How much to you live on for a week?

farmers_daughter
farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
in Chit-Chat
Just a question of curiosity, sometimes I wonder if I'm one of the only ones, or if I'm just not doing it right. Am I as hardpressed as I think I am, I know there are others that are much much worse than I am, and for you guys I send my
I don't want any competition going on here, nobody wins for being teh poorest or richest.

I earn 700 every two weeks, and by the time I pay my rent, car pmt, electric, car insurance etc, I have about 75 bucks to spend on gas and groceries for the next two weeks.

I'm in the Midwest, and I work in the office for a small mfg company which I've been with for 9 years.

Again, just curious if anyone wants to volunteer that up. Please don't give away any personal identifying info though.

Replies

  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I'd say that's pretty hard pressed. I'm not getting into numbers, but I'd feel pretty hard pressed if we didn't have enough to cover all our different insurance deductibles and a few months debt payments saved in something fairly liquid to be perfectly honest.
  • Redbird99ky
    Redbird99ky Posts: 305 Member
    1400 a month net would be hard for just about anyone, but especially if you have a car payment. I would guess that your rent and car payment eat up a majority of your income. Can you come up with a plan to increase your income? or maybe work your way out of a car payment?
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    Around 1,150 every 2 weeks, after taxes.
    California is expensive.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    OP I'd say what your living on would take a ton of budgeting and planning.

    I dont make enough not for what I want out of life. Plus, my fiance lost his job this month. Merry Christmas to us.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I make an above average living. HOWEVER, my expenditures (loans, credit cards, mortgages, etc) eat up most of my income. It is a vicious cycle of working for the man.

    My only complaint is that I recently found myself out of work in early November (I start again on the 2nd), and wished I had saved better for that rainy day.
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    Some years ago when I lived in KY I was living off of about $850-900 a month but made $2200 a month after taxes.

    I would think you'd be hard pressed in many places. I know if I was on $1400 a month where I live now I would have to live very frugally, in a bad neighborhood and possibly with a roommate.
  • the_dude00
    the_dude00 Posts: 1,056 Member
    I'm not trying to be a jerk by saying this, and I don't know the cost of living in your area either..., or the amount of hours you work, but assuming you're a full time employee and competent at your job - you might want to look for a job elsewhere. You're making too close to minimum wage for someone who's been somewhere for 9 years. An entry level fast food worker, would have elevated faster in their career if they were reasonably competent.

    I lived off of a similar amount or less while in College, but there no way I could get by on that type of money these days
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    I make an above average living. HOWEVER, my expenditures (loans, credit cards, mortgages, etc) eat up most of my income. It is a vicious cycle of working for the man.

    My only complaint is that I recently found myself out of work in early November (I start again on the 2nd), and wished I had saved better for that rainy day.

    im in the same boat (above average salary but high expenditures). my biggest bills are rent and student loan payment which both total 2 weeks salary. i dont drive (never learned) and i dont have high credit card debt. so it's mainly rent and monthly loan payments that are sucking me dry
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    Only debt I have is $600 from a mess-up my past school did. Still annoyed about that.
    Tried paying it, but they want me to go in PHYSICALLLYYY and pay it, in another state.
    Uhm, yeah.. NO. Not going to waste around $2,000+ in gas to pay off $600..
  • ronrstaats
    ronrstaats Posts: 294 Member
    After paying all the bills, rent and what not we have about $250 to $300 a week for gas, groceries and what ever else we might need. There are 4 people living here but my oldest daughter has a full time job so she pays her own way and a small amount for rent since she isn't going to school.
  • addiec1
    addiec1 Posts: 101 Member
    I'm not trying to be a jerk by saying this, and I don't know the cost of living in your area either..., or the amount of hours you work, but assuming you're a full time employee and competent at your job - you might want to look for a job elsewhere. You're making too close to minimum wage for someone who's been somewhere for 9 years. An entry level fast food worker, would have elevated faster in their career if they were reasonably competent.

