Gross income? Why not net income?

[debtmonster]

We have a 3 bedroom house and our rent is 3k, and that is on the cheaper side for the area I live in.
A 1 bedroom is like 1200 and it isn't that big.
Normally if you live in SoCal you have the income to back it. But that same job wouldn't be paid the same in say NC.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

How much is your net paycheck after taxes before paying this?

[Cali]

Our income is more than enough to afford our rent and the rest of our bills. And we have money leftover.

[debtmonster]

But how much is that exactly? Just like the BK examples I saw, it would be nice to see actual incomes that people make and spend in that state. Most people I know make between $30-50k.

[epiphany]

I am born & raised in Southern California, but it's not for everyone. We are fast-paced people. Los Angeles Country is not for the weary. If I could afford to live in San Diego, I would in a heartbeat. It's incredible!

I lived in Santa Barbara for 17 years even though I grew up in LA. Talk about clean and beautiful! It was tough to make the rent then and there is no way I could do it now in that area.

San Diego is beautiful too..only wish I could visit it more often.

ep

[fltoo]

Totally not fair for the rest of us. Everyone should have the right to do that, not just a select few.

Share the wealth, huh? lol Every one DOES have the right to do that.

I know quite a few parents whose kids (late 20's) make from 200k to 2 million a year. These are hard working kids who took advantage of education, were taught to set goals and follow a dream. Not one of them only works 40 hours a week. Yes, I most certainly believe the dream still exists in America. Their jobs run from financial positions to having their own company. (usually internet related).

Every one of them either lives in NYC or Cali, mainly because that is where their marketplace is, but also, they enjoy the sophisticated lifestyle.

These kids come from middle class backgrounds, not rich families. One of the dads I know owns a sub shop and hadn't taken a vacation in years. His daughter decided to "share the wealth". She invited us all to his 58th birthday party and presented her parents with an all expense paid trip to Italy, the birthplace of his parents, and a place he always wanted to visit.

I know there are people who are limited by education or environment and many people are hurting from this nasty economy, but still there are many doing well.

I always said I wished the news would report on some of these kids to give our young students hope and direction. All we ever see or hear about are the people in economic strife.

I totally agree that our country needs a new direction, but I am so sick of people looking to the government for that direction. Many kids are still getting direction from their families and even on this forum, you can read between the lines and see the parents trying to help their kids be successful.

Wouldn't it be great if kids also got encouragement from the government or mass media to reinforce parental direction? The best thing Obama said was, "turn off the tv and do homework with your kids".

Sorry for the soapbox, lol, but it irks me that the government throws student loans out with no counseling or career planning and then expects these kids to pay them back. And, don't even get me started on our lacking education system. LOL

The family has always been the main provider of direction for kids, but years ago, people still believed in attaining success through hard work, education, etc. What happened to our middle class values? Why are we surrounding our youth with such doom and gloom? Sure, things have changed since our parents generation, but we need to adapt and tote success in spite of the changes.

Not everyone is capable of huge salaries for a variety of reasons, but not everyone was capable years ago, either. Just like years ago, with careful planning and direction, everyone is still capable of some type of success. I think we are finally learning this with the downturn in the economy. Maybe we will all benefit from it.

[Cali]

Everyone I know makes 175k(which is very few) up to millions a year.
One of my best friends makes 30k a mth.

Income: lower 6 figures w/ 1 earner now. Soon to be higher 6 figures in a few weeks.

But how much is that exactly? Just like the BK examples I saw, it would be nice to see actual incomes that people make and spend in that state. Most people I know make between $30-50k.

[debtmonster]

Everyone I know makes 175k(which is very few) up to millions a year.
One of my best friends makes 30k a mth.

Income: lower 6 figures w/ 1 earner now. Soon to be higher 6 figures in a few weeks.

How are these people able to do this? I WANT TO DO THIS! TEACH ME!!

How do I get started? This $2000-4000/mo. is keeping me in poverty! I would be happy just making $20,000/mo, let alone $30k.!! Then * I * can afford to live in California, too, and pay those ridiculous $4,000/mo. rents and not have it bother me.

[fltoo]

Totally not fair for the rest of us. Everyone should have the right to do that, not just a select few.

To begin with, no self made millionaire that I know, college educated and not, would ever think or say this. They don't think in terms of fair and unfair and they obviously believe that everyone has the right to do it.

How did the ones I know make it? Extreme hard work, focus, dedication, self esteem and attitude.

[debtmonster]

How did the ones I know make it? Extreme hard work, focus, dedication, self esteem and attitude.

I want exact details. Lots of people do the above and are not millionaires.

I wish hundreds of millionaires would write a recipe of exactly what they did that can be duplicated by others.

[Tbornetun]

If everyone was a millionaire, who would be left to work for them.

[debtmonster]

If everyone was a millionaire, who would be left to work for them.

We would all work for each other and be millionaires. I am so tired of being a hundredaire.

[Tbornetun]

Only you can change your financial situation. No one is going to hand it to you.

There is no such thing as get rich quick, hard work and determination is the only way to succeed.

[Cali]

A book wouldn't help you make the money they do because you would have to have education/experience and hard work to make it happen.
I think you should try to make the best of whatever it is you do or find an industry that makes more.
I have a MBA and have worked very hard in my industry.

I want exact details. Lots of people do the above and are not millionaires.

I wish hundreds of millionaires would write a recipe of exactly what they did that can be duplicated by others.

[Cali]

I totally agree!!

only you can change your financial situation. No one is going to hand it to you.

There is no such thing as get rich quick, hard work and determination is the only way to succeed.

[debtmonster]

A book wouldn't help you make the money they do because you would have to have education/experience and hard work to make it happen.
I think you should try to make the best of whatever it is you do or find an industry that makes more.
I have a MBA and have worked very hard in my industry.

Do you make $100k+ with that MBA? That is something I have in the works right now.