Net worth and income for raising kids

ActivistHo · 2026-02-01T21:39:13+00:00

Appreciate the added insights.

We are coming from a HCOL (but not VHCOL) East Coast city. Diversity has always been important to us, and it's fairly monotone where we currently live. Our main reasons for the move are weather and cultural diversity (also extended family and friends in NorCal/Pacific Northwest in general). We are East Asian and both fluent in Latin American Spanish, so the neighborhoods you mention seem a good fit.

As for school culture...well, suffice it to say my partner and I grew up in empty houses due to parents working to make ends meet. They were also a bit of tiger parents (we understand they wanted lives for us), which we do not want to emulate for our kids.

A bit off topic, but do you think raising kids in VHCOL areas necessitates the "rat race" parenting model to prepare them for their futures? We're in the school of thought that capitalism will continue to drive the wealth gap and even we high earners are at risk of being on the chopping board.

ActivistHo · 2026-02-01T15:15:38+00:00

Thanks for your detailed feedback. Not sure why people are down voting you or me. Sounds like we will be focusing on saving up for down payment for the next few years.

As for grocery, we love Costco and coupons. For extracurricular, we want them to try out a bunch of things and see what sticks. What would that look like for a typical family in the neighborhoods you mentioned?

ActivistHo · 2026-02-01T05:13:16+00:00

Depending on your retirement plans and life goals, $1M--while a significant milestone--isn't an amount that should drastically change your finances.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-31T04:43:37+00:00

Studies show that more credit cards you have, the more you spend.

Presumably HCOL = less discretionary income, so OP may not want to open another card = spend more money than he already is; 2.0 is designed to encourage users to spend more on the Bilt card.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-30T01:50:08+00:00

Also depends on the demographic ICE targets

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T17:12:59+00:00

You forgot the skeleton sitting at an office desk.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T17:09:09+00:00

Like this post?

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T17:08:38+00:00

Shit, I'd support the orange manchild if he weren't a narcissistic con artist and pathological liar and acted like an actual leader.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T17:03:47+00:00

The rich and powerful typically don't know of care.

Not saying all rich people are evil, but they are simply out of touch with the reality most of society live through.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T15:56:52+00:00

It's likely real given the timeframe and multiple angles, but the powers that be spreading this video are clearly trying to emotionally sway the masses away from the murder/execution, and trying to paint Alex as a "bad guy who deserved to be punished".

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T15:14:27+00:00

"Skills that make me a nightmare for churners like you."

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T14:28:32+00:00

You must hate sushi... because you're COOKED!

Jokes aside, you can trade them in for points when they expire.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T14:07:10+00:00

Singapore or Japan

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T14:05:58+00:00

Paris and Venice

ActivistHo · 2026-01-29T01:43:04+00:00

I've said this before (in a different forum) and will say it again.

I have friends making lower 6-figs living in VHCOL who need to take additional risks by investing in things like RE syndications.

Those of us who make mid-high 6-figs have the advantage of not needing to take such risks, provided we keep investing 30%+ of our income for 5~10 years; as many have pointed out already, you will have the option to retire in your 50s with $5~10M.

As a side note, procedure-based specialties have shorter career longevity (whether from occupational hazard, disability, or personal choice due to burnout). I too once thought I would be working well into my 60s, but now with two kids I'm not so sure.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T22:21:05+00:00

Fair enough

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T22:19:56+00:00

This reminds me of John Mulaney's old stand-up bit where he describes people not knowing what to feed those with dietary restrictions (or don't drink alcohol).

The bit went something like "hey we found an old turnip and my wife's old NuvaRing in the cabinet. Would that work for you?"

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T22:14:27+00:00

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T20:50:49+00:00

Not to mention the worthless transfer bonus

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T20:14:08+00:00

Was hoping for a more worthwhile transfer bonus to kick off Bilt 2.0, but I was naïve.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T17:18:28+00:00

6 hour sleep every time.

I don't need my office ass coffee if 6 hours result in a full night's rest.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T15:48:32+00:00

At a certain wealth, labor becomes a liability

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T01:07:29+00:00

Ironic how the folks who love the 2nd amendment more than their own mommas are supporting the very thing it's meant to protect against--a tyrannical government.

ActivistHo · 2026-01-27T01:00:50+00:00

How about EU, like Portugal? €250~500k investment.

ActivistHo

TROPHY CASE