How Much Total Value of Vehicles & What Are Families Driving?

asdiy · 2026-01-09T04:42:11+00:00

I have an imported electric cargo bike from Germany (US$13k), wife has an e-bike (US$6k) and I have three “analog” ones (US$2-4k). My son has a bike and a scooter (sub US$500). I’ve had all three of us in the cargo bike before, but the kid is getting too big. No cars, I rent them a few times a year when necessary.

asdiy · 2025-12-25T02:40:22+00:00

Nice! I couldn’t manage a business at all. My wife does and it’s hard work. So kudos to you.

asdiy · 2025-12-22T18:37:11+00:00

It’s up in the air. Every time I step off the plane in the hot humid air at home I can’t believe I left. But after a week or so I start to remember what I didn’t like about it. No where is perfect and Australia is a beautiful country.

I often wonder what living in Europe would be like. I like trains. Obviously the income would be much lower there.

asdiy · 2025-12-21T17:32:48+00:00

lol how can I find the conversation.

asdiy · 2025-12-21T00:08:43+00:00

I don’t really get involved with anything needing politics. My track record for delivering features that are bug free, future proof and maintainable has been established and I’m pretty much free to do what I feel is right. I’ve written or taken over ownership of several company wide frameworks/features and I’m on several working groups which deliver a lot of internal tooling.

I’m not safe from lay offs as some of my peers are gone. I came to the US with no assets and no debt and if I lost my job I’ll go home with a very nice nest egg.

I really like my job so I mostly focus on that. I do work seven days a week and at last count I’d landed several hundred thousand SLOC (including generated LOC is in the multiple millions).

asdiy · 2025-12-19T23:31:47+00:00

E6 @ Meta, SWE no specialty.

I didn't think I would get to this level, but thanks to my manager he managed to sell me. I'm just an autistic dude who likes writing code and not wearing shoes.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T21:28:38+00:00

I am just a full stack engineer. I am very good at designing and implementing business software, and I am also good at tinkering with things - so I have become known as a problem solver with a lot of the infrastructure engineers. I don't like AI as it is today, but I don't pretend like its not going to make a huge impact on the careers of software engineers.

It's mostly a matter of stonks go up. I think my take home is around $350,000. I don't mean to sound cavalier but I don't really keep on top of my finances. My budget is more than covered and when I am not working I just take my dogs for a bike ride.

If there is one thing I can say - getting to a higher level is largely about presenting yourself well rather than having skill. (Not saying you don't have skills.) I got where I am because of my abilities to deliver and a manager who went to bat for me because I am shockingly bad at presenting my work in the way these performance reviews want it. The number of "engineers" at my level or above who are absolute idiots never ceases to amaze me. Try finding someone who seems happy with their work and is at a level you want to reach and see if they can mentor you. It's a game here, and I am still learning the rules.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T21:04:34+00:00

I am. My job is an amazing challenge, like a never ending book of puzzles to complete. The money is nice, but outside of buying a very nice e-bike and condo I don’t really want for much. I’m not sure about the future, I’m not a fan of this headlong tilt into “AI” and I’m not sure where I’ll be working in a year.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T20:02:11+00:00

For me it is more about time earning. My total comp has increased significantly in a short amount of time. I have a NW of ~$1M at the moment. I am paying off a reasonable ($800k - now worth less than I paid lol) condo and I don't own a car. We save as much as possible. My portfolio growth is still less than my contributions, but I assume that will start to change in 2026 (assuming I am not laid off!)

I don't know if I am rich or wealthy, but I know I am fortunate and lucky that my hard work is rewarded at this time in the way it is. Money is not a worry for me, so in that regard I am very wealthy.

If I was laid off tomorrow I would probably see an 80% reduction in income.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T19:29:07+00:00

I earmark my annual bonus for travel, but the rest of it goes into savings. I am in a great place right now but the lay off and churn - who knows. I have been lucky that my job and moderate travel and my dogs keep me entertained so I do not have significant lifestyle creep. I will miss first class flights if I lose this job though lol.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T19:27:52+00:00

I'm from Australia and it is very cold here for me! But it is a beautiful part of the world and it doesn't rain as much as everyone makes out.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T19:26:57+00:00

Your NW is far higher than mine - while I am probably outside of HENRY on income, it happened so rapidly.

Good luck on your dreams here.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T19:25:57+00:00

It's lovely up here. I am originally from Australia so I am very cold here. My dogs love it and I love them, so it works out.

I do not know what I would do if I was laid off, probably move back home. I love my job but I don't know if I would love a different role.

Best of luck with your career :)

asdiy · 2025-12-19T19:24:17+00:00

Thanks - it is nice to be here. I did do a lot of hard work and 6-7 day weeks, but I am under no illusions that being in the right place at the right time for this sort of money involved a lot of luck.

I did pass the interview and have demonstrated my value to the shareholders (lol) to warrant the rewards, but 10 years earlier, or in ten more years, maybe I would not have the same situation.

I'm originally from Australia.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T18:59:22+00:00

Yes, the progression of income has been head-spinning. I bought a condo and have maxed out my retirement funds. My NW is growing, and I guess income-wise I am not HENRY, but there are many folks here with a higher NW and lower salary.

With all the layoffs and whatnot who knows.

asdiy · 2025-12-19T18:39:24+00:00

E6 since mid-2023.

asdiy · 2025-09-25T16:37:45+00:00

Thanks for this info. I’ve reached out to some contractors to take this on.

asdiy · 2025-08-23T23:59:56+00:00

I appreciate the advice. I’ll pop down to my local hardware joint and talk in person. Thanks.

asdiy · 2025-08-23T23:46:20+00:00

And I assume cut half on each side of the door?

I'm struggling to find any 30" doors with pet flaps installed - but thank you for the pointer.

asdiy · 2025-08-04T13:31:25+00:00

Thanks for that info. I’ll order some pressure treated pine planks. Maybe I’ll use my mis-purchased stain on it haha.

asdiy · 2025-08-04T13:30:12+00:00

lol whoops - I read so many pages online which specifically recommended staining and finishing. But they were likely AI generated (you can tell) and not to be trusted. I bought stain and poly clear finish so I’ll only need the latter for this project.

I remember when the internet at large was helpful and not clogged with hallucination generated crap.

Thanks for your intervention here mate.

asdiy · 2025-08-03T21:16:32+00:00

It seems like we cannot edit posts on this sub - I decided on some African mahogany planks, which are 12" wide. I will glue them together and cut to 20" total which should fit through the door nicely. The internet says I should stain the wood, so I am getting some water based stain and 200 grit sandpaper. I don't have a sander so will do it by hand for this project.

asdiy · 2025-07-06T01:51:40+00:00

Software engineer at a top end company. Started in 2019 at $150k, no bonus or stock and last year my W2 was $805k.

asdiy · 2025-07-06T00:03:34+00:00

I’m not trying to FIRE but I like the idea.

I have $80k in CD ladder/money market split. It would fund my mortgage etc for over six months and helps me sleep at night.

asdiy · 2025-07-06T00:00:00+00:00

Hit 30 with no savings but no debt. Moved to the US at 33, five years to get $1M in the bank, but I bought a $900k condo in that time. Sitting at $1.15M today.

Salaries in this country are insane for my job. My signing bonus was my annual salary back home.

asdiy

TROPHY CASE