What is the perfect salary to be happy?

[Lupus]

A car service is normally in the R2000 range on the low end, R8000 on the high end. Even that out over a few months and what do you get. Now repeat for each car.

Same with clothes. 1 pair of jeans, a couple of shirts, a pair of shoes and some underpants will be close to 2k. (not brand name stuff). so do that 1 per season, and even it out over a few months. Repeat for each member of a household.

Appliances: 1 Item along the lines of a fridge, washing machine, dishwasher or TV will invariable break maybe once every 18 months or so. R4-10K. even it out over a few months.

I honestly don't know what parallel universe you guys that claim 15k/m is plenty live in.

What? Maybe buy better appliances? As I've never had an appliance break after 18 months.

 

[Lupus]

Your overall figure is way off... because you are classing these things against YOUR standard, not what the vast majority of people would have as a good standard.

R37k net per month is enough for a very very comfortable life in this country for a family of 2 or even 4 so long as you aren't retarded with your wants and cater to your needs properly.

Yeah was on 38k at the start of last year, was managing fine. My expenses have actually gone down a bit since then.

 

[Lupus]

Let's do the 6 people sum on 20k? ..
2 adults, 4 kids as an example. Just school fees at a government school is going to be over 10k.

No housing unit that houses 6 comfortably that I can think is available for anything under about 15k. rented or bought.

no. I can't I give up, does not compute..

Maybe in some far of remote area, but then transport costs go up, and earning potential goes down.

My house could easily fit 6 people, if it was being rented out it would be about R12k, pool, garden shed, double garage, 2 lounges and a dining room. Stop thinking your little bubble is the end all and be all.

 

[cguy]

A lot of people in this thread need another way of thinking. You do not need much in life, to make it work for you and not against you.

Mr. Money Mustache

Early Retirement through Badassity

www.mrmoneymustache.com

The Money Mustache Community - Index

The Money Mustache Community - Index

forum.mrmoneymustache.com

So glad I found the above a decade or so ago.

I always thought that this guy made being retired look like way too much work.

 

[notayoba]

Lol so 90% of the country lives in poverty? You're retarded if you think that.

I don't like using the word literally too liberally, but that's literally what 90% of the country is doing. No need to join them if you can help it.

 

[notayoba]

This whole discussion pivots around what part of the country you live in and hence the price of accomodation. In Cape Town R15K pm will barely rent you a house and that's nothing special nor in an expensive area.

I think that's the truth right there. In my town a 2 bedroom flat is about 10k to rent. Anything house like will be closer to 15. A reasonably nice house will be 25k. That's rentals. More to buy. You can get cheaper miles out of town, but then your transport costs will skyrocket.

So this whole debate is a bit skewed by location I guess. I was just shocked at what people seems to think is a living wage.

I luckily don't have kids, but last time I asked someone that does, their government school was around the 5k per month mark. Private schools at least 120% more.

 

[Dan C]

I think that's the truth right there. In my town a 2 bedroom flat is about 10k to rent. Anything house like will be closer to 15. A reasonably nice house will be 25k. That's rentals. More to buy. You can get cheaper miles out of town, but then your transport costs will skyrocket.

So this whole debate is a bit skewed by location I guess. I was just shocked at what people seems to think is a living wage.

I luckily don't have kids, but last time I asked someone that does, their government school was around the 5k per month mark. Private schools at least 120% more.

Cheaper if you live next to an open manhole.

 

[cr@zydude]

Some people on this thread either live of their parent's money and have no clue what things cost, or they are in denial about being in poverty.

Maybe I'm in denial about being in poverty. My parents weren't the best off when I was young, which means that I can "get by" with less than some other people.

 

[HunterNW]

I wouldn't shack up with my Mom if you paid me. Gross, you Mybbers disgust me!10yrs ago whilst living in some forgotten corner of the country where rent was R2k/pm?

Many areas of Sa a shtty little "studio". apartment in a not particularly nice area will set you back near R8k.

More like one and a half year ago.

 

[Polymathic]

I think that's the truth right there. In my town a 2 bedroom flat is about 10k to rent. Anything house like will be closer to 15. A reasonably nice house will be 25k. That's rentals. More to buy. You can get cheaper miles out of town, but then your transport costs will skyrocket.

So this whole debate is a bit skewed by location I guess. I was just shocked at what people seems to think is a living wage.

I luckily don't have kids, but last time I asked someone that does, their government school was around the 5k per month mark. Private schools at least 120% more.

