Hellobee Boards

When I was one year out of school and working, my base salary was $35,000. So don't feel badly!

@highwire: I voted for gross...

I voted gross. And fwiw, we've been reallllly bad about contributing to retirement accounts!

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.

@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!

You can't compare yourself to others. People also fib about money.

@HLK208: agreed!

I do think HB tends to be a little high income in general..

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.

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 & I would make significantly more if we lived in a big city, although some of that would be because of increased living expenses.

Don't feel bad!
We have NOTHING in savings currently....no retirement....sucks
We make around 45k TOGETHER!
However, we live comfortably for our area. So, it depends on your circumstances too.

@jedeve: don't feel bad... I remember when I used to think 60k was soooo much haha.

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!!!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!!!!

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.

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

@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.

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.

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.