https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 13:46:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967258 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:54:38 +0000 jedeve 967258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These polls actually make me feel better because the I see HB has a lot of high income earners and so I feel better about not making extra mortgage payments or having a ton in a 401k because of where we are right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967254 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:53:28 +0000 jedeve 967254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I think part of what makes me feel bad (and bad isn't the right term...just worried we aren't where we should be) is that we took time off after college to volunteer, then went to grad school, then had a baby right away. So my friends who just have been working since college and are at a better place financially, and those who are older and waited to have kids are also at a better place. We did everything at once!! Haha. But I think it was the best decision for us, definitely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967247 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:50:36 +0000 jedeve 967247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: it's so much more than when we are in grad school!!! You get greedy quick, haha. Gym memberships! Cable! Savings! New clothes...ever! Things we would've never done in grad school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967136 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:03:21 +0000 ShootingStar 967136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do really well comparatively, but I'm 35 years old and have been out of grad school for 6 years, and I live in one of the higher cost of living areas in the country. I'm also a contract employee without benefits (but a high hourly wage to make up for it). DH and I both work in software, which pays well.</p> <p>There's nothing to feel bad about in your situation, or need to make comparisons. When I was a year out of school I made $21k/year, and some months couldn't afford my $20 electric bill. DH made $65k to start, but he had over $100k in loans and didn't manage to save anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967127 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:59:38 +0000 MrsMed 967127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't compare yourself and don't feel self-conscious. You guys just got started. Just know that you're doing the best you can - it's great that you save your income post-daycare. And keep on chugging! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967046 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:24:30 +0000 MrsKoala 967046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: When I start to feel a little inferior about how much I make (which isn't much), I think about this saying "Comparison is the thief of joy". Maybe I don't make as much as others do but my life is great in many other aspects. I try to examine those other positives and I end up feeling much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967016 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:14:44 +0000 Maysprout 967016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're 32, barely make anything and we've got advanced degrees out the wazoo. And honestly I feel like we live a lot better than most people despite our very low income at the moment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967010 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:12:36 +0000 mlm2934 967010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @googly-eyes: that HB seems to lean more toward people who are better off. Compared to a lot of people our age we know IRL we are doing well, but I def feel poor when I talk money on HB!!!!</p> <p>And to add about where you are in life, I've been working full time for 5 years, and I am just now starting to hit my stride with money in past year. All you can do is what's best for you! And remember its not the $$$ that counts but how you use it.</p> <p>ETA: and you really do have to remember cost of living!!! I'm in TN - I'm never gonna make as much or really need as much $$ as someone in Cali or NY </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-967000 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:10:14 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 967000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: You are saving and that is what matters. Just keep plugging away and building. Keep your eye on the long term prize, no quick fixes. You'll get there!</p> <p>I graduated college in a recession and when I finally got a job (like 8 months later) I made $25,000/yr living in San Francisco. It wasn't pretty, but I survived and am in a different situation now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966991 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:06:36 +0000 Grace 966991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh geez, I made $28K when I was fresh out of school. There's been a lot of upward movement in the 10 years since. You've got time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966988 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:05:23 +0000 mrs. bird 966988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i voted for when DH was working, he recently had to resign, but will hopefully go back to working when school starts. HB has a much higher income level than average america (majority of users are american and i don't have any good grasp of income outside the US so i'm in no position to comment on outside the US bees and income). it's easy to feel the need to keep up with what you're perceiving as average, just know as long as your needs are met and you feel secure, that's great no matter how it compares to other bees or anyone else! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966981 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:03:05 +0000 HabesBabe 966981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These polls always rub me the wrong way, so I'm not going to vote... but I just wanted to agree with some of the other ladies-- comparing is not going to make us happy; as long as you feel content, that's what matters! