re: Americans think they need to earn $233,000 to live comfortably, and $483,000 to be rich

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Our typical summer vacation growing up was to drive to Astroworld/Waterworld and catch an Astros game

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I’m assuming you’re the only member of your family to survive such a difficult and harrowing childhood lifestyle

The first time that I ever flew on an airplane was for SR trip to Cancun. We weren't poor at all either

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Honestly, I think it boils down to perception. We are definitely comfortable, but I'd like to save more and my wife and I have champagne tastes... So when we want something, we don't shy away from doing it right or spending the money for it. Because of that, we do a lot less than you would think a couple with our income would do. Wife and I pull in 350k, no not an OT joke. When I was younger I guess that with earnings like that, I could do literally anything I wanted, whenever I wanted. Between maxing retirement savings, HSA, and a 529, 4 fricking kids, and taxable account contributions, that's not the case. But at the end of the day, we will be retiring at 50 with no debt. Would 483k be cool? Sure. But we could also get by with less. Also, if Amazon went away, I'm pretty sure we could retire at 45. The shareholders owe me a thank you.

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I just turned 42 with no kids and there’s no way I think I can retire at 50 with my spending habits.

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Agree that is how it used to be. I was lucky to do anything with my family. But, now as adults especially without kids, it is typical to see 5 to 6 trips, several 3 to 4 day trips and a week long trip per year. Most people I know do this.

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I don't even think we'll travel nearly that much when the kids are out of the house.

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Let's say mortgage, escrow, insurance on a $500k house = $3000.

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I'm over $1800 now on a $195k purchase price due to tax increases. So I'm calling bullshite on this one.

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Health insurance and healthcare = $1000

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False.

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Car payments on two new cars = $1000

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Maybe ten years ago.

I just love these threads where people trip over themselves to act like they are just trying their best to eek out a somewhat decent existence where they work really hard for the little bit they have and how they have to scrimp and save and cut back on this or that




oh and they make like 6x more than the average person lol.


I’ll never forget the engineer plant baw poster who described himself and his family as “working class people” on their 300k household income.

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I'm over $1800 now on a $195k purchase price due to tax increases. So I'm calling bullshite on this one.

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Tha frick do you live? LMAO.

My mortgage on a $280K house in one of the highest property tax counties including HOA and insurance and taxes is only a little over $1900.

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Health insurance and healthcare = $1000


False.

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Tha frick? What type of shite healthcare do you have?

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Car payments on two new cars = $1000


Maybe ten years ago.

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frick cars and car culture.

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Agree that is how it used to be. I was lucky to do anything with my family. But, now as adults especially without kids, it is typical to see 5 to 6 trips, several 3 to 4 day trips and a week long trip per year.

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I mean.. you said it was part of your definition of “comfort.” A definition which apparently requires at least $200k in income, and also includes dining out 3+ nights per week ( ).

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Most people I know do this.

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I think we are getting closer to the reality here. It sounds like your definition of living “comfortably” really boils down to keeping up with the Joneses.

Here’s the thing: if you made $500k and hung out in those circles instead, you’d be basing the idea of comfort on their spending habits.. at least with this logic.

I realize that’s just how it goes to an extent, but it’s a bit laughable to describe in writing as the minimum required for a comfortable lifestyle when the vast majority of Americans (including you as a child, apparently) don’t come close to it.

1) I don’t think money goes as far as it used to
2) jobs are congregating in major urban areas and those areas are becoming expensive
3) the same house can be 150k in some rural town vs 1 million in a major metro in California
4) families that are paying all their bills plus funding there retirement aren’t really “barely getting by”, though I could see where it could feel that way. Everyone looks at people that seem to have more and think they need more. It’s human nature.

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My mortgage on a $280K house in one of the highest property tax counties including HOA and insurance and taxes is only a little over $1900.

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Gwinnett County GA.

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Tha frick? What type of shite healthcare do you have?

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Quick google search shows the average family plan is $22k+ a year. That's the average. And that's the premium, not the co-pays and out of pockets.

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frick cars and car culture.

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Agreed. Both of mine are paid off and I intend to drive them until the wheels fall off.