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Comment by anoncoward111 | Hacker News Reader

20 US dollars per hour is already more than I make as a full-time SaaS salesman in New York City, and I'm not even hurting for cash either!

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Do not forget about Upwork taxes:

Specifically, Upwork charges the freelancer a fee of: 20% for the first $500 billed with the client. 10% for lifetime billings with the client between $500.01 and $10,000. 5% for lifetime billings with the client that exceed $10,000.

God that's horrid. Not to mention the slew of taxes one pays by being a 1099 contractor. And it's not like the clients one attracts on Upwork are particularly good.

Are you working constant 80 hour weeks? Is everyone lying about big city costs? Or do you consider 3 housemates and a 2 hour commute to be not hurting for cash?

Something has to be up here.

40 hour weeks, 45 minutes to midtown one way. $20 pre tax pay, $15 post tax pay, roughly $2600 a month with even some shitty health benefits thrown in there.

Monthly expenses: $1,000 on rent (splitting with girlfriend) $300 on train tickets $500 on food, phone, internet, entertainment

I try to save about $1,000 every month, which is not very good. I could never dream to support a family or a mortgage like this, but at least I'm not struggling to make rent or going into debt.

I live in an area that would be described as "tough", but statistically, I think we have one robbery every week and one murder every season. By NYC standards, that's very safe :)

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