Ah, the ritual has begun.

[jjkrkwood]

Amen! I gross $11,000 per week and I'm bitching. Cuz guess what, you take out the Manhattan mortgage, travel , escorts, food, savings, other entertainment, and 32% taxes, and it isn't as much as it sounds like. I can't imagine how most people do it. Even at 50k it would be impossible in NYC ... shit, you couldn't do it on 100k.

 

My apartment in NYC is being renovated and I've been in Florida for 2 months, traveling back to NYC for 1 week every month. My last trip (last week) cost 7K for hotel, airfare and meals.

 

Well certainly city, your lifestyle is conmensurate with your income. Surely that 7k could be cut down alot by certain concessions (cheaper hotel, street-food and coach on Jet Blue) ?

But we all fall into certain patterns, some we are comfortable with, and some above our means. Regardless, its still difficult and you are absolutely right for families in NYC to survive if they are not in an upper income bracket.

[maxwellissmart]

There is no way around it ... fresh fruit, fish, lean meats and vegetables are very expensive. Also, those in the lower income bracket tend to work long hours, and would lack the time and/or gas money to shop all over town. I assume that you are providing only for yourself? Imagine buying for four people ... 4 servings of fruit and four servings of fresh veggies per day would cost more than that family could spend proportionally on food . I'm not in that situation thankfully, but I'm understanding of those who are. I paid $6.99 for organic blueberries at Whole Foods the other day, along with seabass at $29 per pound and deli turkey at $8.99 per pound. The blueberries would last for one breakfast of four. Let's cost out a menu for that day:

 

Breakfast: Oatmeal with blueberries for four- $8

Lunch: Turkey sandwiches on whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, onion and an apple- $16 roughly

Dinner: Seabass with spinach and sweet potatoes - $65ish

 

Total: $89 X 30= $2670 per month.

 

I know, you can say that seabass is expensive, etc., but cutting this even in half would be $1335 per month. This figure doesn't include the actual groceries that would include detergent, toilet paper and everything else.

 

Assuming that this was a family of four, to include two parents, and each parent made $10 per hour full time, the gross income would be $3200 per month, with the take home being roughly $2560. Cutting my menu in half would take just over half of the family income on food alone.

 

That's America!

 

No honey, that's Whole Foods—which, by the way has been accused (and rightly so) of bait-and-switch when it comes to seafood.

 

As far as pizza, I can make my own using a DiGiorno pizza base for $10 or less—or order from Pizza Hut if I don't feel like cooking. Cherries and other fruits all go on sale when they're in season. Right now strawberries are $2.25/lb. Two weeks ago they were $5, and weren't ripe yet. At Costco or Sam's, they're probably $6/4 lbs. Shittake mushrooms are $3.99 for 8oz at the regular grocery, but they're $1.99 at Trader Joes. You just have to know where to shop. The only thing I buy at Whole Foods is a specialty product or something from their hot bar. Everything else can be found cheaper somewhere else.

[jjkrkwood]

No honey, that's Whole Foods—which, by the way has been accused (and rightly so) of bait-and-switch when it comes to seafood.

 

Oh shit, if you want seaforod, head to Red Lobster for Lobster Fest or All-u-can-eat shrimp month. And carry concealed TupperWear Ask for X-tra honey biscuits too !

[citylaw1]

Well certainly city, your lifestyle is conmensurate with your income. Surely that 7k could be cut down alot by certain concessions (cheaper hotel, street-food and coach on Jet Blue) ?

But we all fall into certain patterns, some we are comfortable with, and some above our means. Regardless, its still difficult and you are absolutely right for families in NYC to survive if they are not in an upper income bracket.

 

Jetblue extra legroom, Trump International hotel, and mostly reasonable restaurants. Street food is for tourists, in that they are filthy wagons.

[jjkrkwood]

Jetblue extra legroom, Trump International hotel, and mostly reasonable restaurants. Street food is for tourists, in that they are filthy wagons.

 

LOL, I eat street food ALL the time. I work midtown, its fast and convenient, and the X-TRA grease helps lubricate my system and makes certain bodily functions "a breeze"....

I dont wear birkenstocks with socks so noone will mistake me for being a Tourist.

[+ azdr0710]

Amen! I gross $11,000 per week and I'm bitching.

 

I hope to hell you're kidding because millions would love to be in your Bacco Buccis.....

[citylaw1]

I hope to hell you're kidding because millions would love to be in your Bacco Buccis.....

