re: Take home pay for a teacher in East Baton Rouge area.

You pay into a pension instead of social security as a teacher... That runs me about $400 per month. I don't put much into my personal retirement (through the school) because it's not worth it at all. I only contribute to it because it got me a discount on my life insurance and car insurance (I bundled). The health insurance is awesome though. For myself, my kids, and my wife, I pay a little over $400 per month and it's great insurance. That same policy would cost me $1,200 per month if I took it out independently. If I had excluded my wife, it would have only been $140 per month (for me and my kids). Outside of work, I fund my ROTH with a portion of my paycheck, and max it out with the money I make in the summer. I love teaching (I only work 190 days per year, get 15 sick days, and get paid even when I'm not working). No, the money isn't great, but the perks, plus the reward of having a meaningful career) make it worthwhile. Good luck to you and your wife!