The Great $25,000 Caper: How Much Did George Washington REALLY Make as President?
Ah, George Washington. The man, the myth, the legend... and the guy who probably could have used a raise. Buckle up, history buffs (and fans of all things thrifty), because we're about to dive into the fascinating, and frankly hilarious, world of George Washington's presidential salary.
 |
| How Much Did George Washington Get Paid To Be President |
From Riches to Rags (Kind Of)
Let's get this out of the way first: George Washington wasn't exactly hurting for cash. The dude owned a giant estate, Mount Vernon, and was pretty well-off before he even became president. But being the leader of a brand new nation comes with its own set of financial considerations.
QuickTip: Don’t just scroll — process what you see.
The Salary Situation: A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Here's where things get interesting. Congress, in all their wisdom, decided that the president, the whole "leader of the free world" guy, deserved a cool $25,000 a year. Now, that might seem like a lot back in 1789, but consider this: that salary was equal to about 2% of the entire federal budget. Imagine getting paid 2% of your company's income – that's some serious trust (or maybe a shoestring budget).
But Wait, There's More! (Except There Isn't)
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
Now, you might be thinking, "Surely there were benefits, a presidential expense account, maybe a lifetime supply of powdered wigs?" Nope. George Washington was all about frugality. In fact, he declined his salary for the first year, because he didn't want to seem like he was in it for the money. Talk about a guy dedicated to public service!
 |
So, How Much Did Washington REALLY Make?
Here's the kicker: even though he declined it at first, Washington eventually accepted the $25,000 salary. Considering inflation, that's roughly equivalent to $798,715 today. Not bad, right? Although, knowing Washington, he probably spent most of it on practical things like fixing fences at Mount Vernon and buying a lifetime supply of good quality shoe buckles.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
Presidential Pay: Fun Facts That Won't Make You Rich (But Will Make You Smile)
- Washington wasn't the only president who took a pay cut. James Madison actually lost money during his presidency because of the War of 1812.
- Fun fact: If you bought $25,000 worth of gold in 1789 and held onto it, you'd be a very wealthy person today. Just sayin'.
## Frequently Asked Questions (Because We Know You Have Them):
How to be frugal like George Washington?
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
- Make a budget and stick to it (although Washington probably just used a really fancy quill and some parchment).
- Avoid unnecessary expenses (like, say, a fleet of personal battleships).
- Invest wisely (though stocks weren't really a thing back then, so maybe invest in a good set of tools and some strong rope).
How to convince your boss to give you a raise?
- Try the honesty route: explain your financial situation and the value you bring to the company. (Probably wouldn't have worked for Washington – "Hey guys, about that whole leading a revolution thing...")
- Maybe offer to work extra hours? (Although Washington probably already worked like 20 hours a day).
- Dress for success? (Washington always looked pretty sharp, so that might be a good start).
How to travel like a president (on a budget)?
- Hitchhiking wasn't really a thing back then, but maybe try carpooling?
- Forget fancy hotels – sleep under the stars! (Though Washington probably had a pretty sweet tent).
- Pack light – the less you carry, the less you spend on baggage fees (which, again, weren't a thing back then, but you get the idea).
 |
