My gross pay of about $6,000 twice per month gives me a net pay of only about $3500 twice per month. Damned taxes! It's enough to make a die hard liberal like myself turn conservative! I live pretty frugally, actually.
Ha, my "simplistic" math was only off by $300!!! My guess was you take home $6700 per month but you're taking $7k. Yes, damn the taxes. I wonder if there's some kind of tax break you can take for the wife-2b's tuition. Or maybe you have to get married to take the tax break.
You should definitely negotiate with the company. What they're calling a promotion is a euphemism for a pay reduction with the accompanying enslavement of golden handcuffs.