"could you live on $39,000 a year?"

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/02/21/nr.living.on.less.cnn?hpt=C2

Could you live on $39,000 a year? Here's how one teacher and his wife and kids do it.

stay at home dad wrote book 'how to live on a teachers salary'

--------------------
on edit... I know the title will make a lot of DUers roll their eyes. lol

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. I'd kill for that much money right now.

[GoCubsGo]

36. Me, too.

Been living on a lot less than that the past couple of years.

[PassingFair]

49. Notice he says "wife and kids", too.

It is one thing to support yourself.

It is quite another to support 4 or more.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

50. But lots of families live on less than that.

And my rent in NYC is low by local standards but quite high by national standards.

[PassingFair]

53. That would be less than $10,000/year per person.

Not easy to get by.

Probably impossible without some help via
food stamps or heat subsidies.

[Shell Beau]

75. Like I said elsewhere in this thread, my baby's daycare

alone last year was $9000. That is for one child only. Of course I do see that this man was a stay at home father, so that cuts out that payment.

[PassingFair]

77. We spend almost $8,000/year on FOOD alone.

I agree that it could be done, but it
would be a real struggle, and I don't
know if we could afford the heating
bills in the winter.

[xsquid]

78. Our family survives on a lot less,

it's not at all easy though.

[Midlodemocrat]

114. It's always been my experience that you spend what you earn.

[Shell Beau]

79. Yep. When you start adding up the costs of having more

than just one mouth to feed, clothe, etc., it is really expensive. I, all by myself, could do just fine on $40,000, but it would be a huge struggle to support my family on that.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

87. But not impossible.

Obviously, where you live determines a lot, but there's always expenses that can be eliminated or reduced.

[Brickbat]

2. There were years in the last 10 where I would have been thrilled to be pulling that in.

There are better ways to frame living frugally, I think.

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. I'd like to have a pay increase to that level

It would sure make my life go a lot easier, not that I grudge them the money either. More power to them. And me. Us.

[redqueen]

4. LOL

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. I know! Really depends on the city they live. 39K is not much for Los Angeles, probably enough for

Alabama rural areas.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

11. I make $40K, live in NYC

Not really that difficult...

[Liberal_in_LA]

16. Maybe it's the need for a car but I'd find it difficult to live on that in LA

[Cassandra]

17. A bit more.

Doable although not lavish.

[Juneboarder]

21. Really?

Do you live on your own and support yourself? You must have rent control if you're on your own in NYC at $40k/year... :)

I live in San Diego, and I'll tell you that $40k/year on your own would not work for long at all, or you'd be forced to live in the slums of the city. Sad as that may be...

[Bucky]

45. If I may ask, what is your monthly housing cost?

[DeltaLitProf]

63. YOU need to write a book.

Seriously.

Do you have a lot of roommates?

[readmoreoften]

69. That's some bullshit. I lived in NY for years and 40K a year is only enough if you're single

and willing to live in Staten Island or a bunch of people on Craigslist.

[dem mba]

93. in Manhattan?

you could do it in the boroughs or something maybe.

[Midlodemocrat]

116. Having two brothers who live there? I find this hard to believe.

Where do you live? Do you have roommates? Family?

[Johonny]

25. I agree

39 K is hardly enough in LA for a family. Let alone the fact teachers often have to spend their own money for their class supplies. But things will all change once Meg Whitman starts running California like a business (head in hands).

[Liberal_in_LA]

110. lol n/t

[JI7]

122. 39k IS enough for LA unless one wants to always buy the biggest, newest crap to show off

[uppityperson]

5. I live on half that, would LOVE to have that much.

[rcrush]

6. Oh hell yes

Gimmie gimmie!

I'd live in a TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT!!!!! OMG


I might even get to pay off some credit card bills!

[sinkingfeeling]

8. No. Not in my current home I couldn't.

[Bozita]

9. $39,000/yr. ... The new American Dream!

[old mark]

10. that would be about an $8,000 raise...I think I could handle that. nt

[pampango]

12. You betcha. n/t

[azmouse]

13. It would be tough.

My husband has made a very good 6-figure salary for many years.
I'm not spoiled I'm just very well cared for.

[elocs]

Since I got by, quite nicely, at under $10,000 last year, yes. n/t

[Quantess]

14. Um...yeah. I'm surviving on a lot less right now.

:thumbsdown:

[Shell Beau]

15. It also depends on how many mouths you have to feed.

A single person with no children should have an easier time living on that compared to a family of four. Of course, location counts too.


ETA: I would be difficult for my husband, baby, and me to live on that. Not impossible but very hard.

[tonysam]

38. A single person can't make it on that either.

Where the hell do people come up with the stupid idea that one person can live cheaper than two?

We singles don't pay half as much for utilities, rent, mortgages, food, etc.

