I am the squeezed middle class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even in DC this is not "common income." This is only common in your circle. You chose the career you have. You can choose to do something less demanding and have those holidays and weekends to yourself, but you can not blame other people who choose not to work as demanding a schedule. I imagine you still live a far grander lifestyle than most people, even if private school is such a stretch for you.

i think you are all missing the point of OPs message. She states that she works extremely long hours and her brother works the bare minimum. Yet, her brother expects that people like the OP to be taxed ridiculously so that people like her brother can work the bare minimum and receive finanical assistance for his children. Why should people like OP work such demanding hours and be required to pay for those who choose a less stressful lifestyle. What are the incentives for working such hours and educating oneself if you can barely enjoy the fruits of your labor. I would venture that with the hours OP is clocking she is not enjoying the fruits of her hardwork. Her taxes are allowing those less motivated to enjoy the fruits of her hard work.

I agree - this is the point she is trying to make - that taxing people who work their a$$ off to make 255k is not the same as taxing someone who makes 500k+. I'm sorry but while I do agree that 255k is a large amount of money it is NOT a ton of money. And what you are describing vis-a-vis the tax thing to me is socialism and I personally want no part of it. If I want to work my tail off to make 255k to send my kids to expensive private schools then as an American I feel that is my right. Its called the American Dream and I certainly do not want socialist type policies to take that possibility away from me or my children.

[Anonymous]

OP---- I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! We are constantly told we are rich too.

By salary definitions we are. Living in the neighborhood we do, paying for the childcare/private schools we do---we are not PDiddy-rich. If we lived in another part of the country---we'd be living like Rock Stars. TOTALLY!!

However,,,, I do realize how ridiculous it sounds to complain about this. PP's (those bstrds!) are correct. We are living here, paying the price for living where we do....we could live in the outer suburbs and have a lot more disposable income. We could live in a small town and our million dollar home would be much more than 1800square feet on a tiny lot. We do NOT wish to do that so we suck it up and pay for the lifestyle we chose and the city we choose to live in.

My DH works incredibly long hours. He could work less, I could quit my job...we would pay less in taxes---but that would not help us achieve our long-term goals.

You are not alone (and unlike the others) I actually get your post.

But here's a little advice---it is not acceptable for the well-off to complain. If I am honest with myself--I don't have to think about how much I am spending at WholeFoods, or about most of the purchases I make on a daily basis (I do because I am incredibly frugal--but it would not be out of fear of running out of $ to pay for housing, food, etc.). Ppl like us are fortunate in this world. I think you can at least recognize that.

Maybe since I didn't grow up privileged and was very poor when I started my first job,e tc.. that I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP---- I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! We are constantly told we are rich too.

By salary definitions we are. Living in the neighborhood we do, paying for the childcare/private schools we do---we are not PDiddy-rich. If we lived in another part of the country---we'd be living like Rock Stars. TOTALLY!!

However,,,, I do realize how ridiculous it sounds to complain about this. PP's (those bstrds!) are correct. We are living here, paying the price for living where we do....we could live in the outer suburbs and have a lot more disposable income. We could live in a small town and our million dollar home would be much more than 1800square feet on a tiny lot. We do NOT wish to do that so we suck it up and pay for the lifestyle we chose and the city we choose to live in.

My DH works incredibly long hours. He could work less, I could quit my job...we would pay less in taxes---but that would not help us achieve our long-term goals.

You are not alone (and unlike the others) I actually get your post.

But here's a little advice---it is not acceptable for the well-off to complain. If I am honest with myself--I don't have to think about how much I am spending at WholeFoods, or about most of the purchases I make on a daily basis (I do because I am incredibly frugal--but it would not be out of fear of running out of $ to pay for housing, food, etc.). Ppl like us are fortunate in this world. I think you can at least recognize that.

Maybe since I didn't grow up privileged and was very poor when I started my first job,e tc.. that I get it.

