My family lives in Ann Arbor, MI - one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation, next to SoCal and NYC and the like. I don't want to divulge my family's income, but it's...well, in that area...and my parents do just fine. They own two houses (we rent one out, it takes care of the mortgage + improvements), a condo (where my sister and I live), and have a couple modest cars (Jeep Liberty and Nissan Pathfinder). Plus, they're sending me to college loan-free. My parents manage their money extremely well, and I regularly compliment them on their financial skills. It's not how much you make - it's how you spend (or don't spend) your money.Originally posted by: Mwilding
Depending on where you live, $140K can easily leave you stretched if you have a family with college aged kids...
Originally posted by: Orsorum
It does depend on where he lives.
In Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, a $400,000 house is relatively poor (where my dad lives). In Kent, WA, a $400,000 house is practically a mansion (where my mom lives).
To put things in perspective, my mom makes just about $60,000 a year as a veteran schoolteacher, 27% tax bracket, $43,000 a year after taxes. She pays about $1,600 a month for the mortgage payment, $300 a month for maintenance/insurance/gas on two cars, $300 for utilities. She does not have much disposable income beyond that, and she is forced to live frugally - I have grown up shopping at TJ Maxx and Ross, buying store brands.
She is not rich by some peoples' standards (including my dad), but for the majority of Americans and everyone else in the world, she is quite wealthy (think Frank Grimes here). She is happy, has a beautiful house, and she is financially secure.
I have to keep this in mind when I am at college - for right now, I have no idea of what the real world is like. I have the luxury of saving 80% of my income, of not worrying about rent, utilities, medical bills, life insurance, anything of that sort. I watch my friends pay full-price at stores like the Gap and the Limited, and I sigh, because I know I never could - I never would. I watch my money like a hawk and even then it slips through my fingers like water.
I am a spoiled person, and I've seen enough of the world to know this.
This is all about perspective. Keep that in mind.
Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The vast majority of people are never "satisfied" with how much they make, no matter what the figure is. It is human nature to always want more, whether you need it or not.
Look at people like Bill Gates. He could live like a king on a 1% return of his assets, yet he keeps working to make more.
I know some of you will mock me, but money is not what "satisfies" you or makes you happy.
Family, friends and being content with yourself are what make you truly happy.
Flame away.
Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The vast majority of people are never "satisfied" with how much they make, no matter what the figure is. It is human nature to always want more, whether you need it or not.
Look at people like Bill Gates. He could live like a king on a 1% return of his assets, yet he keeps working to make more.
I know some of you will mock me, but money is not what "satisfies" you or makes you happy.
Family, friends and being content with yourself are what make you truly happy.
Flame away.
Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The vast majority of people are never "satisfied" with how much they make, no matter what the figure is. It is human nature to always want more, whether you need it or not.
Look at people like Bill Gates. He could live like a king on a 1% return of his assets, yet he keeps working to make more.
I know some of you will mock me, but money is not what "satisfies" you or makes you happy.
Family, friends and being content with yourself are what make you truly happy.
Flame away.
I agree with you. Very well spoken.Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The vast majority of people are never "satisfied" with how much they make, no matter what the figure is. It is human nature to always want more, whether you need it or not.
Look at people like Bill Gates. He could live like a king on a 1% return of his assets, yet he keeps working to make more.
I know some of you will mock me, but money is not what "satisfies" you or makes you happy.
Family, friends and being content with yourself are what make you truly happy.
Flame away.
You are an idiotOriginally posted by: stickshift
I dunno, we seriously live like poor folk with my dad making ~$140k..I guess my dad's just the cheapest man alive (greedy bastard is probably waiting till we both graduate from college till he spends it).
Hell, my sister just started med school, and he claims he can't afford tuition ($40k/year), so my sister, who's sick and tired of this crap, decided to just take out loans and basically pay her own way through med school..she did get a new sentra gxe from him though. Yay. At least she got a car...I had to buy my own fvcking car.
Anyway...i'm gonna need tons of money to make up for all the crap I was denied as a child (i fvcking hate indians, because most are cheap just like my parents...hell, my cousin is 25, and doesn't even have his drivers license yet because he's to cheap to pay for insurance)..WHATS THE POINT OF MAKING MONEY IF YOU REFUSE TO SPEND IT?
Originally posted by: stickshift
I dunno, we seriously live like poor folk with my dad making ~$140k..I guess my dad's just the cheapest man alive (greedy bastard is probably waiting till we both graduate from college till he spends it).
Hell, my sister just started med school, and he claims he can't afford tuition ($40k/year), so my sister, who's sick and tired of this crap, decided to just take out loans and basically pay her own way through med school..she did get a new sentra gxe from him though. Yay. At least she got a car...I had to buy my own fvcking car.
Anyway...i'm gonna need tons of money to make up for all the crap I was denied as a child (i fvcking hate indians, because most are cheap just like my parents...hell, my cousin is 25, and doesn't even have his drivers license yet because he's to cheap to pay for insurance)..WHATS THE POINT OF MAKING MONEY IF YOU REFUSE TO SPEND IT?
Originally posted by: ducci
I'm the youngest of 3 children (19). My dad is the only one working in my family and he makes ~40k/year. We live in a small city/suburban NJ city. My two sisters are both college graduates. I don't consider us poor, I've never really been denied anything.
I got my first job ever when I started college last year. I got my sister's old car when I got my license. I'm going to the college of my choice, (Boston University), and I think we are all doing quite well for ourselves.
Sure, my dad busts his ass at work every day, but he acknowledges the fact that he is a blue collar worker and only works so hard at a job he hates so that his children will have better lives.
I think we did pretty damn good if you ask me. I'm satisfied with my childhood. I'm not driven by material things but still would never want to do what my dad has done his whole life. However, it is possible. So to all you people who "need" 100k/year salaries to be satisfied, all I have to say is whatever.
Granted, I wouldn't mind a salary that large. But to be satisfied it will take something more than money.
/2 cents