Farming (and vineyards) are great if you've already got the farm! Investing in a chunk of land, the necessary soil or shelter for the animals, permits, etc., is HUGE. I think a lot of farms get passed down in families, or else get purchased by those who already have a lot of money (see: a good chunk of vineyards; every one I've been to in our drives around the country, the folks who run it clearly have an economic advantage to start).
And eh, having watched the aerospace industry operate for the 20-some years (and even moreso lately, since that's Spot's job), they seem pretty happy where they are. I've watched the various State congressional meetings where they decide the amount of money & tax benefits the local aerospace company gets -- basically a bribe to stay in-state and continue paying those taxes. I suspect Connecticut's not the only state to do that, because you're right: taxes in the heartland are MUCH lower than anywhere on either coast *and* the cost of living is significantly less.
Which I think is why your 60K a year confused me, unless Missouri is as expensive to live as it is here? When I lived in Ohio, I got by in a 2-bedroom apartment on 26K a year. It wasn't great living, mind, I wasn't taking tropical vacations, but it wasn't bad (and most people would've had it better than me; a third of my salary went to medical costs that year). And Spot is supporting both of us on his salary, so in theory, half of that could cover one person.
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And thanks for that! I think I'm a little too self-conscious/socially anxious (not to mention terrified of all the rape threat trolls that exist on the internet) to become a YouTube star :) Maybe if I made an animated version of myself, or started a podcast where I didn't have to be physically seen...and could disguise my voice to not be female...hmmmm.
We're paying $550 a month on our mortgage. So no, living isn't expensive here. But I want those tropical vacations! Maybe not right away but dammit I'm tired of being a nobody living on 16-18k a year while my old friends have finished engineering or med school and started raising families. I can feel everyone back home judging me.
I grew up very much upper middle class (Which is why 60k doesn't seem that unreasonable a goal to me. It'll make my mom stop telling me I'm a failure too.) and I want that again. Dad used to take us all around the country. Sometimes international trips.
There are national parks that need visiting. Hot tubs, Teslas, and condos to buy. Future nieces/nephews to spoil rotten. Aging parents that may need help before too long. I really want to get across the Atlantic at some point too. -
Don't be afraid of trolls. The worst neckbeards can do is pretty much nothing. If you're truly concerned I'd usually suggest an over-under 20 gauge but...
And eh, having watched the aerospace industry operate for the 20-some years (and even moreso lately, since that's Spot's job), they seem pretty happy where they are. I've watched the various State congressional meetings where they decide the amount of money & tax benefits the local aerospace company gets -- basically a bribe to stay in-state and continue paying those taxes. I suspect Connecticut's not the only state to do that, because you're right: taxes in the heartland are MUCH lower than anywhere on either coast *and* the cost of living is significantly less.
Which I think is why your 60K a year confused me, unless Missouri is as expensive to live as it is here? When I lived in Ohio, I got by in a 2-bedroom apartment on 26K a year. It wasn't great living, mind, I wasn't taking tropical vacations, but it wasn't bad (and most people would've had it better than me; a third of my salary went to medical costs that year). And Spot is supporting both of us on his salary, so in theory, half of that could cover one person.
--
And thanks for that! I think I'm a little too self-conscious/socially anxious (not to mention terrified of all the rape threat trolls that exist on the internet) to become a YouTube star :) Maybe if I made an animated version of myself, or started a podcast where I didn't have to be physically seen...and could disguise my voice to not be female...hmmmm.
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But I want those tropical vacations! Maybe not right away but dammit I'm tired of being a nobody living on 16-18k a year while my old friends have finished engineering or med school and started raising families. I can feel everyone back home judging me.
I grew up very much upper middle class (Which is why 60k doesn't seem that unreasonable a goal to me. It'll make my mom stop telling me I'm a failure too.) and I want that again. Dad used to take us all around the country. Sometimes international trips.
There are national parks that need visiting. Hot tubs, Teslas, and condos to buy. Future nieces/nephews to spoil rotten. Aging parents that may need help before too long. I really want to get across the Atlantic at some point too.
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Don't be afraid of trolls. The worst neckbeards can do is pretty much nothing. If you're truly concerned I'd usually suggest an over-under 20 gauge but...
Maybe Kenpo?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Kenpo
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Minecraft let's plays? You'd be hilarious and build neato stuff with your art skills.
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