Is

[White Mongoose]

I live off 25k a year. That pays rent for a place in Westwood, tuition to UCLA, and groceries/the occasional taco bell. I don't have a car payment or anything, but I'm sure I spend more money on tuition in a year than a car payment... people must be living outside of their bracket if they are making over 100k and are struggling.

A lot of people seem to have an unrealistic view on California.

I totally agree! I used to live in Las Vegas and everything was expensive! I have been living in northern Calif for about 6 years now and life is much better and more affordable.
I just start my job less a year ago make roughly 25K to 35K a year. I still live pretty much as I used to when I was on disability in come. I live with roommates because rent is only $350. I still have my old Cherokee that I had for five years. I have a system for grocery to keep my budget in control but I do buy bit more now since I'm making better money.
I don't know if I will ever buy a house here even though I love it here because I'm looking at buying a condo oversea that would cost maybe 80K to 120K.

Most things I buy are toys I know I will play with a lot and don't require lot of money. Such as bodyboard, mountain bike, climbing gears and other things.
So when I'm not working, I'm always too busy go out to do or try new things that doesn't cost much more beyond some gas and maybe food.
By staying busy, I'm never thinking "oh man I want that latest ipad! Look at that asshole with expensive new sport car, only if I have that money! Gee why do I have to be so poor! If I wasn't so poor I could have that $2,000 watch!"

Then I look at other people... They just never seems happy with what they have and think the secret is to make so much money that they can afford everything they see. Hell I know a guy who is a lawyer and his wife have a decent job, yet they are struggling all time and even broke from time to time... Why? They decide to have a custom built home in a very expensive part of city and go crazy buying bunches of new expensive furnitures and Merc Benz and BMW and stuff then bury themselves up into eyes in debt!

Make me wonders a lot about what the hell people do with their money.

 

[mister who]

Make me wonders a lot about what the hell people do with their money.

What I think is that these people already come from privileged backgrounds so they are accustomed to a certain lifestyle. People who say it is difficult to raise two children with a combined income in excess of $130k. It is just gibberish to me. While I don't have any dependents, I could live very well off of $40k/yr. But to some that is a mere pittance only fit for peasants.

 

[Chabal]

 

[SevenSamurai]

what is the after tax rate of return on your investment savings vs. the interest rate on your debt?

Close to a wash -Until November I was still paying off liquid debt with double digit interest -which I threw every penny at. Now I only have the very low interest rate debt to finish off.

 

[White Mongoose]

What I think is that these people already come from privileged backgrounds so they are accustomed to a certain lifestyle. People who say it is difficult to raise two children with a combined income in excess of $130k. It is just gibberish to me. While I don't have any dependents, I could live very well off of $40k/yr. But to some that is a mere pittance only fit for peasants.

Good point there... I come from a background where my family live check to check. So I guess that's probably why I don't have much needs for many things while some just cannot fathom living without all those luxuries.

 

[UFCfightman**]

that's a decent wage for a job u don't even like let alone enjoy. don't be greedy TS

 

[Dust2000]

You woulda have to pay me a lot more than 60K a year to live in Leeds.



Nah foreal that's a decent salary there I think.


32 same age as me.

I get about 72K in Surrey. It ain't bad

 

[Baseball Choke]

Id be happy with 60,000 DOLLARS a year

 

[Satur9]

If you work on average 40 hours a week, you are making 31 pounds an hour, or the equivalent of almost 49 dollars an hour. I am not sure how well to do most of you sherdoggers are, but 49 bucks an hour is BANK where I am from. Seriously, I would be ballin in Fl making that. Also, if it was a job I loved? GTFO! Go for it bro.

 

[therealdope]

I love how this thread is full of individual guys saying, "I could live off that!", or "what are people doing with all of that money?". Well if you read TS' post he's got 2 kids FFS. Of course YOU might be able to live on that amount of money, but could you support a family?

Why don't all of you financial geniuses put pencil to paper and add up what the following costs and then tell me if $94,000/yr is a lot of money. You wonder where money goes? Here is a quick list of items to budget for and it might give you an idea:

- housing for a family of 4 in a decent school district (include utilities and taxes)
- food for a family of 4
- phone, internet, (cell phone and cable is an extra)
- cars (2), unless you live in an area with good public transit. gas, insurance, repair
- one week vacation per year
- savings for a college fund?
- braces, dental, healthcare expenses not covered by your employer provided plan
- retirement savings
- healthcare savings plan (US only)
- maintenance on your home (shit will go wrong).
- clothing, shoes (for kids that grow)
- recreation/entertainment: sports equipment ...



