The Autobiography of Russell

Gee, vehicles are so expensive by the time you make the payment, the insurance, and the gas.

Figuring a payment of $100 a month, $120 for gas, and $200 for minimum insurance, that's over $400 a month. The recommended insurance is $500 a month, which makes it over $700 a month.

hrs/wk	gross	-25% taxes
$5.15/hr (minimum wage)
40	$824	$618
60	$1236	$927
80	$1648	$1236
$7.50/hr
40	$1200	$900
60	$1650	$1237.50
$10/hr
40	$1600	$1200

Using the above table of figures, you'd have to work at least 60 hours a week at minimum wage to afford an apartment and a car, or 40 hours a week at 7.50, and that's only breaking even with minimum car insurance. With the recommended car insurance you'd have to work at least 80 hours a week at minimum wage, 60 at $7.50/hr, or 40 at $10/hr to break even with it and the apartment.

It almost pays not to have a car, except it's hard to get a job without a car.

I got a call today from the University of Cincinnati today. They finally made a decision regarding my application and, while I don't have the necessary credits to get into Computer Science in the College of Engineering, they would like to offer me admission into Information Technology at the College of Applied Science because of my past experience. I think a little birdie has been whispering in their ear, because I don't remember handing them a copy of my resume. I figure I'll take them up on it, though, and if it's really not what I want I'll jump ship when I can.

So.... who wants to be the first to say I'm making a mistake?