"I can't live on $168,000."
Tony Snow resigned as Bush's press secretary citing the low salary as the reason for his leaving. He said "I can't live on $168,000."
Now, I know it costs more to live in the up-scale region where he resides; and I understand that he used to make far more when working for Fox News; and I also understand he's dying of cancer and likely spending money on medical treatments. But there's something about the statement "I can't live on $168,000" that sticks in my conscientiousness.
The average income where I live is about $28,000 per year. I think the national average is about $36,000 (I may be wrong on these numbers as I am doing this from what I recall reading but I think they are close). That means for every doctor or lawyer making $200,000 there are several people making $15-$20,000. Lots of folks get by on even less.
$168,000 a year sounds like a fortune to me. I make $37,000 (I know, it's my fault for choosing a career that generally doesn't pay well) and I can't even imagine having that sort of income. I would feel rich. Hell, the Democrats would consider me rich and want to tax me death.
I guess it's all relative. Snow can't get by on an income that sounds like fabulous wealth to me. I just wish I was in a place where I complained about being underpaid at $168,000.
Now, I know it costs more to live in the up-scale region where he resides; and I understand that he used to make far more when working for Fox News; and I also understand he's dying of cancer and likely spending money on medical treatments. But there's something about the statement "I can't live on $168,000" that sticks in my conscientiousness.
The average income where I live is about $28,000 per year. I think the national average is about $36,000 (I may be wrong on these numbers as I am doing this from what I recall reading but I think they are close). That means for every doctor or lawyer making $200,000 there are several people making $15-$20,000. Lots of folks get by on even less.
$168,000 a year sounds like a fortune to me. I make $37,000 (I know, it's my fault for choosing a career that generally doesn't pay well) and I can't even imagine having that sort of income. I would feel rich. Hell, the Democrats would consider me rich and want to tax me death.
I guess it's all relative. Snow can't get by on an income that sounds like fabulous wealth to me. I just wish I was in a place where I complained about being underpaid at $168,000.
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I realize Snow made lots more on TV before taking the White House job. But you know, if I had been making $2,000,000+ for the past 10 years I would have so much saved and invested that I wouldn't need to worry about what my job paid, anymore.
It may really be about his health. He's in bad shape and that's a tragedy for him and his family. But the reason he cited for leaving was the low pay. I dunno...
Look, I didn't really mean for this to turn into a political discussion. I know Bush is ujpopular but this really has nothing to do with Bush or other members of the administration. It's about Tony Snow and his stated reason for leaving his post.0 -
Well, lemme see now..$168,000..I'm 69 years old and i've managed to scrimp by on lots less that that..I put three daughters through college. one of them with a degree in history from William and Mary,and from there through law school, she's a law prof at Georgetown University now, One through VCU, she's in charge of the computer network for the VCU police now..One is the head nurse in a nursing home in Virginia..
I did it with a helluva lot less than that.0 -
Actually I should admit..My daughters would have made it even if I hadn't been in this world. They insisted on it..[:D][:D][:D][:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by oldgunner
Well, lemme see now..$168,000..I'm 69 years old and i've managed to scrimp by on lots less that that..I put three daughters through college. one of them with a degree in history from William and Mary,and from there through law school, she's a law prof at Georgetown University now, One through VCU, she's in charge of the computer network for the VCU police now..One is the head nurse in a nursing home in Virginia..
I did it with a helluva lot less than that.
And what did your house and college cost at the time that you bought your house and put them through college? I bet a LOT less than it would cost you to do it now.0 -
PC..well now you had to brang that up...[:D][:D] 0 -
The guy truly has my sympathy. I too would have a hard time getting buy on $168,000, but I would be willing to make the sacrifice and try to make ends meet in service to my country. Boy, would I! 0 -
we all could "live" on 1/10 of that, but to have a life it requires much more, and depending on the lifestyle you choose your requirements will vary
i make far less than my older brother and sister, i have 2x the material stuff than they do put together, my sister has 2,000 a month in car payments alone, i drive a work van, and a mercury villager paid for, my brother lives to pay off his credit cards his life style spends money for nothing and faster than he can make it
i have a modest mortgage, besides utility bills that's it, if i don't have the cash i don't buy it, works pretty well0 -
he has kids who want to go to college. at $35,000 a year for college things add up. of course, he pays for things himself and doesnt demand the government pay for everything. i'm sure thats a crazy idea for many people in this country now. 0 -
Well... Mine was done primarily as a member of our Armed Forces..Certainly it's impossible for anyone else to make it on that, but we had to, so we did..That's how much our government loved us..[:)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jimbowby
[8D]-Living in California can be a real strain, unless (as Zip said), you take advantage of your opportunities EARLY--
--If you don't, you'll suffer later-
--I've been retired from the Navy for 15 yr's, Feds 8yr's, LE (state) 5yr's, I have a comfortable income, Right at the 15% (retired)tax BKT-
--California has SO MANY wonderful things to do and places to go,it is very manageable if you ALREADY OWN PROPERTY, every thing else is RELATIVE--
--[:D][:D][:D][:D]--JIMBO
+1
Half these folks here on this forum on the east coast/mid west don't realize their 3bd 2 bth homes on 5 acres would run close to a million plus in desirable parts of CA.0 -
Average household income across the nation is between $44 and $45K. FWIW.
