$9976.95

[hellziggy]

$9976.95

Seems like a lot of money, doesn't it?
That number was me & hellbob's taxable income in 1996. It is only $831.41 a month. That is more than twice what we had made the year before.

We may have more expenses now with house payments, and car payments, and things like car insurance, but we also have so many things that were unaffordable luxuries back then. We don't need to worry that we don't have the money to buy groceries for the week. Hell, we don't have to go to the foodshelves just so that we can eat. Let me tell you, that can be a humbling experience, having to admit that you can't even afford to eat.

I look back now and I have a hard time believing that we ever survived on so little, but it makes me appreciate what we do have so much more.

Comments

[genevra.livejournal.com]

You guys have come a long way. Yay you!!! And you can *donate* platelets now, instead of selling plasma for grocery money.

[freyjakj.livejournal.com]

Yep - You know I know what you are saying. Going though these things is humbling, but it also really puts it into perspective for the rest of one's life.

[scubagrrl.livejournal.com]

1996 wasn't that long ago- good job, you two! :) I don't remember the figures, but I look back sometimes when we get those statements from Social Security and think, we used to live on *how* much?

Of course, one of those years Shawn ate pancakes for an entire semester, with mac-n-cheese as a special treat once in a while.

[hellbob.livejournal.com]

We didn't survive. Remember how, in the days before caller ID we rarely answered the phone but it would ring all day? Angry creditors are persistent...

[scubagrrl.livejournal.com]

Might have been easier to not have a phone, huh? Just a calling card to use from payphones. I wonder if those days are the spur for us to be grateful for what we have now. That everybody should go through those times, so you can appreciate the things you get later.

As in, do you think Paris Hilton appreciates anything the way you do? She's never been deprived in her life, probably just takes it all for granted.

[hellbob.livejournal.com]

Well, it's part of who I am today so I'm not going to try and wish it away or ignore it, but it seems that there are easier ways to learn things than what we went through. Still, other people have had worse times, so I'll count my blessings.

For Paris, I think it's all relative. I think there were probably times that she's been deprived or humbled in a scale relative to ours but to a point that we would still consider "comfortable". However, I think it's probably likely that it didn't make any difference to her.

I know plenty of people who are rich and poor that don't learn anything from their "bad days". Loss is relative but meaningless if your perception doesn't extend past the clothes you wear.

[scubagrrl.livejournal.com]

Good points.