Somewhere else I saw that NJS pay their captains about $150k. That seems about ball-park for what's involved. Anyone can't live on that here seriously needs to either find a less expensive wife/boat/farm etc or head overseas.
After tax $150k becomes $100k.
If you have a fair size mortgage, with interest rates as high they are take off another big chunk. Private health insurance, pay it or pay the Medicare levy instead.
Seen how much fuel and food has gone up recently ?
Trying to give your children a good start with private school ?
Buying a reasonable car, having a holiday ?
A $150k salary these days for someone trying to buy a house and raise a family in a capital city is nothing special.
