When Hal's trying to reassure his friend of worth, he brings up that the guy earns $28-29 Gs annually. No disrespect to anyone who can hold down a job, but how is that anything to brag about? Than again, I'm not an American, so for all I know, that's an impressive salary.
"Don't cry, it is to be. In time, I'll take away your miseries and make 'em mine. D'Evils."
It's about $2400 per month, so let's figure:
-25% income tax ($600),
=$1800,
-30% rent ($720), but he's splitting rent, so -$360,
=$1440 for food, utilities, other expenses.
If you've got health coverage at work, and don't own a car, as Hal appeared not to, a bachelor could live comfortably, I'd say.
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The story is king.
It's an excellent salary for an unmarried, childless fellow like Hal or Mauricio. Even by today's standards. You'd just need to live within your means and not do any heavy gambling.
shareI'm unmarried and childless and I make over $50K, yet I still live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. Of course, I also live in the New York metro area, where the cost of living is way above the national average - I'm sure if I lived in Nebraska or Alabama I'd feel like I was rich.
The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.
I'm unmarried and childless and I make over $50K, yet I still live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. Of course, I also live in the New York metro area, where the cost of living is way above the national average - I'm sure if I lived in Nebraska or Alabama I'd feel like I was rich.
I always thought that his income makes the point of how undesireable this guy is (I have always thought this even when the movie came out in 2001). He is totally unattractive, he is a jerk, he's a judgmental, condescending prick, he wears short-sleeved dress shirts, drives a really feminine car and he only makes 29K a year. All of this yet he treats all women terribly and isn't even that nice to his friend. And 29K in a city like that--wtf?! I make over 50K a year before taxes, no kids, no car payment and I barely get by.
To the person in this thread who said a guy can "live comfortably" on that income...I think the numbers you came up with are severely inaccurate. $720 a month for that nice place they live in? In a big city. No way. It would be more like $1500-2500 if not more.
And another person in this thread considers this salary (appx $14 an hour) to be "excellent"?! It's peanuts and unless you live in the middle of nowhere or someplace like Connecticut there is no way that such a salary is going to provide you with anything other than the bare essentials nor will it allow you to live alone, unless it's a dump and you do not need ANY spending money.
So, no, 28-29K is not a lot of money, nor would it allow anyone to live comfortably if they live in a big city the way Hal and Mauricio do. Not even close. I'm certain that Mauricio's income was stated specifically to illustrate how unsuccessful he is in every way because if you think about it there would be no other reason to bring up his salary in that way other than for the audience's benefit. They are best friends, he's known him for a long time, he knows what he makes (at least in the ballpark) so why even say it? If he's trying to build up his loser friend then he would've just said "you have a good job" or "you make a decent living" there is no way he would address his income by dollars.
Dick, I am VERY disappointed.
No it's not a good salary - I think it's meant to be a joke about him thinking he's such a "catch". Both Hal and Mauricio are truly clueless about their status/looks - it's funny irony given their shallowness.
shareI live in Connecticut and someone making $14 an hour would struggle greatly.
shareMy bad. I forgot that CT is not a particularly affordable state (I live in Southern California so to me almost any state other than CA or NY seems better, hehe). I should have said Iowa or Idaho to make my point. I stand corrected. :)
"Why couldn't the monkey arrange this from INSIDE the garbage can?"
It isn't good - that was the point. I thought that statement was one of the funnier parts of the movie. Classic Farrelly line - very subtle.
shareDepends on where you live. In my city (4th largest in my state) it would go a long way, for me at least. Then again, my husband and I are super low maintenance, we have no kids, no car payments, and our rent is frozen at $450/mo., going on eight years now.
shareHoly crap. You couldn't rent a closet in my area for $450 a month. Even 20 years ago a 1BR around here was about $750-$850. Going rate for a 1BR where I live now is anywhere between $1,200 and $1,800 a month depending on size, condition, and exact location - and that's without utilities. I got lucky, I rent an apartment from a friend so I pay $1,000 for my 1BR.
The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.
$28 is not a lot at all unless you live maybe in the rural areas where stuff is very very cheap. I make $55K and that's barely anything.
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Love means never having to say you're ugly. - The Abominable Dr. Phibes
It's funny... that part came on as I was reading your post. I think Hal was snowballing him to make him feel better.
~Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable~
Agreed with everyone saying it was a joke and that Hal was simply trying to make Mauricio feel better.
On the flip side, 28k may not be a lot. But keep in mind they're in Charlotte 15 years ago. It's far cheaper to live there than in the major metropolitan areas some of you seem to be referencing.