    I lived off of a similar amount or less while in College, but there no way I could get by on that type of money these days

    I think it depends a lot on where you live. I'm a teacher, in my 9th year of teaching and I net 1400 a month. Without my husband, I would have to live more frugally, but I would still have more than $ 150 for food and gas a month, and I definitely make more than fast food workers here.
  • abheshek
    abheshek Posts: 525 Member
    i am living off my parents:bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    i live off my parents:bigsmile: :bigsmile:
    Lol.. Well, don't you sound fun! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    I'm not trying to be a jerk by saying this, and I don't know the cost of living in your area either..., or the amount of hours you work, but assuming you're a full time employee and competent at your job - you might want to look for a job elsewhere. You're making too close to minimum wage for someone who's been somewhere for 9 years. An entry level fast food worker, would have elevated faster in their career if they were reasonably competent.

    I lived off of a similar amount or less while in College, but there no way I could get by on that type of money these days

    I think it depends a lot on where you live. I'm a teacher, in my 9th year of teaching and I net 1400 a month. Without my husband, I would have to live more frugally, but I would still have more than $ 150 for food and gas a month, and I definitely make more than fast food workers here.

    we only pay experienced teachers $1400 a month??? :angry:
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    I'm not trying to be a jerk by saying this, and I don't know the cost of living in your area either..., or the amount of hours you work, but assuming you're a full time employee and competent at your job - you might want to look for a job elsewhere. You're making too close to minimum wage for someone who's been somewhere for 9 years. An entry level fast food worker, would have elevated faster in their career if they were reasonably competent.

    I lived off of a similar amount or less while in College, but there no way I could get by on that type of money these days

    I think it depends a lot on where you live. I'm a teacher, in my 9th year of teaching and I net 1400 a month. Without my husband, I would have to live more frugally, but I would still have more than $ 150 for food and gas a month, and I definitely make more than fast food workers here.

    we only pay experienced teachers $1400 a month??? :angry:

    Depending on region, grade, and subject (plus private vs public), 1500$ could be a lot.

    My ex's mom is a special eduation aide and has a part time job at kmart and barely keeps her head above water
  • runningdownfullerroad
    runningdownfullerroad Posts: 8
    Is moving to Des Moines an option? You could probably double your income with an administrative assistant type job in one of the larger companies. I'm saying that as a fairly wealthy person who lives in Des Moines and knows the Oskaloosa area well (my dad's family is from What Cheer and my parents met at William Penn). Small towns in Iowa don't have a lot of good wage jobs unfortunately, especially as factory work continues to leave the area.
  • abheshek
    abheshek Posts: 525 Member
    i live off my parents:bigsmile: :bigsmile:
    Lol.. Well, don't you sound fun! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    Actually i am a mechanical engineer and currently pursuing Masters in Science.I get monthly stipend which is not enough to survive for a week.So i have to live on my parents generous donation.
  • addiec1
    addiec1 Posts: 101 Member
    I'm not trying to be a jerk by saying this, and I don't know the cost of living in your area either..., or the amount of hours you work, but assuming you're a full time employee and competent at your job - you might want to look for a job elsewhere. You're making too close to minimum wage for someone who's been somewhere for 9 years. An entry level fast food worker, would have elevated faster in their career if they were reasonably competent.

    I lived off of a similar amount or less while in College, but there no way I could get by on that type of money these days

    I think it depends a lot on where you live. I'm a teacher, in my 9th year of teaching and I net 1400 a month. Without my husband, I would have to live more frugally, but I would still have more than $ 150 for food and gas a month, and I definitely make more than fast food workers here.

    we only pay experienced teachers $1400 a month??? :angry:

    Yes I'm an experienced, high school teacher netting only 1400 a month. That being said, I live in a very rural area where the cost of living is very low, so although I'm not making very much, I could still make ends meet.
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    i live off my parents:bigsmile: :bigsmile:
    Lol.. Well, don't you sound fun! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    Actually i am a mechanical engineer and currently pursuing Masters in Science.I get monthly stipend which is not enough to survive for a week.So i have to live on my parents generous donation.