[Shell Beau]

41. Food alone for my one child cost me a lot per month.

Then there are diapers and child care. I guess she cost me about $15,000 to $20,000 a year. And I could live a lot cheaper if it were just me, even when I didn't have a child. When it was my husband and me, it cost me much more for the 2 of us than it did just me. 2 people use more water, more food, more clothes, etc. Pretty much more of everything.

[JackDragna]

52. That's why I need a roomie.

The above salary isn't far off from what I make. Given debts I've incurred while going to school, I do okay with a roomie, though if I were forced to live alone I'd have to find a place much cheaper than this.

[fishwax]

84. "the stupid idea that one person can live cheaper than two"

Obviously one person can live cheaper than two. :shrug:

It's not cheaper by half, but it's certainly cheaper.

[Shell Beau]

90. It is just common sense. Two people need more than just one.

Throw some kids in the mix, and we have a whole different deal.

[Enrique]

82. 2009 Poverty Line Guidelines

The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the
48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
Persons in family Poverty guideline
1 $10,830
2 14,570
3 18,310
4 22,050
5 25,790
6 29,530
7 33,270
8 37,010

[Shell Beau]

89. I can't imagine how 8 people are supposed to survive on that.

That is beyond poverty.

[Skidmore]

18. We live on less than that.

And have for years.

[proteus_lives]

19. Hell yeah.

I'm living on about 50% of that right now.

[KamaAina]

20. I live on slightly less than that

then again, I'm single, no kids, and don't drive.

[snooper2]

22. before or after taxes?

:)

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. I live on somewhat less than that -

but then, I'm (currently) single with no family living with me, only a daughter who I've been sending a couple hundred a month to as she's been unemployed for 4 years.

Me and the cat - yeah. Me and a wife and kids - no fucking way.

[kestrel91316]

24. I could live like a queen on $39k. But I'm single.

[Political_Junkie]

40. Me too.

I'd love to see that kinda money.

[EC]

26. That is 2x's the amount I have lived on

for the last 20 years (since college)

[951-Riverside]

27. $39,000 = $3,250 a month. WTH?

I'll probably never make that in my lifetime.

[Shell Beau]

28. It sounds like a lot, but when you start adding up

house notes, utilities, groceries, child care, car note, car insurance, gas, misc., it goes quickly. My house note alone is $1200/month. That is cheap for some places.

I guess one wouldn't need child care if there was a stay at home parent. Child care cost me close to $9000 last year.

[tonysam]

35. It's no money at all, not anywhere in the United States

I made more than that as a teacher in Nevada, and I could hardly break even.

[Art_from_Ark]

97. In Arkansas, it would be decent money.

The average factory job in my home town doesn't even pay half that.

[rcrush]

62. Getting married is such a money making scam

I'm staying single and saving money!!!! lol

[Shell Beau]

80. I wish it was a money making scam!

We do have 2 incomes, but we have more expenses. boo! ;)

[Midlodemocrat]

107. Mine is $2K because we currently have a five year mortgage

There is no way we could live on that. TM's tuition alone is almost $20K. Car insurance is $6K for the four of us.

Groceries? Don't even go there. I spend roughly $400 a week on groceries. Utilities are pretty reasonable, though. My biggest guilty pleasure is that I like eating out.

[Liberal_in_LA]

109. $400 a week for groceries? You eatin lobster and cavier?

}(

[Midlodemocrat]

111. Teenage boys. 'Nuff said.

[Liberal_in_LA]

112. ahhhh... I understand.

[Midlodemocrat]

113. They should be called bottomless pits, but that is unfair to pits.

[Shell Beau]

117. Ooh, I dread the college days.

I have set up a fund though. But still. And we do plan on one more child (sometime in the near future. I am scared), so I can't begin to think of the expenses. 40 grand a year would be tough. I know it is done by a lot of families, but it has to be a daily struggle.

[knitter4democracy]

29. I lived on less than that last year.

The support was supposed to be more, but then he started messing with the payments.

It really depends on where you live, how much your rental/house payments are, and whether you can get by without a car. I needed the car, had a high house payment, and things got tight right quick when the ex just stopped paying and I couldn't get a job until this last fall.

The thing is, now I'm a teacher, and I have a much smaller salary than that. If I didn't have the support payments, too, it would be really hard to stay in my house, so I'd have to move into something much smaller.

[formercia]

30. I lived for a Winter on $50./Mo.

I lived in the woods, so I didn't have rent and utilities. I ate well.

[jaysunb]

31. 5 X that amount would be about right

for Pasadena Ca. although the local non ducumented workers live fairly decent on a lot less...even while sending money back to their families. :shrug:

[Mari333]

32. I live on 900 a MONTH

Id love to make 39,000 a yr. puhlease.

