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Old 04-27-2016, 07:05 AM
 
18,130 posts, read 25,291,852 times
Reputation: 16835

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Kids are expensive
Now I understand people that don't want to have kids
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Old 04-27-2016, 08:14 AM
 
986 posts, read 1,272,893 times
Reputation: 1043
Quote:
Originally Posted by atadytic19 View Post
Not long ago I was making about 40k a year, saving 1k a month, had cable, superfast internet, had cell phones for both me and my partner who was not working atthe time, went on vacations at least every three months, shopped for clothing at least once a month and was never short on cash.

How much was your rent "not long ago?"
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Old 04-27-2016, 08:29 AM
 
836 posts, read 774,939 times
Reputation: 1780
Very interesting topic......I cannot honestly say we have EVER lived comfortably, from minimum wage in the 80s to being well into the top 10 percent of family incomes today. I guess not feeling comfortable keeps us focused on improving our lot in life
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Old 04-27-2016, 11:28 AM
 
Location: Houston
26,979 posts, read 15,892,870 times
Reputation: 11259
Me and the wife spend 3K a month and put the rest in a 401K. This is after paying off our house. When we had a mortgage it was 3500 a month. I grill my own steaks and fry my own shrimp.
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Old 04-29-2016, 12:31 AM
 
156 posts, read 370,316 times
Reputation: 218
If you don't have kids its crazy if you can't live comfortably on $40k. You could be in a decent place and a decent car and still be able to save and go out on weekends. Kids change everything, they're bloodsuckers.

Personally speaking the only expensive taste I have is cars. I love my expensive vehicles. Give me a nice apartment out in the suburbs and I'm good. I dont need a McMansion nor do I need a $1600 a month luxury apartment.
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Old 04-29-2016, 05:26 AM
 
Location: Houston, TX
17,029 posts, read 30,929,122 times
Reputation: 16265
If you are solo, I would say 40-50k would keep one comfortably afloat. Kids and exes...blows that out of the water.
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Old 04-29-2016, 08:15 AM
 
Location: Energy Corridor-ish
226 posts, read 310,871 times
Reputation: 168
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shark01 View Post
Very interesting topic......I cannot honestly say we have EVER lived comfortably, from minimum wage in the 80s to being well into the top 10 percent of family incomes today. I guess not feeling comfortable keeps us focused on improving our lot in life
Top 10% and you don't feel you live comfortably. Wow.

Combined, my BF and I make about 80K. Our house's market value is probably low to mid-200s. When we go out, it's usually for a fast-casual dinner and maybe a movie. Most days, we bring our lunches to work. Vacations are usually staycations. We spring for 3-6 concerts, fine arts or sporting events a year. I'll admit I don't save as much as I should, but 7% comes out of my check before I even see it.

Before we moved in together, I felt like I was living month to month. I make closer to 30K than 40K.
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Old 04-29-2016, 08:37 AM
 
986 posts, read 1,272,893 times
Reputation: 1043
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corridor Chick View Post
Top 10% and you don't feel you live comfortably. Wow.

Combined, my BF and I make about 80K. Our house's market value is probably low to mid-200s. When we go out, it's usually for a fast-casual dinner and maybe a movie. Most days, we bring our lunches to work. Vacations are usually staycations. We spring for 3-6 concerts, fine arts or sporting events a year. I'll admit I don't save as much as I should, but 7% comes out of my check before I even see it.

Before we moved in together, I felt like I was living month to month. I make closer to 30K than 40K.
Did you know what the #1 worry of top-earners is? Money. No matter how much you have, it is always a potential problem.
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Old 04-29-2016, 08:45 AM
 
10,097 posts, read 10,013,648 times
Reputation: 5225
Can you live comfortably in inner loop Houston now with a combined household income of 110k, no kids? I know it's a no brainer that you can "make it" but take buying a house out of the picture, can you really live ie enjoy a young professional life in the inner loop; ballgames, fine dining, nice apt, shopping? No major bills, car paid for, no student loans, good credit.
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Old 04-29-2016, 09:03 AM
 
Location: Sugar Land, TX
1,614 posts, read 2,663,685 times
Reputation: 2029
Quote:
Originally Posted by PinkLadyK View Post
Did you know what the #1 worry of top-earners is? Money. No matter how much you have, it is always a potential problem.
My husband makes over $200k, and I still worry about money. College (we have 3 kids), retirement, etc. we live comfortably, but I still worry. I budget, use coupons, etc. Money is always a worry.
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