Many people may have heard that solar panels pay for themselves in the long term of energy consumption, but they can also pay for themselves in the added value of a house. The premium added to a solar-powered house is about $4 to $5 per watt of power produced.
The first lady (or, to be politically correct, first spouse, since thereâs a chance a man may hold the title next year) receives no salary for any work she undertakes while her husband is in officeâa situation that hasnât changed, even as the role has evolved from hostess to political powerhouse.
Michelle Obama's staff consisted of 18 employees who got paid nearly $1.5 million in salary in 2010, according to the administration's Annual Report to Congress on White House Staff. The size of Michelle Obama's 2010 staff is comparable to the staff of former First Lady Laura Bush in 2008. Both First Ladies had 15 staffers directly under them, plus three more in the Office of the White House Social Secretary. 1  The 15 employees who were members of Michelle Obama's staff in the Office of the First Lady were paid $1,198,870 in 2010.