Anyone making 120k or less?

[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.

You’re not a failure, you have a job that makes a difference in people’s lives. You enjoy your job. Imagine going into an office, turning on your computer and having to stare at it all day? That’s a nightmare for a lot of people.

[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.

You’re not a failure, you have a job that makes a difference in people’s lives. You enjoy your job. Imagine going into an office, turning on your computer and having to stare at it all day? That’s a nightmare for a lot of people.

I read a Reddit thread recently asking people making between 50-100k what they do. The most common answers were blue collar work (trades, postal carrier, manufacturing-related) and socially beneficial jobs like teacher, social worker, SLP, therapist, etc. Actually pretty heartwarming, a lot of the comments were just "thanks for the work you do!"

[Anonymous]

I juuust this year exceeded $120k for the first time! Single parent, bought a SFH in a quiet but convenient corner of Columbia Heights back when I was married.
We’re doing great! I refuse to take out loans or carry a credit card balance, so I drive a *gasp* Nissan Altima I saved and paid cash for, and my kids love thrift shopping. We’re often the only white people at kid activities (yes, there’s cheap ballet/ piano/ martial arts if you aren’t a snob.) We cook 29 days out of 30 and the kids are really getting good at it.
I save for retirement. We take great vacations most years, which often involve staying with friends and in youth hostels, and park picnics most days. We’re saving now to do a photo safari in Tanzania next year.
Honestly OP, this board will convince you that anything under $400k is destitution but I promise we are happier than a large majority of people who post here. It’s all about priorities and being true to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I juuust this year exceeded $120k for the first time! Single parent, bought a SFH in a quiet but convenient corner of Columbia Heights back when I was married.
We’re doing great! I refuse to take out loans or carry a credit card balance, so I drive a *gasp* Nissan Altima I saved and paid cash for, and my kids love thrift shopping. We’re often the only white people at kid activities (yes, there’s cheap ballet/ piano/ martial arts if you aren’t a snob.) We cook 29 days out of 30 and the kids are really getting good at it.
I save for retirement. We take great vacations most years, which often involve staying with friends and in youth hostels, and park picnics most days. We’re saving now to do a photo safari in Tanzania next year.
Honestly OP, this board will convince you that anything under $400k is destitution but I promise we are happier than a large majority of people who post here. It’s all about priorities and being true to yourself.

Congrats! Very inspiring !

[Anonymous]

This hits me as well. I just started making $125k a year as an attorney for the government. Spouse makes much more than I do in private practice, but we both work a 40 hour work week. 3 kids, none in college yet, but soon. House is paid off and we have good schools. Half my take home pay goes into the family budget, and only 20% of theirs does. which is much more than I pay, but I am able to fully fund my 401K, Backdoor Roth IRA, Treasury I Bonds, etc.. I am more flexible for kids doctor visits and sick days.

[Anonymous]

I make $90K, have 2 kids both working/college and a dysfunctional, barely employed DH. Hoping to break 6 figures this year.

[Anonymous]

$3500 rent is a lot on 100k salary... But I guess you are making it work?

[Anonymous]

I make $70k in a stable government type job. Spouse is in sales so it's variable -- in a good year $100k, in a not so good year (lately) more like $65k. We have two kids in their early teen years. I wish we could save more but we're digging ourselves out of some medical debt from Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

What work do you do? I’m making 100k but want a low stress 65k gig with insurance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$3500 rent is a lot on 100k salary... But I guess you are making it work?

I pay $2800 and can't make it work with a $100k salary. I agree. $2000 is more reasonable with a lower salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I juuust this year exceeded $120k for the first time! Single parent, bought a SFH in a quiet but convenient corner of Columbia Heights back when I was married.
We’re doing great! I refuse to take out loans or carry a credit card balance, so I drive a *gasp* Nissan Altima I saved and paid cash for, and my kids love thrift shopping. We’re often the only white people at kid activities (yes, there’s cheap ballet/ piano/ martial arts if you aren’t a snob.) We cook 29 days out of 30 and the kids are really getting good at it.
I save for retirement. We take great vacations most years, which often involve staying with friends and in youth hostels, and park picnics most days. We’re saving now to do a photo safari in Tanzania next year.
Honestly OP, this board will convince you that anything under $400k is destitution but I promise we are happier than a large majority of people who post here. It’s all about priorities and being true to yourself.

I'm a PP aiming for great vacations on a budget - tell me about where you've stayed in youth hostels that are great for families, please! We've reserved campsites and state park cabins for most of the long weekends in 2024 ($20-50/night), but hope to take some more ambitious trips as the kids get older!

[Anonymous]

I earn 80,000, live in NY. Spouse makes a bit less. Luckily we are not huge spenders by nature. I’d just like to do more with our house, take more trips, but otherwise we are doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I earn 80,000, live in NY. Spouse makes a bit less. Luckily we are not huge spenders by nature. I’d just like to do more with our house, take more trips, but otherwise we are doing well.

+1

I live in Nevada. Like you I make 80k which goes farther here than it does in NY. I'm not a huge spender either. My current vehicle is 8 years old and paid off. I don't upgrade my cell phone every year and I cut off my cable TV last year. I live well and unlike many others, the recent cost of inflation increases didn't affect me one bit.

My lifestyle wouldn't change even if I started to make 200k per year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I juuust this year exceeded $120k for the first time! Single parent, bought a SFH in a quiet but convenient corner of Columbia Heights back when I was married.
We’re doing great! I refuse to take out loans or carry a credit card balance, so I drive a *gasp* Nissan Altima I saved and paid cash for, and my kids love thrift shopping. We’re often the only white people at kid activities (yes, there’s cheap ballet/ piano/ martial arts if you aren’t a snob.) We cook 29 days out of 30 and the kids are really getting good at it.
I save for retirement. We take great vacations most years, which often involve staying with friends and in youth hostels, and park picnics most days. We’re saving now to do a photo safari in Tanzania next year.
Honestly OP, this board will convince you that anything under $400k is destitution but I promise we are happier than a large majority of people who post here. It’s all about priorities and being true to yourself.

I'm a PP aiming for great vacations on a budget - tell me about where you've stayed in youth hostels that are great for families, please! We've reserved campsites and state park cabins for most of the long weekends in 2024 ($20-50/night), but hope to take some more ambitious trips as the kids get older!

We did youth hostels all over France right before the pandemic. The Alps generally and Chamonix specifically was phenomenal. And because the kids were pretty young and it wasn’t high season, the hostel gave us a private room upgrade for free. We also stayed in a couple of Chambres d’Hotes that were charming and comfortable. Meals are often included (or an inexpensive add on) and amazing.
I haven’t stayed in any hostels in the US I’m afraid. But I’d be interested! We usually do Air BnB or VRBO here and save on eating out by cooking at the property.

[Anonymous]

Both DH and I make just under $80k, so hhi of $150-160. No kids. We are super comfortable, which Im sure would be different if we had kids. Not in the DC area which also helps. We are both hybrid, with my job being very low key, DH in local govt.

House was bought in 2014 and mortgage is only $1200/mon, no intention to pay it off super quick, so theres still a good few years there. No other debt. Older cars, which will likely need to be replaced soon (2008/2009). We take as many vacations as we can! Nothing planned for 2024 yet though.

By dcum standards we are very poor, but honestly I'm quite happy with how things are right now. I hope to break $100k in the next few years!