I wish more people would talk openly about money.
It’s such an interesting and important topic, yet we keep it mostly secret.
So here’s a bit about my money situation.
How I’ve earned money
Mostly it’s been:
- Running Unschool Adventures trips for teenagers
- Self-published online book sales
- Speaking, coaching, and running online workshops
- Employed summer camp & outdoor education work
Here’s more details about my work history and how much I’ve been paid.
How much I’ve earned
Data from my tax returns:
| Year | Total Income | Taxes Paid | After-Tax Income | Average Monthly Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,300 | $8,900 | $37,400 | $3,100 |
| 2024 | $16,400 | $3,000 | $13,400 | $1,100 |
| 2023 | $57,600 | $12,300 | $45,300 | $3,800 |
| 2022 | $45,200 | $9,500 | $35,700 | $3,000 |
| 2021 | $15,800 | $2,400 | $13,400 | $1,100 |
| 2020 | $53,400 | $11,100 | $42,300 | $3,500 |
| 2019 | $27,500 | $5,100 | $22,400 | $1,900 |
| 2018 | $35,500 | $6,500 | $29,000 | $2,400 |
| 2017 | $64,000 | $17,400 | $46,600 | $3,900 |
| 2016 | $41,500 | $8,700 | $32,800 | $2,700 |
| 2015 | $31,000 | $5,700 | $25,300 | $2,100 |
| 2014 | $55,800 | $15,600 | $40,200 | $3,400 |
| 2013 | $43,700 | $9,200 | $34,500 | $2,900 |
| 2012 | $26,500 | $5,400 | $21,100 | $1,800 |
| 2011 | $22,200 | $4,800 | $17,400 | $1,500 |
| 2010 | $10,900 | $1,300 | $9,600 | $800 |
| 2009 | $10,100 | $300 | $9,800 | $800 |
| 2008 | $17,000 | $2,600 | $14,400 | $1,200 |
Note 1: “Total income” doesn’t include certain travel expenses that were classified as Unschool Adventures business expenses, including some flights, lodging, and trainings. So if you’re curious how I’ve afforded to travel so much, that’s one factor that helped—but dirtbag rich thriftiness is the real foundation.
Note 2: “Taxes paid” mostly indicates self-employment taxes, as I’ve been mostly self-employed since 2010.
Note 3: I don’t have reliable numbers for the post-college years of 2005 & 2007, when I was working in outdoor education and earning no more than $10-15k. In 2006 my total income was $7900. My income in college (2001-2004) was low but I did manage to save $10k by graduation day. In high school I only worked for pocket money.
Support I’ve received
When I graduated college I was gifted a Macbook. A few years later, I received a hand-me-down 1997 Toyota 4Runner that I lovingly maintained for years until totaling it on a rainy day slide-out near Santa Cruz.
At age 36, after my grandfather’s passing, I received an inheritance of ~$6k.
During the early pandemic I received government support (like most others) totaling ~$30k: approximately the same amount I hoped to earn from running Unschool Adventures programs that year (which were obviously cancelled).
That’s it! No family gifts, loans, or anticipated inheritances. No government support or subsidies beyond state-subsidized healthcare.