Originally Posted by CBreezy

First, per diem isn't for a crash pad. That's a ridiculous claim. Second, I bring almost all the food I need for a trip and only buy meals or food that I'd buy if I were at home. So, for me, per diem is "income" because it costs me exactly the same as it would to work in an office. When you have to pinch pennies, every penny matters. It's not fair to sit here and compare minimum wage jobs using only base pay as the yard stick. I've had the same argument with fellow veterans about them saying housing allowances can't be factored in when talking about compensation. If you want to really compare, you have to take all money in and all money out. A smart and thrifty person can pack for a trip so that financially it makes no difference that he/she isn't at home.