$1654 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend

[Dionne]

Everyone in your family gets $1654....providing they are full time residents in Alaska.

It is the oil royalty money Alaskans enjoy. We used to get the dividend check when we lived at mile 92 Parks near Talkeetna. Always a nice shot in the arm this time of year as the sun begins its descent.

Why don't Texas or Louisiana residents get royalties?

All comments welcomed.

[gtalum]

Everyone in your family gets $1654....providing they are full time residents in Alaska.

It is the oil royalty money Alaskans enjoy. We used to get the dividend check when we lived at mile 92 Parks near Talkeetna. Always a nice shot in the arm this time of year as the sun begins its descent.

Why don't Texas or Louisiana residents get royalties?

All comments welcomed.

I don't think the royalty is big enough to account for the higher cost of living in Alaska. They established the Permanent Fund and they pay the royalty to get people to move there. They need people very badly. LA and TX have no such problem.

[Coredesat]

Indeed, the cost of living in Alaska is ridiculously high, plus the residents have the oil companies to deal with. $1654 isn't much for them.

[Dionne]

The higher cost of living in Alaska is misleading. If you reside in Anchorage (half the population of the state does).....then yes.....you are going to experience a higher cost of living.....as well as a much higher income. The other half of the state is mostly rural......bush living. Subsistence hunting and fishing. Some areas have prolific gardens. Mortgages are unheard off. No electric bill. No water bill. Very low taxes.

Say you've got 3 kids, husband and wife.....$1654 X 5 = $8270.

There is no question that we could have wintered out just fine with that kind of a stash cash.

[Coredesat]

Actually, utility bills there are quite high. It takes a great deal to get electricity to remote areas. Add that to the fact that gas up there costs over $2 more than the national average and that much, much driving is needed to get anywhere, and you have a problem. Although I do question giving kids the $1654.

[MGC]

My sister lives in a little town across the inlet from Anchorage called Knik. I spent 10 days there last summer and loved it. Yes, the cost of living is a bit more than what I am use to in Mississippi, but I didn't think it was excessive. Once I retire I plan on spending the entire summer up there to get away from the Mississippi heat. I could never be a full time resident due to the harsh winter cold. Alaska is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.....MGC

[Dionne]

Actually, utility bills there are quite high. It takes a great deal to get electricity to remote areas. Add that to the fact that gas up there costs over $2 more than the national average and that much, much driving is needed to get anywhere, and you have a problem. Although I do question giving kids the $1654.

Wow.....I cannot believe you posted that! Why would a child not be considered a resident? The Permanent Fund is for all residents of the state of Alaska.

[gtalum]

The higher cost of living in Alaska is misleading. If you reside in Anchorage (half the population of the state does).....then yes.....you are going to experience a higher cost of living.....as well as a much higher income. The other half of the state is mostly rural......bush living. Subsistence hunting and fishing. Some areas have prolific gardens. Mortgages are unheard off. No electric bill. No water bill. Very low taxes.

Say you've got 3 kids, husband and wife.....$1654 X 5 = $8270.

There is no question that we could have wintered out just fine with that kind of a stash cash.

No offense, but you'd have to pay me a lot more than $8270 annually to move to rural Alaska.

[Dionne]

No offense, but you'd have to pay me a lot more than $8270 annually to move to rural Alaska. [/quote]

Good point. The primary reason we left (and later sold) our homestead was the isolation. Raising an only child without the interaction of other children was something we had not anticipated. Home schooling is okay.....but kids need other kids to play with.

[gtalum]

Good point. The primary reason we left (and later sold) our homestead was the isolation. Raising an only child without the interaction of other children was something we had not anticipated. Home schooling is okay.....but kids need other kids to play with.

That's along the lines I was thinking. I enjoy Alaska, as it's beautiful. I couldn't live there and be happy though, even in the "big city" of Anchorage. I liek warmth and sunlight too much. I'd go insane during the winter.