    Im an electrical engineer and im happy to not be living at home.
    Id rather not say what I net because I feel bad vs the teacher in here.
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    Sorry to just now reply to all... ya im not entry level Im actually in HR. Lol. I cant imagine what Id do with 200 left over each pay period. I ve got two kids and I rent a small house in the country. I hate to imagine going to a bigger city but Im definitely looking for something else. Just havent had the opportunity and to be fair to me ive only been looking for the last year. I live HR and want to stay in it. I feel im pretty good just havent had many opportunities.

    And as far as the teacher yes... id have to say that sounds right for here too. Its a shame but I just figured that was our area. Oy. Thanks for all the input. I have a better idea where I stand and where my thinking stands. ;)
  • grandpoobah12
    grandpoobah12 Posts: 138
    Only debt I have is $600 from a mess-up my past school did. Still annoyed about that.
    Tried paying it, but they want me to go in PHYSICALLLYYY and pay it, in another state.
    Uhm, yeah.. NO. Not going to waste around $2,000+ in gas to pay off $600..

    No way! you`d think they`d take your money however they could get it. And then the shirt off your back too.
  • Whereismycoffee
    Whereismycoffee Posts: 130 Member
    After bills we get by on 80 or so a week, but I am making less now per hour then when I lived in a bigger metro area. Back then I was lucky to have 20 a week to get by on so I am happy with the 80 a week.

    I think it's not so much about how much you make, as much as it's about the cost of living in any given area. Here I can find a one bedroom apt. for rent around 390 a month including utilities in a good area, before (back when I was single) I was paying 1200 to live for an OK apt in an OK area.
  • skinnyjeanzbound
    skinnyjeanzbound Posts: 3,932 Member
    I'm not trying to be a jerk by saying this, and I don't know the cost of living in your area either..., or the amount of hours you work, but assuming you're a full time employee and competent at your job - you might want to look for a job elsewhere. You're making too close to minimum wage for someone who's been somewhere for 9 years. An entry level fast food worker, would have elevated faster in their career if they were reasonably competent.

    I lived off of a similar amount or less while in College, but there no way I could get by on that type of money these days

    I think it depends a lot on where you live. I'm a teacher, in my 9th year of teaching and I net 1400 a month. Without my husband, I would have to live more frugally, but I would still have more than $ 150 for food and gas a month, and I definitely make more than fast food workers here.

    we only pay experienced teachers $1400 a month??? :angry:

    Yes I'm an experienced, high school teacher netting only 1400 a month. That being said, I live in a very rural area where the cost of living is very low, so although I'm not making very much, I could still make ends meet.

    Yes, rural teachers make so little it's sickening! I'm in suburban Chicago and net about $4000/month in my 12th year teaching HS. Of course the cost of living is much higher here than in the more rural areas, but I'm often amazed at the low salaries of some of my HS and college teacher friends in other areas.

    OP--watch this video:

    http://www.upworthy.com/9-out-of-10-americans-are-completely-wrong-about-this-mind-blowing-fact-2?c=reccon1

    I don't know if it will make you feel better or worse about your personal financial situation; however, it's a shocking visual representation of wealth distribution in America.
  • dianeb613
    dianeb613 Posts: 121 Member
    I net about $4k a month working as a legal assistant in NY, but it's all relative because cost of living here is extremely high.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    Only debt I have is $600 from a mess-up my past school did. Still annoyed about that.
    Tried paying it, but they want me to go in PHYSICALLLYYY and pay it, in another state.
    Uhm, yeah.. NO. Not going to waste around $2,000+ in gas to pay off $600..

    Registered-return-receipt, letter of closure, and a certified check to settle the debt. That school will add on penalties and interests to your account. I'd take the bull by the horns and get the monkey off your back. :grumble:
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    OP can you bike to work 2-3 days a week to save on gas? Can you sell your car & get a beater that gets you from Point A to Point B without a car payment attached? Or get a second job to pay off those loans faster? It would be tiring and painful, but think of it as not lasting forever...just short term to get out from under loans.:flowerforyou:

    ETA: Or check into getting a roommate...amazing what half the electric, half the rent is!

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