>>>>I think money can be addictive. We get used to an income and all sorts of things become necessary. I ofen wonder how people live on say 20,000 per annum but they do . I think you're right about the passion thing.
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>>>Come next spring, two significant debts will be paid which will free up about $1,500 net per month. So, I could maintain the same lifestyle I have now for $18,000 less per year. Not sure if that's an option really, but it broadens the opportunity some. Maybe I can find something I enjoy more for that amount.
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>>>Update: That's $18,000 take-home per year. More like gross $30,000 salary. Definately worth looking at.
>>
>>What? Uncle Sam takes nigh on half your salary!?
>
>More like 1/3, but yeah, I think it has to do with the pay bracket. It didn't used to be this high.

erm, a 1/3 would be $12,000 - not 10, but yes, I was thinking of half being $15,000 and 18 isn't so far off :-)

In the UK After a tax-free sum of, say £5,000, we're taxed at 20% on the rest. After £33,000 the rate is 40%, but only on the amount above the £33k. Your salary is c. £16,000 so it sounds like you're hard done-by, my son! We DO however have to pay national insurance (NI) on top, which is like an extra tax that funds the national health service and unemployment benefits.

However, I have it from an accountancy-studying colleague right here that your salary here would be, at today's X rate:

c £16,000 gross - £12,500 net

which is c. $23,677. (cf. $18,000) - i.e. you'd keep an extra $5,677 of your gross.

Well someone's gotta pay for all those boys overseas! :-S