[fishbulb703]

33. I live on 18k and my bf doesn't have a job. But,

I don't have to pay University tuition, which is awesome. Plus I have my dad and mom's medical insurance (federal gov't workers). But I pay for everything else working at a gas station. No car though, so that saves money.

[Greyhound]

34. Subsist, yes. Live, no.

"Necessitous men are not free."

[LeftinOH]

37. Erm, ummm.. some of us already do (or even less)..not a complaint, just a fact. n/t

[Initech]

39. I live on less than that a year. It sucks.

[Shell Beau]

42. That is because you work at Initech and do those damn TPS reports!

:P

[Initech]

47. And somebody took my stapler!!!!

[Echo In Light]

48. _

[Initech]

94. Needs more flair!

[Shell Beau]

74. You better watch out. Hopefully the basement is cozy!

[Initech]

95. I was told that I could listen to the radio at a reasonable volume from 9 to 11...

[MrMickeysMom]

88. "Um, Yeah... I'm Gonna need you to come in on Saturday."

[Initech]

96. If we get caught we're not going to minimum security resort prison!

No we're going to federal pound me in the ass prison!

[MrMickeysMom]

98. :-^o.......

Oh... Oh... Oh!

[bridgit]

43. Hm, dunno, let's see: tap tap tap gazinta/=x52/12++...yeah I guess so and with what looks like

Almost $19,000 to spare :bounce: Hey...where *did* that money go :(

[newtothegame]

44. Yes. Move out of New York City, LA, and all the other places the poor go and pay rents of $1000+...

And move to Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas etc. where the same jobs are available at realistic costs of living.

[here_is_to_hope]

56. Coast of Oregon + 39k =

A decent standard of living.
We do just fine on less than 18k here.
House's start rents at 650.00 a month and go up from there. Lots of houses for sale starting at 100k for 1200 square feet and a large lot.
We bought ours last year for 110k, 1300 square feet on an acre, three miles from the beach.
You couldn't get me to move to a city, anywhere.

[newtothegame]

61. Exactly. I'm well aware that not everyone can pack up and move...

and I'm also well aware that the cities are supposedly where the "jobs" are.

But I've also witnessed in my own circle that way too many poor Americans move to the inner cities and pay $1000 rents while working for $7/hour at some independent coffee shop or bookstore. And pay for public transportation. Or parking spots. And tolls. And every other high expense that goes with living in a big city. The whole thing has never made sense to me; our poorest citizens move to the most expensive places to live.

Move out of LA. Move out of NYC. Move out of SF. Even better, never move to these places in the first place. There are plenty of jobs and realistic costs of living in the Midwest (of course, jobs in a normal economy, not this one)

ed for sp

[nonconformist]

46. We've lived on less than that before.

Not comfortably, but we managed.

I think that about 39/40k a year is right about the bottom of what we can make and still get by on for our family of 5.

[Javaman]

51. I currently live on less than that. nt

[seeinfweggos]

54. yeah i could handle a 2 thousand dollar raise.

what a buncha bourgeoisies bullshit.

[Jennicut]

55. Not much for CT with two kids.

[a la izquierda]

57. I do, but there's only two of us...

and we live in very reasonable Oklahoma (well, reasonable in terms of cost of living, etc).

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

58. Yes.

We live on ~$50k... which is only 25% more the ~$39k and have a nice house along with school loans.
I could live on alot less with a cheaper house or if I lost the school loans ($400/mo).
My mother raised a family of 4 with ~$50k. It can be done and you don't live like rats.

One major key is home cooking. You can cook at home (from scratch) for half the cost of eating out.
Store brand or "generic" brand food is pretty good and shooping in bulk saves even more. Clip those coupons!
Feeding two people is a little cheaper than breaking even, but the value sweet spot is cooking for 4-6 people.

Other than that the big savers are getting used cars, used firearms, and yesteryear's technology and styles.
I don't need 1000 channels or ultrafast internet. My basic cable TV and internet cost me $35/mo - no landline phone.
Our family cellophone plan is ~$65/mo and there's no need for unlimited texting or hightech phones.
I shop at goodwill sometimes for pants/shirts, do my own engine work/maintenance, and fix other issues myself.

[bamacrat]

59. If I were single, yes.

Im married and unemployed and we are getting by on my wifes 50K, but there is very little room for anything other than bills and a tiny bit of fun. When I get a job it'll be great. I'll get a new car, an American made one of course, and we will save for a vacation. But that is when, not now. Hopefully soon. Sent out so many resume's etc to no avail.

[Iggo]

60. I could manage...lol.(n/t)

[REP]

64. I lived on far less in the SF Bay for years (and without a roommate)

Half my income went for my tiny apartment in a very nice suburb. I can live very cheaply, so I was even able to save some money and invest, and now I'm better off, but for nearly a decade, $39K would have been a very large raise.

[madamesilverspurs]

65. $9024.

