[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

A few things:

1) I make more than $1500/month now and that was just an example. A lot of people don't realize how little research scientists make in academia, at least initially.
2) The mortgage/insurance/taxes etc. I pay are much cheaper than if I were to rent because I bought before the market boomed. As an aside, I'm actually paying for both my mortgage and rent right now because I'm doing contract work in Edmonton. The rent I'm paying is much more than the upkeep costs of my house in Calgary. Also, my house in Calgary isn't exactly the Taj Mahal. It's simple small starter home in a modest neighbourhood.
3) I do find it insulting that I'm grouped in with the people username was talking about because I do the things I do out of necessity not because I want to. It's not like I'm not investing. I'm simply doing the best I can under the circumstances I'm in right now.
4) I will be seeking employment elsewhere after my contract finishes up. Sue me if I took a pay cut to try to do some good for cancer research.
5) Discretionary spending. . . haha. I have none. My fun time money essentially buys groceries and my climbing gym membership.

I'm not going to explain myself anymore but, suffice to say, I'm quite different from the people discussed in the initial article.

I realize you're situation is temporary, and not optimal, but in just about any other circumstance, don't you think paying a mortgage, and having 0 discretionary income, are pretty good indicators of someone who is spending way too much on housing costs?

Also, I may be wrong, but your comment about being classified as a high potential earner, and that's why you qualified for your mortgage seems a little odd.
Seems to me when I applied, I was approved based on how much I was actually making, not what I might make.