Reply to Not making it on $100K? NPR story

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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?
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How can you put $18K times 2 ($36K) into your TSPs on a HHI of $100K[/quote]

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.[/quote]
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.[/quote]

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