Financial question for those out of college and working (and those in school and working)

[The Stigenator]

I would like to know how much you make: Gross Yearly/Monthly. After taxes Monthly and how much are you able to save.

The reasoning behind it is that I started working for the state of california. Lets just say the pay sucks royally. My parents think i am making enough until sat down with them today and showed them that i am barely able to save 350 bucks a month. This is not even including my school financial loan payback. If i do that, i dont have ANY money left, i am in negative. If i move to liablity insurance only i can save 300/6 months (which is like 50 a month).

I am trying to reason with them that they are putting more responsiblity on me. THey are planning to leave the country and go back to India, leaving the house on me. Yes i stay here but i dont know the heck i am going to survive without additional income. Mind you i dont have any credit card debt (its paid down).

This sucks... i wish i was making more, i wish being an adult isnt this hard.

 

[akubi]

man, it must suck being poor!

 

[The Stigenator]

yeah it surely does. In Los Angeles, teh median income required to survive is 50K. 70K for couples. And yet the state only pays 35K for me... Hell my GF as a school teacher makes 48K.

 

[Imdmn04]

What was your major and what do you do now?

 

[The Stigenator]

I was an environmental sciences major with minors in biology and geography. I presently work for the state of california as an hazardous substances scientist.

 

[puffff]

While everyone will tell you that you should start saving from your first paycheck, realistically, this isn't possible for everyone.

 

[The Stigenator]

i am wondering if this is the state of entry level jobs. If i had more exprience, i could be making 60K+ / yr. But i dont..

 

[Reckoner]

A college degree is the high school diploma of yesteryear. Gotta start from the bottom and work your way up.

 

[LS20]

life is tough and they you pay bills

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
i am wondering if this is the state of entry level jobs. If i had more exprience, i could be making 60K+ / yr. But i dont..

If you went to college for the money, then you majored in the wrong major.

Environmental science = government jobs = low pay.

 

[ponyo]

go work as a garbage man. You'll make more.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
yeah it surely does. In Los Angeles, teh median income required to survive is 50K. 70K for couples. And yet the state only pays 35K for me... Hell my GF as a school teacher makes 48K.

Marry her, problem solved

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
yeah it surely does. In Los Angeles, teh median income required to survive is 50K. 70K for couples. And yet the state only pays 35K for me... Hell my GF as a school teacher makes 48K.

Marry her, problem solved

Or at least co-habitate and split the bills.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Get a second job. Starting out is always hard.

 

[ppdes]

Opposite situation here. I'm only 2 years out of college and am having trouble finding neat stuff to buy. I bring home $2600/month after taxes.

Fixed costs per month:
$525 studio w/ all utilities
$ 30 internet
$ 5 prepaid cell
$200 food

I probably spend another $700/month on entertainment/toys and save the rest. I guess no car and no debt help. I live in a city in upstate NY so rent is way cheaper than NYC too. I'd never want a house or a car, they just seem like more trouble than they are worth.

 

[Special K]

I guess you should have picked a different major or gone to a professional school.