Yes, I could live EASILY on 168K. No doubt about it. I could support myself and Wife, my parents, my grandmother, all our pets, pay off all debts, and stil have enough money left over to complete my arsenal. But cancer treatments and the like, especially top shelf stuff like I am sure he is getting, cost a literal FORTUNE.0 -
After taxes he would be around $112,000 or about $9333 month. 0 -
Pay me $168,000 a year and I will be living high off the perverbial "hog" 0 -
Give 90 percent of Americans a chance to live on $168,000 and they would do well.My wife has gone thru two bouts with cancer, and we made a lot less then $168,0000 a year. 0 -
...Well, he took a few mill a year paycut to take on the spokesman job, down to around 150,00 or so, because he believed in what he ws doing, he damn sure didnt need the grief or exposure that comes with THAT terrortory. How many of ya'll would take a few million dollar a year paycut for something you believe in??? Most all of that are hammering on him right??...my ass.
He has been fighting cancer for a few years now...and GOOD cancer treatment is beyond belief EXSPENSIVE.
Fighting it for all he's worth for as long as he has, he could very well have medical bills, travel exspenses, meds, totaling in the low millions.
He probably doesn't have too much longer left to live, maybe he's just being silly and doesn't want to leave those outrages bills for his family to deal with, silly man.
Doesn't surprise me a bit who started this thread, a little man, no I take that back, a rotund man...hope you are yours never have to deal with cancer...[:(!]
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quote:Originally posted by BarkingDog
$168,000 a year actually ISNT that much. after state and federal taxes its about $100,000 a year. now throw in medical costs for cancer and his previous financial committments and you see that for a family it isnt enough to live on.
Are you asking me to believe that Tony Snow DOESN'T have the best health insurance available? I doubt his "medical costs" amount to anymore than a $10 co-pay for his prescription drugs or some other inconsequential amount.0 -
Here's an interesting thought. My mortgage payments (yes we have 2 - hubby was out of work for 1.5 years) are more than what my mom makes every year. Dad has a small pension - it might pay for gas in our vehicles - and a part time job. Fortunate for them, they have no mortgage and no more dependents. How the hell do they make it? They wonder why we don't have more "disposable income." We don't live high. We pay our bills and save some along the way. Makes you think. 0 -
I worked my tail off and worked full time, and went to school full time. Got outstanding grades, a BA, a teaching credentail and almost finished a masters in history.
What a waste of time and money! The only thing I got out of it was an improved ability to read, and in a respect, think. But none of that turned into cash.
Its more a matter of personality and has little to to with the work ethic. If you don't fit well with the status quo in your profession move on.
I could never make anything more than the median income until I quit working so hard and started selling for just seven hours a day.0 -
I learned long ago that the amount of money you have is far less dependent on how much you make than on how much you spend. If you make a million a year and spend a million and one you are in debt.
One of my best friends makes twice my salary and always has. He never has any money, has no savings and is in debt up to his eyeballs. Why? Because although he makes twice as much as I do he lives like he makes three times as much. For him, every meal everyday is in a restaurant. He and his wife do not cook or keep food at home. Every weekend they take a trip somewhere. Every three years they both buy new cars. They don't negotiate or shop around, they pay whatever the dealer is asking and accept whatever he offers in trade for their old cars. The instant they have $5,000 equity in their home they refinance so they can spend the money. Last I heard him mention he had a $42,000 balance on his credit cards.
