Pay Day

I made it to pay day. At my current position, I am considered a partner for an internet marketing firm. I receive a base salary and 10% of total company profits each month. Unfortunately, we haven't hit a profitable month since I started. I started in January 2009. Profit is something that takes time, especially when I am entering into a company that was in a downward spiral before I joined. Its now on an upswing and I'm helping to revive the company, restore it's profitability, and drive it to new heights, but for now, no bonus checks for me.

So, at the end of the day, I'll end up with a bi-weekly paycheck of $1700. Keep in mind, this is what a family of 4 has to live on now for 2 weeks, in a fairly expensive, high cost of living area (wealthy Philadelphia north-west suburbs). Average salary in this area is $85,000, so I am at about half of the area average. I expect to be earning bonuses shortly, but for now, I'm flat broke and hovering just over the poverty line.

Once I pay the rent that's 17 days past due today, I'll have $300 left in my pocket to put fuel in the car that we are borrowing from my parents, and to feed the family for the next 14 days. I figure on about $50 for fuel for the 2 weeks (so I can get to work and get around town for the week), so that should leave us with $17 per day for food. Oh, and I know the rent I'm paying sounds expensive, but that gets us a small 3 bedroom 1200 sq. ft house on a busy highway with a nice yard out back. Nothing special, and certainly below average. That's just what's available in this area. To find something $1000 or less for rent in this area means living in a very bad neighborhood, increasing my commute to work big time, or downsizing to a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment that's 800 sq. ft or less. For a family of 4, those are some difficult options.

Pay day is supposed to be a fun day. For me, it's depressing. I hope you all have a better pay day than me!