While you might "get" the OP, your post is entirely different. You (and your DH) have worked hard, made choices and sacrifices, and acknowledge that you live well. It's the sense of entitlement from the OP that has led to so many scathing responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even in DC this is not "common income." This is only common in your circle. You chose the career you have. You can choose to do something less demanding and have those holidays and weekends to yourself, but you can not blame other people who choose not to work as demanding a schedule. I imagine you still live a far grander lifestyle than most people, even if private school is such a stretch for you.

i think you are all missing the point of OPs message. She states that she works extremely long hours and her brother works the bare minimum. Yet, her brother expects that people like the OP to be taxed ridiculously so that people like her brother can work the bare minimum and receive finanical assistance for his children. Why should people like OP work such demanding hours and be required to pay for those who choose a less stressful lifestyle. What are the incentives for working such hours and educating oneself if you can barely enjoy the fruits of your labor. I would venture that with the hours OP is clocking she is not enjoying the fruits of her hardwork. Her taxes are allowing those less motivated to enjoy the fruits of her hard work.

I agree - this is the point she is trying to make - that taxing people who work their a$$ off to make 255k is not the same as taxing someone who makes 500k+. I'm sorry but while I do agree that 255k is a large amount of money it is NOT a ton of money. And what you are describing vis-a-vis the tax thing to me is socialism and I personally want no part of it. If I want to work my tail off to make 255k to send my kids to expensive private schools then as an American I feel that is my right. Its called the American Dream and I certainly do not want socialist type policies to take that possibility away from me or my children.

[Anonymous]

What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP---- I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! We are constantly told we are rich too.

By salary definitions we are. Living in the neighborhood we do, paying for the childcare/private schools we do---we are not PDiddy-rich. If we lived in another part of the country---we'd be living like Rock Stars. TOTALLY!!

However,,,, I do realize how ridiculous it sounds to complain about this. PP's (those bstrds!) are correct. We are living here, paying the price for living where we do....we could live in the outer suburbs and have a lot more disposable income. We could live in a small town and our million dollar home would be much more than 1800square feet on a tiny lot. We do NOT wish to do that so we suck it up and pay for the lifestyle we chose and the city we choose to live in.

My DH works incredibly long hours. He could work less, I could quit my job...we would pay less in taxes---but that would not help us achieve our long-term goals.

You are not alone (and unlike the others) I actually get your post.

But here's a little advice---it is not acceptable for the well-off to complain. If I am honest with myself--I don't have to think about how much I am spending at WholeFoods, or about most of the purchases I make on a daily basis (I do because I am incredibly frugal--but it would not be out of fear of running out of $ to pay for housing, food, etc.). Ppl like us are fortunate in this world. I think you can at least recognize that.

Maybe since I didn't grow up privileged and was very poor when I started my first job,e tc.. that I get it.

While you might "get" the OP, your post is entirely different. You (and your DH) have worked hard, made choices and sacrifices, and acknowledge that you live well. It's the sense of entitlement from the OP that has led to so many scathing responses.

You disagree just to disagree right. OP also stated that she worked hard. You do not know if she makes no sacrifices. The OP simply stated that she works incredibly long hours, make 225K, have very little time, because she is always working, to enjoy to 225K. It is not a sense of entitlement to want to pay all your money in taxes. It is a sense of entitlement to think that because you emay not earn as much because of your choices, somebody who works extremely hard should subsidize your lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

[Anonymous]

Only pay for a private college if it is an IVY. Waste of $ otherwise ppl!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

Even still, the OP is making a choice to pay for an expensive private school education for her children. Her kids could:

a) Pay for part of their schooling themselves by getting a job
b) Pay for all of their schooling themselves by getting a job
c) Think about how perhaps they should have been more brilliant so they would have earned scholarships

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

Even still, the OP is making a choice to pay for an expensive private school education for her children. Her kids could:

a) Pay for part of their schooling themselves by getting a job
b) Pay for all of their schooling themselves by getting a job
c) Think about how perhaps they should have been more brilliant so they would have earned scholarships

Oh, I forgot option D-

GO TO A LESS EXPENSIVE SCHOOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

Even still, the OP is making a choice to pay for an expensive private school education for her children. Her kids could:

a) Pay for part of their schooling themselves by getting a job
b) Pay for all of their schooling themselves by getting a job
c) Think about how perhaps they should have been more brilliant so they would have earned scholarships

I actually like C, but in reality, are there really that many merit-based scholarships. It is my understanding that most scholarships are primarily based on family finances. As for A & B, I worked through college, and if I can avoid it, I would skip that route for my child. Alas, that is why I am looking at these 529 plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

Even still, the OP is making a choice to pay for an expensive private school education for her children. Her kids could:

a) Pay for part of their schooling themselves by getting a job
b) Pay for all of their schooling themselves by getting a job
c) Think about how perhaps they should have been more brilliant so they would have earned scholarships

Oh, I forgot option D-

GO TO A LESS EXPENSIVE SCHOOL!

