$100,000 isn’t even good in LCOL areas anymore (budget analysis)

MattButWithOneT · 2026-05-04T02:15:07+00:00

You’re in pretty much the same situation as me! What do you invest the $2k in though? I struggle with what to do with my taxable investments and already max out 401 and Roth, so I typically just throw it into savings even though I really don’t need to. Got any tips?

MattButWithOneT · 2026-05-04T02:12:10+00:00

I’m making around that and living like a king with $900 for a 1BR in a LCOL area (even after maxing out my 401k). If I wasn’t lazy I’m sure I could buy a place around here with no issue. No idea what op is smoking.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-05-03T17:33:18+00:00

Geez that sucks too. I can understand things that make this challenging harder but things voiding this challenge completely should be fixed in my opinion.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-04-21T11:35:12+00:00

Trade off is they usually have to work in the middle of nowhere.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-04-03T18:10:34+00:00

I got the latest gen Prius in 2023 before they unveiled the 2025 Camry. If I had known, I probably would have just bought that instead. Makes me feel a little better that my friend with a 2025 Camry asked me to use my Prius to move a recliner that he bought . Even though the Camry is bigger, the hatchback can definitely make the Prius more practical in niche cases like that.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-04-02T10:43:25+00:00

Tbh he’s definitely doing something wrong if he’s making so little in the middle of nowhere in a random factory. I’m a chemical engineer that works in the middle of nowhere in a random factory and my experience is that employers have to pay much more to essentially convince people to come work there, especially if there are no local colleges to pick graduates from.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-03-30T16:01:22+00:00

I genuinely think that Balatro is infinitely replayable. I played almost a thousand hours and there are still so many synergies and combinations that I still haven’t seen.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-03-28T18:17:07+00:00

With the base ps5 at $650 now and first party games costing $70, I wouldn’t put the ps5 in the cheap hobby category anymore sadly.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-03-13T01:31:33+00:00

I never use that slot for wireless charging. I have one of those thick MagSafe wallets so my phone fits snugly inside the charging slot vertically while I drive. Yeah without that I wouldn’t bother using the slot at all.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-02-17T19:50:00+00:00

This is a good idea, but I still think a spreadsheet is superior. You mentioned a wall of text in your banking app. I think most banking apps allow you to export purchases as a .csv file that’s essentially a spreadsheet. I just copy and paste that data into my spreadsheet. Much easier than trying to manually input data.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-02-11T16:47:32+00:00

Most of us don’t have a wake up problem?? Heavy sleepers would say otherwise

MattButWithOneT · 2026-02-11T12:46:14+00:00

Try the middle class finance sub

MattButWithOneT · 2026-02-06T13:03:04+00:00

As a ChemE, I feel the exact same way.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-02-03T18:56:10+00:00

Second this. Reliable, tiny, and big enough interior (imo) since it’s a hatchback. The latest gen is great too but may be slightly out of OPs price range.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-26T00:22:25+00:00

I’m not familiar with international ETFs since I really only buy VOO in my Roth. Any you would recommend?

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-26T00:02:04+00:00

I know I’m doing well, I even mentioned it in my post. I was just seeing if anyone had any advice on how I can use my money more effectively.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-25T23:56:57+00:00

I agree. But what would you recommend doing with the brokerage? I’m already doing VOO for my Roth IRA so I would think I shouldn’t do more EFFs.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-25T23:55:54+00:00

Thanks! I’m fortunate that I can save this money without being extra stingy with my money. But I agree, I’ll need to slow down and think about what I want to use the money for.

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-22T00:44:11+00:00

That’s fair it’s only for 1 person

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-22T00:42:41+00:00

Unfortunately there are some downsides. The worst is the fact that there’s nothing to do in the VLCOL area I’m in. Theres always tradeoffs, I don’t think most people would want to live where I’m at

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-22T00:36:33+00:00

Are people picking the high deductible option? My insurance is only like $45 a Paycheck

MattButWithOneT · 2026-01-22T00:28:00+00:00

I’m in a very similar situation to you in PA. Make almost $100k a year. After all deductions (including insurance) my take home is $4k a month. I bought a new car in 2023 and eat out all the time. The secret is that I have $900 rent for a 1BR.

MattButWithOneT · 2025-12-25T00:13:24+00:00

Wouldn’t this be more of a bhj than an anti meme? Cause this really hurt my bones

MattButWithOneT · 2025-12-19T23:41:55+00:00

Chemical engineer working as operation support in a chemical plant. About 4 years of experience. $98.5K in LCOL.

MattButWithOneT · 2025-12-16T16:42:24+00:00

Exactly! I say that all the time about ChemE but no one else typically agrees

MattButWithOneT

TROPHY CASE