Thursday, February 25, 2010

Apparently I'm Stupid. If You Can Explain It, You Win!

Two Couples. Couple A and Couple B. Bear with me...

Couple A:
Husband is self-employed, wife is stay-at-home mother for two children, ages 3 and 4.
Monthly expenses paid out of pocket:
Mortgage
Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
2 Car Payments (car 1 is 5 years old, car 2 is 6 years old)
Car Insurance
Power
Water
Cable
Internet
Phone
2 Cell Phone Payments
Food, Gas, Misc.
Charitable Donations
Additional Payments (not all monthly):
Property Taxes
Car Taxes
Fire Tax
Yearly income of husband is less than $250,000 per year. And that's before he pays payroll and payroll taxes for his 2 employees and all the other taxes & licenses associated with his business.
April 15th arrives and Couple A pays approximately $20,000 in state and federal income taxes.

Couple B:
Husband employed by pharmaceutical company with good salary and benefits.
Wife stays home with 2 children, ages 2 and 3. Couple lives with wife's mother rent free. Mother also pays for groceries and everyday living items/expenses.
Monthly expenses out of pocket:
Car payment and insurance on new luxury SUV
Beer & Liquor
Marijuana (no, really.)
Gas
Monthly expenses PAID BY GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:
Health insurance for both children
WIC
Food stamps
SSI for both children ($300per month!)
And maybe even more.....
April 15th arrives and Couple B receives a tax refund greater than $10,000.00

Er...help?

Friday, February 12, 2010

i really need...

..to write a new entry. but i don't feel like it.