I can count on one hand how many times my wife and I ate in a restaurant last year. We take two trips per year using any travel deals we can get. I make half as much as my friend but we have zero debt (just the mortgage and I would love to kill that), something in savings and cash in our pockets. I couldn't live like they do. I once ran my credit card up to an $1,800 balance (buying stuff for my wedding) and I couldn't sleep at night until I paid it off.
If Tony Snow has been earning a million plus for several years and is still living paycheck to paycheck I don't think he's been very wise with all that money he's made.0 -
He has no medical expense, us tax payers pay 100% of that,He just wants to retire, he has already stole enough to have a good life, their lucky they can step down, when Clinton was Pres they died. 0 -
Most 'public high profile people' don't disclose what they have or don't have, anyway.
I'm sure he's OK.0 -
I learned long ago that the amount of money you have is far less dependent on how much you make than on how much you spend. If you make a million a year and spend a million and one you are in debt.
One of my best friends makes twice my salary and always has. He never has any money, has no savings and is in debt up to his eyeballs. Why? Because although he makes twice as much as I do he lives like he makes three times as much. For him, every meal everyday is in a restaurant. He and his wife do not cook or keep food at home. Every weekend they take a trip somewhere. Every three years they both buy new cars. They don't negotiate or shop around, they pay whatever the dealer is asking and accept whatever he offers in trade for their old cars. The instant they have $5,000 equity in their home they refinance so they can spend the money. Last I heard him mention he had a $42,000 balance on his credit cards.
I can count on one hand how many times my wife and I ate in a restaurant last year. We take two trips per year using any travel deals we can get. I make half as much as my friend but we have zero debt (just the mortgage and I would love to kill that), something in savings and cash in our pockets. I couldn't live like they do. I once ran my credit card up to an $1,800 balance (buying stuff for my wedding) and I couldn't sleep at night until I paid it off.
If Tony Snow has been earning a million plus for several years and is still living paycheck to paycheck I don't think he's been very wise with all that money he's made.
And when means testing comes to social security he will get a pile of dough and you'll get just a little bit, if any. Your neighbor will get a pile.
Think it won't happen? Growing up my family's goal was to send all three of us kids off to whatever college we wanted (2 ended up going). We ate out about 3 or 4 times a year, travelled once every two years (dad worked for the airlines so the tickets were free), and generally lived a modest life. Time for college comes and our financial aid requests come back. Denied, denied, denied. All the money my parents had saved for college took us right out of the program. Our neighbors, the ones who got a new car every three years and went to the islands twice a year, their kids got $5,000 and $10,000 packages a year.
Public assistance in this country has gone from helping the most needy to rewarding those who do not plan ahead.0 -
The amount of money you can't live on is a moving target. Usually whatever you're making now. [:D] 0 -
I don't think Tony Snow gets 100% free medical.
He's likely in a Civil Service position, for me to get medical coverage with the Govt. discount I would have to sacrifice 2 weeks pay to enroll in the govt healthcare program every month.
Civil Service sux. We've had quite a few quit here in the last 12 months for more money elsewhere.
Congrats to Tony Snow for joining the ranks.0 -
I personally belive his colon cancer is back and he is headed down hill. Didn't he recently take another leave from work to undergo additional treatments?
With that in mind, I tend to think he wants to spend his last years putting some money aside for his family's future and actually have a few minutes a day to spend with them. I believe his kids are still rather young.
I'm really surprised at all the bitter posts towards him. Did anyone actually verify that was his exact quote?0 -
I could care less about Tony Snow and his 168k a year. If he can't do it...move on... Sick of Washington and all their crap anyways... 0 -
Some how I was making it on about 20k a year when I was single and had a couple roommates.
I say "the more money you make, the more money you spend." It all works out the same in the end.0 -
"Half these folks here on this forum on the east coast/mid west don't realize their 3bd 2 bth homes on 5 acres would run close to a million plus in desirable parts of CA."
-FrancF
There are no desirable parts of California.
Doug0 -
That's why everyone needs to move to Oregon![:D]
Especially the folks in California.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
We haven't seen his medical bills from the cancer. If he doesn't have insurance and has to pay them out of his pocket, that could eat up his entire yearly wages in a few weeks.[V]
Personally, I could live on just the $68,000 and put the rest away for a rainy day at the gunshow each year![}:)]
Most Americans can live on just the $68,000 and save a good 20 grand.0
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