Median household income in the US is $67k, I make $200k and I am still stressed and worried. How do people live with that salary. I know I come off as out of touch and braggy. It’s just hard to believe since I only know ppl who make equal or way more than me. And in this bowl I probably am at the bottom of the hierarchy.

First and foremost - don’t be so hard on yourself. You don’t need to feel guilty for having down well. And comparing yourself to your peers, having lifestyle creep, etc - they’re natural experiences that’s ton of people share.

I used to compare myself a LOT to a few close friends who had done exceptionally well for themselves, to the point that it started to affect my mental health. Two things that helped a lot - instituting a daily gratitude practice that grounded me in how much I have and how lucky I am, and spending a bit of time each month finding a way to contribute to those who are less fortunate. I attribute a ton of my mental well being to these two practices, and wonder if you would benefit from them as well. Best of luck, be kind to yourself!

OP, I think it’s a great question you’re asking and that you’re trying to understand other folks who grew up differently from yourself.

To answer your question, it’s all about saving and really only spending on the bare minimum. My parents had very little growing up. They would always buy food in bulk (and no Costco membership), they would understand and compare grocery prices and go for the ingredients at diff grocery stores that were selling at a better price or on sale, we would rarely eat at a restaurant or go for fast food, clothes were rarely bought and if they were it was on the sale rack or thrifted, we did not travel for luxury, things weren’t replaced unless absolutely broken and unfixable and that means for sure not buying the latest and greatest tech or products. They didn’t look at how pretty the house was or the car or the clothes. It was all about how functional things were. All that mattered was that we had food on the table and their kids did well in school. And often times in families with less money, it can be a very stressful household cause they’re trying to make ends meet and always worrying about finances. My dad worked overtime every day for more than 30 years. He’d get up at 5:30am and come home at 6-7pm working a labour intensive job that paid very little.

I hope this helps you understand how folks make it work on so little. They just don’t have the luxury of even thinking about luxury things. For you, you would have the luxury of thinking about vacationing and work life balance and a better car, better house or better phone etc. Those with less income just work and think within their means.

I don’t think most people can answer this on the bowl because they grew up with relatively comfortable family income.

I did not - single mom at 40k. She would work Christmas morning, her birthday, everything to be able to afford presents for us. We did not take a single vacation growing up - except to visit our grandparents once a year, we would drive 18 hours or I would fly standby alone. Walmart clothes, hand me downs, sometimes the power or cable would be out for a few days until the bill got paid. We went to food pantries and took advantage of other assistance when things were especially lean.

Idk what else you want to know, AMA

Even if you earn $1M, there is always someone who earns more. Stop comparing just interms of $.
WLB, family time, vacations, time for hobbies, etc are also a factor.

You’re probably stressed because lifestyle creep is real.

Growing up, did your parents make 200k a year each?

I made 50k just two years ago and now make 200k, it’s all just budgeting. My car at 50k is the same car I have now, my apartment at 50k was half of what I have now. The essentials are the same at any income. With 200k I live a life of luxury. At 50k I loved a life of fun still. If you want just DM me and I can share with you my budget on 200k

Most people can only afford to take one local vacation per year, they own a house you wouldn’t ever consider buying, they go out to eat once every two weeks, they only put up to their match for 401K, zero savings, and no college education fund.

Think about how much you could bank if you lived like this.

Start hanging out with more poor people

What are you stressed about?
I’m around that comp and I throw money around granted I’m in LCOL

You should be asking what are you doing that is preventing you living on yours.

Money is not just about numbers - there’s SO MUCH that is emotional and psychological about it! I recommend the podcast “ I will teach you to be rich” where he talks to actual couples about money and - surprise- it’s always about their psychology! It’s fascinating to hear the stories and apply them to my life and brain!
For example, there was a couple where they seriously had $8m in savings /retirement and they were going to get divorced if the guy didn’t stop being so cheap. Lots of stories on the other side of the situation, my ping in sharing this was that your sense of worry about money does NOT have to correlate to your number on the bank.

Are you decent at budgeting? Where’s the money going?

I suspect the median household also isn’t doing so well…

Wealth isn’t how much you make. It’s not the size of your house. Wealth is the money you have and don’t spend. When you see someone buy something expensive, your not seeing their wealth, but the wealth they used to have.

If your struggling at 200K I’d take a good look at your spending habits as I suspect you have room to improve there. Make some cuts on things you don’t really need.

Wow that’s a huge salary!!! I earn £50k as a financial services consultant in the UK

It’s a lifestyle. And that’s the only way to describe it as someone who grew up in the south.

When you’re making less than $67k, you have to learn how to really hate your peers (immigrants! Woke mobs! Antifa!) because otherwise you’ll realize the person above you is taking your cut, and then there’d be a revolution

Care to elaborate a bit on what exactly you’re worried about? That may help folks provide some more pointed recommendations. For example if you’re struggling for day-to-day operations (hopefully not at 200k) is one thing whereas a greater concern regarding retirement/providing for children/etc. is a whole different world.

In my case, I got to $200k salary this year as well. My lifestyle/car/apartment hasn’t changed drastically from what I made at 100k and I live in a ‘luxury’ condo and have a ‘fancy’ car in a T2 city in the Midwest. I save most of the balance so I feel fairly confident in my long term strategy as well. Granted I have no plans on kids any time soon and am enjoying how large my travel budget has become.

I am not stressed about what I make now. I just don’t like my job, feel the fear of if I lose my job how would I survive. Feel like I am stuck in the job that consumes all my time and my mind and I want to layback get something that’s more manageable. Just had a kid and I think the right thing to do is keep pushing hard so I can give them a good life and education. I just respect the families that make less but have a life. I grew up in a middle class household, dad was a business man so we had constant ups and downs.

Get better friends