I've worked at my school district since 2014. I thought I was making good money back then at $67k/ year. I just compared my salary history to inflation and it's not looking great. It says I've lost $22,528 to inflation. I've been getting raises and been doing a great job. I guess this is why we are falling further and further behind.
How am I supposed to keep up with inflation? (school teacher)
- Thread starter rosea
- Start date
losinghope007
New member
@rosea I taught for 15 years, and in districts with strong unions, tough negotiating team, and the willingness to strike. Even then, we NEVER got a raise that even matched inflation.
Despite the fact that government budgets are often tied to inflation, the growth of expenses has outpaced any budget, and the difference is paid from teacher wages. For example, health insurance costs go up by 10% a year while inflation is 3%, the total property taxes go up as well. My district used to pay $400 for health inaurance to cover a family. Now it pays $1100. That’s $700 a month that should have gone to me, but is instead lining the pockets of health insurance.
Despite the fact that government budgets are often tied to inflation, the growth of expenses has outpaced any budget, and the difference is paid from teacher wages. For example, health insurance costs go up by 10% a year while inflation is 3%, the total property taxes go up as well. My district used to pay $400 for health inaurance to cover a family. Now it pays $1100. That’s $700 a month that should have gone to me, but is instead lining the pockets of health insurance.
hollins423
New member
@hollins423 Yeah, these great benefits also do not exist in Tennessee, where I cleared less than $40k as a teacher in a city where cost of living has doubled
touchedbythelight
New member
@touchedbythelight Retirement seems like such a pie in the sky idea that I’m not super concerned with it. I’ll be surprised if I make it that long.
audiovoxjunkie
New member
@rosea
So you felt completely fine until you decided to compare yourself. What good does that do you? Focus on what you can control.
If you really want to compare things, keep in mind the median single income in the US is just $40,480/yr
Across all ages of workers, you're in the top 34% of earners.
Teachers are super important and deserve high pay, but some of the perks of your job include fall break, winter break, spring break, summer break. You don't have as many working hours as a traditional 9-5, but still have a salary higher than most people.
Well, yes and no. Inflation doesn't apply across all things equally. There are likely goods and services you never use which are experiencing higher inflation than the goods and services you do use. If you own your home, or car, or eventually will -- those are 2 things where the impact of inflation can really be felt, but once you're done paying for them you won't have to worry about that.
Also, ideally your school gives you a pension. And ideally you're contributing to a retirement plan like a 403(b) and/or Roth IRA that you should be able to put money into each paycheck in investments that will beat inflation over the long run.
Are you speaking about society as a whole or your personal financial situation? Can't you just look back through your spending and see why directly why you'd be behind?
So you felt completely fine until you decided to compare yourself. What good does that do you? Focus on what you can control.
If you really want to compare things, keep in mind the median single income in the US is just $40,480/yr
Across all ages of workers, you're in the top 34% of earners.
Teachers are super important and deserve high pay, but some of the perks of your job include fall break, winter break, spring break, summer break. You don't have as many working hours as a traditional 9-5, but still have a salary higher than most people.
Well, yes and no. Inflation doesn't apply across all things equally. There are likely goods and services you never use which are experiencing higher inflation than the goods and services you do use. If you own your home, or car, or eventually will -- those are 2 things where the impact of inflation can really be felt, but once you're done paying for them you won't have to worry about that.
Also, ideally your school gives you a pension. And ideally you're contributing to a retirement plan like a 403(b) and/or Roth IRA that you should be able to put money into each paycheck in investments that will beat inflation over the long run.
Are you speaking about society as a whole or your personal financial situation? Can't you just look back through your spending and see why directly why you'd be behind?
ritabiletsky
New member
@audiovoxjunkie
Teachers spend an extra 5-10 hours a week grading papers and creating lesson plans outside of working hours.
Teachers spend an extra 5-10 hours a week grading papers and creating lesson plans outside of working hours.
audiovoxjunkie
New member
@ritabiletsky The average number of hours in a school day across the whole US is 6.64 hours with the average number of school days being 180.
Meanwhile there are generally 260 working days in the year. Even considering time spent grading & creating lesson plans outside of working hours, it doesn't equate to a normal full-time role.
Meanwhile there are generally 260 working days in the year. Even considering time spent grading & creating lesson plans outside of working hours, it doesn't equate to a normal full-time role.