Gross Monthly Income is the total amount you earn each month before taxes or deductions. It includes all financial earnings from various sources, such as salary, freelance income, or investments. Understanding this figure is essential for tasks like budgeting, loan applications, or credit approvals.
Sources of Gross Monthly Income
- Salary or Wages
- Regular pay from your job.
- Overtime, Bonuses, or Commissions
- Additional earnings for extra work or sales performance.
- Freelance or Side Gig Income
- Income from contract work or personal projects.
- Interest and Dividends
- Earnings from savings accounts or investments.
- Rental Income
- Earnings from leasing property.
- Child Support or Social Security????
- Payments received for dependents or retirement.
Why It Matters
- Loan Applications
- Lenders assess your gross income to determine borrowing limits.
- Budgeting
- Helps plan spending and savings effectively.
- Proof of Income
- Required for jobs, rentals, or financial decisions.
How to Calculate Gross Monthly Income
1. Salaried Employees
- Steps:
- Determine annual salary (e.g., $45,000).
- Divide by 12 (months in a year).
- Example: $45,000 ÷ 12 = $3,750 gross monthly income.
2. Hourly Employees
- Steps:
- Find hourly wage (e.g., $15/hour).
- Multiply by hours worked weekly (e.g., 40 hours).
- $15 × 40 = $600 weekly income.
- Multiply by 52 (weeks in a year) to find annual income.
- $600 × 52 = $31,200 yearly income.
- Divide annual income by 12 to find gross monthly income.
- $31,200 ÷ 12 = $2,600/month.
Examples of Gross Monthly Income
Example 1: Freelance Worker
- Job 1: $20/hour for 15 hours weekly ($1,300/month).
- Job 2: $25/hour for 10 hours weekly ($1,083.33/month).
- Combined: $1,300 + $1,083.33 = $2,383.33/month.
Example 2: Side Gig + Salary
- Salary: $3,000/month.
- Online sales: $1,000/month.
- Combined: $3,000 + $1,000 = $4,000/month.
Pro Tip
Keep a record of all income sources and update calculations regularly for accurate financial planning.
Understanding your gross monthly income is a foundation for managing your personal finances effectively!?