Statistics show the average American earns $51,939 per year. The average American attempts to augment this with credit cards which in reality amounts to $15,263 of debt. Another $30,738 pays for a car, but then license, fuel, and maintenance are extra expenses. The biggest chunk of the not quite $52,000 income is housing. The average mortgage is $147,591. Living in a house requires maintenance, furnishings, electricity, gas, water, and of course cable TV, Internet, and phone service. In short, Americans spend 5-6, maybe 7 times their incomes on survival. It could be assumed the credit cards pay for food and clothing, but not likely. So who in middle America can afford to not take action to protect the value of the time they spend at work to earn the money to afford this average lifestyle? Who can honestly raise a hand and say they don't need any extra income?
We all do. So what are our options?Well, the lottery comes to mind. People line up to buy tickets on a chance for the big win knowing they have a greater chance of being struck by lightning. Lightning strikes are so rare the majority of people don't even personally know anyone who has been lightning struck.
There's always a second, part-time job. Employment rates don't include the people who have been unemployed for so long they no longer receive benefits. The employment stats don't list the people with master's degrees and doctorates who are working at jobs unrelated to their fields of study and beneath the expected pay grades for their level of education. December job growth reports don't reflect the holiday seasonal jobs that disappear in January.
So what's left? The popular proverb advises 'don't work harder, work smarter.' In other words, let's take a step back from the ledge so we can get a new perspective.
Think about that and I'll catch up to you tomorrow.
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