Do you live paycheck to paycheck?

[El Jefe]

A spinoff from the R8er financial thread. He said he heard a statistic of 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. Simple question, do you live paycheck to paycheck? I do, and I only know a few people who don't live paycheck to paycheck.

[Demonpenz]

yes, it sucks not knowing if you are going to make it. Rent, cable, car, car insurance, beer, cell phone, gas, electric, insurance times are tough. I am thinking about shutting off my cell phone (it just annoys the shit out of me anyway)

[Fat Elvis]

I'm not exactly sure what is meant by living from paycheck to paycheck. Does someone who is living from paycheck to paycheck have no savings or money in the checking account?

[sedated]

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

I'm not exactly sure what is meant by living from paycheck to paycheck. Does someone who is living from paycheck to paycheck have no savings or money in the checking account?

yeah, I'm wondering the same.

I don't exactly have a huge nest-egg, and couldn't go very long without a job, but I've got at least a paycheck's worth in checking, twice in savings, plus 401(k). I guess could manage a couple months if I had to.

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

I'm not exactly sure what is meant by living from paycheck to paycheck. Does someone who is living from paycheck to paycheck have no savings or money in the checking account?

Yes. Paid monthly, today is the 3rd and I have $40.00 in the bank. All bills have been paid and food stocked. Thankfully my wife does some babysitting and brings in $40-$100 a week so we have incidental money.

[Dayze]

We didn't used to. Layoff and new job at a 40% pay reduction, we're basicaly near a break even with money going out vs. money coming in.

Lifestyle changes are a'plenty.

But for the most part - we work our a&& off just to break even. Planning for retirement? lol....not even in the cards at this point. I'll be working until I die.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Dayze

We didn't used to. Layoff and new job at a 40% pay reduction, we're basicaly near a break even with money going out vs. money coming in.

Lifestyle changes are a'plenty.

But for the most part - we work our a&& off just to break even. Planning for retirement? lol....not even in the cards at this point. I'll be working until I die.

Man sorry to hear that, looks like that will be my MO also.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

Man sorry to hear that, looks like that will be my MO also.

I'm ok with the lifestyle changes; I'm easily entertained etc. Mostly just sucks doing the exact same job for so much less money. But, I know i'm not the only one etc.

Perhaps when the enconomy turns around (whenever the hell that is), we may position ourselves financially (downsizing home etc) so culinary school is 'in the cards' for me. I know cooks/chefs etc don't make very much but that's ok as long as we can prepare etc.

Good luck man; there are a lot of folks in the same situation as you and I.

[Garcia Bronco]

No. thank God. It's no accident either. It's taken years of proper planning and career goals to get to this point.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

No. thank God. It's no accident either. It's taken years of proper planning and career goals to get to this point.

Yeah, this. Throw in a shit ton of sacrifice and self discipline and you have a recipe for security. As much as the average man can hope for anyway. Lacking a complete college education I count us blessed to make what we do. We could have more toys, but I'd much rather not worry about how something's going to be paid for when life hits. I've learned the hard way that life always hits.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

A spinoff from the R8er financial thread. He said he heard a statistic of 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. Simple question, do you live paycheck to paycheck? I do, and I only know a few people who don't live paycheck to paycheck.

Yep, but it beats dying in between.

With the reduction in my business, and the decline in the housing market, I struggle just to pay my mortgages. My wife still contributes to the 401k, and long term we are great, BUT, right now, it is a struggle.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Yep, but it beats dying in between.

With the reduction in my business, and the decline in the housing market, I struggle just to pay my mortgages. My wife still contributes to the 401k, and long term we are great, BUT, right now, it is a struggle.

Nothing personal, but I think having multiple mortgages automatically disqualifies you from living paycheck to paycheck. You could always sell one of the homes and have plenty of cash on hand.

Edit: I see on another thread that you have seven homes; that definitely disqualifies you from the definition of living paycheck to paycheck IMO.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

Nothing personal, but I think having multiple mortgages automatically disqualifies you from living paycheck to paycheck. You could always sell one of the homes and have plenty of cash on hand.

Edit: I see on another thread that you have seven homes; that definitely disqualifies you from the definition of living paycheck to paycheck IMO.

Actually, I can't. Not with the decline in the housing market. The best I would do is break even on most of the homes, and one I would take it in the shorts for 100K

[Demonpenz]

I forgot about student loans. what a rip, pay 30k and barely break even

[Dayze]

bummer for me is, I'm doing a job that I hate, for 40%less pay. It was 'ok' before as the money was good enough to outweigh how much I hate the job. Now it just sucks, and we're broke. lol

I've considered a drastic career change by going to culinary school etc...but Idon't think I have the balls to make that switch. OTH, if I'm going to be broke, I might as well do something I enjoy (cooking etc).