Not making it on $100K? NPR story

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K

Different poster, but they've decided that saving that $36k is more important to them than spending it. And they probably have a modest home (rather than a mcmansion) because it better suits their priorities.

If you save $36K you have $74K left to pay for housing, taxes, medical insurance, food, bills, preschool, part-time nanny, , travel abroad and smartphones (according to OP's own description of their expenses). It just does not add up.

So after taxes what is going to be left is about $54k after taxes (assuming VA).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K

Different poster, but they've decided that saving that $36k is more important to them than spending it. And they probably have a modest home (rather than a mcmansion) because it better suits their priorities.

If you save $36K you have $74K left to pay for housing, taxes, medical insurance, food, bills, preschool, part-time nanny, , travel abroad and smartphones (according to OP's own description of their expenses). It just does not add up.

You have less than that considering taxes. And don't forget the luxury apartment.

People are so full of shit on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K

Different poster, but they've decided that saving that $36k is more important to them than spending it. And they probably have a modest home (rather than a mcmansion) because it better suits their priorities.

If you save $36K you have $74K left to pay for housing, taxes, medical insurance, food, bills, preschool, part-time nanny, , travel abroad and smartphones (according to OP's own description of their expenses). It just does not add up.

So after taxes what is going to be left is about $54k after taxes (assuming VA).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

Hey Op- this is inspiring; could you post your budget if you have time? We do have SN costs for one, which have cost about $8000 out of pocket in the last year, but that should go down to $5,000 a year for the next three.

Op here. We make 120. Our budget is not inspiring-we splurge and don't really bargain hunt. That's why I find these stories of 'not making it' on 100k Baffling. Please note I'm not at all recomending our budget, we 'splurge' a lot-groceries, health insurance, travel. but, anyway, here it is:

Roughly $6300/month

$1000-health insurance
$1000-nanny
$2800-rent+util +wifi+cell+parking (2 bed/2bath)
$500-grocery
$500-dining out/coffee
$500-shopping, gifts, travel etc.

Also, we only fund our tsp's at about 60% of the max allowed, sorry to confuse that earlier.
Outside of tsp we're not saving really much right now, but not tapping our substantial savings either.

[Anonymous]

Op here. We make 120. Our budget is not inspiring-we splurge and don't really bargain hunt. That's why I find these stories of 'not making it' on 100k Baffling. Please note I'm not at all recomending our budget, we 'splurge' a lot-groceries, health insurance, travel. but, anyway, here it is:

Roughly $6300/month

$1000-health insurance
$1000-nanny
$2800-rent+util +wifi+cell+parking (2 bed/2bath)
$500-grocery
$500-dining out/coffee
$500-shopping, gifts, travel etc.

Also, we only fund our tsp's at about 60% of the max allowed, sorry to confuse that earlier.
Outside of tsp we're not saving really much right now, but not tapping our substantial savings either.




In less you only work 10-15 hours a week here you are not getting a nanny for that price. You are not including car insurance, car payments - if you have any, gas, car repairs and other stuff. Its very doable as we've done it but it also assumes things like you don't have a SN child like we do. I had to quit my job and it was daily therapy appointments.

[Anonymous]

We do it. Live in DC with two kids and about $100k HHI. I think we live really well. Plenty of vacations and trips and a lot of eating out.

[Anonymous]

Sorry but we really racked up debt on 110k household income. We had to pay for our own health insurance and lived in an area where rent was really high. Plus preschool is expensive. So I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

Wow you’re so much more amazing and better than this family. Pat yourself on the back for being vastly superior to these losers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Op here. We make 120. Our budget is not inspiring-we splurge and don't really bargain hunt. That's why I find these stories of 'not making it' on 100k Baffling. Please note I'm not at all recomending our budget, we 'splurge' a lot-groceries, health insurance, travel. but, anyway, here it is:

Roughly $6300/month

$1000-health insurance
$1000-nanny
$2800-rent+util +wifi+cell+parking (2 bed/2bath)
$500-grocery
$500-dining out/coffee
$500-shopping, gifts, travel etc.

Also, we only fund our tsp's at about 60% of the max allowed, sorry to confuse that earlier.
Outside of tsp we're not saving really much right now, but not tapping our substantial savings either.




In less you only work 10-15 hours a week here you are not getting a nanny for that price. You are not including car insurance, car payments - if you have any, gas, car repairs and other stuff. Its very doable as we've done it but it also assumes things like you don't have a SN child like we do. I had to quit my job and it was daily therapy appointments.

Golf clap....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K

Different poster, but they've decided that saving that $36k is more important to them than spending it. And they probably have a modest home (rather than a mcmansion) because it better suits their priorities.

If you save $36K you have $74K left to pay for housing, taxes, medical insurance, food, bills, preschool, part-time nanny, , travel abroad and smartphones (according to OP's own description of their expenses). It just does not add up.

