I make $13 a day

On the way to work today, I did some mental math, figuring out how much money I “really” get per day of work, when you take away taxes, rent, electricity, and all the other stuff that you never really feel like you’re getting anything for (until they’re gone, of course!). The result? I make $13 a day. Let’s break it down:

• Total salary after taxes and tuition: $1532
• Minus $852 rent leaves $680
• Minus $190 in utilities (phones, electric, internet) leaves $490
• Minus $200 barebones survival groceries from Costco leaves $290
• Divde that by the 22 or so work days a month gives $13.18

That makes me feel poor… and really, really bad about driving today, which eats about $0.60 in gas and $7 in parking fees. There’s half today’s money, gone!

I should give thanks that Grad School isn’t forever, and for the fact that I can afford my education, rent, utilities, food, and everything else that I ignored above.

3 Responses to “I make $13 a day”

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Well, yes, you are a graduate student. There’s a reason people don’t ever pick “student” as their permanent, full-time occupation, and why there are such popular things as “student loans” 🙂 Ok, so you’re a government-paid, lowly researcher too, but overall you’re there to learn, not show off your undergrad-smarts, as good as they might be. You’re doing all of this so you can actually make money in the future, not now. It’s an investment. Anyway, you know all that… just think you forget about it sometimes 🙂

That said, it’s really nice that you have a bus that you can take to work, or a bike to ride!

Teisha - November 10th, 2005 at 2:55 pm

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That got me to thinking about my lot in life.

Total salary after taxes, health insurance, etc. $3300
Minus $1100 mortgage leaves $2200
Minus $650 for utilities (phones, electric, water, internet)leaves $1500
Minus $400 for groceries leaves $1150
Minus $240 for auto insurance leaves $910
Minus $290 for life insurance leaves $620
Minus $150 for gasoline leaves $470
Minus $350 for medical bills leaves $220
Minus $200 for credit card bills leaves $20

It’s sad. But don’t get discouraged. There is a price or cost for everything. Having a family and being in my 50’s has given me a full life which I would not traded for anything.

Jim - November 20th, 2005 at 5:53 am

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im a teacher, trying to get further in life by getting a masters. HA. i basically make 1200$ a month, then take out taxes, rent, utilities and all the loans and money i spend on my class THAT I don’t get reimbursed for. yea im in the hole like 30$ everyday but teh government wants me to find money to get the degrees to be highly qualified. oh best part, i have a job that i go to 7 days a week right after school! still broke.

frustrated - March 21st, 2007 at 8:19 am

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