3 ms·

I don't understand how rent, utilities, and groceries consume nearly everything that comes in unless you're vastly overspending in one category. If she's paying

I don't understand how rent, utilities, and groceries consume nearly everything that comes in unless you're vastly overspending in one category. If she's paying $60k in taxes then she's got $140k left. That's over $10k/mo. How can someone spend that much without lifestyle creep? I understand that one could feel pinched at that salary, when including saving for down payment, future kids, and retirement. But that's different from saying the basics consume nearly everything.

rsynnott 4mo ago
So, per the article, it is apparently difficult to find a one bed apartment for under 5k a month. Assuming that's true, half her take-home salary going on rent would get her a lot of the way there!
- apparent 3mo ago
  Even if someone were spending $5k on housing, how do you spend $5k on utilities and groceries (not dining out, it says groceries)? Also, not having a roommate straight out of college is typically a lifestyle bump in itself. Most people have roommates in college, so getting a place solo is an upgrade.
stackbutterflow 4mo ago
Can it be a case of she's not earning all of the $200k in cash?
- apparent 3mo ago
  It's possible, but that would be a pretty relevant detail to leave out. Someone who's getting paid in carried interest is in a very different boat than a run of the mill employee.
cherry_tree 4mo ago
You think someone in California making 200k is paying an overall 30% in combined federal and state taxes? That seems out of touch with reality to me.
- apparent 3mo ago
  I was making a guess based on having earned less and more than that amount. Just checked with ChatGPT and its estimate for a single person with no mortgage interest was $46k in income taxes and $13k in payroll taxes.
John23832 3mo ago
4k for rent 3k for retirement 3k for everything else. I’m not going to sit and itemize, but I could very easily see 3k getting eaten (figuratively)

rsynnott 4mo ago

So, per the article, it is apparently difficult to find a one bed apartment for under 5k a month. Assuming that's true, half her take-home salary going on rent would get her a lot of the way there!

apparent 3mo ago
Even if someone were spending $5k on housing, how do you spend $5k on utilities and groceries (not dining out, it says groceries)? Also, not having a roommate straight out of college is typically a lifestyle bump in itself. Most people have roommates in college, so getting a place solo is an upgrade.

stackbutterflow 4mo ago

Can it be a case of she's not earning all of the $200k in cash?

apparent 3mo ago
It's possible, but that would be a pretty relevant detail to leave out. Someone who's getting paid in carried interest is in a very different boat than a run of the mill employee.

cherry_tree 4mo ago

You think someone in California making 200k is paying an overall 30% in combined federal and state taxes? That seems out of touch with reality to me.

apparent 3mo ago
I was making a guess based on having earned less and more than that amount. Just checked with ChatGPT and its estimate for a single person with no mortgage interest was $46k in income taxes and $13k in payroll taxes.

John23832 3mo ago

4k for rent 3k for retirement 3k for everything else. I’m not going to sit and itemize, but I could very easily see 3k getting eaten (figuratively)