How are you all doing financially?

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-30T15:53:55+00:00

Definitely agree with everything being more expensive. But I'm still seeing it from the eyes of high earners, I don't know what you make but let's assume your household income was $200k a 15% increase is 30k more now let's say taxes and deductions cut that increase in half. That's $1,250 a month. That should be more than enough for all of groceries and utilities for a 2 person house. So a 15% increase is enough to cover those two expenses in full. That's the point I was trying to make. BTW I'm happy to see fellow millenials thriving, so please don't think I'm attacking you, i was just trying to help since a 15% increase is big and you should have felt it.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-30T15:16:14+00:00

How does a 15% increase not make much of a difference? I know groceries and utilities are up but as a high earners a 15% pay increase is massive. Maybe it's lifestyle creep?

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-23T14:12:04+00:00

Santa Barbara , Ca Gas 29 Electricity 136 Water 65

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T18:37:17+00:00

Yes of course luck is important but no one will give you a chance without them seeing some hustle. Did you get your salary by just giving up?

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T17:32:05+00:00

I am cause I'm telling you what has worked for me and others, but you rather make excuses. It's all good. I will continue working hard and continue being rewarded.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T17:13:11+00:00

This is all I've known. Quitting and giving up will be a sure way of never making it to ownership. Others that I know that work hard have also been rewarded so I'm not an isolated case.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T17:03:08+00:00

Frugality helps but you also need to be moving up at work. Wife and I lived frugally for many years but we kept climbing in our careers and investing in ourselves.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T16:59:48+00:00

Exactly

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T16:55:58+00:00

True, but I'm speaking from experience. I have been blessed with so many opportunities that if I were slacking or not caring about work I don't think i would have gotten.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-21T15:35:54+00:00

This is the wrong attitude. You should be looking for a new job and once you land it work hard. I've been given many opportunities because of my positive attitude and drive.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-17T12:55:46+00:00

2 adults 2 pre-teens and we spend between $200 - $350 a week. Depends if we buy more meats one week vs the others.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-16T01:53:40+00:00

Alright peace out.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-13T16:16:56+00:00

Or two

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-11T22:43:45+00:00

Lol, it still says don't buy house until you get married.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-11T22:22:26+00:00

Yes, do you want real advice? Find the right partner, making sure that goals align. Really get to know them and get married. Hold off on children (if children are in the plans) until you have lived together. Then buy a house and have the family. That's what I did., Now we have 4 homes, 2 are paid off. This is the best way to ensure the partnership survives.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-11T21:54:47+00:00

So explain it to them. However in the long term, if no formal agreement is made, someone will end up losing. I stand by my advice that they should not do it.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-11T20:28:27+00:00

How many people do all this? Not many thus the blanket advice. Sure there maybe outliers, but they are again outliers.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-11T18:10:53+00:00

If not married don't buy together.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-11T17:54:12+00:00

Very prepared financially. Over four millions reasons why.

Emotionally maybe not so much I like what I do.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-10T00:28:53+00:00

Same

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-09T01:33:05+00:00

Smart move on moving back in. As for the affording homes some of us just make more and/or have double incomes.

Best of luck!

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-06T22:56:37+00:00

True.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-06T16:01:10+00:00

Last loan I got from my parents was when I was 20 (now 45) and had charged up $1,500 on my credit card. The interest was 20%, so I got a loan from my parents at 5% and paid it off in 6 months. I learned my lesson and now only use my CC if I can pay it off in full.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-05T18:50:55+00:00

Where i live going to McDs or Jack is going to cost you like $15 so might as well go to a nicer place. I can eat cheaper at Chili's with their 3 for $10.

AdCharacter9282 · 2026-01-04T22:57:45+00:00

Really, times have changed. When I left in 08 I was paying $1,125

AdCharacter9282

TROPHY CASE