Do you worry about your kids being able to maintain your current lifestyle?

[Anonymous]

Not really. We are raising four kids on a $220k income (one full time earner and one very part time earner) and live very modestly by DCUM standards, but live quite well compared to most of the country.

[Anonymous]

The secret sauce in life isn’t money, houses, and first class flights. If you’re worried about your kids worrying about trivial stuff like this you’re doing it wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The secret sauce in life isn’t money, houses, and first class flights. If you’re worried about your kids worrying about trivial stuff like this you’re doing it wrong.

Of course it's not, but having enough money for certain things, like to afford kids and a house, those things still matter. And I'm concerned my kids won't be able to afford those milestones, especially with the speed at which AI is replacing knowledge workers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up upper middle class in a LCOL area. Parents did very well and owned multiple businesses.

I went to college with no debt, married husband and we also do well. HHI is around $700-800k a year. Sister is also doing very well and her HHI is around $1-1.2 million a year.

I worry our kids will get used to this lifestyle and never be able to replicate it. They are used to living in large houses, traveling to summer houses, flying on nice vacations (first class many times), etc. they aren’t spoiled at all and seem appreciative as much as kids can be but this is just the life they are used to. DH and I work hard and want to enjoy our life as well.

Do you also worry about your kids being able to maintain their lifestyle as they grow up? Of course DH and I do not want to or expect to fund our kids into adulthood and expect them to find careers and support themselves.

I grew up with so many kids like that and not too many were eager to move back to their old neighborhoods or any similar neighborhood. Some girls were taught early on by their mothers how important money and big houses and first class tickets are. They pushed them to “marry their own kind”. Some bought the whole thing and are living a duplicate of their parents lives.

Why wouldn’t you want to fund them into adulthood if this drastic change in housing for your children occurs? I’m a sure they’ll find a career and hopefully enjoy their work. You should be more interested in teaching them how to live within their means. Let them know that if an unexpected expense came up that they can go to you for help. The best feeling is money security and that has nothing to do with a high income. Your income is not really high enough to sustain first class tickets, summer houses and all the expenses that comes with it.

I’ve been reading this thread the past couple of days and I wasn’t going to be the first to say this but - yes!! I’m shocked OP thinks $700-800K HHI is super lux and that they are concerned about their kids not maintaining that HHI. It’s very much a solid UMC HHI in the DC suburbs, but I wouldn’t ever think to it wealthy, and it’s definitely not rare or even cracking the top 1% of households here based on the data.

Today, you wouldn’t be able to afford a large home (minimum $2M but closer to $3M if you care about the top zips) AND beach house ($2M for OC, $4M if you want Bethany or Rehoboth, and so on), let alone regular business class trips on top of all of that on $700-800K. I’d even say it’s a stretch at the low 1s HHI too unless you’ve got family $ or a liquidity event.

700-800k is not upper middle class - that’s ridiculous. I’m surprised they fly first class on that amount, but just because someone has to budget doesn’t mean they’re not wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up upper middle class in a LCOL area. Parents did very well and owned multiple businesses.

I went to college with no debt, married husband and we also do well. HHI is around $700-800k a year. Sister is also doing very well and her HHI is around $1-1.2 million a year.

I worry our kids will get used to this lifestyle and never be able to replicate it. They are used to living in large houses, traveling to summer houses, flying on nice vacations (first class many times), etc. they aren’t spoiled at all and seem appreciative as much as kids can be but this is just the life they are used to. DH and I work hard and want to enjoy our life as well.

Do you also worry about your kids being able to maintain their lifestyle as they grow up? Of course DH and I do not want to or expect to fund our kids into adulthood and expect them to find careers and support themselves.

I grew up with so many kids like that and not too many were eager to move back to their old neighborhoods or any similar neighborhood. Some girls were taught early on by their mothers how important money and big houses and first class tickets are. They pushed them to “marry their own kind”. Some bought the whole thing and are living a duplicate of their parents lives.

Why wouldn’t you want to fund them into adulthood if this drastic change in housing for your children occurs? I’m a sure they’ll find a career and hopefully enjoy their work. You should be more interested in teaching them how to live within their means. Let them know that if an unexpected expense came up that they can go to you for help. The best feeling is money security and that has nothing to do with a high income. Your income is not really high enough to sustain first class tickets, summer houses and all the expenses that comes with it.

I’ve been reading this thread the past couple of days and I wasn’t going to be the first to say this but - yes!! I’m shocked OP thinks $700-800K HHI is super lux and that they are concerned about their kids not maintaining that HHI. It’s very much a solid UMC HHI in the DC suburbs, but I wouldn’t ever think to it wealthy, and it’s definitely not rare or even cracking the top 1% of households here based on the data.

Today, you wouldn’t be able to afford a large home (minimum $2M but closer to $3M if you care about the top zips) AND beach house ($2M for OC, $4M if you want Bethany or Rehoboth, and so on), let alone regular business class trips on top of all of that on $700-800K. I’d even say it’s a stretch at the low 1s HHI too unless you’ve got family $ or a liquidity event.

