Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$300k if it's stable.

Right now I have an unstable but high-paying job, and it's very stressful, but the idea that our HHI will never be this high again is what keeps me working at it. If I could drop down to 250-300k HHI and a feeling that it was going to stay at that level; that'd be great, even though it meant cutting my pay by half to two-thirds.

So much this. DH and I are both biglaw senior associates so our HHI is $540k plus hefty bonuses. But I’d take even more stress, even for less money, if it meant more stability.

More stress than biglaw? Is there such a thing?

Anonymous wrote:$300k if it's stable.

Right now I have an unstable but high-paying job, and it's very stressful, but the idea that our HHI will never be this high again is what keeps me working at it. If I could drop down to 250-300k HHI and a feeling that it was going to stay at that level; that'd be great, even though it meant cutting my pay by half to two-thirds.

So much this. DH and I are both biglaw senior associates so our HHI is $540k plus hefty bonuses. But I’d take even more stress, even for less money, if it meant more stability.

I think it depends on the job. I am a GS-14 and enjoy my work and benefits. Essentially all of the GS-15 jobs at my agency are supervisory and in no way do I want to be a supervisor in the federal government. So, it's whatever my GS-14 will give me, I guess?

Anonymous wrote:This thread shows exactly why the DCUM perspective is so skewed.

It's just as skewed in NYC, LA & SF. Also, concerns about HHI, stress, etc... don't fade until you have a substantial nest egg that represents the 4% Rule. At that point (usually mid-to-late-40s), many people - men and women - start asking whether the stress is worth it anymore. And they're right to question why they continue to put up with the stress. It's not about the money anymore, unless that's the way one keeps score. If one has kids, its about spending time with them and making memories that will exist when they leave the nest.

This thread shows exactly why the DCUM perspective is so skewed.

I agree with $300k. For most of us more than that won't change our lifestyle but it will increase our retirement and college savings. That's the real decision. My DH made a lot more than that but we really lived comfortably at $300k. But his retirement savings ballooned and that's been really nice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me it would be $1mil

+1 to this

Per YEAR? So at $800k, you’d be like “yep, i’ll take more stress!” ?

+ 1

My husband makes 750k and it provides a very nice lifestyle. We have enough money for ALL of our needs and most of our wants.

We're at that point at $400K.
We have a very comfortable life and don't ever think "gosh, I wish I could afford that"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me it would be $1mil

+1 to this

Per YEAR? So at $800k, you’d be like “yep, i’ll take more stress!” ?

+ 1

My husband makes 750k and it provides a very nice lifestyle. We have enough money for ALL of our needs and most of our wants.

In my experience, it was after one person started making 500k.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me it would be $1mil

+1 to this

Per YEAR? So at $800k, you’d be like “yep, i’ll take more stress!” ?

We're at about $275k. I'm only at $115k, DH is at $160k. He really doesn't need more money because that would increase the stress on him by a ton. I think I could go to $135k and not really change my day to day routines.

So, close to $300k HHI

Anonymous wrote:For me it would be $1mil

+1 to this

I'd say right around $400K for us.
We make just below that now. We really don't need any more money--all our needs are met. If more money came with more stress I'd absolutely walk away. If someone wants to pay us more for less stress, I'll take it!

What are these $300K jobs, what are the hours like, and what is the source of stress? I'm a fed and decided once I hit a GS 15 additional money wasn't worth the additional stress. The source of stress in my job are 1) constantly shifting expectations (with no acknowledgement that expectations have in fact shifted) and 2) high leadership turn over (gee, I wonder why). I can work anywhere from 9-15 hours a day. 9 is the standard and more than that happens only about 6 times a year for a few days to a week each time.

Once your marginal tax bracket is 32% (federal taxes)