Oh yea!
My dad made a great deal with his 3 kids....if we chose to go to an in-state VA school (great ones to choose from--UVA, WilliamMary, etc.) he would pay 4 years of tuition so we would have no student loans.
If we took longer to graduate than 4 years (we paid from then on). If we chose private--we paid the difference;got loans, etc.. Graduate school or anything thereafter was on us.
If we chose not to go to college we would not be living under their roof at 18.
It was a perfect situation for the family.
I got a great college education at a public in-state University. Went on to work for 1-year post-college before getting accepted into grad school with a full stipend (science major/worked as TA) that covered all of my grad school tuition.
I had no loans.
I now have a better career than many friends that have massive student loans from private institutions with "fluff" degrees, e.g., not lucrative, etc..many worked retail or restaurant jobs after college.
However, if I got accepted to Harvard----I am sure he would have made an exception to this formula.
I love his concept though...beat the 'deadbeat' out of your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

Even still, the OP is making a choice to pay for an expensive private school education for her children. Her kids could:

a) Pay for part of their schooling themselves by getting a job
b) Pay for all of their schooling themselves by getting a job
c) Think about how perhaps they should have been more brilliant so they would have earned scholarships

Oh, I forgot option D-

GO TO A LESS EXPENSIVE SCHOOL!

Oh yea!
My dad made a great deal with his 3 kids....if we chose to go to an in-state VA school (great ones to choose from--UVA, WilliamMary, etc.) he would pay 4 years of tuition so we would have no student loans.
If we took longer to graduate than 4 years (we paid from then on). If we chose private--we paid the difference;got loans, etc.. Graduate school or anything thereafter was on us.
If we chose not to go to college we would not be living under their roof at 18.
It was a perfect situation for the family.
I got a great college education at a public in-state University. Went on to work for 1-year post-college before getting accepted into grad school with a full stipend (science major/worked as TA) that covered all of my grad school tuition.
I had no loans.
I now have a better career than many friends that have massive student loans from private institutions with "fluff" degrees, e.g., not lucrative, etc..many worked retail or restaurant jobs after college.
However, if I got accepted to Harvard----I am sure he would have made an exception to this formula.
I love his concept though...beat the 'deadbeat' out of your kids.

oh yea---(pp_ and our summer job $ went straight into the college fund. I waitressed at nights for my 'bar' spending $. Two summer jobs every summer after high school.

[Anonymous]

Why not make your children pay for 10% of college tuition - that'll show them an appreciation for money, teach them financial responsibility, take tuition in account when applying, and will guarantee they won't flunk out (since they are have something invested in it already)?

It seem really sucky, especially as a hs senior, but by junior year in college you'll hear a muttered "thanks mom, I get it now"! Priceless (no pun intended)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private school costs $45K per kid? I have two kids in private and pay $60K. I don't like it, but it's my choice, and I don't whine about it.

COLLEGE, COLLEGE, COLLEGE

Even still, the OP is making a choice to pay for an expensive private school education for her children. Her kids could:

a) Pay for part of their schooling themselves by getting a job
b) Pay for all of their schooling themselves by getting a job
c) Think about how perhaps they should have been more brilliant so they would have earned scholarships

I actually like C, but in reality, are there really that many merit-based scholarships. It is my understanding that most scholarships are primarily based on family finances. As for A & B, I worked through college, and if I can avoid it, I would skip that route for my child. Alas, that is why I am looking at these 529 plans.

I realize that not everyone can get a substantial scholarship, even if they get good grades and do the "right" things.

But when someone making $225k/year is complaining that -gasp- they actually have to pay for the expensive private school education that their children want? Cry me a river.