tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512327295176892662011-04-21T11:43:24.248-07:00How we make more but live at the poverty lineJamison Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00422460525311536450noreply@blogger.comBlogger31100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151232729517689266.post-52333665826380489912008-09-12T10:03:00.000-07:002008-09-12T10:13:26.564-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_csWCMKn6TZY/SMqi2c08P2I/AAAAAAAAACg/0GP4-zo7PFQ/s1600-h/Dollar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_csWCMKn6TZY/SMqi2c08P2I/AAAAAAAAACg/0GP4-zo7PFQ/s320/Dollar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245183772361244514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know this isn't the best graphic. I will work on getting a better one. However, for the time being, this gets my point across. It is not about how much you make - it is about how much you spend! While that is true, you should be making more than the poverty line, if not it is time to improve your skills or consider a new profession for better pay. (No real dollars were harmed during the taking of this photo.)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2151232729517689266-5233366582638048991?l=livingbelowpovertyline.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jamison Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00422460525311536450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151232729517689266.post-83085141636629987072008-09-12T09:16:00.000-07:002008-09-12T10:40:15.988-07:00<span style="font-family:georgia;">Why are we trying to live at the poverty line?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">It all started when we got married. We decided to both quit our jobs and take as long as necessary to find the "right" job for Scott that was a good fit for our family. We also wanted to move a little way away from our home town to establish our own family. We thought it would be fun to see how little we could actually "live" on. </span></span><br /><br />What is "the poverty line"?<br /><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >According to national standards, for 1 person it is $10,400. For each additional person you add $3,600. So in our current situation (4 people, almost 5), we live between $21,200 and $24,800.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You're so young, why don't you live a little?<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >We like a quote by Dave Ramsey, "Live like no one else so later you can live like no one else" and "Freedom baby". It is a great feeling to know that we don't owe anyone anything and that if Scott were suddenly out of a job we would be alright.</span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:webdings;"></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2151232729517689266-8308514163662998707?l=livingbelowpovertyline.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jamison Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00422460525311536450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151232729517689266.post-14731287518897054192008-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:002008-09-12T11:03:00.150-07:00<span style="font-family:georgia;">These are good starting numbers:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><br />Charitable gifts 10-15% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Tithing, offerings, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Saving 5-10%</span> <br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We have made it a minimum to save at least as much as we give</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Housing 25-35%</span> <br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Your home, repairs, insurance, furniture</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Utilities 5-10% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Electricity, water, telephone, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Food 5-15% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Groceries and eating out</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Transportation 10-15% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Car, gasoline, repairs, insurance, maintenance</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Clothing 2-7% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Our clothing is included in "Personal"</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Medical/Health 5-10% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Insurance (health, life), co-pays, medications, bills</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Personal 5-10% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Make up, razors, shampoo</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Recreation 5-10% </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Vacations, movies, etc.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2151232729517689266-1473128751889705419?l=livingbelowpovertyline.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jamison Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00422460525311536450noreply@blogger.com0