I would be satisfied if our household income was... - Page 2

girlfromsouth · 12-31-2007, 11:37 AM

Well, I'd like to ultimately have a family and stay home with my kids, so I think six figures becomes more of a necessary thing in that situation. If it's just me and the cat, then obviously, I can be perfectly fine on much less.

hollyvangogh · 12-31-2007, 05:38 PM

I'd be thrilled if we made $40,000 a year...but we haven't started our family yet. In the future, when we have kids, I think it'd be safe to say my vote would change. But as poor, married college students $40,000 seems like a fortune.

Lana Goodrich · 01-02-2008, 02:27 PM

It's interesting how the poll is so evenly divided...I imagine a scenario where the people from one bracket are looking up just a little bit, saying, "We have $40,000/year now, but if we had $60,000, THEN we'd be so much happier." Meanwhile, the people making $60,000 are doing the same.

This just drives it home for me - money's never going to equal happiness.

rorich · 01-18-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mydebtquest

I would be satisfied if our household income was consistently higher than our household expenses.

Personally, as long as my income exceeds my needs, I'd be OK with that. Meeting needs like food, clothing and shelter, etc, with a little to save/invest would be ideal for me.

Gootsy · 01-18-2008, 08:43 AM

If household income = 1.75 times household expenses, then I'd be satisfied. After taxes, i mean

.

But for a long term #, I picked >150k. I don't think this's too unreasonable for a household that has been building to a point where it's satisfied with where it is.

jdp · 01-18-2008, 08:48 AM

I voted but I think this will really depend on where you live.

I live in a place I love and deal with the corresponding low wages because of what I value.

Since I can remember making ends meet on minimum wage in the not too distant past I voted low. lol

Am I satisfied? No.

Megan · 01-18-2008, 09:21 AM

This is a tough one. I'm content with what I'm making now. I take in more than I need to spend. But I would like to make more, be able to buy a nice sized home with room for a number of kids. Plus I live in an expensive area, so that definitely influences my number.

anitra · 01-18-2008, 12:37 PM

My husband and I are currently both working (no kids), aggressively paying off student loans. We make just over $100k (before taxes).

I plan to stay home when we have kids, so our income will drop to less than half of what it is now. It will be tough if that happens in the next year or two, but I NEED to be satisfied with that (although it will be easier if we've cut down on what we owe).

rstlne · 01-18-2008, 12:40 PM

I think I would find $50K adequate if I move out of Northern New Jersey to a place where the cost of living is lower.

khorrell · 01-18-2008, 12:58 PM

I voted for our current income, as I am truly happy. Could I find ways to spend more, well, yeah...who couldn't? Would I like to save more? Uh, of course. Could I cut back if I had to? Obviously.

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at everyone's answers - I hear so much "If only I made more money."

View Poll Results: I would be satisfied if our household income was....
$20,000 - $40,000	6	12.50%
$40,000 - $60,000	10	20.83%
$60,000 - $80,000	10	20.83%
$80,000 - $100,000	8	16.67%
$100,000 - $150,000	12	25.00%
$150,000 and up	20	41.67%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

12-31-2007, 05:38 PM	#12
hollyvangogh Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 30 Reputation: (10)	For now... I'd be thrilled if we made $40,000 a year...but we haven't started our family yet. In the future, when we have kids, I think it'd be safe to say my vote would change. But as poor, married college students $40,000 seems like a fortune.

01-18-2008, 09:21 AM	#17
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 293 Reputation: (49)	This is a tough one. I'm content with what I'm making now. I take in more than I need to spend. But I would like to make more, be able to buy a nice sized home with room for a number of kids. Plus I live in an expensive area, so that definitely influences my number. __________________ Counting My Pennies

01-18-2008, 12:58 PM	#20
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 296 Reputation: (35)	All great points! I voted for our current income, as I am truly happy. Could I find ways to spend more, well, yeah...who couldn't? Would I like to save more? Uh, of course. Could I cut back if I had to? Obviously. I'm actually pleasantly surprised at everyone's answers - I hear so much "If only I made more money."

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12-31-2007, 11:37 AM	#11
girlfromsouth Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington DC Posts: 36 Reputation: (10)	Well, I'd like to ultimately have a family and stay home with my kids, so I think six figures becomes more of a necessary thing in that situation. If it's just me and the cat, then obviously, I can be perfectly fine on much less.

01-02-2008, 02:27 PM	#13
Lana Goodrich Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Reputation: (10)	It's interesting how the poll is so evenly divided...I imagine a scenario where the people from one bracket are looking up just a little bit, saying, "We have $40,000/year now, but if we had $60,000, THEN we'd be so much happier." Meanwhile, the people making $60,000 are doing the same. This just drives it home for me - money's never going to equal happiness.

01-18-2008, 08:43 AM	#15
Gootsy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 226 Reputation: (19)	If household income = 1.75 times household expenses, then I'd be satisfied. After taxes, i mean . But for a long term #, I picked >150k. I don't think this's too unreasonable for a household that has been building to a point where it's satisfied with where it is.

01-18-2008, 08:48 AM	#16
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 165 Reputation: (24)	I voted but I think this will really depend on where you live. I live in a place I love and deal with the corresponding low wages because of what I value. Since I can remember making ends meet on minimum wage in the not too distant past I voted low. lol Am I satisfied? No.

01-18-2008, 12:37 PM	#18
anitra Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Reputation: (15)	My husband and I are currently both working (no kids), aggressively paying off student loans. We make just over $100k (before taxes). I plan to stay home when we have kids, so our income will drop to less than half of what it is now. It will be tough if that happens in the next year or two, but I NEED to be satisfied with that (although it will be easier if we've cut down on what we owe).

01-18-2008, 12:40 PM	#19
rstlne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 361 Reputation: (115)	I think I would find $50K adequate if I move out of Northern New Jersey to a place where the cost of living is lower.