Weasley Wealth

[bookraptor11 at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 28763

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Cindy C." <cynthiaanncoe at h...> wrote:
> Megan wrote:
> 
> But, compared to Muggle life, what is draining
> > the Weasley's wealth to the extent that they have essentially no
> > savings?  Molly uses magic to feed her family, there's no 
mortage, 
> no
> > vehicle payments> >Snip<

> the Weasleys must buy wands, potion ingredients, books, 
broomsticks, 
> Floo powder, owls, parchment, cauldrons, clothing, tent rental for 
> QWC, and a Ford Anglia.  Presumably they must pay for medical care, 
> and I think JKR has made it clear that they can't just conjure 
things 
> they need, so they must buy food as well.  

> Cindy (who doesn't feel too sorry for the Weasleys, as she can't 
> recall a mention of them being forced to pay taxes)

Speaking of mortgage and taxes, I wonder how this works for wizarding 
families.  I know it's been discussed before and agreed that Hogwarts 
is hidden from muggles, as is the Hogwart's express, platform 9 and 
3/4, Diagon Alley, and probably Hogsmead.  But what about individual 
houses?  If they are, perhaps a specialized wizard has to renew the 
charms every year for a fee, taking a chunk out of a wizard's salary 
comparable to muggle mortgage or property taxes.

Maybe they have to pay a wizard income tax every year to help support 
the concealment charms on public properties, such as those listed 
above, the MOM, and the politician's salaries.

Also wizards or witches like Mrs. Figg, who are living more in the 
muggle world would have to deal with property taxes at least. Since 
she seems to be pretty old, she probably doesn't have to worry about 
income tax, and she can still get away to buy supplies in the wizard 
shops. Maybe her age is why she was chosen to go, less complicated 
fitting in than a younger person moneywise, and any eccentricities 
would be attributed to her age.  The elderly tend to be overlooked, 
unfortunately for those who aren't witches undercover.

Donna