There are lots of folks around here that live paycheck to paycheck, couldn't afford an unexpected 400.00 bill and don't have any luxury toys/payments. The median annual income for males here is less than 30,000 per year and the median household income is less than 40,000. It's rural so you have to keep a dependable vehicle on the road as the average distance traveled for work is 23 miles. Between the purchase price, repairs, maintenance, insurance and gas there goes 6,000 - 7,000.00 of your income right there. And that's only if your buying/driving older used vehicles. Add another 7,000- 8000.00 per year for housing {average rent for a 2 bedroom apt. is 600 -700.00 per month} top those off with utilities and groceries and it's no wonder folks are broke. The wife and I make more than 50% over the median income for this area. We have no payments/loans other than a very modest mortgage, we don't take vacations or go on out of state hunts and it's about all we can do to make ends meet.
