How much is enough?

[FrustratedPoet]

/me quickly taps some numbers into an online currency converter

I'm on a pitiful £12,000 (US$19k) right now, which is clearly too little. I need to find myself a better job, but the market is pretty depressed right now. And that isn't even taking into account the fact that I'm a good-for-nothing imbecile.

I would have no complaints if my salary topped out at £35,000 (US$55k) in, let's say, 12 years time (plus whatever the hell inflation adds to that over the years). That'd suit me fine. Plenty to raise a kid on and live without fear of being cast from our home.

More would be nice of course, but I'd rather have a less money, less stress and less hours than more of all three.

[MikeH]

I'd like enough to think about being able to buy a flat but that's unrealistic in the current climate.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by DanielXY
Hm is 100k not rather considered upper-class? I thought the average income per household in the US was something like 30-35k, which would make that the middle-class. Or am I mistaken?

I wish! While average income may be in the range you describe, I can guarantee you I don't live an upper class life style. I think the middle class has the traditional 3 subdivisions: lower,middle, and upper. I probably fall in the upper middle class range. Definately not upper class. Those guys live about 10 miles down the road. I live in a subdivision with around 1000 homes in it. My place is a little over 2900 sq. ft. We have two late model cars and some cool electronic gadgets. We usually take a fairly nice vacation once a year. Upper class? No. But a pretty nice middle class life.

[DanielXY]

Hm, dunno. But from what you describe, its maybe a wise move to check if you are not paying way to much for housing. Maybe you can get a similar one for a cheaper price? Just a guess, otoh its of course possible that your whole town is a ripp off when it comes to housing prices

[PLATO]

Originally posted by DanielXY
Hm, dunno. But from what you describe, its maybe a wise move to check if you are not paying way to much for housing. Maybe you can get a similar one for a cheaper price? Just a guess, otoh its of course possible that your whole town is a ripp off when it comes to housing prices

There is no doubt that my whole town is a rip off wrt housing prices. I live in a fairly wealthy county just south of a large city. A "bedroom" community, if you will. I just happened to grow up here before the boom. But, almost no crime and great schools are worth the cost when you have a couple of kids your trying to give the better life to.

[Provost Harrison]

Just enough to scrape by. I like to scrape with a Lexus and a luxury penthouse suite

Seriously though, considerably more than I am on now, and in theory I should have the background and experience to command it. I current earn £12.5k per annum but I am grossly underpaid for the work I do. I have a few other jobs in the pipeline which should pay close to £20k if they come off in the near future (I have a telephone interview tomorrow, stuff like that). How much would I be content with? In my current situation, £40k would do quite nicely in an equivalent part of the country. In another area...more...with a family...more again...

[Japher]

Depends... what's the Lotto at this week? 25 Mill? That should do

[GePap]

With 150K after taxes I would probably be able to afford anything I ever wanted materialy, though to make that much, I might not be able to do the one things I really want to, which is to travel.

Also, tie that number with inflation...by the time I am making any significant money, the pot will porbaly have gone up to 200k.

[Sava]

An infinite amount of resources would be ideal for Sava.

[loinburger]

I make do at about $11,000 a year (after taxes), if that went down by much then I'd have to find a cheaper apartment. I'm living hand-to-mouth, though, so I'd like to be making more ($15,000 after taxes would be nice) so that I can start adding to my savings. (I'm making ends meet, but if disaster strikes, e.g. if my car is totalled or something, then I'm moderately ****ed.)

[PLATO]

Originally posted by GePap
With 150K after taxes I would probably be able to afford anything I ever wanted materialy, though to make that much, I might not be able to do the one things I really want to, which is to travel.

Also, tie that number with inflation...by the time I am making any significant money, the pot will porbaly have gone up to 200k.

The time invested in earning that kind of money is huge. I sometimes wonder if a 7-3 production job, a nice double wide, and new boat wouldn't make me happier....

Nah!

[mrmitchell]

I want one BILLION dollars!

[Japher]

and sharks with Lasars on their heads...?

[Sava]

"fricking" lasers...

[Dinner]

Enough so I can buy a small European country preferably in the southern half of the continent so the winters will be more pleasant.