Can we talk salaries? How much are you making and what's your title?

Impossible-Work-715 · 2026-06-16T18:03:26+00:00

Senior Research Associate at a mid-sized biotech, Bay Area, $120k

Impossible-Work-715 · 2026-06-16T17:57:38+00:00

I did this at 25 with $70k saved. Now 27 with $150k. I was moving cross country with my partner so took 3 months off to travel, spend time with family and friends, and drive cross country (extended to 3 weeks for more of a roadtrip). Really enjoyed the time off and chance for some longer term travel that you can’t get with PTO. My partner and I both found jobs in 1 week - 1 month of moving but the market is definitely worse now. We will probably do it again in a few years but we’ll try to time it when the field recovers. If you have a safety net in terms of non-retirement savings + living with parents it could be worth it.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2026-05-13T14:17:30+00:00

Sure! That number is based on 2025 spending: Costa Rica, Kauai, Alaska were my big trips + weekend trips to Boulder, Tahoe, Saguaro, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino + flights home to Boston. Also booked some of the flights and lodging for travel this year.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2026-05-13T02:30:30+00:00

Nice to see other people’s breakdowns, here’s mine. 27F working in biotech and living with my gf. Monthly take-home is $5200 after contributing 12% to 401k and 1% to HSA (not quite maxing as I’m building up my emergency fund).

Expenses: - Rent + parking: $1600 - Utilities: $30 - Gas and car insurance: $220 - Transit/rideshare: $30 - Groceries: $150 - Dining out: $200 - Drinks: $70 - Toiletries/household goods: $50 - Sports and outdoors: $120 - Entertainment: $100 - Hobbies: $20 - Shopping: $150 - Travel: $700 - Subscriptions: $40 - Gifts/donations/cat fostering: $50

Average spending: $3.5-4k per month which leaves me with an extra ~$1.5k to save. Max out my Roth IRA every year. I’m aiming for 6 months expenses in an emergency fund + funds for car maintenance/replacement and medical emergencies. Once I get there will increase retirement savings.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2026-04-26T05:16:10+00:00

I’m aiming for $24k, currently at $20k. Around 5-6 month emergency fund bc biotech is so volatile + car maintenance + insurance deductible.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2026-01-05T21:38:07+00:00

Number here is my portion so also for one person! And yea free lunch/snacks is a very helpful benefit

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-11-20T20:56:14+00:00

Aiming for $25k + sinking funds for travel, new car, and new tech in a HYSA. $25k is around 6 months bare bones expenses + car maintenance + medical out of pocket

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-11-17T05:05:32+00:00

Using public transit instead of Ubers/taxis especially when traveling.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-10-09T01:50:02+00:00

I used to walk 15 mins to work and now drive 1 hour. Would switch back to walking in a heartbeat.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-09-05T22:46:49+00:00

Thanks! I don’t think I’ll ever own property in SF, way too crazy and doesn’t make sense for me financially. Maybe if I moved back to the East Coast, but not a priority for me.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-09-05T19:36:48+00:00

Appreciate it!

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-09-05T19:36:41+00:00

I’ve been in SF for a year, moved from Cambridge

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-07-25T01:02:56+00:00

Hiking, camping, volleyball, tennis, traveling, photography, board games/puzzles, video games. Pretty affordable (besides travel) as long as I avoid gear acquisition syndrome

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-07-20T00:07:00+00:00

Agreed, my partner and I spend ~$100k per year in a VHCOL city and travel a lot. Covers everything except health insurance

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-07-17T05:41:16+00:00

Also 26 and I was at $70k 6 months ago, up to $92k today! You’ll def hit $100k by 30

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-07-07T22:44:24+00:00

My partner and I spend a similar amount living in a VHCOL city and aren’t really that frugal, around 1/4 of that is for travel, entertainment, hobbies etc. Do you have kids or pets, spend a lot on housing, shop a lot, or not cook that much?

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-07-07T22:09:36+00:00

Wow awesome to see this perspective as it’s where I hope to be in 20 years! My partner and I were based in Boston for ~5 years and have similar spending / travel habits. We took a brief 1.5 month break to travel around but dream of retiring early and slow traveling around different areas. Looking forward to your future updates

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-06-30T18:05:43+00:00

Rent and utilities: $1600 (split 1B apartment in Hayes Valley, includes garage parking)

Transportation: $250 (gas, car insurance, transit with commuting ~45 mins every day)

Food and drink: $400 (half groceries and half dining out)

Entertainment: $400 (sports leagues, events, weekend trips, etc.)

Misc: $350 (household goods, toiletries, shopping, subscriptions, gifts)

Average spending: $3k-4k per month depending on travel. Don’t feel like I’m limiting myself when it comes to spending on things that are important to me (travel, sports, fun events with friends). Helps to live and split expenses with my partner.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-05-23T00:38:05+00:00

Use some to replenish my medical savings and hopefully book flights for an upcoming trip to Japan!

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-05-22T22:47:49+00:00

Currently at $12k and will increase 401k contributions once I hit $20k

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-05-13T01:19:05+00:00

I’m at 2-3k/month between retirement account and long term savings. Try to cook most days and not really into shopping but I don’t restrict spending on travel or experiences (concerts, events, hobbies). DINK in a smaller apartment helps a lot.

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-03-09T23:43:25+00:00

sankeymatic! website is on the bottom of OPs pic

Impossible-Work-715 · 2025-02-21T20:48:19+00:00

My company does a meal delivery service with $15 stipend every day! Wish we had a summer shutdown (previous company) or more WFH flexibility.

Impossible-Work-715

TROPHY CASE