I can’t imagine he would have to spend much. Security is provided by taxes, as well as travel. When he goes somewhere, such as other countries or states, I can’t imagine them charging him to stay at a hotel or eat somewhere! Insurance, housing electric, and food is paid by taxes. So what does he spend money on? Clothing, jewelry, and presents? This is a serious question, and not specific to Obama…I just can’t imagine anyone making the president pay for anything out of his own pocket.
This bring the question; why does he need to make that much money if everything is paid for?
So if the money is for him after he is president, then why does he need it as president? Why not let the tax payers fit the bill for his living expenses? We still pay for travel and security!
@Smells – Thanks for the only intelligent answer so far. I can see the president paying for a pizza delivery out of pocket. But I can’t see him going to smalltown, USA and mom and pop making him pay for a meal. Even after he is out of office. Nixon might have been a different story though.
@ Badgirl – did you even read my question? I’m talking about “The President” and specifically said not Obama.
Kool cigarettes, basketball shoes, and beer for his summits
Cocoa Puffs… Lots of cocoa puffs
His wife’s posse in Italy and 700 luxury hotel rooms in India.
Oh wait — that’s the tax payer’s money. My mistake!
Because we’ve enver had the President work for free. He can save the money to pay for life after his term of office. He earned it, it’s his business how he spends it.
Eventually presidents leave office and still need to eat.
Well, for Christmas last year, he got me socialized health care, so maybe gifts like that are where all the cash goes?
Video games.
on entertainment
There is an elaborate accounting system developed. For instance, his food is often not actually paid for by the tax payer. If they’re having an official function, the tax payer picks up the bill, if they’re having a meal at home, they do. Those late night snacks might be served by the white house kitchen, but they are billed to the president. A president on vacation pays for his family’s hotel room, he doesn’t pay for the security and support staff. The president pays for many expenses out of his own pocket, it just doesn’t compare to all of the expenses that the tax payers pick up, which allow him to do his job.
What a surprise most of the comments reveal a complete ignorance of the subject and some even bring up bald faced lies about 700 hotel room junkets.
I would have a modicum of respect for your question if it did not mention our current president. How did you feel about the many trips to Crawford, Texas to cut brush made by our previous president, certainly he could have hired a few locals to cut brush and spared the taxpayers the expense of Air Force One, Secret Service and sandwiches and beverages for the press!
the president pays taxes on that 400k so that probably brings it down to 325k or so. (im not a tax professional) the rest i guess clothes, gifts, private school for the kids, only part of his vacation is paid for by the tax payers.
now the big answer to your question is that the President is the highest ranking person in the Federal government and he is required by statute to be the highest paid. which is why the president’s pay is often raised to give the other higher ups a raise.
He still has to pay the mortgage and property taxes on his home he lived in before becoming Prez. He pays for his own vacation, clothing, gadgets, gifts, and own meals. Put money into a 529 plan or something similar for his children’s college fund. His retirement and other investments. Basically the sames things as everyone else. He is only in office for 4-8 years.
I don’t think Obama or any other President will accept a free meal from a restaurant or abuse their status to get free stuff or services. That would land them in big trouble especially with the people and the media.
The President is working late nights and even weekends. They have pressure and any mistake they make will have consequences. They deserve their salary. They serve 300 million people. Heck, CEOs that oversee a company with less people make millions of dollars.
weight loss pills for Michele, have you seen those thunder thighs lately
essentially on what other Americans use their salaries on… mortgage payments, private school tuition, vacations, gifts, savings, clothing, etc…. but in the end, how the President spends his salary is between him, his wife, his accountant, and the IRS.