Apparently CNN thinks this man is amazing because he can support his family on a teacher's $39,000 salary. He even wrote a book about it to help all those other teachers who just can't get by.

I'm still in college, so this has me worried if people are labeling $39,000 as hard to live off of. I always thought it would be amazing if I could make any where near that out of school (doubtful, I know).

So could you live off a $39,000 salary? Do you think teachers have it rough?

I'd give my personal view but I obviously don't have the experience. But I always thought that teachers cry way to much about an otherwise good career to have. I'm probably wrong though.

StarN

United States2587 Posts

February 22 2010 18:06 GMT

largely depends on where you live. with property in rates in places like New York I find it would be very hard to support a family of 4 with a 39000$ salary.

Hot_Bid

Braavos36400 Posts

February 22 2010 18:06 GMT

theres a difference between a guy supporting his family off 39k and you supporting yourself. even living in a really nice city, 39k for a single person is plenty assuming you don't spend a ton of money on luxury items. but for a family, 39k is quite low.

The6357

United States1268 Posts

February 22 2010 18:07 GMT

if ur living alone...39k is more than enuff...but if u have to support a family (kids)...I think it's still enough but you could have more...:p

Chromyne

Canada561 Posts

February 22 2010 18:07 GMT

My family lived on less while my father was alive. My mother didn't work and there are three teenage children (no income). We lived a very normal life minus minor luxuries (snacks, new toys, etc.) but it was very comfortable and I'm sure you could live on a lot less.

This was about a decade ago though.

EDIT: It does matter where you live as well.

LeperKahn

Romania1848 Posts

February 22 2010 18:12 GMT

On February 23 2010 03:06 Hot_Bid wrote:
theres a difference between a guy supporting his family off 39k and you supporting yourself. even living in a really nice city, 39k for a single person is plenty assuming you don't spend a ton of money on luxury items. but for a family, 39k is quite low.

Supporting a family is hella expensive.

Biochemist

United States1008 Posts

February 22 2010 18:13 GMT

I was raised on 30-35k a year (family of four), but we mostly lived in suburbia (TN/PA). Teachers out here in California make more like 60k.

emucxg

Finland4559 Posts

February 22 2010 18:14 GMT

$39,000 is not bad

ItsYoungLee

Korea (South)227 Posts

February 22 2010 18:16 GMT

I'm a college student and I support myself fine on a $20,000 salary (my tuition is covered,etc... though)

mdb

Bulgaria4059 Posts

February 22 2010 18:17 GMT

#10

i live with 5500 usd a year :D

TeabagInsurance

Canada320 Posts

February 22 2010 18:20 GMT

#11

Hot_Bid is pretty much spot on. You can easily live off 39k, but it's more difficult when you are supporting a family obviously.

I don't really know the neccesary amount to live off of while supporting a family, but if you are smart with your money I can see it happening with 39k. I wouldn't exactly call it amazing though.

NonFactor

Sweden698 Posts

February 22 2010 18:20 GMT

#12

I live with my parents.

Zilver

Finland282 Posts

February 22 2010 18:31 GMT

#13

On February 23 2010 03:20 NonFactor wrote:
I live with my parents.

eXigent.

Canada2419 Posts

February 22 2010 18:32 GMT

#14

This year I only made 41,000 after taxes, but was able to pay all my bills each month and still have 1.5-2K in spending money each month.

Patriot.dlk

Sweden5462 Posts

February 22 2010 18:37 GMT

#15

What does "support a family" means? In sweden schools and medical attention are basically free all though you might have to buy your medicine but once you bought for $ 250 you have reached the maximum amount and get the rest for free during that year.

I guess you need quite a lot to support them with collage and health care

St3MoR

Spain3256 Posts

February 22 2010 18:42 GMT

#16

hell yeah, i could live on 39k

Chef

10810 Posts

February 22 2010 18:44 GMT

#17

Does his wife not work?

MannerMan

371 Posts

February 22 2010 18:48 GMT

#18

yeah, easily

I don't know if I could support myself and 3 others on it though

KOFgokuon

United States14911 Posts

February 22 2010 18:53 GMT

#19

I know grad students who are support families of 4 off a student stipend ($30k roughly) 2 small kids, so the diapers and shit add up. They don't eat as much though

Weaponx3

Canada232 Posts

February 22 2010 18:55 GMT

#20

This is gonna be my salary for my 1st job out of college, i have been out of work for a year since the recession. I dont have a family to support but i do enjoy helping my family and others. If i was married and the only one with a income it would be more difficult but not impossible. People just need to be more aware of the spending in what is needed and what is a luxury.

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