Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 20:36     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here - for those asking. It is cheaper to have a live-in nanny (from overseas, sort of like a family member), than hiring a local one, or putting them into daycare, since I have twins, so that would be x 2.
Apt. is about $ 2,400 with parking. Nanny about $ 1,000 (plus full board). I get $$$ help from my family.
It's not easy, hardly can make it financially, and I do not spend on anything special...buy lots of things second hand. This is why I said I feel like a loser when I see people earning such big bucks around here....

So, other single mom, who looks after your child? Can you afford daycare?


Hey OP, Im the other single mom. $2400 is super expensive OMG, could you move to a cheaper place? Im sure you can find a cheaper apartment. The extra dollar will really help

$2400 for 2 bedroom/2 bathroom and parking?
Where???
I am looking for a 2 bedroom and everything around here (upper NW) is at least mid $3000's.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 20:14     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:OP here - I work in downtown DC. I do not get child support, no daddy in picture.


But you don't have to live downtown. Seriously oP, you have a nanny which means you don't have to pickup/drop of your kids. You could live further out and save tons. If you found a place for $1500 instead of the $2400 you pay+the extra parking, that's over $1k in your pocket a month! You need to move. How much money is your family sending you every month to make this lifestyle sustainable?
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 15:10     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:OP here - I work in downtown DC. I do not get child support, no daddy in picture.


Okay, loser may not be all that harsh then
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 15:03     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Family of 4 with 92K HHI, in Bethesda.

The BEST part is when your otherwise compassionate and intelligent friend starts complaining that her budget will be very tight now that her DH only earns 340K with NO bonus this year - oh dear Lord, the pain!

A lot of DCUM nitwits have difficulty managing their 250K+ a year. You know, what with private school for both kids, a huge mortgage and maybe student or luxury car loans, they're the new Poors! Who knew all these necessities they deserved would add up so quickly!!! And they work so hard for it too, compared to the hourly wage workers with 2 jobs.





How can you survive on 92k in Bethesda? Is your house paid off?


We bought a small and neglected fixer-upper, with money we had scrounged for years and stock investments that did surprisingly well. I loved it as soon as I saw it in all it's crooked and musty glory, with no grass to speak of in front. A few years later and it's unrecognizable (but we're still working on it!).



Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 14:20     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:I have a masters degree, and I'm teaching preschool for just under 20k a year. I have several kids in my class who have a SAHM and a full time nanny, and they're enrolled in preschool.
Talk about feeling inferior in salary.

I truly love my job. It provides enough money to fill the gap and it allows a schedule that works for my family and lets me spend a lot of time with my own kids...but I can definitely relate to the salary envy.


Dude. You are WAY underpaid. Teach for DCPS. Instantly double your salary.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 12:00     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
OP here - I work in downtown DC. I do not get child support, no daddy in picture.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 11:25     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:Your worth isn't your paycheck. I know lots of monied people who are completely worthless as human beings.


+1
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 10:31     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:HHI 250k and feel like a loser too.
$ doesn't go very far in this area.


whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


Jealous? Until you make above a certain amount you will keep trading up neighborhoods until you reach the threshold of what is good. This is why so many people struggle at 200-300k.



LOL. what does that even mean? I bought a nice house at age 36 so I would never have to trade up neighborhoods.


Are you single because this is what happens when you have kids.

When people make more money they trade up to the best schools and neighborhoods (Langley, Potomac, Bethesda, North Arlington, McLean etc...)

The median incomes of the best neighborhoods are around 200K +
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 10:27     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:HHI 250k and feel like a loser too.
$ doesn't go very far in this area.


whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


Jealous? Until you make above a certain amount you will keep trading up neighborhoods until you reach the threshold of what is good. This is why so many people struggle at 200-300k.



LOL. what does that even mean? I bought a nice house at age 36 so I would never have to trade up neighborhoods.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2013 01:54     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks guys for the feedback. Earning about $75K, renting in NW DC, working downtown, single mom of toddler twins!!!, with a live-in nanny, since I would not be able to pay for daycare for my twins.....I wish I could earn more to be able to pay for these $ 2000 per month per child daycare facilities. Also, I pay a lot for food and it will be expensive to travel. I buy many things second hand, like clothes, toys etc.
I agree with all of you about what you said, I just was amazed when I read how much some people earn...had no idea. I only have one friend whose husband is a partner at a law firm who earns such big bucks.


What do you do if I may ask? Do need to be in downtown DC for what you do? If not move and move out of the area.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2013 22:41     Subject: Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Another PP who makes under 70K base as a single mom. My ex is reliable for visitation and backing me up when needed but I have received very little financial contribution over the past couple of years so I don't factor it in. 2400/month is wayyyy to much on that salary. OP is living way above her means.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2013 15:47     Subject: Re:Earning so little - feel like a loser...
Contrary to DCUM myth, most families in this area do not make >200k.

London county has the highest ave. household income in US in 2012: $117,876, only!