Enough to cover my living expenses (and the kids’, because I knew he would dick me around on child support, which he did), and legal bills (because I knew he would dick me around on child support). For me, that was $100k. When I found a job that paid that much (and a bit more), I started taking steps to leave.

My situation was a little more than unhappiness, but I wasn’t afraid for my life (until I moved out). It was more like constant emotional abuse, with the occasional shoving and sexual assault. If I feared for my life, I would leave with nothing except my kids.

It depends if you can get to a lower COL location. I have no kids, so it would be very easy for me to return to the Midwest with my $90k salary.

If I had to stay in DC because I couldn't take a kid with me, if need more.

I could make it work on my current salary if I really needed to (80k). 100k I would feel more comfortable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was bad enough I wouldn't need an income at all. I would go to family.
If I didn't have family...30k? Enough to rent an apartment and eat.

Money isn't worth being knocked around. If you have kids this is even more true.

Exactly

Going to family is not an option for all of us.

No kid - I'd probably save for a few months so I could leave comfortably and with a little cushion, but I'd leave regardless of what I was making.

W/kid - $150K and good enough health insurance that I'd be comfortable moving dc to my plan.

Anonymous wrote:I had nothing. You survive.

+1

Anonymous wrote:If it was bad enough I wouldn't need an income at all. I would go to family.
If I didn't have family...30k? Enough to rent an apartment and eat.

Money isn't worth being knocked around. If you have kids this is even more true.

Exactly

50k to be comfortable? But I would leave regardless if necessary.

I am not leaving since leaving means you would leave the kids behind, taking them is spousal kid napping.

I make plenty of money and I have asked for a divorce, but I am not leaving.

I have 3 years and both kids will be in college. There is no abuse so I am staying in the same house different room until the kids are in college.

I never stopped working and part of that is because I would never depend on someone else’s income. I have and always will make enough to support me and my child. And I never had more children than I felt comfortable supporting on my own. I wouldn’t live as extravagantly of course. But I would be ok.

My father didn’t provide for my mother, even though he demanded she stay home. That’s why I’d never stop working. And deep down I don’t know how other women can trust their husbands enough to rely so heavily on them financially.

So if asked, I always recommend to start working. Build that income so that you can afford an apartment in your kid’s current school district. Or whatever is most important to you. That minimum differs for everyone.

Assuming no kids. What income did you need to move out of your parents house? Very little. Starbucks barista salary, say.

I had nothing. You survive.

This is a very interesting question. Because, for many of us we are staying because of perceived financial hardships should we separate (both men and women). But I think that is a red herring. If I really wanted to leave, I'm capable of affording a place, and I could do it. I'd regret the loss of some retirement money, though. Is that few hundred thousand worth the aggrevation of being married to a cheater?

If it was bad enough I wouldn't need an income at all. I would go to family.

If I didn't have family...30k? Enough to rent an apartment and eat.

Money isn't worth being knocked around. If you have kids this is even more true.

Assuming you are not happy but there is no situation that would require to leave no matter what.