Tough times for Steve Ballmer

A well-known software chief exec has had to take a slight pay cut this year and has lost out on $100,000 from his annual bonus, due to his company's latest financial results not being as rosy as in previous years.

According to an NEC filing His total salary for 2009 was $1,265,833 or $1.26m rounded up, compared to $1,340,833 or $1,34m in 2008.

How will he cope?

Luckily for him, all the major supermarkets carry a basics range now and there are lots of cut price holiday deals still around.

I know he will get through this.

However, to be fair to him - his pay is pretty moderate compared to a lot of chief executives in this industry, who shall remain nameless.

I wish I had his share options though!