Anonymous wrote:This is DCUM. $200k is only fine if you have a $5M trust fund minimum to go along with it.

My fourteen year old daughter asked how much we are leaving for her last night? Best friend just inherited a half a million house from grandma.

This is DCUM. $200k is only fine if you have a $5M trust fund minimum to go along with it.

You will be fine until you have kids. If you have two in daycare at the same time then you will need to budget in $4-5k/month just for that which isn't easy even with $200k income. Easy to fall into debt in that life phase.

We're early 40s and making $250k with two kids and living in DC since our 20s. You'll be just fine.

I feel like people might say you'll be fine or not fine depending on their perception of when you should retire. We didn't even start accruing 401k contributions till our mid to late 30s (and maxed quickly once we did) and still should be ok to retire by mid 60s and live a pretty good life.

On the other hand, DH isn't sure he ever wants to retire, so we'll probably be fine regardless. He says he'd be bored. I don't doubt it, he absolutely hates sitting around. Me, I could garden and cook and I'd be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Humble brag?

There’s nothing to brag about. Making $100k as a 25 y/o in this area is easy as pie. A dime a dozen. And the OP says they’re a “couple.” Are they married? Why are they combining finances?

I’m OP. We’re a married couple living in a one bedroom apartment. We work outside of the office. Take public transportation.

Then there’s no way you could be struggling on a $200k combined HHI unless you have medical expenses you’re not sharing. You’d need to post your budget. Start by cutting all cable & streaming services for awhile.

Stupid idea. Then you get bored at home and go spend money to entertain yourself. Streaming is a cheap way to keep yourself entertained at home. You don't need to nickel and dime like this on a $200k HHI for gd's sake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Humble brag?

There’s nothing to brag about. Making $100k as a 25 y/o in this area is easy as pie. A dime a dozen. And the OP says they’re a “couple.” Are they married? Why are they combining finances?

I’m OP. We’re a married couple living in a one bedroom apartment. We work outside of the office. Take public transportation.

Then there’s no way you could be struggling on a $200k combined HHI unless you have medical expenses you’re not sharing. You’d need to post your budget. Start by cutting all cable & streaming services for awhile.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Humble brag?

There’s nothing to brag about. Making $100k as a 25 y/o in this area is easy as pie. A dime a dozen. And the OP says they’re a “couple.” Are they married? Why are they combining finances?

I’m OP. We’re a married couple living in a one bedroom apartment. We work outside of the office. Take public transportation.

Anonymous wrote:Humble brag?

There’s nothing to brag about. Making $100k as a 25 y/o in this area is easy as pie. A dime a dozen. And the OP says they’re a “couple.” Are they married? Why are they combining finances?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should be living either with one another, with roommates or both to save money. No living in a 2BR apartment if it’s just the 2 of you living together. 1BR will do.

If you’re working fully remote, consider moving to a cheaper area or doing your work at coffee shops, public libraries & parks.

Maybe it’s because I work from home, but I need a two-bedroom just for me as a single person. I couldn’t imagine two people living in a one-bedroom unless out of absolute financial necessity. How would you not constantly be on each other’s nerves??

Did you not read the second paragraph re: WFH?

You say that you’re struggling financially in the OP, but then say that you need a 2BR apt all to yourself in your mid 20s. That’s crazy. People your age live in group houses or live in 2-3 BR apts—1 person living in each room. But a 2BR apt for one person, living alone?

Of course two people could share a one bedroom, and a bed, if they’re married or in a serious romantic relationship.

That person is not the op.

Humble brag?

If you work from home, you should consider moving to a cheaper area.