How old are you? 48

How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) $200k

Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) not really. I mommy tracked big time

What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) mommy tracking

Are you satisfied with your life? Not really unfortunately but for reasons other than financial

Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? No

How old are you? 29

How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) 58K

Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Yes and no. Professionally? Eh. Not really. I make enough to support my family. But I never had huge professional ambition to begin with. I'm not waiting tables or working retail, but I'm not in charge of anyone or saving the world.
Personally? Yes, I am successful. I've had some rough times, but survived and am now (mostly) thriving. I provide a happy, stable home for my child and we lack for nothing. I'm a good person, raising a good, kind kid and I like myself and my life. That may sound corny, but ultimately, I'm proud of myself and what I've accomplished so far, even if it's not impressive by DC standards or something I can put on a resume.

What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) An abusive marriage in my mid-20s, very supportive parents, a wonderful therapist, and sheer dumb luck that both my child and I are healthy. The first decimated my financial situation but motivated me to get my shit together and keep it together, the rest helped get back and stay on my feet.

Are you satisfied with your life? Yes. I wish I could work part-time or enjoyed my job more, but overall, I am satisfied

Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Sort of. I was definitely a lot more stressed when I needed government assistance and had to make choices like "pay for gas to get to work or the electric bill" each week. I'm glad I no longer have to make those kinds of choices. I do wish I made more so that I could save more (and quiet that nagging financial stress that is constantly humming in the background). We may not have all we want, but we do have what we need and I'm on the right path financially. I can always make more money if I have to. Not $400K, but I could downsize our life or pick up a side job if needed. We're in a good place right now and I know it will continue to get better.

How old are you? 31

How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) ~$47K

Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Yes and no. I am a teacher and I know that I'm good at my job and am making a real impact on the lives of my students. However, I wish there was more upward mobility (there is no "promotion" I can really get unless I move into administration). I also wish I could do more to help my family financially.

What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) I was phi beta kappa and did well in school. I also care deeply about kids, love my subject, and have intense interest in the field of education more generally. I could have made a lot more money doing just about anything else as a career but I don't think I'd feel the intrinsic rewards that I feel as a teacher.

Are you satisfied with your life? Mostly yes. I have a great extended family, husband, and kid. I do worry that my salary puts a lot of pressure on my husband in terms of his job and earnings. I won't ever make much more than I do now (except for inflation) so if we want to improve our living standard or savings, it puts more pressure on him or for me to change careers.

Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Somewhat. I do feel under appreciated in my career and my income is certainly a big part of that. Mostly though we are content with our life, I just feel bad that I am not contributing more financially.

I could have written this but not Asian (Tiger Irish Catholic mom) and only make 110 (primary care doc).

How old are you? 33
How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) $400k
Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) yes
What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) worked my ass off during 10 years of medical school and training. Had Asian tiger mom hovering over me from age 0-18... Okay, she still hovers over me now!
Are you satisfied with your life? Yes, but worried what obamacare will do to my income in the future.
Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Yes, because i grew up poor in an immigrant family. Making this kind of money is a big deal for me. I bought my parents their first new car they have ever owned. They are in their late sixties.

How old are you? 33
How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) $400k
Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) yes
What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) worked my ass off during 10 years of medical school and training. Had Asian tiger mom hovering over me from age 0-18... Okay, she still hovers over me now!
Are you satisfied with your life? Yes, but worried what obamacare will do to my income in the future.
Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Yes, because i grew up poor in an immigrant family. Making this kind of money is a big deal for me. I bought my parents their first new car they have ever owned. They are in their late sixties.

How old are you? 44
How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) ~$105K
Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Somewhat. Given where I work, I'd probably be considered very successful by my former high school peers but at the same time, I feel like my skills are underutilized. I could be doing more if I was willing to "play the game" but that isn't me and frankly, a good family/work balance is a higher priority for me than advancement right now.
What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) I am a perfectionist. I wouldn't say my education was the best but my parents are smart, well-educated, and pushed me hard to excel.
Are you satisfied with your life? For the most part, yes. I like my job and work with great people. Love my kids. Marriage could be better but I know my husband really loves me and he's a great dad.
Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? To some extent. We aren't wealthy by any stretch but it's nice not to have to worry too much about money.