So after taxes what is going to be left is about $54k after taxes (assuming VA).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

Hey Op- this is inspiring; could you post your budget if you have time? We do have SN costs for one, which have cost about $8000 out of pocket in the last year, but that should go down to $5,000 a year for the next three.

Op here. We make 120. Our budget is not inspiring-we splurge and don't really bargain hunt. That's why I find these stories of 'not making it' on 100k Baffling. Please note I'm not at all recomending our budget, we 'splurge' a lot-groceries, health insurance, travel. but, anyway, here it is:

Roughly $6300/month

$1000-health insurance
$1000-nanny
$2800-rent+util +wifi+cell+parking (2 bed/2bath)
$500-grocery
$500-dining out/coffee
$500-shopping, gifts, travel etc.

Also, we only fund our tsp's at about 60% of the max allowed, sorry to confuse that earlier.
Outside of tsp we're not saving really much right now, but not tapping our substantial savings either.

You're a class A loser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K

Different poster, but they've decided that saving that $36k is more important to them than spending it. And they probably have a modest home (rather than a mcmansion) because it better suits their priorities.

If you save $36K you have $74K left to pay for housing, taxes, medical insurance, food, bills, preschool, part-time nanny, , travel abroad and smartphones (according to OP's own description of their expenses). It just does not add up.

So after taxes what is going to be left is about $54k after taxes (assuming VA).

Taxes on 74k (tsp contributions are not taxed) will be less than $10k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC col outside of the unhabitable ghetto areas of DC and pg, are at least double the national median.

The reason DC median appears low is because of the user uninhabitable areas listed above pulling the normal areas down

If you takeaway the non habitable areas the DC median and housing costs soar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

Your fortunate to have a healthy family, op. Appreciate your good fortune and stay off the internet about it (because you sound like a real asshat).

+1 Honestly, she sounds beleaguered and grateful and probably like she was downplaying the cost of her kids' disabilities. Two kids with severe nonverbal autism? Multiple major hospitalizations? G-d knows that my finances wouldn't survive that, and I'm a highly educated white collar professional with decent money sense. As for the county services being "pretty good," you know nothing. It takes YEARS to get the county to pay for a therapeutic placement, often while parents pay out of pocket.

Be grateful for what you have, OP, and stop judging people whose lives are much harder than your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K

Different poster, but they've decided that saving that $36k is more important to them than spending it. And they probably have a modest home (rather than a mcmansion) because it better suits their priorities.

If you save $36K you have $74K left to pay for housing, taxes, medical insurance, food, bills, preschool, part-time nanny, , travel abroad and smartphones (according to OP's own description of their expenses). It just does not add up.

So after taxes what is going to be left is about $54k after taxes (assuming VA).

Taxes on 74k (tsp contributions are not taxed) will be less than $10k.

You mean taxes on $64k. 100 - 36 = 64.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NPR story on morning edition about family in gaithersburg who can't make it on $100k (struggle to pay utilities/say they can't afford christmas.) Link isn't up yet, sorry.

I don't get it. Yes they have two special needs kids, but that did not seem to be the bulk of their expenses when the reporter asked about it (and i understand state and county programs are pretty good in this area for funding special therapy/school.) She did describe some medical expenses leading to a bankruptcy.

We make not much more than 100K since both going part time to spend more time with our pre-schooler. we live (i think) pretty luxuriously: part time nanny, rent an apt with pool and concierge on metro line, trips abroad, mostly organic groceries, too many starbucks drinks, smartphones. we also have 6 figures in savings (admittedly from before we went part time) and fully fund our TSP's. i can think of so many areas where we could cut back if we had too-cheaper groceries, switching to domestic only trips, moving to a cheaper apartment. How could anyone not be making it on 100K? I'm genuinely confused. All i can think is they are mortgaged to the hilt and house poor.

Apparently this whole NPR series is about people not making it on 100K. i find it a little ridiculous and really insulting to families who are making it on so much less. What am i missing?

You sound like a jerk. Awesome that you can both work p/t and live large with your preschooler. The woman profiled has TWO SN kids. They are 19 and 20 and from the sounds of it, they won't be able to launch and go to work and live on their own. She isn't mortgaged to the hilt -- they're in a rental apartment, and I'm guessing it isn't as fancy as yours and doesn't have a concierge. Are you really so naïve as to think that ALL of the medical and educational costs for 2 SN young adults are neatly covered by insurance? Have you ever had to go to a specialist that was in network and everything and then you get all kinds of bills later for deductibles and co insurance and testing that was needed where the provider was covered but the facility wasn't or some other jazz like that? Well it's like that, except instead of being a 1 time incident, it's many times a month -- times 2 for 2 kids. Count your blessings and don't worry so much about judging others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has adult children that she’s paying to “go to school”. She needs to cut that out. They’re adults.

They're non verbal autistic and probably need the structure or therapy they get in school!? You act like she's shelling out 70k/yr per kid for them to study communications at Middlebury. Did you listen to the NPR clip or just read the summary?