Reply to How the shit do normal people afford to live here?

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[quote=Anonymous]I am single and I make 45k a year.

I live in a very nice (studio) apartment for about $1400 a month all inclusive. This is more than I would like to be spending on rent, but I really value my space so it is worth it to me to "splurge" in this area.

My apartment is in a very nice neighborhood in upper NW and about 5 minutes from the metro. I think it is undervalued, and I shopped around a lot before I found it.

I work for a non profit, so even though I don't make much, I do have other good benefits. They contribute 15% of my income to a retirement account w/o matching. I do not save for retirement yet. I also have excellent health insurance for which I pay no portion of the premium.

I have a couple of chronic illnesses, so my medical expenses with co-pays and drugs come to about $50 a month.

I have a car but it is on my parent's insurance and I do not pay any costs other than maintenance and gas. I am lucky in that respect. I could get by w/o the car, although having it is a nice luxury.

I have a bit over 20k in student loans, and I pay more than the minimum amount each month. Even if it's an extra $20, I still pay more. I hope to have those paid off in a few years. They are federal loans but the interest rates are relatively high. This is part of the reason that I do not contribute to my retirement account.

I have get to travel a bit and eat good, healthy food from WF, although I sometimes supplement from TJs.

Sometimes I buy new clothes. I buy everything on sale and I am a very good shopper. I try to stretch my dollars.

I do not have cable or a home phone. I have internet and a smart phone, but with VM, I pay only $25 for service with data. Internet is $30 a month.

I have a small emergency fund and I am working on spending less and saving more.

I do not anticipate ever being able to own in the DC area and hope to move elsewhere when and if i have kids or purchase property.

I am job searching and hope to transition into the private sector and start earning more. 
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