Average Income

[Caustic Burno]

I hesitated to post this, but I guess there is enough ananimity here it's not like bragging. I got debt free at age 33 or 34. I have never had a vehicle payment. I have always chosen to drive what I could afford to pay cash for. I set my house up on 15 years, when the principle got down low I went ahead and paid it off.

I have never really minded working. The day I started working for reasons other than to pay bills was one of the most enjoyable days of my life. I plan to never have another payment. I hope nobody misconstrues this as bragging. My life truely changed when I got debt free.

My next goal is to retire early. I think in 7 more years, I will be able to do that. My wife wants to continue to keep working. Oh well to each his own. I think retireing to spend more time on my farm will be far more enjoyable than a new tractor, or a new truck.

I often puzzle over why people spend money to buy things they dont need, to try to impress people they don't like. My standard of living is low. It will be low after I retire, but will be happy.

You are a very wise young man IMO.
It is not what you make it is how you mange what you have. Not my words but those of my Mom.
The greastest blessing I recieved is being raised by the generation that lived through the depression.
I am with you on low standard of living as long as I got a bisquit and a dry bed I am happy camper.
It doesn't take a lot to live if you stay out of debt.
The Media has brainwashed an entire generation they need this or that to be happy.
Good credit, bad credit, no credit come on down and we will fix you up.

 

[Anonymous]

I quit worry about what my credit score was 4 years ago and started paying cash for everything. It was a difficult transition but is paying off now. Only note I have now is my mortgage

 

[Caustic Burno]

In my part of the Country a large part of the minorites seem to all drive new cars and they known how to work the system with free medical care, large tax returns, food stamps, kids get 3 free meals aday at school, they work also but with us paying for a lot of their expenses they make more than we do. I know this guy that does not work but is getting over $9000 tax return and is spending it all to rebuild a old Lincoln. We are the 50% that work supporting the ones livings off of us and it will get worse until they are the majority and we will be living off the land again. You will not believe the number of cars I see with handicap stickers with young obese people that should be working, probably on Social security or disability. I have to much pride to live like that. If you have not seen the movie Tobacco Road make it a point to do so and see how our Grandparents had to exist. :bang: :2cents:

You can bet if you ever need the disability insurance you have paid for your entire working life you will have to fight like he!!. Most likely you won't get it either. The system was set up to care of the working not the non working somewhere along the way the train jumped the track's. The original idea was great if you got killed or some medical reason your family wouldn't starve. It started out you had to pay to play it was based on what you paid into the system.
The politican's to buy vote's started robbing SS and putting IOU's in the box to pay those who won't work.

 

[skyhightree1]

In my part of the Country a large part of the minorites seem to all drive new cars and they known how to work the system with free medical care, large tax returns, food stamps, kids get 3 free meals aday at school, they work also but with us paying for a lot of their expenses they make more than we do. I know this guy that does not work but is getting over $9000 tax return and is spending it all to rebuild a old Lincoln. We are the 50% that work supporting the ones livings off of us and it will get worse until they are the majority and we will be living off the land again. You will not believe the number of cars I see with handicap stickers with young obese people that should be working, probably on Social security or disability. I have to much pride to live like that. If you have not seen the movie Tobacco Road make it a point to do so and see how our Grandparents had to exist. :bang: :2cents:

I agree with the obese and handicapped placards but its not just minorities that drive new cars and work the system... I just want to point that out...

 

[Caustic Burno]

In my part of the Country a large part of the minorites seem to all drive new cars and they known how to work the system with free medical care, large tax returns, food stamps, kids get 3 free meals aday at school, they work also but with us paying for a lot of their expenses they make more than we do. I know this guy that does not work but is getting over $9000 tax return and is spending it all to rebuild a old Lincoln. We are the 50% that work supporting the ones livings off of us and it will get worse until they are the majority and we will be living off the land again. You will not believe the number of cars I see with handicap stickers with young obese people that should be working, probably on Social security or disability. I have to much pride to live like that. If you have not seen the movie Tobacco Road make it a point to do so and see how our Grandparents had to exist. :bang: :2cents:

I agree with the obese and handicapped placards but its not just minorities that drive new cars and work the system... I just want to point that out...

