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Issue is lifestyle creep. I was super contented at $180K. Newly married, wife was making $120K, carefree, happy. Then the increases began, and expenses went up as well. Then kids happened. Now, can’t imagine going back down, as we have gotten accustomed to more creature comforts, and kids needs are to be factored in.
Bottom line: the number is at a point in time, relative to your personal situation.
True. I rem being single at $168k and thinking why would I ever need more money than this (even if I start a family). At 400k now but with lifestyle creep nowhere near that content feeling I had before. It changes fast
$800k in inflation-adjusted dollars.
House. Kids. Private school/college. Elder care.
Assuming future with a wife and 2 kids where I’m the only income? Probably around $750k
That’s sounding more reasonable
150k wouldnt get me out of bed.
Times are tough…
350k base, 40-hr weeks sounds pretty nice
Is that an option?
550
Thanks for the data point
Where you live and cost of living has a high influence in this number. If I was in the rural south 200k is a much different lifestyle than San francisco.
How about where you want to live though?
Some of these numbers seem absurdly high to me but I’m guessing that’s partially because of of people with several kids responding from VHCOL cities.
I am in LCOL and would say $100K was plenty when I was single. Married at $200K we were wanting for nothing and we honestly felt like we’d be fine at $150K. We’re now at $400K and basically just invest the difference because we can’t find any way to spend it.
The one big caveat is we don’t have kids yet. I don’t have a good picture of how much that would change the numbers but my guess is that if $150K was the minimum before kids, it would maybe rise to $200K with kids
Daycare alone is 1800+ a month per kid. Add in diapers, sports, food, etc. Gonna need every dollar you can get.