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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
[quote]Anonymous wrote:There seems to be a large variance among folks on how much money one actually needs to earn. Basing your needs on how much your friends make doesn't seem like a good place to start. I don't know how much my friends make with the exception of the Feds since I know their gs level.
 
I just find it interesting. My husband and I combined make less than the guy who makes $190k. We max out one 401k and an IRA. We are doing a two year pre paid university plan for our two kids and we make extra mortgage payments every year. I feel like we eat out a lot. We do have fairly cheap vacations since we tend to crash at family and friends vacation houses, but I really don't feel like we are ever stressed for cash. Not even when our hot water heater broke.
 
What kinds of expenses do people have that they make such large amounts and can't achieve adequate savings and lifestyles? The only thing I can think of is if someone has an especially demanding job requiring a nanny and overtime pay. I just use a daycare center, but even we have a cleaning lady. Perspective people![/quote]

[quote]I am in exactly your boat. We make $127k combined and I feel like we are living on air. We are so flush, it's ridiculous.
 
BUT. Our housing costs are the same as they were when we made $70k combined. So I imagine that's a big difference - we kept our housing costs the same as our income rose, we weren't keeping up w/ the Joneses. [/quote]

You know how much luck plays into this, people?  When did you buy your home, Ms. $127K "so flush, it's ridiculous"?  Not all of us had great timing - not always something you control.  When I lost my job now 10+ years ago (2001 in what now seems like a minor recession - didn't feel that way at the time!) we had to move cities & take a loss on our home for the next job (which came with a pay cut).  Has taken a long time to work our way back, and it meant that we didn't have the cash to get into the DC market just as it was poised to take off - instead got in at its last peak in 2005.  Not a question of keeping up with the Joneses.[/quote]

5/1 - 7:50 here.  Are you the one complaining about not making enough at $190l? No? Then I'm not talking to you. In fact, I was saying that $127 is PLENTY to live on in this area, because it is.  I am VERY grateful for all the opportunities I've had.  I'm just saying people who gripe about $190k "not being enough" need to STFU.  [/quote]

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