In Chicago, if someone makes over $100,000 a year, would he be considered wealthy or well-off?

Q. It sounds like it to me, but a friend of mine says that Chicago is a very expensive city to live and has high cost of living. She says this income would just be considered middle-class. Is this true?

A. If that person was single that would be a lot of money and they could live very well off. If it was one person working in a family household paying the bills for 2-3 kids and 2 parents then it is probably a lot more middle class. Everything (rent, utilities, food, transportation) costs more every year and Chicago is one of the most expensive places to live in the country behind NY and LA. Not every neighborhood and suburb is this way though, there are some more affordable pockets in places where you can live safely and pay less for rent but they aren't near where a lot is going on in the city.

First though in order to figure out how much 100K salary is in cash you have to remember that the government takes 27% out first in income taxes and most people also pay around 5% into social security medicare and other pre-tax deductions. Then they pay for the employer's health insurance coverage which could be $100-$500.00 a month depending on how large the family is. Then they may put 10% in their 401K also. After all that the 100K salary would be cut down to $53,000.00 per year in actual income. The monthly income is cut from $8,300.00 to $4,300.00 after all the taxes and deductions.

On average I think a 3 bedroom house in the burbs costs $350,000.00 and many in the city would be even more. Mortgages on that proce house might be around $1,500.00 per month. (renting would be the same) Food for a family can be well over $1,000.00 a month. Depending on what kind of car you drive and how far it is to work $4.10 per gallon for gas can mean $200.00 a month in gas costs per car. Heating bills are regularly $200-$400.00 per month in the winter for a house and electricity and water rates were approved for rate hikes in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Car insurance is even high at $100.00-$150.00 per month for most new cars.

It all adds up very quickly.

Original Question

Do you think all teenagers all spoiled, stupid brats these days?

Q. I have seen a lot negative views about teenagers here, how they all misbehave, have no goals, are just plain stupid and are not going anywhere in life, but do you really believe that all of them are like that?

I know one thing I would definitely not what to be a teenager these. days.

A. Absolutely not - Most teenagers are just trying to figure life out. Each generation has had their share of problems. When you look historically in the 1700's there were 60 people looking after the best interest of each child. People lived together in large groups in farming communities. Then, in the 1800's people started moving to town. Children were still raised by their families and extended families, as they lived close to each other. It wasn't common to move too far from your family. By the early 1900's people were moving to cities. They lived in houses and the grandparents often didn't live with them. There were still many children and often extended family - however, the family was becoming more isolated. By the 1950's, Familiies were becoming smaller and living in houses where children didn't have the support of their extended family - they had mom and dad and maybe a couple of siblings. Mom often stayed home. Move forward into the 80's and you have mom and dad divorcing - kids going from one home to the other trying to figure things out. In 2009 - many families live far away from their extended family, both parents work, children have tv's and phones in their bedrooms so there is never really any need to come out and talk face to face. So, to get back to your original question - it is really hard to be a teen in today's world. I know that at our local high school the kids are responsible for the "hampers for the homeless" at Christmas and many other community activities. It is hard for these kids to find their way - and they often don't have the guidance and support they need. I completely agree, I would not go back to being a teen - but most teens grow up to be just fine adults. They are torn between too big and not old enough. This was a great question - I hope I have given you something to think about. (I am a highschool teacher - and I love all the wonderful adolescents I work with)

Original Question

whats some good 2009 hip hop grinding songs?

Q. whats some good 2009 hip hop grinding songs? my friend is having a party tomorrow and i need to burn a CD of good grinding songs but not played out songs. please help.

A. Day 26- Imma Put it on her
Kerri Hilson ft.Kanye & Ne-yo- Knock you down
Ne-yo- single
Ron Brows Ft. Rkelly- Club to a bedroom
(Don't know the artist but just type this in its the title- Tootie Frooty)
Drake Ft.Trey Songs- Replacement girls
Drake & Lykke Li- Little bit (remix)
Bobby Valentino Ft. Young Joc- Beep Remix
Day 26- Stadium Music
Day 26- Vixen
J.Holiday- Heart Attack
Mims- Move if you wanna
Kid Cudi- Day 'n' Nite

Original Question

What do they have for Housing in Nigeria?

Q. answer as many as you can they don't all have to be answered but very helpful!
Styles of houses
Materials Used
Use of Rooms
Shape, Size
Arrangement of furniture
Thanks A BUNCH!

A. Normal houses?

I live in Lagos, Nigeria and houses are pretty normal- blocks of flats/ apartments, bungalows, detached houses, mansions, etc.

The most common building material is cement blocks. Some use red bricks as well.

Use of rooms: normal stuff? I would think just about everyone has bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms. We also have a library in my house, a computer room, a lesson room where we had lessons after school as kids/did our homework, guest bedrooms, a waiting room (after the entrance to the house and before the living rooms where guests/visitors wait till the person they are coming to see is called downstairs)

Shape and size: Different shapes, really. Architects design houses of different shapes and sizes, just like anywhere else in the world.

Arrangement of furniture: that depends on the people living in the house- some would arrange it themselves, some would get interior decorators, but everyone's house is different, really.

So that you can get visuals, I'm going to include some pictures of homes in Lagos. Click the links to view the pictures. These are homes around where I live in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria:

http://v3.lscache3.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/15276157.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqra-SFjYZpPdeFaVBTZw0FXWEjxkbz34xiDbmX_FhbqCJHjWGAQHz8NEqbGNd4qqKY4cNaQ0p6HQLc6CuRa4iHo3lKQDnRNeoBGfoKnVB22BM0Y_J17KsF7Co4fx1r3cXo5_8fWdV-Q2m/s400/apat3.jpg

http://www.topdealgroup.com/Estates/image/contentimage1.jpg

http://www.uniqueprojectsltd.com/admin/properties/122941532941.219.238.244.jpg

http://www.mtspropertydevelopment.com/images/md_house.jpg

http://www.business-travel-nigeria.com/images/lagos_houses.jpg

Also, here are some pictures of apartment buildings:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3622678698_edb3670293.jpg


http://unigweandco.com/images/g15.jpg

And here's a building near my house I quite like called the civic centre:

http://media.onsugar.com/files/ons/273/2733583/04_2009/8f/lagos02650.jpg

Yeah, so basically, housing in Nigeria is pretty normal. In the past, we had mud huts in the rural areas. In very rural areas now, you can still find houses made of mud, see picture below:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4745485291_6b372640cb.jpg

Hope that helps!

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Title Post: In Chicago, if someone makes over $100,000 a year, would he be considered wealthy or well-off?
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