 

I admit to my good fortune here. I'm simply stating that $550k isn't as much as it sounds like in NYC. I wear Cole Haan, and, most recently, I purchased some casual Prada shoes for $350 at Nordstroms in Naples. Unfortunately the only Prada that fits me are the sunglasses and the shoes.

[+ azdr0710]

I admit to my good fortune here. I'm simply stating that $550k isn't as much as it sounds like in NYC. I wear Cole Haan, and, most recently, I purchased some casual Prada shoes for $350 at Nordstroms in Naples. Unfortunately the only Prada that fits me are the sunglasses and the shoes.

 

this is embarrassing....

 

I suppose we should get back to the original topic....

[jjkrkwood]

I admit to my good fortune here. I'm simply stating that $550k isn't as much as it sounds like in NYC. I wear Cole Haan, and, most recently, I purchased some casual Prada shoes for $350 at Nordstroms in Naples. Unfortunately the only Prada that fits me are the sunglasses and the shoes.

 

Hey I bought Loubouton sneakers for over $1000, and I dont make anywhere near $550k. I am just guilty of irresponsible spending and a shoe fetish. Although YES there are people in much worse situations than any of us here, most of us work hard and earn our money and shouldnt feel guilty about how we spend it. AND we all have priorities, while you may not bat an eye about spending $2000 on an escort overnite, you might still think that seasonal fruit is Expensive.... and NOT buy it....

[Rick Munroe]

I vaguely remember a review a while back of Munroe and Ross that involved the eating of strawberries or cherries out of either their respective assess or the client's. Now if it did involve Messrs. Munroe and Ross, that is the way to enjoy fruit.

 

LOL Good memory, PB! That was our review # 30 (and Daddy posted my reply to follow up and provide closure on the strawberry's location). It might be time for Derek to lose one up his ass again!

[citylaw1]

Hey I bought Loubouton sneakers for over $1000, and I dont make anywhere near $550k. I am just guilty of irresponsible spending and a shoe fetish. Although YES there are people in much worse situations than any of us here, most of us work hard and earn our money and shouldnt feel guilty about how we spend it. AND we all have priorities, while you may not bat an eye about spending $2000 on an escort overnite, you might still think that seasonal fruit is Expensive.... and NOT buy it....

 

I buy the fruit. I understand why others do not though.

[citylaw1]

this is embarrassing....

 

I suppose we should get back to the original topic....

 

I'm not embarrassed.

[maxwellissmart]

I'm not embarrassed.

 

I wouldn't be embarrassed either—and you're right, $500K in Manhattan isn't $500K in Sioux City.

[citylaw1]

I wouldn't be embarrassed either—and you're right, $500K in Manhattan isn't $500K in Sioux City.

 

It really isn't. My mortgage is $7500 per month, and common fees are 2k per month. I am rich, but not wealthy. Christ, I'm not sure if I'm still rich either.

[maxwellissmart]

It really isn't. My mortgage is $7500 per month, and common fees are 2k per month. I am rich, but not wealthy. Christ, I'm not sure if I'm still rich either.

 

Of course, all bets are off if you get a bonus or an escort allowance.

[Rick Munroe]

most recently, I purchased some casual Prada shoes for $350 at Nordstroms in Naples. Unfortunately the only Prada that fits me are the sunglasses and the shoes.

 

Well, now that we know your true identity (The Pope), can you please lay off the gays and the condoms?

[citylaw1]

Well, now that we know your true identity (The Pope), can you please lay off the gays and the condoms?

 

They are a lovely black number ...shiny a bit. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/prada-low-profile-sneaker-men/3237092?origin=category&fashionColor=&resultback=6042

[jjkrkwood]

They are a lovely black number ...shiny a bit.

 

Prada shoes are a bit too boring for me, althought the quality is impeccable. I lean more towards Vivienne Westwood shoes these days, and the men's Louboutins are HOT.;

[citylaw1]

Prada shoes are a bit too boring for me, althought the quality is impeccable. I lean more towards Vivienne Westwood shoes these days, and the men's Louboutins are HOT.;

 

Simple, elegant and wildly overpriced sneakers that I added to my collection : http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/prada-low-profile-sneaker-men/3237092?origin=category&fashionColor=&resultback=6042

[maxwellissmart]

Simple, elegant and wildly overpriced sneakers that I added to my collection : http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/prada-low-profile-sneaker-men/3237092?origin=category&fashionColor=&resultback=6042

 

Nordstrom has awesome shoe sales.