That's my present annual income. My only luxury is my internet dialup at $9.95/mo.

So, I'm thinking I could get by on $39K, or even half that.

BUT --- I'm also thinking that our teachers should be better appreciated in all respects, including their compensation.

---

[TEXASYANKEE]

66. Not easy.

This story left so many questions unanswered -- where does this family live? Do they use public transport? Do they have health insurance? It sounds as though he and his wife saved up a good deal of money before they had children, which I applaud. And it also sounds like they were very frugal about everything else, since they're only debt is their mortgage, which I also applaud.

But you can't live on $39k a year in many places in this country, especially not if your employer doesn't offer health care coverage. I'm happy for this particular couple, but more facts would have been appreciated. This is not a one size fits all.

[mmonk]

67. No. But I live in a city.

[RedCappedBandit]

68. Easily

How out of touch some must be to even believe this is a valid question..

Edit to add.. "easily" because I am young and healthy. If my health were in question, or I had people dependent on my, it would obviously be different.

[Obamanaut]

70. yes n/t

[ChicagoSuz219]

71. Oh, yeah! n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

72. Since business was bad last year, I hope to get UP to that level this year

:-(

It is easier without a car, though. When I started having to drive after moving to Minneapolis, I spent an extra $3000 a year on my so-called "free" (inherited from relatives) car.

[ibegurpard]

73. I live on a lot less than that

but it's just me

[Kalun D]

76. Numbers

the national average poverty level in 2008 was $22,000

median family income in 2007 was $50,000

but everything has taken a big dive since 2008

$39K a year? depends where you live. The disparity between some of the states is huge.

[JVS]

81. Yes.

[Enrique]

83. poor people don't exist in CNN land

or working class, for that matter.

The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the
48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
Persons in family Poverty guideline
1 $10,830
2 14,570
3 18,310
4 22,050
5 25,790
6 29,530
7 33,270
8 37,010

[quaker bill]

85. Possibly

though quite a bit differently than I live now. It was tough for me to live on that kind of money 15 years ago. I have the good fortune of both being an environmental scientist for a living and no longer having to try to live on such a salary. I count my blessings everyday.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

86. Each month?

I'll take a loaf of bread, please."

[Cleita]

91. I live on much less. n/t

[PacerLJ35]

92. Sure, if you keep a budget

Granted, on $39k a year, you aren't going to be living any kind of grand lifestyle, but it can be done...even with a family. My first job I had post-college, I was making $25k a year. Luckily my wife made around $20k a year as a teacher...and realize that's about 15 years ago. Things were definitely tight then, since we were both paying off student debt.

[SmileyRose]

99. My husband and I are living on roughly half that.

Our medical expenses are quite high so we could not do it if we had any debt payments. Our home and car are paid for.

[ThoughtCriminal]

100. We do. But health benefits are what keep us in the black

We live in a town with a very high cost of living and have to rent. If my wife's employer did not pay for the bulk of the health insurance, or if we did not drive 15 and 20 year-old vehicles we would be close to paycheck-to-paycheck. As it is, we manage to save a little.

[Juche]

101. I can get by comfortably on $1100/month net income

So 39k a year? Yeah.

Of course I have no kids, no major medical problems, live in the affordable midwest, own my own car and am comfortable living with a roommate.

But even when I was visiting San Diego my living expenses were only about $1400/month.

[MineralMan]

102. Many of that teacher's students' families live on much less.

We haven't that much income in our household for several years.

While I think teachers are generally underpaid, this smacks of something unseemly.

[Midlodemocrat]

103. No. Not even close.

Tuition for my daughter is at $20,000, so no.

[earth mom]

104. Teachers make $60K to $100K in California and many other places in this country.

Which would be very livable for a family of 4. Which is why I wonder if this guy is talking $39K BEFORE taxes?

[donheld]

105. With great joy!

But then I'm single.

[cherish44]

106. I live on half that

I'm a college educated person and all I can find are minimum wage jobs right now.

[Jamastiene]

108. And then some.

I could afford to pay the bills, do home improvements, save up to buy a hybrid car, save up to pay my little hovel off in a couple years time, AND buy a little musical something something for fun with that much money. Or, I could continue to live the way I live now and pay off the hovel in about a year with that much income. :wow:

[kgnu_fan]

115. for a long time!

[Beacool]

118. That's not much for a family of four.

:(

[NoSheep]

119. Yes.

[salin]

120. lived in the SF Bay area (one person) in the 90s on less than 20K

and managed to build a tiny reserve of a couple of thousand to take care of emergencies (such as the transmission going out on my older car - twice). During that time, the area had the third highest cost of living average in the country. However, I lived in one of the highest crime rate areas as a trade off to try to live within my means. Trade off was to earn a grad degree with no debt - that has greatly increased my earnings.

[Luciferous]

121. My family of four lives on less than that and we manage.