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966978 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:02:08 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 966978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You might want to try another poll that asks what we made at your age. I'm a teacher and make about double what I did at 22 (with 8 years experience and a master's). My husband is in his 40's and has kept moving up and is now an executive. It's impossible to see where you'll be in twenty years, but it'll probably be a lot different and something you didn't even expect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966971 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:57:26 +0000 Mrs. Pen 966971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: don't feel bad... I remember when I used to think 60k was soooo much haha. </p> <p>We make less than you as a family of three. I wouldn't say we're comfortable either; it is hard to allot savings each month. BUT we are not destitute and we are SO much "better off" than so many others that we have a million reasons to be thankful and consider ourselves blessed!!! </p> <p>I agree that where we live, people make less thinking MN has a lower cost of living, but I don't feel that it does unless you live very rurally. </p> <p>I ALSO agree that comparing will never make us happy. We have to learn to live well within our means and be happy that we are blessed to have a home, a child, and our basic needs met. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966943 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:51:01 +0000 MrsBrewer 966943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Combined we make between the 60-80k range, not much, but we are getting by!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966941 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:50:08 +0000 Crisark 966941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't feel bad!<br /> We have NOTHING in savings currently....no retirement....sucks<br /> We make around 45k TOGETHER!<br /> However, we live comfortably for our area. So, it depends on your circumstances too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966939 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:49:47 +0000 Bao 966939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not a lot. Way less than the average on here. Way way way less. But we make it through. We have a house, two good cars, and we can put food on the table. We're content. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966921 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:46:06 +0000 jhd 966921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's difficult to compare. As others have mentioned people here are different ages and in different stages of life. We also live in different places. For example DH &amp; I would make significantly more if we lived in a big city, although some of that would be because of increased living expenses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966870 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:35:35 +0000 shopaholic 966870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto what @looch: My first job out of college I think I was not even making $30K and working my a$$ off. And now that I'm not working, it's $0 right? I'm lucky we can afford for me to stay at home for now, but I do feel really guilty that I have nothing to contribute for retirement. But I see it as I'm saving us on childcare and it's just temporary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966863 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:33:01 +0000 googly-eyes 966863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: agreed!</p> <p>I do think HB tends to be a little high income in general.. </p> <p>Also I have "heard" comments that would imply that one can't live off of what DH, LO, and I live off of... We aren't rich but I wouldn't say we have it rough either. From the perspective of someone who has much more I could see why they might think that but we have everything we need and lots of what we want... And know lots who have less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966823 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:21:47 +0000 looch 966823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: so true! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966822 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:21:29 +0000 littlek 966822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can't compare yourself to others. People also fib about money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966812 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:19:55 +0000 Freckles 966812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree, people are in different stages, and you don't really know everyone's life situation, just snippets from polls and board posts. :) It took me 7 years before i finally started making an awesome salary, and DH was in grad school for 7 years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966761 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:08:02 +0000 yoursilverlining 966761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: Don't worry about what you make today compared to what others make - with 2 dual-advanced degrees and dual-incomes, you guys will end up making more than a lot of couples! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966737 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:04:40 +0000 MrsH 966737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: I agree that people here are in all different stages of life so I wouldn't feel bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966724 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:01:59 +0000 travellingbee 966724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People on here are all different ages. DH and I have been in the workforce for 11 years. So obviously we will have more saved and be making more money. Plus money goes further in some areas than others. If you have enough for what you need and want then don't worry about it! Just save what you can and you will be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966723 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:01:51 +0000 DillonLion 966723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Next year, we will break 6 figures (would have done it this year but I was out of work on maternity leave the first 2 months) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966722 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:01:26 +0000 Pepper 966722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted gross. And fwiw, we've been reallllly bad about contributing to retirement accounts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966713 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:58:26 +0000 HLK208 966713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't feel self-conscious. Comparing yourself to others is harsh...some one will always have more. But money comes and goes :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-does-your-family-earn#post-966712 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:57:42 +0000 jedeve 966712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gross </p>