How "rich" are you - or not?

[Anonymous]

I'll admit I am jealous. I work 3 jobs, my husband's business is in danger of going kaput in the coming months. I am scared. I can barely afford health insurance. I haven't had a raise in 4 years. I read about everyone here making lavish salaries, or being a SAHM in a house they can afford. I'm not trying to be hostile, but it does hurt to read about everyone else's success when I am scraping by working long, hard hours to see it all go out the door.

[Anonymous]

How much do you have in your 401K (or other retirement accounts)? $200K approx.
How much is your mortgage? $3,000
What is your household income? $140K
how old are you (and spouse)? i'm 35 and my husband is 43
What (if any) debt (other than mortgage) are you dealing with? student loan for $10K and line of credit for $50K
What profession are you and/or spouse in? husband is senior vp at a consulting firm

[Anonymous]

I, too, an extremely jealous as we make a very modest HHI. The jealousy is making me upset.

[Anonymous]

Please do not be upset. With a few exceptions, most of the people who responded came her to brag about their money.

In my experience, those who feel a need or can be persuaded to brag about their money aren't very happy people.

Plus, I still think some of the posters are big fat men living with their moms.

[Anonymous]

retirement: 4,500
mortgage: 2,200
student loans: 12,000
income: 67,000
profession: nonprofit exec
Age: 32 (single mom)

[Anonymous]

I suppose this post was started by a rich man who wants to confirm that the poor live in envy of the rich

[Anonymous]

OP here - this post was started by someone with a reasonable HHI and profession (relative to this area) but not doing very well in the savings department. Just thought it would be interesting to see how others are doing. It makes me feel better to see that some are doing about the same and when I see the ones who are doing better it confirms that we need to get our act in gear. Sorry to upset the ones who feel frustrated when they read about how well some others may be doing. I don't get frustrated when I read that information - because I know that there are many people doing well in this area already.

[Anonymous]

The young poster here (25 and 28). For those of you feeling bad-don't. How do you even know these people are telling the truth? We don't. And remember this is just numbers, you never really know what is going on at home. Not to say that those doing well have lots of hardships. I am "young" "inexperienced" and "poor." I am comfortable with that. I find this thread interesting, and take it with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

PP here I did not mean to put a 8). It was supposed to be an 8

[Anonymous]

I can't let 1/19 11:35 do this alone, because I think she's right. First of all, this is about the most unscientific "poll" I've ever read, so I don't know what we're learning from it.

Maybe we need a thread about money versus class (defined partly as NOT talking about your money). Or how my kid is cuter than yours.

[Anonymous]

I like posts like these - whether here or on some other anonymous board, "surveys" about people's income, mortgages, savings, etc., are almost the only way to glean information about the way other people handle their money. When I see someone making less than me, but has greater savings, it definitely makes me pause and wonder what am I doing with my money - especially when other info like mortgage payments, debt and retirement is included. I know they are unscientific, and I never let them make me jealous, or feel bad, but I think "surveys" like this can be a helpful way to get people thinking, and maybe even (gasp!) talking about money. I think this country's obsession with keeping money matters private has gone a long way in contributing to the culture of consumerism and general stupidity of the public as a whole when it comes to handling our finances.

[Anonymous]

I agree, not saving enough is a huge problem. And wanting what we can't afford has helped us get into today's financial mess.

But you say that keeping money matters private "contributes" to consumerism? Surely talking about money and your wealth is part of the whole consumerism problem of being dissatisfied with your own lifestyle and needing what the Jones have. I doubt that learning on DCUM that two lawyers who earn over $1M can manage $600K in mortgage payments and enjoy $300 K in equity is going to do anything for anybody's personal savings rate.

So take a personal finance class, or go to one of the many online places that help people start saving. Google "saving" and you will find tons of sites, like ASEC, even Wikihow has something on saving.

[Anonymous]

retirement/savings: 250,000
mortgage: none (we can't afford a house here, but pay $1,600 in rent)
other debt: none
income: 96,000
profession: government (mid-level manager), SAHD
Ages: 38, 42

[Anonymous]

401K - maybe $100K now after the huge losses in 2008. I save 15% from every paycheck and fund my Roth with any bonuses or tax refunds. Need to start a 529 plan this year.

Mortgage is a bit over $100K - bought a place in 1999 and haven't pulled out much equity to keep payments low.

Household income - $85K, down from $100K+ a couple years ago. (took a lower-paying job to have more time at home.) Not sure what my daughter's father makes. (we're not together.)

I'm 36. My daughter's father is 35.

Other debt? I have maybe $12K in student loans and a couple thousand left to pay off on my 2004 car.

What profession are you and/or spouse in? I work in finance for a nonprofit. Daughter's father is military.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Plus, I still think some of the posters are big fat men living with their moms.

hahaha!