How do households live on less than 100k a year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to live on that, OP. You can be a government employee - I know many that make at least $150k each and they are not that qualified. Look up the salaries, it is all public information.

Their household makes over $300k, and they both work from home!

Huh, news to me. I'm a federal employee with a master's degree and I make 80k.

How long have you been a fed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We're a family of four living on 100K a year in close-in DC burbs. Kids go/went to public school. One is in college.

This board is a bubble.

Lol! This board has to be the most out of touch space i've ever seen.

This board's out of touch quality is why I look at this board! It's hilarious.

There's a thread about the Ramona Quimby books somewhere on here. Read it for helpful hints. Yes, the stories are old, but they are still relevant. I used to live very comfortably on $65,000/year, not very long ago.

[Anonymous]

The only people I see or read about regarding struggling finances are the I want Gimme dat crowd of young spoiled children who think life is multiple vacations and their parents should foot the bill for every extra they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We're a family of four living on 100K a year in close-in DC burbs. Kids go/went to public school. One is in college.

This board is a bubble.

Boomers and gen-x live in a bubble. You have no idea how much costs have skyrocketed since you were starting out decades ago.

We graduated into a recession. I paid 8-12% on student loans. You have no idea, pp.

Yeah we used to say that too. Every gen feels the same (I.e., we are so fked and it’s your fault!)

-boomer

Hahaha oh really? Boomers used to blame who? The greatest generation? When they inherited the strongest economy the world has ever seen? Please tell me about how you struggled.

[Anonymous]

I live on $120k since my ex husband lost his mind and job. I pull from retirement and work 2 jobs to pay for our lifestyle. No idea what will happen in the future. Hope I can work more years.

[Anonymous]

We live in a cheaper very small house, we shop at places like Aldi's and Walmart, shop sales and clearances for clothing/shoes, and only vacation every few years. It's really not that hard. The problem is people are willing to get into crazy bidding wars for houses they cannot afford and insist on vacations, expensive designer brand stuff, etc. Less kids. We managed to save for a state school and grad school, pay off our house early and more... really its not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live on $120k since my ex husband lost his mind and job. I pull from retirement and work 2 jobs to pay for our lifestyle. No idea what will happen in the future. Hope I can work more years.

You need to change your lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to live on that, OP. You can be a government employee - I know many that make at least $150k each and they are not that qualified. Look up the salaries, it is all public information.

Their household makes over $300k, and they both work from home!

Huh, news to me. I'm a federal employee with a master's degree and I make 80k.

This is more common than people realize. Teachers, social workers, public health officials, non-profit workers...

[Anonymous]

We are family of two and live on $80k after taxes.
$27k on rent+few bills
$12k for health and dental
$8k for food
$6k for camps, aftercare,PTA
$6k student loans
$6k for shopping
$15k for all else
Car is new, paid off, short commute, no animals, never sick, free pool, public schools, cheap uniform at work, free parking,free gym, no extras to pay for, free food at work, free babysitting, free travel for the kid if with relatives.
I work part time, so there's no money stress as I can always work more. We also have investments. $80k was plenty last year and we try to repeat it.

[Anonymous]

Lived just fine off of it, owned a home, had a nice dependable car, traveled. It's called budgeting and priorities and, as someone else stated, adjusting expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live on $120k since my ex husband lost his mind and job. I pull from retirement and work 2 jobs to pay for our lifestyle. No idea what will happen in the future. Hope I can work more years.

You need to change your lifestyle.

This is the only thing that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to live on that, OP. You can be a government employee - I know many that make at least $150k each and they are not that qualified. Look up the salaries, it is all public information.

Their household makes over $300k, and they both work from home!

Huh, news to me. I'm a federal employee with a master's degree and I make 80k.

How long have you been a fed?

6 years. Base pay was 65k+ for a masters in my area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to live on that, OP. You can be a government employee - I know many that make at least $150k each and they are not that qualified. Look up the salaries, it is all public information.

Their household makes over $300k, and they both work from home!

Huh, news to me. I'm a federal employee with a master's degree and I make 80k.

How long have you been a fed?

6 years. Base pay was 65k+ for a masters in my area.

in the DC metro!

[Anonymous]

I’m a single mom of one and make $85k. I rent a two bedroom townhome, have a car payment, student loans, and pay for dance classes for my daughter. We go weekend getaways once or twice in the summer. Usually somewhere we can stay with family to save on hotel costs. It can be a struggle at times, but I make it work. My child and has a roof over her head, food, and clothes. That’s the important thing.

[Anonymous]

If you can’t live off of $200k, examine your expenses.

It’s very easy to live on $100k or less.