Does anyone here live very well on very little?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

For many folks in serious careers, unless your job translates well to the country life, it can be a huge salary cut to change careers in your 30s to have the simple life. Raleigh is nice, but as what kind of work is there for a DOD program manager or an world bank economist? Maybe work at SAS, but they are actually on the decline since everyone and their brother is getting into business analytics. These small towns tend to have a thin job market, unless you are a doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

"government job" what does that even mean? what do you *do*, whether for the government or private industry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

I had an SCI clearance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

I had an SCI clearance.

Right, but again, depending on what you do you may not be able to do it anywhere else but here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

I had an SCI clearance.

That describes a 'trait'. Where you an analyst for Arabic intelligence? GIS expert identifying suspicious locations in N Korea? DOD program manager building secure document repositories? All these have jobs in civilian industries but not necessarily in small low COL cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

How do you command such high salaries in low COL markets?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

I had an SCI clearance.

Right, but again, depending on what you do you may not be able to do it anywhere else but here.

I'm the Raleigh poster, and I agree that you might not be able to do the exact same job here. BUT, you should be able to find a job of some sort that makes nearly as much money as your current job. Obviously, this isn't true for everyone, but for the people who feel stuck in the rat race of DC, you should TRY to look elsewhere for employment. 200k/year goes WAY further down here, and I know a lot of people who make that much or two income families that make that much as a household. That becomes much more doable when daycare is only 700/month for one kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

How do you command such high salaries in low COL markets?

I don't even consider what we make as "high" just because all of my neighbors make way more. Some of the job that the people on my block have:
Statistician
CPA
Occupational Therapist
Food Service sales
Engineer
Teacher
Real estate agent
Building supply sales
Administrators for city/state government
Small business owners

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

I had an SCI clearance.

Right, but again, depending on what you do you may not be able to do it anywhere else but here.

I'm the Raleigh poster, and I agree that you might not be able to do the exact same job here. BUT, you should be able to find a job of some sort that makes nearly as much money as your current job. Obviously, this isn't true for everyone, but for the people who feel stuck in the rat race of DC, you should TRY to look elsewhere for employment. 200k/year goes WAY further down here, and I know a lot of people who make that much or two income families that make that much as a household. That becomes much more doable when daycare is only 700/month for one kid.

Maybe we don't want to? What if the work I do prevents terrorist attacks and I don't really care how much money I make since the mission is so important? If I could go to Raleigh and work for a defense company and have a better life that may be ok for my family, but what if what I do makes a difference in keeping America safe? To me that's worth sucking it up and living in the DMV area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's threads like these that make me appreciate the area I live in and the lifestyle that allows me to lead. Our HHI is about $180k. Our house was $330k (mortgage, PITI is $1700/month), and that bought a new build, 3400 SF home, two miles from downtown. Our public schools are pretty good. Child care costs are low. We are able to max out retirement savings and save for college starting when the kids were babies. The job market here is good, and my husband could replace his job easily if he lost his current one. Mine would be harder to replace.

It's a low-stress, financially freeing way to live. I save where I can when it's not too much trouble, but I have no problem dropping cash for the things I want. Having low living costs really frees you up for all the other things you want.

You all should move!

I'm totally with you. Similar situation, similar [earned] income (but we've invested so much over the years that investment income is rapidly approaching earned income).

It's such a better life.

The OP asked if anyone "here" lives well on very little. Some of us don't have the option to move to lower COL areas because of jobs (biglaw, government, contracting, spooks, etc.). I dream of the country life, but unless DH and I change careers it can't happen.

There are government jobs in other parts of the country. I know, I've held one.

If you don't want to move, fine. But claiming that it's impossible just makes us realize how unimaginative and incapable you really are to effect any sort of change in your life.

Eh, maybe if you work in something that translates to the state level. Some of the secrety stuff you can only do around here.

I had an SCI clearance.

Right, but again, depending on what you do you may not be able to do it anywhere else but here.

I'm the Raleigh poster, and I agree that you might not be able to do the exact same job here. BUT, you should be able to find a job of some sort that makes nearly as much money as your current job. Obviously, this isn't true for everyone, but for the people who feel stuck in the rat race of DC, you should TRY to look elsewhere for employment. 200k/year goes WAY further down here, and I know a lot of people who make that much or two income families that make that much as a household. That becomes much more doable when daycare is only 700/month for one kid.

Maybe we don't want to? What if the work I do prevents terrorist attacks and I don't really care how much money I make since the mission is so important? If I could go to Raleigh and work for a defense company and have a better life that may be ok for my family, but what if what I do makes a difference in keeping America safe? To me that's worth sucking it up and living in the DMV area.

Then you should absolutely stay where you are because that is where you want to be. I'm talking to the people who have nothing but complaints about the area, but yet they choose to stay there.

[Anonymous]

God no and our HHI is over 500k. I know how that sounds and I know we are fortunate but we really don't live luxuriously on this income, which is sad. When I was a kid, that kind of money sounded like so much to me.