"We all have much more disposable income than ever before"

I can manage microwave stuff and anything that doesn't require timings or things to finish cooking at the same time! Definitely somthing for me to work on!

Rosie wrote: I can manage microwave stuff and anything that doesn't require timings or things to finish cooking at the same time! Definitely somthing for me to work on!

frozen vegetables are your friend and tests have shown that often they are better if not just as good as fresh ones. also, anybody should be able to grill a piece of meat or fish.

All done in about 30 mins.

Doctor? wrote: Here, Edel....I hope y'all get more than that when yer in a combat zone, I make more than that! (notwithstanding the USMC taking care of most things for your lads). Don't you think soldiers, especially combat active ones, will have a predeliction for pissy finances, with a sort of nagging thought of "why save, why live within my means, when I might gett offed tomorrow"

Oh we do, and by the way I was vaguely discussing private first class pay, that lives in the barracks. If you included BAS (housing allowance, non-taxable), and many of the free benefits I get which would cost loads in the civilian sector, I make about $48,000 a year (CONUS). Which is pretty good pay equivelant for someone without a bachlors.
While in Iraq you get about $500 month for hazardous duty pay, and $500 for family seperation, to include everything is non-taxable, and you receive 2.5 days of non-taxabler paid leave per month.

Granted it isn't hand over hand money (one of the reasons I'm getting out soon), but it really isn't too bad.

Rosie-----I know what you mean about housing costs, wasn't putting you in that category. Try making $48,000 (sole-income) last while paying a mortguage and raising a family of four in Southern California. Takes ALOT of disipline and going without.

NOOLigan wrote:

Rosie wrote: I can manage microwave stuff and anything that doesn't require timings or things to finish cooking at the same time! Definitely somthing for me to work on!

frozen vegetables are your friend and tests have shown that often they are better if not just as good as fresh ones. also, anybody should be able to grill a piece of meat or fish.

All done in about 30 mins.

Screw that! That's why I married

EdelBrock wrote:

Doctor? wrote: Here, Edel....I hope y'all get more than that when yer in a combat zone, I make more than that! (notwithstanding the USMC taking care of most things for your lads). Don't you think soldiers, especially combat active ones, will have a predeliction for pissy finances, with a sort of nagging thought of "why save, why live within my means, when I might gett offed tomorrow"

Oh we do, and by the way I was vaguely discussing private first class pay, that lives in the barracks. If you included BAS (housing allowance, non-taxable), and many of the free benefits I get which would cost loads in the civilian sector, I make about $48,000 a year (CONUS). Which is pretty good pay equivelant for someone without a bachlors.
While in Iraq you get about $500 month for hazardous duty pay, and $500 for family seperation, to include everything is non-taxable, and you receive 2.5 days of non-taxabler paid leave per month.

Granted it isn't hand over hand money (one of the reasons I'm getting out soon), but it really isn't too bad.

Rosie-----I know what you mean about housing costs, wasn't putting you in that category. Try making $48,000 (sole-income) last while paying a mortguage and raising a family of four in Southern California. Takes ALOT of disipline and going without.

Bloody hell. $48,000 a year with the added bonus of getting shot at isn't much at all. Frankly I don't know how you do it.

OK take two and for some reason I didn't bugger up the thread.

What’s next for you convenience store clerk? That would have to be safer and pay more.

Actually plan on finishing my college (finally) and becoming a high school science teacher, and coach for the track team......scary thought, eh?

Does it matter?

Rosie wrote:

EdelBrock wrote:

NOOLigan wrote: It is a well known fact that expenditure increases as income rises. Tell me about it. :(

Reminds me of my Marines (though a different point then I think you were trying to make). I have to school them in finances all the time (scary though, eh?). They are always getting into financial trouble. Their usual expression is "Well I don't make that much money and I have so many bills".

Granted they make about $1100 a month. Doesn't sound like much right, but take into consideration that they don't pay for rent, utilities, uniform items, food (as long as they eat at the mess hall), cable, and there are all sorts of military discounts out there. Short of a cellphone, they have no bills to take care of, its $1100 take home.

Of course when they eat out at Carl's Jr. everyday for three meals, drink 3 - $2.00 energy drinks a day, get sloppy drunk at a bar three times a week, get a loan for a $60,000 vehicle (add the insurance for not being 25), of course they don't have any money. Its easy to not have enough due to poor money management.

Yes, but it isn't all due to bad management for everyone - as I said earlier, the uk housing market has gone mad. A house that cost £11 000 25 years ago is now worth at least £130 000. Of my income each month, well over half goes on mortgage alone for a very small one bedroomed apartment. Throw in bills, food and insurance and there is very little left. I resent people assuming first time buyers are wasteful when salaries are not increasing in line with inflation and interest rates go up way faster than salaries.

I couldn't believe it when we were in Edinburgh last, and the tiny one-bed flat Derek and I bought 20 years ago for 20k was going for offers over 110 and they're supposed to be starter flats, for fcuk sake.

my parents had nothing.

my dad has five brothers and two sisters. crammed in to a tiny corpy house in Everton.

my dad told me he got a pen knife once for Xmas.

my mums dad died in the War. she and her brother had nowt either. Mum started work the day after she left school.

and Dad went on the Docks.

King John Honest John wrote: Dad went on the Docks.

Bloody transvestite prostitutes!