Here it is about 90% or better.
All you got to do is stand in line at Wal-Mart and see who is using there Lone Star card.

 

[skyhightree1]

LOL.. Funny Caustic

 

[skyhightree1]

I will post this in here because its something one of my workers came to me about today and has something to do with average income / way things are for people trying to make it. My employee came to me head hung low which he is never that way so I asked him whats wrong he said society I said i know but what happened. Long story short he bought some land 3 years ago and finally has the $ to build on his land or so he thought. He is getting 6 grand back on his taxes and went to a bunch of banks asking about lending to build a modular every bank told him he will have to have 20% of the houses cost to put down or 25% as they will not do a 100% finance on builds he may be able to squeeze by that maybe but he then will have to pay an additonal 8k for closing. I don't know how they expect the economy to get any better with crazyness such as that i was shocked apparently when i build my house they used the equity in the land for the so call down payment. He is a hard worked and its sad that he can't even live out his dream in the greatest country of the world without having to go through this bs this place is bass ackwards. I pay him $40k a year so its not like hes making 20 grand a year trying to build a house.

 

[jasonleonard]

The Obamaphrase "Redistribution of Wealth" makes me taste vomit in my mouth!
This is a slap in the face to every American who has worked hard to get what he's got without any govt. help. Sure does seem like business owners are the punching bag of our country. Smells like socialism to me.

 

[Brute 23]

I will post this in here because its something one of my workers came to me about today and has something to do with average income / way things are for people trying to make it. My employee came to me head hung low which he is never that way so I asked him whats wrong he said society I said i know but what happened. Long story short he bought some land 3 years ago and finally has the $ to build on his land or so he thought. He is getting 6 grand back on his taxes and went to a bunch of banks asking about lending to build a modular every bank told him he will have to have 20% of the houses cost to put down or 25% as they will not do a 100% finance on builds he may be able to squeeze by that maybe but he then will have to pay an additonal 8k for closing. I don't know how they expect the economy to get any better with crazyness such as that i was shocked apparently when i build my house they used the equity in the land for the so call down payment. He is a hard worked and its sad that he can't even live out his dream in the greatest country of the world without having to go through this bs this place is bass ackwards. I pay him $40k a year so its not like hes making 20 grand a year trying to build a house.

Letting people build a house with $6k down... that he couldn't even save up... is what got us in to this mess. The fact that they turned him down gives me hope. A year from now when he loses his job or gets disabled he will be upside down and have no way to get rid of it. :bang: The bank gets it back... can't get what they loaned out of it... bank did lots of these bad deals... govt has to bail bank out... Don't we know how this story ends?

 

[skyhightree1]

Brute the 6k was his closing cost money he had saved up. He has 3 kids and pays a good amount for rent and he hasn't been evicted out of his place. Brute I understand what you are saying but in the land of dreams are you saying because he does not have the saved capital he should not be a home owner ? Banks are out to make money with every investment you make there is a risk associated with it. I mean if banks are not going to be reasonable and lend are we really moving ahead ? It sounds like to me banks want a guaranteed way to make sure they don't loose money. I do agree not everyone is cut out to be a home owner but the man makes in the 40k's a year and can't get a home built.His mortgage will be less than what he pays in rent a month its crazy everything is out of whack. His house and land total was 156,000 basically cheap in this day and age its not like it was a 300k home which to me its insane.

 

[Ryder]

In my part of the Country a large part of the minorites seem to all drive new cars and they known how to work the system with free medical care, large tax returns, food stamps, kids get 3 free meals aday at school, they work also but with us paying for a lot of their expenses they make more than we do. I know this guy that does not work but is getting over $9000 tax return and is spending it all to rebuild a old Lincoln. We are the 50% that work supporting the ones livings off of us and it will get worse until they are the majority and we will be living off the land again. You will not believe the number of cars I see with handicap stickers with young obese people that should be working, probably on Social security or disability. I have to much pride to live like that. If you have not seen the movie Tobacco Road make it a point to do so and see how our Grandparents had to exist. :bang: :2cents:

I agree with the obese and handicapped placards but its not just minorities that drive new cars and work the system... I just want to point that out...

Here it is about 90% or better.
All you got to do is stand in line at Wal-Mart and see who is using there Lone Star card.

