30 and 35 and we make about $220k which makes our lives so easy. We own our home and take cool vacations. I also work part time now (bill about $90/hour as a consultant) and when I go full time the HHI could go up to close to 300k which is crazy for me! I feel v lucky.

Love reading the responses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are 30/31. HHI currently $160k, soon to be $210k due to a job change.

Feel like we are less secure because we have daycare x 2, and $15k left in student loans. We can't really afford self-funded vacations and don't want to take on any mortgage over our current $2300 all-in monthly payment.

What's the alternative to a self-funded vacation and how can I get in on it?

Depends. Does the thought of spending a week of travel with parents/in-laws no longer sound like a "vacation"? We just tag along with each of our families because it's better than going nowhere!!!

34/35 - $325 or so.

It's enough.

DH 31, I'm 30, one child. DH's job package (federal salary with significant benefits - we live overseas) is equivalent to 100K. I'm going to work part-time (have SAH the past two years) which will bring us to about 125k. I'll take what I can get until we have DC #2, then will likely stay home (mostly) until we go back to the states.

We are comfortable and feel secure. All our needs and many of our wants are met.

Anonymous wrote:We are 30/31. HHI currently $160k, soon to be $210k due to a job change.

Feel like we are less secure because we have daycare x 2, and $15k left in student loans. We can't really afford self-funded vacations and don't want to take on any mortgage over our current $2300 all-in monthly payment.

What's the alternative to a self-funded vacation and how can I get in on it?

31 & 24, HHI of $220K. We have a lot of friends who are 5-10 years older and when we're around them, it can feel like we're behind.

But when we hang out with friends our own age, or meet up with the folks from our graduate program, it's clear we're doing relatively well. In DC, it's easy to always want more and to loose perspective on what's normal. We're trying to keep on our feet on the ground and be grateful, smart custodians of what we have.

We are 30/31. HHI currently $160k, soon to be $210k due to a job change.

Feel like we are less secure because we have daycare x 2, and $15k left in student loans. We can't really afford self-funded vacations and don't want to take on any mortgage over our current $2300 all-in monthly payment.

DW and I are 35/36 our HHI $265K, we have one toddler.

We live below our means 1 car family, I take leftovers, fresh fruit for lunch, CONUS vacations.
For the past 6 years, I have been hoarding cash and paying down the mortgage since we plan to teardown/rebuild a custom home this year.

Thats what sucks about this area.
You can earn over $200K but because of mortgage and daycare costs;it's like you are living on one paycheck.

I know 1st world problems.

35/36 with a kid -$210. Yes and no - yes, we can pay our bills no sweat. No - we make the least of our friend group, have a less fancy house, can't afford vacations due to student loans/daycare/healthcare (a fun $3500 after taxes a month)..

Maybe when kid is in school and loans are paid off. DH left big law early on for a low stress job - but the massive law school loans stayed... I dropped out of grad school due to major illness so I'm not making as much as I could with a final degree.

30/33. Both GS14s and we have a toddler. We live pretty modestly and are relatively comfortable.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 30yo, no grad degree -- earn 250k before bonus. My DH earns 170k before bonus; he has a terminal degree.

With bonuses, our HHI is between 500-600k. We have one LO.

What do you do?

I'm 30yo, no grad degree -- earn 250k before bonus. My DH earns 170k before bonus; he has a terminal degree.

With bonuses, our HHI is between 500-600k. We have one LO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ Yeah, until he burns out and hates his job. Hopefully he thrives on stress.

Doesn't sound like he is going to burn out if he has 22 weeks of vacation. Seriously though, I have never heard of an ER making 600k with almost half the year off.

^ER doc

Perfectly possible depending on demand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ Yeah, until he burns out and hates his job. Hopefully he thrives on stress.

Doesn't sound like he is going to burn out if he has 22 weeks of vacation. Seriously though, I have never heard of an ER making 600k with almost half the year off.

DH does high dollar locums.

Desperate shops pay up to $500/hr for EM docs.