Remember all of this ^^^^ is after tax dollars. I'll just add that anyone with a kid on a travel team is out $8500/yr. I'm cheap as shit, and we track everything we spend and I'm still stunned at how much money goes out the door. People we know in our area spend even more. I have a friend who we met up with at christmas and his property tax is $13,000/yr.

Absolutely agree that you can live off very little, but very few will be satisfied with just surviving. As a grad student, and for a couple of years after, I lived off of less than $15,000 yr. Sure it's doable but kids are expensive.

 

[Satur9]

The vast majority of families live off less than that. That is a very good sum of money, and maybe you cannot live the most fanciful and luxurious life, but its not that hard to manage your bills with that amount of coin, in most areas of the western world.

 

[Tobago Jones]

Shit, i'd be happy earning

 

[Katsumi Yamada]

I love how this thread is full of individual guys saying, "I could live off that!", or "what are people doing with all of that money?". Well if you read TS' post he's got 2 kids FFS. Of course YOU might be able to live on that amount of money, but could you support a family?

Why don't all of you financial geniuses put pencil to paper and add up what the following costs and then tell me if $94,000/yr is a lot of money. You wonder where money goes? Here is a quick list of items to budget for and it might give you an idea:

- housing for a family of 4 in a decent school district (include utilities and taxes)
- food for a family of 4
- phone, internet, (cell phone and cable is an extra)
- cars (2), unless you live in an area with good public transit. gas, insurance, repair
- one week vacation per year
- savings for a college fund?
- braces, dental, healthcare expenses not covered by your employer provided plan
- retirement savings
- healthcare savings plan (US only)
- maintenance on your home (shit will go wrong).
- clothing, shoes (for kids that grow)
- recreation/entertainment: sports equipment ...



Remember all of this ^^^^ is after tax dollars. I'll just add that anyone with a kid on a travel team is out $8500/yr. I'm cheap as shit, and we track everything we spend and I'm still stunned at how much money goes out the door. People we know in our area spend even more. I have a friend who we met up with at christmas and his property tax is $13,000/yr.

Absolutely agree that you can live off very little, but very few will be satisfied with just surviving. As a grad student, and for a couple of years after, I lived off of less than $15,000 yr. Sure it's doable but kids are expensive.

I grew up comfortably in a family of 6 in a decent area of a similar UK city, and even counting for inflation, my parents probably never made more than 60k combined, until kids started moving out...We couldn't have afforded to send 4 kids to private school though.
Just FYI, healthcare and dental (for under 18) is free in the UK and the idea of "college funds" is pretty much non-existent as far as i know, because everyone is entitled to a very low interest student loan to cover tuition and living costs.

 

[therealdope]

I grew up comfortably in a family of 6 in a decent area of a similar UK city, and even counting for inflation, my parents probably never made more than 60k combined, until kids started moving out...We couldn't have afforded to send 4 kids to private school though.
Just FYI, healthcare and dental (for under 18) is free in the UK and the idea of "college funds" is pretty much non-existent as far as i know, because everyone is entitled to a very low interest student loan to cover tuition and living costs.

Wait - I thought you were Irish?

Location is obviously important. Imagine feeding a family of six in Singapore (a healthy diet).

 

[Katsumi Yamada]

Wait - I thought you were Irish?

Location is obviously important. Imagine feeding a family of six in Singapore (a healthy diet).

nope, I was there for 1 school year thats all. My parents are irish.

in Singapore housing 6 people would be the biggest concern, property is ridiculously expensive.

 

[therealdope]

nope, I was there for 1 school year thats all. My parents are irish.

Your parents are Irish? Do spuds make up a portion of at least one meal per day? You're pretty much Irish (in my books).

in Singapore housing 6 people would be the biggest concern, property is ridiculously expensive.

Absolutely. but I'll also add that when I went to a food store, many fruits and vegetables were very expensive. If you limit it to local stuff I think it's okay.

 

[Sexy]

Yes.

 

[Jon Stark]

It sure is. Enjoy.

 

[Jon Stark]

My fiancee and I make 165 K combined a year and we struggle at times. The reason is we bought the most expensive autos, are trying to save a riduclous for retirement as neither of us have pensions and try to travel 4 to 6 weeks a year. Long story short spend within your means and you'll be fine.I'm not overly happy with my job but can't leave because the pay is so well.

 

[Fork]

i'd love to be making that kind of money.