33

200k (non-lawyer)

Ivy and top tier education almost standard to get into the door in my field.

Despite decent income for my age, I'm in a VERY slow progression field which is based on seniority by age basically (no one makes management until their 40s soonest). Happy with money, but wish I could grow into new roles by more than just waiting for the clock to run until I'm in my mid to late 40s

I feel decently successful professionally, but glad I invested in my family life. More joy from having two great kids and sufficient money to enjoy life with them.

Anonymous wrote:
Are you a lawyer? Will you quit by age 40-45?

Yes and yes, if not sooner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the PPs mostly all lawyers?

Not me, I'm a marketing director. But I only make $150K.

Seriously, you folks are so far out in space that I wonder if you can see how most of humanity lives.

+1

And for the PP who says a marketing director should be at $250k, that's what is wrong with this country. No, a marketing director should not make $250k. the fact that "marketing" is so important and brings in such a high salary is depressing.

this thread is amusing with all of the people making $150 to 200 k (and that's not necessarily HHI, just individual salary) and saying they're still not quite satisfied. We are one incredibly greedy society.

I don't think $250 for marketing is indicative of anything wrong at all. People good at that business know how to segment the market, can work in analytical ways to derive insight and can drive a lot of business and profitability when executing an astute strategy. It's the engine that makes ideas profitable in many cases, and the results are generally very measurable outcomes - there's no fluff: your strategy either drives more sales and higher profits or it doesn't. Compared to many other professions where "success" is in the purview of your manager, marketing is a "pure" science. Far too many people think marketing is designing the color of a cereal box. It isn't - that's almost never in the control of the marketing director (rather in the control of a brand manager or an advertising agency). Marketing managers set strategy, pricing, channel mix, positioning, contracts, and manage p&l. $250 is hardly a lot for someone literally responsible for the profitability of some business line.

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? 44
How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) 195K
Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Kindof. I have a good professional reputation in general, but am not considered a leader in my field and I'm underpaid/underappreciated because I've chosen to stay for the work/life balance.
What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) Intelligence, good education (SLAC, not Ivy, but I think that is more than sufficient to do well), parents instilling good work ethic & resiliency
Are you satisfied with your life? Mostly. I wish I could work less and spend more time with my kid. And take more vacations!
Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Yes, it allows me to live a nice lifestyle (good neighborhood with good schools and a short commute), and to enjoy some travel and other things that make life more pleasant.

You are not underpaid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the PPs mostly all lawyers?

Not me, I'm a marketing director. But I only make $150K.

Seriously, you folks are so far out in space that I wonder if you can see how most of humanity lives.

+1

And for the PP who says a marketing director should be at $250k, that's what is wrong with this country. No, a marketing director should not make $250k. the fact that "marketing" is so important and brings in such a high salary is depressing.

this thread is amusing with all of the people making $150 to 200 k (and that's not necessarily HHI, just individual salary) and saying they're still not quite satisfied. We are one incredibly greedy society.

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? 33

How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) 400k

Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Almost there. Success to me, is defined by independence and the ability to pursue what's actually important to myself

What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) No debt, frugal mentality, good at strategy and positioning, thinking differently than others

Are you satisfied with your life? Yes

Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Yes, but only because I am an aggressive saver and am close to financial independence

Are you a lawyer? Will you quit by age 40-45?

35
155k
Yes (come from blue collar background and figured i would be lucky to eventually make 45-50k like my dad)
Education, luck
Yes
Not at this point. It was when I made 50-60k a few years ago, but once I reached 6 figures it started mattering less.

Interesting thread. However, including HHI would give a more accurate picture, especially with regard to the last question.

How old are you? 33

How much money do YOU make? (This is only your individual income- not your HHI) 400k

Do you consider yourself successful? (based on your own definition of successful) Almost there. Success to me, is defined by independence and the ability to pursue what's actually important to myself

What do you think contributed to your success or your lack thereof? (example- an ivy education, good parents, etc? ) No debt, frugal mentality, good at strategy and positioning, thinking differently than others

Are you satisfied with your life? Yes

Is your level of satisfaction connected to how much money you have? Yes, but only because I am an aggressive saver and am close to financial independence