You don't seem to understand the concept of "a living wage"

 

[cerebus]

You don't seem to understand the concept of "a living wage"

I understand the concept but honestly if you’re always financially insecure, making cuts and compromises to get by, you can’t be considered happy. All depends what your needs are I guess but let’s say for a family of 4 to be quite comfortable…

- bond r20k on a 2mil place
- food r7k
- education r15k
- domestic help r3k
- car loan + travel and insurance etc r7k
- 2 iPhones r1300
- internet r700
- discovery plus gym r7000
- other bills like electricity, municipal r3000
- general weekly expenses like going out, clothing, etc r10k
- pension r5k

That’s r79k which is roughly what you’d get if you earned r125k combined, or $105k/year. You could definitely go lower on a lot of those things but then you sit with public schools, living in an area that’s not so nice, or whatever.

 

[rietrot]

I understand the concept but honestly if you’re always financially insecure, making cuts and compromises to get by, you can’t be considered happy. All depends what your needs are I guess but let’s say for a family of 4 to be quite comfortable…

- bond r20k on a 2mil place
- food r7k
- education r15k
- domestic help r3k
- car loan + travel and insurance etc r7k
- 2 iPhones r1300
- internet r700
- discovery plus gym r7000
- other bills like electricity, municipal r3000
- general weekly expenses like going out, clothing, etc r10k
- pension r5k

That’s r79k which is roughly what you’d get if you earned r125k combined, or $105k/year. You could definitely go lower on a lot of those things but then you sit with public schools, living in an area that’s not so nice, or whatever.

Doesn't your domestic also deserve to be happy?
Or do you view her as some kind of subhuman?

 

[3WA]

Most people are budgeting R5k+ per month on car loans. Are used R150k corollas or swifts mutually exclusive with happiness?

 

[ToxicBunny]

Most people are budgeting R5k+ per month on car loans. Are used R150k corollas or swifts mutually exclusive with happiness?

Nah, I think most people here are pre-loved purchasers...

I spend less than R5k per month on a car and drive a really nice set of wheels (in my opinion)

But what this whole conversation shows in spades is that everyone's definition of "basic" living and happiness is very different. I would class myself as more than comfortable but I would have to say I was much much happier when I was earning considerably less and living in a considerably less "nice" set of digs (can't call what I lived in previously a house).

 

[Polymathic]

I understand the concept but honestly if you’re always financially insecure, making cuts and compromises to get by, you can’t be considered happy. All depends what your needs are I guess but let’s say for a family of 4 to be quite comfortable…

- bond r20k on a 2mil place
- food r7k
- education r15k
- domestic help r3k
- car loan + travel and insurance etc r7k
- 2 iPhones r1300
- internet r700
- discovery plus gym r7000
- other bills like electricity, municipal r3000
- general weekly expenses like going out, clothing, etc r10k
- pension r5k

That’s r79k which is roughly what you’d get if you earned r125k combined, or $105k/year. You could definitely go lower on a lot of those things but then you sit with public schools, living in an area that’s not so nice, or whatever.

I was just making the point that @notayoba seems to be confusing "a living wage" with "the perfect salary to be happy"

I seem to remember an article quoting a study saying that ~$100K/year is the sweet spot in terms of happiness, those earning more and those earning less than that amount seem to on average less happy than households earning ~ $100K

I'd image adjusting to local purchasing power that amount would be slightly less for South Africa

 

[3WA]

But what this whole conversation shows in spades is that everyone's definition of "basic" living and happiness is very different.

Very much so. I earn more than R25k a month, but I'm quite happy with the standard of living that R25k buys. My last couple of increases, I actually couldn’t think up anything to spend the money on, so my lack of imagination is saving me money.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I was just making the point that @notayoba seems to be confusing "a living wage" with "the perfect salary to be happy"

I seem to remember an article quoting a study saying that ~$100K/year is the sweet spot in terms of happiness, those earning more and those earning less than that amount seem to on average less happy than households earning ~ $100K

I'd image adjusting to local purchasing power that amount would be slightly less for South Africa

If you convert for Purchasing Power as per the World Bank, that figure would be around R700k per year.

 

[thestaggy]

Your overall figure is way off... because you are classing these things against YOUR standard, not what the vast majority of people would have as a good standard.

R37k net per month is enough for a very very comfortable life in this country for a family of 2 or even 4 so long as you aren't retarded with your wants and cater to your needs properly.

If you gave me 37k net right now as a single guy, I'd live like a king.

 

[ToxicBunny]

If you gave me 37k net right now as a single guy, I'd live like a king.

Fsck yeah....

Give me a base of zero (no house, car, etc etc), and then R37k nett and I'd be pimping it properly.

 

[zulucat]

I am actually very happy with my salary, the key is to live within your means. Which is easier said than done, but luckily my dad was a frugal dude, I learned a lot from him, yes I have the latest phone and car and clothes etc, but I buy all things CASH after saving for some time.