Anyone making 120k or less?

[Anonymous]

Anyone living off one salary right now? Or work a regular job that makes an average salary? What does your life look like? Are you happy? Also bonus where do you live comfortably?

[Anonymous]

Most people in the world, including the DMV, are making 120k or less
Get some perspective and why do you ask

[Anonymous]

Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

Are you striving for your kids to be more upwardly mobile than you? Are you immigrants and what are your education levels?

[Anonymous]

Yes! I make 110 with bonus, and husband makes around 50k. We have one child and live in an apartment in Vienna. We have decided not to have a second kid, with finances being half the reason.

[Anonymous]

We made it work. One parent at home, older paid off cars, cheaper house that we mainly DIY and saved up to pay cash for major things like the roof. No vacations or very simple/cheaper ones. We do eat out more than we should but usually asian or fast casual. Very happy. House is paid off now as we made that a priority and now we have plenty of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

Are you striving for your kids to be more upwardly mobile than you? Are you immigrants and what are your education levels?

No, we are white. We both have college degrees. I’m a reading specialist at a school. I make $65k.

I enjoy helping kids learn to enjoy reading by giving them confidence.

I hope my kids find careers they are passionate about.

By local standards we are a failure. I get it.

[Anonymous]

I make 65k and spouse makes 100k.
We own our own small SFH in northern Silver Spring. 2 cars, payment on one, other we own outright. No debt other than mortgage. One kid. We’re happy, we have friends, we go on a vacation every year plus beach trips. We own a Beach condo that we rent out so it pays for itself.
Be nice to make more but I value the low stress nature of my job, it works for our family. Our kid was never in daycare for long hours or going to bed late because of work or commute. We’re good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

Are you striving for your kids to be more upwardly mobile than you? Are you immigrants and what are your education levels?

No, we are white. We both have college degrees. I’m a reading specialist at a school. I make $65k.

I enjoy helping kids learn to enjoy reading by giving them confidence.

I hope my kids find careers they are passionate about.

By local standards we are a failure. I get it.

TBH I think you're doing great. So many people hate their jobs, but you love yours. Even people who love their jobs might have jobs that are a drain on society and harmful. But you contribute so much to society. You're winning at life!

[Anonymous]

I finally cracked $100,000 last year. I’m a single parent. DD is now in high school and I think I made about $105k total this year with a tiny bonus.

We live in a very small house with one bathroom (the house’s main drawback). Schools are ones in MCPS that many on DCUM denigrate, but they are OK.

We go on one weeklong vacation a year, sometimes driving, sometimes flying. Went to Europe twice with DD. Eating out has been mainly fast casual.

I often don’t even look at the Money threads here because people make so much more. At the same time I think we’ve done fine on a modest income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

Thank you for sharing! We are currently pregnant - after many many rounds of fertility treatment and we are so grateful. Thinking ahead and I have a flexible job that I can only do in a big city - very very high col. And DH and I always said we would love for one of us to stay home. Financially and have we don't want to outsource but it would mean cutting way back. DH has Amazing benefits and stability. Most years I tech make more but that's no guarantee and if I go part time that goes down or take any leave I'm making zero dollars since I work for myself. I don't know. DH feels pressure to get a higher paying job but he's also been at his job for 12 years and realistically I don't see it happening. He's bringing in around 98 right now again with fantastic benefits and healthcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

Are you striving for your kids to be more upwardly mobile than you? Are you immigrants and what are your education levels?

No, we are white. We both have college degrees. I’m a reading specialist at a school. I make $65k.

I enjoy helping kids learn to enjoy reading by giving them confidence.

I hope my kids find careers they are passionate about.

By local standards we are a failure. I get it.

Wow.

I admire and respect people who are passionate about their work, and have made it their profession to use their skills for the greater good.

I’m sorry someone was asking about your education levels. I’m not sure if is widely understood that this is what a family with two young teacher parents looks like in this area (not sure if that’s the case here, but just taking a guess).

You’re saving money, taking care of your kids, and doing work that matters to you. That sounds like success to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I finally cracked $100,000 last year. I’m a single parent. DD is now in high school and I think I made about $105k total this year with a tiny bonus.

We live in a very small house with one bathroom (the house’s main drawback). Schools are ones in MCPS that many on DCUM denigrate, but they are OK.

We go on one weeklong vacation a year, sometimes driving, sometimes flying. Went to Europe twice with DD. Eating out has been mainly fast casual.

I often don’t even look at the Money threads here because people make so much more. At the same time I think we’ve done fine on a modest income. [

It definitely sounds like you've done more than fine! Thank you for sharing. I know logically normal salaries are more common than not and I grew up with a single mom and I don't think we ever cracked 40-50k the years my dad wasn't around. I think we need to get out of our area and we are surrounded by high high earners - who just picked lucrative careers and had a lot of advantages/connections. And we just aren't there. Maybe minus 2 friends everyone else has insane family money or hhi above 500k and that's just not us and Wil never be but I think I need to remember that's the norm

[Anonymous]

Yup. We’re a white, two earner couple with 3 kids.

We bought after the last financial crisis and have one rental unit so that helped. Mortgage rate is under 4%.

Drive two very old cars that we paid cash for.

Day trips not vacations.

State colleges are what’s doable.

Save for retirement and college but retirement first.

Used a small inheritance to get ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we make $120k combined. No real bonus structure in either of our jobs. We have 3 kids. Live in a 2 bedroom townhouse so it’s cozy. We live in south Arlington in an area that commonly is discussed on here as trashy and low- rent but it’s what we can afford. Our jobs tie us to this region so no leaving. We don’t vacation more than day trips to the beach or hikes. The kids don’t really know different at this point.

I guess I should be upset we aren’t in a position to show them the world, but we have money to put food on the table and save a tiny bit each month. Though at this point buying a bigger house is likely out of the question.

Are you striving for your kids to be more upwardly mobile than you? Are you immigrants and what are your education levels?

No, we are white. We both have college degrees. I’m a reading specialist at a school. I make $65k.

I enjoy helping kids learn to enjoy reading by giving them confidence.

I hope my kids find careers they are passionate about.

By local standards we are a failure. I get it.

Wow.

I admire and respect people who are passionate about their work, and have made it their profession to use their skills for the greater good.

I’m sorry someone was asking about your education levels. I’m not sure if is widely understood that this is what a family with two young teacher parents looks like in this area (not sure if that’s the case here, but just taking a guess).

You’re saving money, taking care of your kids, and doing work that matters to you. That sounds like success to me.

We aren’t that young anymore 😉.

It’s not easy, 3 kids in one bedroom isn’t for the faint of heart, but we make much more than our neighbors, so it’s all about perspective. I’m a realist - and maybe blunt to a fault - so I try to accept our situation and not dwell on it.

I grew up UMC and actually had a very different childhood than my children will most likely have. But, it’s fine.

I may have even taught some of your kids reading this as I teach in the area.