Caustic I hear you and see the same thing. But we forget--they are entitled.
They park those big new cars in the handicapped places and waddle in to fill their basket up on sweets and potato chips.
Heard one telling another that she deserved the big,new car. :???:

 

[Caustic Burno]

Yep they have turned entitled into a dirty word.
The only people who are entitled are the working people that have paid into the Social Security System all their live's and our veteran's. They paid to play as well. Both had to contribute hard earned money.

 

[Commercialfarmer]

In my part of the Country a large part of the minorites seem to all drive new cars and they known how to work the system with free medical care, large tax returns, food stamps, kids get 3 free meals aday at school, they work also but with us paying for a lot of their expenses they make more than we do. I know this guy that does not work but is getting over $9000 tax return and is spending it all to rebuild a old Lincoln. We are the 50% that work supporting the ones livings off of us and it will get worse until they are the majority and we will be living off the land again. You will not believe the number of cars I see with handicap stickers with young obese people that should be working, probably on Social security or disability. I have to much pride to live like that. If you have not seen the movie Tobacco Road make it a point to do so and see how our Grandparents had to exist. :bang: :2cents:

I agree with the obese and handicapped placards but its not just minorities that drive new cars and work the system... I just want to point that out...

I agree, you have the lazy and trash in all makes but unfortunately too many "cultures" feel victimized and would rather teach to take a hand out and not a hand up. Sad that parents would enslave their kids to the handouts of others.

It is a taught mentality, seen it handed down too many times. A lot of the blame falls on the tax payers for letting it happen. Too many homes without daddies in all places and all races. It shouldn't be cool to have 10 baby mamas. That stuff kills me.

If you want to know who isn't working, go to the free fair day in the middle of the afternoon. You can't convence me all those people have night jobs.


Regarding average income, taxes are the great equalizer and now health care falls into that category. I've paid my own health insurance and it is killing me. For me and children (1 or more), has shot up to over 12k a year. The good news is that I won't have to pay them after December since they are folding with the affordable care act implementation. Pretty excited about that.

I luckily started making good money just in time to pay.my.fair.share. I think that's how you spell it. It is amazing what is left to live on. And I'm a tight wad. Got out of debt except house 4 yrs ago. Don't have cabble, internet, a home phone line, our newest car is 7 years old (paid off) and we have a very modest home. I too don't know how others are making it. If not for the grace of God, I could easily be in a world of hurt. I mean every word of that. But I'm truly amazed at what breathing costs me. There is a tax on everything you do or buy and many times multiple taxes.

 

[jasonleonard]

It's gonna be really interesting to see how they fix this social security mess over
the next couple decades. What started out as a wonderful program for our older
Americans, they have turned into a huge mess. Anyone see how they can possibly put back all the money that has been hijacked from the SS program over the years?

 

[Brute 23]

Brute the 6k was his closing cost money he had saved up. He has 3 kids and pays a good amount for rent and he hasn't been evicted out of his place. Brute I understand what you are saying but in the land of dreams are you saying because he does not have the saved capital he should not be a home owner ? Banks are out to make money with every investment you make there is a risk associated with it. I mean if banks are not going to be reasonable and lend are we really moving ahead ? It sounds like to me banks want a guaranteed way to make sure they don't loose money. I do agree not everyone is cut out to be a home owner but the man makes in the 40k's a year and can't get a home built.His mortgage will be less than what he pays in rent a month its crazy everything is out of whack. His house and land total was 156,000 basically cheap in this day and age its not like it was a 300k home which to me its insane.

Getting money back on taxes is not saving up. Plus he needs to adjust his W2. As his employer you can help him with that.

Yes. I am saying if a person cant put down 20.. 25% down they should not be a home owner. There is nothing wrong with renting. Another great American scam is the idea that owning a home is good for every one. Just because you can pay rent doesn't mean you can take on all the other expences that go along with owning a home.

$40K is not a lot if he has other debt, bills, and 3 kids.... and although $156K is not a lot in general... it is a lot for a $40K income. Its all about ratios.

Im not trying to knock the guy down but if he can save $6K for 2-4 more years he will get it. He needs to have patience. Right now... gets a lot of people in trouble.