700-800k is not upper middle class - that’s ridiculous. I’m surprised they fly first class on that amount, but just because someone has to budget doesn’t mean they’re not wealthy.

Inflation is up 50% since 2010. That means $700-800K today is what $500K was in 2010. Puts it into perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up upper middle class in a LCOL area. Parents did very well and owned multiple businesses.

I went to college with no debt, married husband and we also do well. HHI is around $700-800k a year. Sister is also doing very well and her HHI is around $1-1.2 million a year.

I worry our kids will get used to this lifestyle and never be able to replicate it. They are used to living in large houses, traveling to summer houses, flying on nice vacations (first class many times), etc. they aren’t spoiled at all and seem appreciative as much as kids can be but this is just the life they are used to. DH and I work hard and want to enjoy our life as well.

Do you also worry about your kids being able to maintain their lifestyle as they grow up? Of course DH and I do not want to or expect to fund our kids into adulthood and expect them to find careers and support themselves.

I grew up with so many kids like that and not too many were eager to move back to their old neighborhoods or any similar neighborhood. Some girls were taught early on by their mothers how important money and big houses and first class tickets are. They pushed them to “marry their own kind”. Some bought the whole thing and are living a duplicate of their parents lives.

Why wouldn’t you want to fund them into adulthood if this drastic change in housing for your children occurs? I’m a sure they’ll find a career and hopefully enjoy their work. You should be more interested in teaching them how to live within their means. Let them know that if an unexpected expense came up that they can go to you for help. The best feeling is money security and that has nothing to do with a high income. Your income is not really high enough to sustain first class tickets, summer houses and all the expenses that comes with it.

I’ve been reading this thread the past couple of days and I wasn’t going to be the first to say this but - yes!! I’m shocked OP thinks $700-800K HHI is super lux and that they are concerned about their kids not maintaining that HHI. It’s very much a solid UMC HHI in the DC suburbs, but I wouldn’t ever think to it wealthy, and it’s definitely not rare or even cracking the top 1% of households here based on the data.

Today, you wouldn’t be able to afford a large home (minimum $2M but closer to $3M if you care about the top zips) AND beach house ($2M for OC, $4M if you want Bethany or Rehoboth, and so on), let alone regular business class trips on top of all of that on $700-800K. I’d even say it’s a stretch at the low 1s HHI too unless you’ve got family $ or a liquidity event.

700-800k is not upper middle class - that’s ridiculous. I’m surprised they fly first class on that amount, but just because someone has to budget doesn’t mean they’re not wealthy.

Op - clarification we fly first class but a lot of times with points because DH travels so much for work.

Summer house is a family house in the country. Large (5000 sq ft) and very rural so kids love spending time there in the summer. Lots of hiking, swimming, atv riding, etc.

Agree $800k is not super wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up upper middle class in a LCOL area. Parents did very well and owned multiple businesses.

I went to college with no debt, married husband and we also do well. HHI is around $700-800k a year. Sister is also doing very well and her HHI is around $1-1.2 million a year.

I worry our kids will get used to this lifestyle and never be able to replicate it. They are used to living in large houses, traveling to summer houses, flying on nice vacations (first class many times), etc. they aren’t spoiled at all and seem appreciative as much as kids can be but this is just the life they are used to. DH and I work hard and want to enjoy our life as well.

Do you also worry about your kids being able to maintain their lifestyle as they grow up? Of course DH and I do not want to or expect to fund our kids into adulthood and expect them to find careers and support themselves.

I grew up with so many kids like that and not too many were eager to move back to their old neighborhoods or any similar neighborhood. Some girls were taught early on by their mothers how important money and big houses and first class tickets are. They pushed them to “marry their own kind”. Some bought the whole thing and are living a duplicate of their parents lives.

Why wouldn’t you want to fund them into adulthood if this drastic change in housing for your children occurs? I’m a sure they’ll find a career and hopefully enjoy their work. You should be more interested in teaching them how to live within their means. Let them know that if an unexpected expense came up that they can go to you for help. The best feeling is money security and that has nothing to do with a high income. Your income is not really high enough to sustain first class tickets, summer houses and all the expenses that comes with it.

I’ve been reading this thread the past couple of days and I wasn’t going to be the first to say this but - yes!! I’m shocked OP thinks $700-800K HHI is super lux and that they are concerned about their kids not maintaining that HHI. It’s very much a solid UMC HHI in the DC suburbs, but I wouldn’t ever think to it wealthy, and it’s definitely not rare or even cracking the top 1% of households here based on the data.

Today, you wouldn’t be able to afford a large home (minimum $2M but closer to $3M if you care about the top zips) AND beach house ($2M for OC, $4M if you want Bethany or Rehoboth, and so on), let alone regular business class trips on top of all of that on $700-800K. I’d even say it’s a stretch at the low 1s HHI too unless you’ve got family $ or a liquidity event.

700-800k is not upper middle class - that’s ridiculous. I’m surprised they fly first class on that amount, but just because someone has to budget doesn’t mean they’re not wealthy.

