
3 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
Oh, I forgot to include that out of that money I had to live on I also had to pay over $4,500 in taxes so I actually only had $25,000 with which to support 3 people. I'd love to make that salary. I guess a lot of people just aren't skilled in money management.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
Salaries tend to reflect the cost of living here. A person in New York will make a lot more than a person with the same job in Alabama, for instance. But both will maintain pretty much the same lifestyle even though one technically makes more because of cost of living.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
27 Apr 18
It's embarrassing, how little I actually live on, so it's hard for me to not be judgemental about people who can't live on that kind of money. I guess, on average, it isn't a lot any more, but didn't they know that before they signed up? Teaching has never been a career where one makes a lot of money so why are they fussing now?
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
30 Apr 18
@dragon54u I know what you mean. Even my youngest daughter, who is more frugal than the other two, thinks nothing of ordering a pizza to be delivered or going out to eat with friends and making a night of it.
And I agree that TV is a luxury. I almost got rid of mine again, but decided to wait until after baseball season. That's a luxury to me - certainly not something I need.
I think one of the problems is that we live in such a materialistic society. "Everyone" has TVs and smartphones and newer cars and on and on... and they don't even know the difference in want and need .
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
I'm more concerned that people making that much money can't get by on it! I think that a lot of people under the age of 30 or 40 have money management issues. My generation knows the difference between needs and wants but most under 40 can't make that distinction. They need to go to Starbucks every day rather than making coffee at home, they need to spend money on a movie theater rather than borrowing a movie from the library, they need to go out with friends on the weekend--they think those are needs.
Heck, I remember a few years back posting a discussion here on how TV was a luxury and not a necessity. 80% of the respondents insisted it was a necessity!
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
I would, too. I do know that they often have to buy their own supplies when money is short--as it often is in this state. It's a desert here but for some reason the school board insists on grounds full of grass which means costly maintenance. They employ full time painters for each school, another waste of money, so much waste! I do wonder why they can't live on such a princely sum--at least it's princely to me!--but I think there may be more to it than anyone is saying. At least they have good health insurance, something I don't have at all and that was a big chunk out of my pocket!
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47043)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Apr 18
@dragon54u I can imagine that it can costly. It can get expensive.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215061)
• Chile
27 Apr 18
It depends on where you live, as you say. I live here, in my country, with a lot less. My daughters earn much more, but they pay private schools for their children and mortgage (I own my house). I also spend very little on clothes.
3 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
I don't spend anything on clothing, either, at least none to speak of. I had some extra last month so I splurged and bought new underwear--the ones I was wearing were literally falling apart after 20 years. 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Apr 18
I could be very comfy on that amount. :-) But I suppose , depending on where you live...
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
30 Apr 18
I was actually pretty comfy on the amount I had last year. No extras, no luxuries, but everything got paid and we had plenty of good food. Things are pricey here but I learned how to pinch pennies long ago. I really think the education system should include at least half a year in high school of money management and investment education. An hour a week during the year would turn out young adults who knew how to manage their money.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
30 Apr 18
@dragon54u I agree, now that you mention it does some an injustice that money management isn't taught
@allen0187 (58438)
• Philippines
28 Apr 18
It would really depend on one's lifestyle. Different countries have different costs of living.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
28 Apr 18
It's pretty high here. I can't believe I actually lived all year on that little and still managed to put a bit in the savings account. Of course, I had no luxuries or nights out or anything, my one luxury was subscription TV. I've dropped even that now that I'm living alone.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325102)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Apr 18
I wonder too about some people who say they don't earn enough to live on. Some have no idea of cutting a few corners to save money.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
Our governor is giving them on and by 2020--less than 2 years away--they will have received a 20% raise. I think that's very generous, especially considering the state pays into their retirement funds without the teachers having to contribute and they have a pretty great health insurance plan at a very low price.
I think teachers would be a lot more satisfied if the states would quit wasting money on things like grounds keeping--this is a desert but the state insists on planting grass, a very costly upkeep--and use that money for books and other things that are needed. Maybe we could even bring back music classes, which help children develop math skills and generally enrich their lives. This state will cut out art, music, and even cut back on special education in order to boost up the damned football teams.
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43424)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
28 Apr 18
@dragon54u very good points!!!? U can raise these issues at the school board meetings!! They allow parents and constituents to voice concerns at the meetings!! Let your voice be heard!!!
@nela13 (55688)
• Portugal
28 Apr 18
For me, that would be enough, but I think it depends on where we live.
@dgobucks226 (34301)
•
29 Apr 18
It would be very difficult to do today. If you added monthly medical insurance to your bills it would be very hard to pull off, especially if you had a medical issue which required a prescription or hospital stay. And dental issues are always costly. I'm not saying it cannot be done, but one would have to spend on necessities only.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Apr 18
That's what I've been doing. I have no insurance, I lost it in 2012 and can't afford the high premiums now. I pay out of pocket for all my medical bills and dental bills. It's very hard. Yet, I did it last year. Yes, it can be done but I certainly hope I don't have a year like that again soon--financially, that is. I loved having my DIL and granddaughter living with me!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34301)
•
29 Apr 18
@dragon54u I understand. I have health insurance but a serious illness would be hard to recover from financially. All costs are not always covered especially if you require a long hospital stay.
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
27 Apr 18
Some people like to live beyond their means. They must have a high standard of lifestyle that they think someone owes them. 
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 18
I think some people do that. I would think it would cause more stress than satisfaction, at least it would for me!
1 person likes this
