Not so terribly big bucks when you consider I pay:
total amount of retirement (PERS)
total social security
disability insurance
tax withholding, 0 exemptions plus additional I am having taken out
medicare tax
car payment (at this time, it is actually bone grafting payment, but I had to refinance the car for the money)
I also get no sick leave, no paid vacation, no paid holidays, no health benefits or any other kind of benefits.
I was thinking about this after learning that my pay will be raised in June. It may seem like I have plenty of money and will have even more but I don't and I won't. I am not wasteful or extravagant, although of course I can tighten up more than I do. I am able to buy things like hard drives now and then without agony and I can pay for visits to the vet when needed. I make one visit per month to a psychotherapist, to the tune of $95. I give money to my children when they need it and when they will accept it (it's getting harder and harder! They don't like to take my money. What kind of children are these???). Sometimes I do this by paying a bill of theirs, sneakily. Funny. I send money to various organizations and give gifts to others (one of the true pleasures in my life). I enjoy cable television and cable Internet, and I have a cell phone.
I am trying to develop something akin to substantial savings but have not succeeded. Maybe with this extra money that will happen, if I can keep saving at the same time as I am paying, somehow, for my dental implants. Ah yes, what a luxury! implants! No, I am not being sarcastic. I do feel that I will somehow pay for these things and I am fortunate to be able to get them.
It's time for me to enter all of my little transactions into my financial forms, see where else money is going. It's usually interesting.
