Standard of living of newly commisioned ensign

[MasterBates]

Yeah, for my current job, it would have.

If I had stayed civillian, the GMI degree would have paid for itself within a couple years, versus a "Technical Studies" BA from Cape Cod Communinty College.

 

[ben]

Yeah, for my current job, it would have.

If I had stayed civillian, the GMI degree would have paid for itself within a couple years, versus a "Technical Studies" BA from Cape Cod Communinty College.

What is your degree in? That's a lot of cash to be able to pay that all back in two years... sounds impressive.

 

[MasterBates]

Mechanical Engineering (Powertrain Thermodynamics concentration) with a minor in Electrical Engineering, and a cognate in bio-fuels.

 

[MasterBates]

It would have been a "live in ghetto or rent room from friends" situation, but would have been doable.

 

[Carno]

Well, I'll be in the same boat as you were, MasterBates.. I have over $100k in debt from going to this god forsaken flight school.

Wish I had known then what I know now :icon_rage

 

[GatorBoy44]

Are there any O-1's with <2 years that are willing to disclose what their paycheck is monthly after taxes? Also, if you don't mind, what type of car you drive and the payment. I know I am being nosy, sorry, I've got my eye on a new car and would like an idea. Thanks.

 

[Gatordev]

Are there any O-1's with <2 years that are willing to disclose what their paycheck is monthly after taxes? Also, if you don't mind, what type of car you drive and the payment. I know I am being nosy, sorry, I've got my eye on a new car and would like an idea. Thanks.

All you have to do is go to the pay charts that were linked earlier. Taxes are going to vary based on marriage, housing, dependents, etc, so if you just take the amounts (BAS, BAH, Base pay) you'll see what you will earn. Then you can apply the tax, if you so desire.

 

[Fly Navy]

If you have knowledge of how tax bracketing works, you can figure it out yourself too. It's actually an exercise worth doing.

 

[Thisguy]

I've got my eye on a new car and would like an idea.

I would say as an O-1, even if you are BDCP, you would be better served getting a used car that gets you from point A to point B. A car is not an investment. Wait a couple years to splurge.

I bought a car for 24K last august (2005), and on a 60 month loan, the payments are about $470/mo. Granted I'm doing this on JG over 3 years, and I've knocked out my student loans already.

Don't be one of those guys who drives the flashy new car, but eats Ramen Noodles to save money for gas.

 

[Gatordev]

Don't be one of those guys who drives the flashy new car, but eats Ramen Noodles to save money for gas.

...and if your single, don't be that guy who can't splurge on a room while on a kick ass cross-country where there's no Q.

 

[Fly Navy]

...and if your single, don't be that guy who can't splurge on a room while on a kick ass cross-country where there's no Q.

Even if you're married, don't be one of those homos, on det somewhere nice, who only wants to eat at fast food places to "save money".

 

[Gatordev]

Even if you're married, don't be one of those homos, on det somewhere nice, who only wants to eat at fast food places to "save money".

I haven't completely understood that myself, but after hearing a lot about student loans on the site as well as being single income, especially if they have kids, I can understand it a little more.

For my first mid cruise (started in the Gulf, ended up in Japan and managed to make it all the way around the world), my dad gave me the best advice: "Don't worry about spending money. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity." There's certainly a place for saving and being fiscally responsible, but there's other times when you'll get much more out of the experience (whatever it is) when you partake in the local color. To me, a government funded CCX is one of those times.

 

[Fly Navy]

There's certainly a place for saving and being fiscally responsible, but there's other times when you'll get much more out of the experience (whatever it is) when you partake in the local color. To me, a government funded CCX is one of those times.

Words to live by!

 

[nittany03]

Words to live by!

Amen. When you have a good deal . . . TAKE IT! Perfect example: in my latest PCS from MS to WA, I had to do SERE and the centrifuge enroute, but had enough time in between to:

-Drive through 8 states
-Watch B-52s bounce at Barksdale AFB
-Visit the Confederate Air Force museum in Midland, TX
-See the boneyard (from ouside the fence anyway) at Davis-Monthan AFB
Hang out in San Diego for the better part of a week, see the air museum, as well as USS Midway, an old Russian Foxtrot sub, and the HMS Surprise they built for the movie Master and Commander
-Visit Penguin and Squid (also in San Diego)
-Visit Sequoia National Park and see the biggest tree in the world and also some of the most gorgeous scenery I've seen
-Visit Hearst Castle
-Stop in Monterey and see Cannery Row and the aquarium (Naval Postgrad School has the most kick a** Q there is btw)
-Stop by San Jose, see Winchester Mystery House and have dinner in Santana Row
-Spend 2 days in San Franciso (Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista, sourdough at Boudin Bakery, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, etc., etc.)
-See some old Navy history driving by former NAS Moffett Field and seeing NAS Alameda across the bay
-Drive up most of the Pacific Coast Highway in a sports car
-Visit my form partner from Primary in Oregon
-Finally get to Whidbey after circumnavigating the Olympic National Forest on US 101
I'll probably never get to do a drive like that again while young and single. And the best part is, at the end of it, I'm not bankrupt! (granted, I'm on O-2 over 3 pay) Just short a few days leave so I could dally where I wanted to. I could have just shot up the interstate and saved time and money. But the bottom line is that if you get the right orders, you can do some amazing stuff if you drop a little extra time and a little extra cash. CARPE PER DIEM!

 

[insanebikerboy]

just don't be an idiot and use some budgeting

-Stop in Monterey and see Cannery Row and the aquarium (Naval Postgrad School has the most kick a** Q there is btw)

Ah yes, a year at NPS and I still dream about going back!

@GatorBoy44 I'm an O-1 >2 (prior) and am married, so this might not be as accurate for you, but I drive a 1980 Jeep CJ-7 (a classic!), have a motorcycle, and my wife drives a 2004 Ford Explorer.

The numbers won't be exactly the same for you but the best thing to do is make a budget and try to stick to it. Also, look at where you would be spending money. For example, I take my lunch to work everyday and don't go and eat at fast food or wherever for lunch. Buying at the commisary in bulk is a lot cheaper than Subway, etc. For example, if I bought a foot-long sub and a coke everyday it'd be about $6-$8, or $30-$40 a week, which would add up fast.

The little things can get you fast (buying a Starbucks, a coke when you get gas, etc) before you even realize it. Before you know it, you're spending a lot more than anticipated and are really broke.

As with the other advice, check out the pay charts, it's a great learning tool and will help you figure out exactly what you'll be getting.