For those making $200k-$300k - does it feel like “enough,” or was there gradual lifestyle creep where it doesn’t feel that much different than $100k?

Not there yet, but my father made ~400k for a good part of his career and was transparent with his finances with me. I’d say we grew up middle-upper. As in, we went on 1-2 nice vacations per year, had our luxuries met, college paid for, etc but we didn’t live a lavish lifestyle, although he did end up saving ~5 mil for retirement at 58. So long story short, lifestyle creep definitely affects this, especially with kids. What he told me is that I may realize my savings % not increasing over time but my absolute $ will be increasing due to the increased salary

It really is lifestyle inflation. At 26 and $99K with a wife at $35K we save about 50%+ of take home pay and I don’t feel like we want for anything. But having most of my friends who make under $60K keeps me living humbly compared to what I make. No kids yet but wife will jump to $90-100K next year. We don’t intend to pay for a full time nanny or private school but want 3 kids. Hard to estimate not having those costs yet but I think we could be extremely comfortable at $250K household, we would save less, but that’s part of the reason we save so much now.

Household 395- drive old Hondas, live in modest home with low mortgage, spend 5k on childcare each month and 1k to 529s, haven’t been on vacation since kids were born... I guess you could call it lifestyle creep... I call it the price of having kids in a high cost of living state

There is never enough ...if there was an ‘enough’ , we wouldn’t have partners running around like they have a bounty on their head. Enough basically is a state of mind on day of your next promotion.

Wife and I together bring a little over 300 in. When single at 110 I felt like I had more. Now married with house, kids etc i have to watch my dollars. At 110 single I did not.

300 with stay at home wife. 2 small children. I’m still balling

Children. That’s what I take from this. Children take all your money.

At 250 with wife now at 28. Kept spending flat for 5 years so feels like a ton

250-300 is middle class, albeit a bit upper here in coastal California, the struggle is real yo😬

D4 - I’m 33 and make 88k but in Midwest - definitely feeling behind

Following

350 annual but with kid it goes out the other side just as quick 😭

It’s all about budgeting. From what I’m reading, no one will ever have enough. I was just as happy making $65k vs now when I make $120k. It’s all about how and where you live and how you spend your money. Granted childcare is a killer. I know people who do it on much less than what I make now though and they are happy.

Low 200s not feeling comfortable in DC Area but we have kids and wife is at home. 300s would feel better

I find this thread funny .. you need to make as much as you spend and that changes with your whims.. maximum propensity to consume remains constant regardless of income level .. or you live by a budget and all extra money is icing on the cake or early retirement

🍿

I think I could “stop” for the most part at $300k - and maintain

Oh right, yes I’m in Midwest, so totally understand. I would bet $700k-$1M annual would be the goal there?

Total lifestyle creep. Feels comfortable for sure but a bit tighter than I like. Mortgage that’s 3500 plus student loans and max out of 401k. Know it’s not typical to have all those things but structural costs def make the creep on expectations real.

🍿🍿