Op - clarification we fly first class but a lot of times with points because DH travels so much for work.

Summer house is a family house in the country. Large (5000 sq ft) and very rural so kids love spending time there in the summer. Lots of hiking, swimming, atv riding, etc.

Agree $800k is not super wealthy.

OP, sorry, you have a totally skewed POV of what is super wealthy. $800k is a very high HHI.

I will say though, the rural country house is not at all appealing to me nor would it be to my kids. ATV riding is trashy!

[Anonymous]

My parents never asked themselves this question.

Why is it a question for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents never asked themselves this question.

Why is it a question for you?

Because apparently no one wants their kids to ever have to want for anything or learn to live within their own means. See the thread about buying a car for an almost 30 year old.

Why are so many people not willing to let their adult kids make their way and learn vital and valuable life skills about lifestyle and money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The secret sauce in life isn’t money, houses, and first class flights. If you’re worried about your kids worrying about trivial stuff like this you’re doing it wrong.

Of course it's not, but having enough money for certain things, like to afford kids and a house, those things still matter. And I'm concerned my kids won't be able to afford those milestones, especially with the speed at which AI is replacing knowledge workers.

I think the richer people on here strangely worry the most. Your kids will be fine. You'll give them a downpayment or even pay for the whole house. So what is there to worry about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really. We are raising four kids on a $220k income (one full time earner and one very part time earner) and live very modestly by DCUM standards, but live quite well compared to most of the country.

This is it. If you don’t give your kids extremely high expectations, it will be much easier for them to maintain. I feel very fortunate and am content with a simpler life. (And honestly I wish it were even more simple!!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up upper middle class in a LCOL area. Parents did very well and owned multiple businesses.

I went to college with no debt, married husband and we also do well. HHI is around $700-800k a year. Sister is also doing very well and her HHI is around $1-1.2 million a year.

I worry our kids will get used to this lifestyle and never be able to replicate it. They are used to living in large houses, traveling to summer houses, flying on nice vacations (first class many times), etc. they aren’t spoiled at all and seem appreciative as much as kids can be but this is just the life they are used to. DH and I work hard and want to enjoy our life as well.

Do you also worry about your kids being able to maintain their lifestyle as they grow up? Of course DH and I do not want to or expect to fund our kids into adulthood and expect them to find careers and support themselves.

I grew up with so many kids like that and not too many were eager to move back to their old neighborhoods or any similar neighborhood. Some girls were taught early on by their mothers how important money and big houses and first class tickets are. They pushed them to “marry their own kind”. Some bought the whole thing and are living a duplicate of their parents lives.

Why wouldn’t you want to fund them into adulthood if this drastic change in housing for your children occurs? I’m a sure they’ll find a career and hopefully enjoy their work. You should be more interested in teaching them how to live within their means. Let them know that if an unexpected expense came up that they can go to you for help. The best feeling is money security and that has nothing to do with a high income. Your income is not really high enough to sustain first class tickets, summer houses and all the expenses that comes with it.

I’ve been reading this thread the past couple of days and I wasn’t going to be the first to say this but - yes!! I’m shocked OP thinks $700-800K HHI is super lux and that they are concerned about their kids not maintaining that HHI. It’s very much a solid UMC HHI in the DC suburbs, but I wouldn’t ever think to it wealthy, and it’s definitely not rare or even cracking the top 1% of households here based on the data.

Today, you wouldn’t be able to afford a large home (minimum $2M but closer to $3M if you care about the top zips) AND beach house ($2M for OC, $4M if you want Bethany or Rehoboth, and so on), let alone regular business class trips on top of all of that on $700-800K. I’d even say it’s a stretch at the low 1s HHI too unless you’ve got family $ or a liquidity event.

700-800k is not upper middle class - that’s ridiculous. I’m surprised they fly first class on that amount, but just because someone has to budget doesn’t mean they’re not wealthy.

Inflation is up 50% since 2010. That means $700-800K today is what $500K was in 2010. Puts it into perspective.

That’s still wealthy. Not UMC.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I assume their lives will be quite different from ours. The chickens of climate change will have come home to roost by the time they are my age--a lot of things won't look or function the way they do now. I don't see why "lifestyle" would be any different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The secret sauce in life isn’t money, houses, and first class flights. If you’re worried about your kids worrying about trivial stuff like this you’re doing it wrong.

Of course it's not, but having enough money for certain things, like to afford kids and a house, those things still matter. And I'm concerned my kids won't be able to afford those milestones, especially with the speed at which AI is replacing knowledge workers.

Yeah but this thread is about kids being said because they can’t fly first class.

Of course you want your children to have enough money to afford things like housing, children, retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Children, to a large extent, will end up valuing what their parents teach them to value. If first class flights and big houses are what you value, then your children will think these material items are ver important. In that case you should worry, yes, because your children will mirror this. If you place more emphasis on valuing healthy relationships, healthy bodies, positive contributions to your family and society, and experiences over possessions then your child won’t worry about the size of their house and you shouldn’t worry.

This is a nice reminder and it's true.