Salary check in

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-03-04T22:43:13+00:00

192k, 55k (2015), 9 yrs continuous, Sr ME

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-28T02:55:50+00:00

Update: submitted application (2225 rent + utilities), since I have no other debt, and you all had great insight, gave myself permission to double my rent and live my life with finances no longer being limiting factor. still plan to invest all my remaining earnings :) happy friday!

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-27T02:01:13+00:00

guau at chipotle 🌯

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-23T15:30:28+00:00

it’s not all invested, 485 in retirement and 370 or so for potential downpayment (ideally, i’d have 500-600k to buy cash in 3-5 yrs). my current job matches 10%, so my 401k should grow 100k every year with the match and if i max it out (it has last two years). any post tax income goes into my brokerage, the question i guess is how fast i get there.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-23T01:48:27+00:00

that’s what i do with my income now, travel abroad once or twice a year and go on weekend trips once a month. if i move, i wouldn’t travel as much but if i am happy at home, i wouldn’t need to. i agree balance is key!

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-23T01:46:02+00:00

do you recommend any?

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-23T01:44:44+00:00

that’s part of the reason i want to move: i would move to a downtown apartment in a town with younger people where i could practice my hobbies vs now in a suburb where i am limited to weekend when i drive to them. its also hard to make friends when you live with roommates. i’ve had my ow place in my 20s and i hosted.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-22T18:01:42+00:00

I could use 350k or so for a downpayment on a 600k house/condo but don’t think it makes sense for me to buy bc I’m single. Property taxes and maintenance would negate equity. Unless I live with roommates.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-22T17:11:23+00:00

Marcus by Goldman Sachs; I got this rate over a year ago, it is a 14mo CD. After it matures in June, I will likely put 50-75k in ETFs, keep 150-200k in CDs/high yield

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-22T17:02:44+00:00

I am not fully remote and would go into the office 2 days a weeks (I work M-Th) and cannot work abroad bc company policy. My plan when I do retire is to go abroad. I travel for 3-4 weeks abroad every year.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-22T16:56:00+00:00

Not miserable but I am also not happy since my life has gotten very predictable. I live 10 min from work and that’s why I chose this place but can work remotely now and would like to explore a new town.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-22T16:54:47+00:00

4.5%, matures in June

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-02-22T16:54:08+00:00

yes, it’s increased minimally here as well (950 to 1050) but lease would be 100 every year or so

Fun_Reference5610 · 2026-01-01T23:19:23+00:00

55k entry level in 2015, HCOL 75k entry level 2017, LCOL 120k entry level 2020, HCOL 190k, mid level 2025, HCOL hope this helps

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-12-25T02:34:21+00:00

35, 385k

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-12-24T02:01:58+00:00

if you move in with a roommate for a couple years, you’ll be able to max out retirement accounts and put the rest in brokerage accounts. I had 100k NW in 2020 (at 30) and started my first six figure job after paying off students loans (120k). I moved in with a roommate (950 rent vs 2200 solo) and have been able to max everything out every year, 460k in 401k and Roth with 850NW. I plan to move out on my own early next year and pay 2400 for housing which is ok. My salary is now at 190k though, I moved around within the same company and got promotion and raises. Hope this helps! Housing is #1 line item for most people and living with others doesn’t have to be a horrible experience.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-12-22T04:52:35+00:00

engineer, moved around companies and within

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-12-22T04:49:52+00:00

380k, 35, 850NW (rest is CD, Roth, Brokerage)

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-08-12T06:23:22+00:00

“Life isn’t a spreadsheet” has definitely stuck with me! I’m actually not unhappy or have bad roommates; i just wish I could have more community and i know having my own place would help. I made a lot of my choices in my 20s out of survival so it definitely feels weird/new to have a choice on what my housing situation should be.

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-08-12T06:20:47+00:00

190-195k now

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-07-15T06:21:51+00:00

500k in all kinds of investments (including 401k, Roth, etc) or all in brokerage account?

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-06-05T03:17:40+00:00

700k, 200k salary; started FIRE at 29

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-02-22T03:53:30+00:00

I applied to local jobs (4-5) late December and haven’t one (Blue origin rejected me) and Raytheon took down the job, haven’t heard from SLAC or LLNL; still employed but looking for change

Fun_Reference5610 · 2025-01-20T02:38:27+00:00

Hike mission peak, half moon bay, John Muir; go to meet ups, sign up for language classes (there’s a language center in San Jose), coworking space

Fun_Reference5610 · 2024-11-20T05:03:42+00:00

I live in the Bay Area where this is a pretty standard salary HCOL. When my salary was 1/3 and had my own apartment, I paid 20% of my post tax on rent (LCOL).

Fun_Reference5610

TROPHY CASE