 

[Brute 23]

It's gonna be really interesting to see how they fix this social security mess over
the next couple decades. What started out as a wonderful program for our older
Americans, they have turned into a huge mess. Anyone see how they can possibly put back all the money that has been hijacked from the SS program over the years?

Thats the thing. It has never been a wonderful program. It was a scam and disaster from the beggining. That was one of the first steps toward a socialist nation.

 

[skyhightree1]

Brute I understand what you are saying but as you know its 20% now lets say he does save more $$ everything goes up lets say banks say you need 30% or 40% in a couple years that means he saved in vain because he will be there in the same boat. I just wonder when it will stop. I feel for him and any other person that wants to be a reasonable home owner and not try to buy a 500,000 house on a 40k salary. If he gets it worked out where I could front him some $ and he pay me back I will do it for him and sign a contract or I put a lean on the property till its paid.

 

[Caustic Burno]

It's gonna be really interesting to see how they fix this social security mess over
the next couple decades. What started out as a wonderful program for our older
Americans, they have turned into a huge mess. Anyone see how they can possibly put back all the money that has been hijacked from the SS program over the years?

Thats the thing. It has never been a wonderful program. It was a scam and disaster from the beggining. That was one of the first steps toward a socialist nation.

Brute I agree to disagree with you here.
It was the first step to a social system. I am not going to argue you right or wrong .
It sarted out as a supplemnet to help elderly and widow's not your total income.
Here is our quandry if I was a young man like you SS would PO me to no end.
Then you have millions of American's like me that paid into the system for 35 to 40 year's.
That is our money as we played by the rule's.
Now I agree that it needs to go away and had the kitty not been robbed it could be phased out.
This is not going to be easy you can't cut off the people that are getting by on it and paid all there life.
We have to get the leaches off and then start looking how to fix the system.
I still believe we have to protect elderly as there are people that can't save, somehow someway a 401 has to be established in every American's name and that is where you put your money. It can't be touched till you retire and if you die it goes to your aires. This is for people whose companies don't offer a 401 k everyone needs to contribute to their own for retirement that the government does not have access to.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Brute the 6k was his closing cost money he had saved up. He has 3 kids and pays a good amount for rent and he hasn't been evicted out of his place. Brute I understand what you are saying but in the land of dreams are you saying because he does not have the saved capital he should not be a home owner ? Banks are out to make money with every investment you make there is a risk associated with it. I mean if banks are not going to be reasonable and lend are we really moving ahead ? It sounds like to me banks want a guaranteed way to make sure they don't loose money. I do agree not everyone is cut out to be a home owner but the man makes in the 40k's a year and can't get a home built.His mortgage will be less than what he pays in rent a month its crazy everything is out of whack. His house and land total was 156,000 basically cheap in this day and age its not like it was a 300k home which to me its insane.

Getting money back on taxes is not saving up. Plus he needs to adjust his W2. As his employer you can help him with that.

Yes. I am saying if a person cant put down 20.. 25% down they should not be a home owner. There is nothing wrong with renting. Another great American scam is the idea that owning a home is good for every one. Just because you can pay rent doesn't mean you can take on all the other expences that go along with owning a home.

$40K is not a lot if he has other debt, bills, and 3 kids.... and although $156K is not a lot in general... it is a lot for a $40K income. Its all about ratios.

Im not trying to knock the guy down but if he can save $6K for 2-4 more years he will get it. He needs to have patience. Right now... gets a lot of people in trouble.

Lightining has struck twice I agree got to pay to play again.
If you can't come up with 20 to 25 % you are not ready to be a homeowner.
Need to have a lot of skin in the game. This guy hasn't saved anything.
But then again I am the guy that think's you shoild have at least one year's salary in savings.

 

[highgrit]

I had to put 20% down and pay closing cost when we bought our first house. And disability or SSI is B.S. I have paid into SS and income taxes for over 40 years now, so don't take it away from me. The deadbeats and the freeloaders should not be intitled to the money that I have paid. I have went and tried to get it myself, but if your not going to lie your not getting it. Even though you have a broken back and 2 herniated disc in your neck. I told my doctors that I was turned down and they could not believe it. I can't work hard anymore, but I will never quit working. The best way to get on your feet is to get off your azz. It's just a shame some folks don't want to work at all.