I have a friend who does not make as much money as I do and just bought $20,000 worth of furniture for her townhouse. Paid CASH. We then went into a store together and she dropped another $900 on a chandelier. Just like that. I have been stuck on stupid trying to figure it out, especially considering she owes the IRS a substantial amount and is on a payment plan. But hey, whatever makes her happy, lol!

I know its not my business but it still makes me TRY to do the math in my head.

Ive known too many people who get onto financial trouble by trying to live a caviar lifestyle on a fish stick budget. That's their choice, but its not for me.

The most recent one is some on who bought a $50,000 car, gave her daughter a sweet sixteen party that cost more than many weddings, got into weekends at Atlantic city, installed a pool, etc. The daughter asked us to cosign her $40,000 / year college loan, which we declined.

Personally, I am much happier driving my 12 y.o. car with 164,000 miles and a big dent in the door from a hit and run while it was parked. We go on cheap vacations, usually a long weekend rather than a week or two. I have great time because I am not stresses about money.

So when people post expensive things on Facebook, I am happy if it makes them happy. But I also know people are posting only the good things. They are not posting their WHOLE lives.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

huh? What planet are you living on? I mean seriously.
This type of thinking blows my mind.

We pay our entry level (undergrad) employees about $80K. One level up from there gets you about $90 to $110K. Another level up gets you $130 - $170. Next level up gets you $200 to $250, next level jumps to $300 to $400, next level goes to $600 to $800. Most people hit $150 within 4 to 5 years out of undergrad. A lot get stuck there. Some don't. I have a 26 year old on my team who is in the $200 to $250 range. All pretty normal at my company..... maybe my company is weird.

yes, that is the norm. everyone makes $750K ....

I didn't say everyone does. A good 20% top out at the $150k spot, maybe 50% top out at 250, 90% at the next level....

Point is starting salaries for undergrads are solid and hitting $100k with 1 to 2 years of graduation isn't remarkable at all.

YES IT IS YOU MORON.

Seriously. Mother of god.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

huh? What planet are you living on? I mean seriously.
This type of thinking blows my mind.

We pay our entry level (undergrad) employees about $80K. One level up from there gets you about $90 to $110K. Another level up gets you $130 - $170. Next level up gets you $200 to $250, next level jumps to $300 to $400, next level goes to $600 to $800. Most people hit $150 within 4 to 5 years out of undergrad. A lot get stuck there. Some don't. I have a 26 year old on my team who is in the $200 to $250 range. All pretty normal at my company..... maybe my company is weird.

yes, that is the norm. everyone makes $750K ....

I didn't say everyone does. A good 20% top out at the $150k spot, maybe 50% top out at 250, 90% at the next level....

Point is starting salaries for undergrads are solid and hitting $100k with 1 to 2 years of graduation isn't remarkable at all.

What industry is your company in? Finance? Sales?
Not realistic got government, contracting/ consulting, services.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

huh? What planet are you living on? I mean seriously.
This type of thinking blows my mind.

We pay our entry level (undergrad) employees about $80K. One level up from there gets you about $90 to $110K. Another level up gets you $130 - $170. Next level up gets you $200 to $250, next level jumps to $300 to $400, next level goes to $600 to $800. Most people hit $150 within 4 to 5 years out of undergrad. A lot get stuck there. Some don't. I have a 26 year old on my team who is in the $200 to $250 range. All pretty normal at my company..... maybe my company is weird.

yes, that is the norm. everyone makes $750K ....

I didn't say everyone does. A good 20% top out at the $150k spot, maybe 50% top out at 250, 90% at the next level....

Point is starting salaries for undergrads are solid and hitting $100k with 1 to 2 years of graduation isn't remarkable at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

huh? What planet are you living on? I mean seriously.
This type of thinking blows my mind.

We pay our entry level (undergrad) employees about $80K. One level up from there gets you about $90 to $110K. Another level up gets you $130 - $170. Next level up gets you $200 to $250, next level jumps to $300 to $400, next level goes to $600 to $800. Most people hit $150 within 4 to 5 years out of undergrad. A lot get stuck there. Some don't. I have a 26 year old on my team who is in the $200 to $250 range. All pretty normal at my company..... maybe my company is weird.

yes, that is the norm. everyone makes $750K ....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

huh? What planet are you living on? I mean seriously.
This type of thinking blows my mind.

We pay our entry level (undergrad) employees about $80K. One level up from there gets you about $90 to $110K. Another level up gets you $130 - $170. Next level up gets you $200 to $250, next level jumps to $300 to $400, next level goes to $600 to $800. Most people hit $150 within 4 to 5 years out of undergrad. A lot get stuck there. Some don't. I have a 26 year old on my team who is in the $200 to $250 range. All pretty normal at my company..... maybe my company is weird.

Anonymous wrote:"Our house might be worth $800k or so, but we only paid $200k for it. Only one spouse works, the other takes care of the kids, so no daycare payments. In fact we've never paid a dime for childcare for either of our two kids. No student loans. No debts. And we inherited a reasonable sum a couple of years ago - we're not spending it right now, but it has taken the pressure off for aggressive saving. "

How did you and spouse pay for college/ grad school?

Neither of us went to grad school. Spouse got scholarships. I went to college in another country where free public college education was a right (at least it was then).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

huh? What planet are you living on? I mean seriously.
This type of thinking blows my mind.

No kidding. Even with an MA and years of experience in my (admittedly poorly paid) field, I've never made $50K, let alone $150K. My husband, who has a technical career and a PhD, doesn't even make $150K. He probably will someday, but that day is not soon. And yes, this is in DC. Talk about delusional.

Anonymous wrote:

I work in law enforcement you would be shocked at how many professionals are stealing to accomodate the lifestyle that they think they deserve. And, too many organizations are so trusting that they let it happen.

It is always the people you never suspect. So to the PP who listed the ones below. I totally agree.

Anonymous wrote:Usually one of the following four apply:

1) Drug money
2) Embezzlement
3) Inheritance or trust
4) Massive CC debt.

I knew it.

yes, they are out of touch, but that is easy to be in this area.

My wife's income (owns a medical practice) hit $160K+ in 2013 and I was thrilled. It was a long road to get there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of people in this area who graduated with highly marketable degrees and have been earning good incomes since they were in their 20's. Some of these people are dual income couples and they can afford to have some extras..

Exactly. Even two modest incomes of $150k a year per person - which is pretty much one or two steps above entry level professional adds up to $300K. If even one of the parents "makes it" and goes into the $200-$300K range, suddenly HHI hits $400-$500.

Wow. Completely out of touch. $150,000 per person is not modest. That can be a top level professional (not running a company - but a lawyer, physician asst, internal medicine doctor)

$150k is a modest salary?! That person is SO out of touch. What is this, the "Rich" Money and Finances forum?

Anonymous wrote:When I tell people what I do, they dismiss it as fluff and think I don't "really" work, believing instead that it's DH's high-paying job that pays the bills.

I make more $ than him, though.

Now I want to know what you do that is both "fluffy" and lucrative.

"Our house might be worth $800k or so, but we only paid $200k for it. Only one spouse works, the other takes care of the kids, so no daycare payments. In fact we've never paid a dime for childcare for either of our two kids. No student loans. No debts. And we inherited a reasonable sum a couple of years ago - we're not spending it right now, but it has taken the pressure off for aggressive saving. "

How did you and spouse pay for college/ grad school?