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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by Meaghan729
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by Meaghan729
how do we know how much our friends make anyway? unless you see their paystub and cc bils and mortgage, you have no idea.
All of the salaries where I work are made public through my union.
thats only people who work in the union, right? if you have a friend thats a doctor or a lawyer, they can "act" like they make a ton, but they might not.
all im saying is that unless we see peoples paychecks and bills, its probably a waste of energy to discuss if they are well off or not!
I work in a state office, so all of the salaries are public.
My brother's a lawyer, but I have seen his WW2 form so I know he's not lying. 
Also, many of the larger law firms release their salary information for first year associates. Beyond that, you may not know exactly how much they make, but you can get an idea.
I think any job paying six figures is well paying, but I don't necessarily think of everyone who makes that amount as being well off. I also think it depends on the amount of hours a person is required to work. If someone is working 80+ hours per week and makes $100,000, I probably wouldn't consider them well paid.
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Posted 4/16/07 2:48 PM  |
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MrsT
Enjoying wedded bliss.....
Member since 4/06 1323 total posts
Name:
Katrina
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Meaghan729
how do we know how much our friends make anyway? unless you see their paystub and cc bils and mortgage, you have no idea.
I know how much many of my friends make because salaries are lock step at my old job (where some of them still work). Salary information for many medium to large law firms is published yearly. Moreover, upon accepting new job offers my friends who left that law firm told me about their salary negotiations & bonuses.
I know about the price tag for my friends apartment because she told me and also because it was in the news paper (write up about single women buying homes w/o husbands). I find it odd that so many people are secretive when it comes to money & finances. I think if families are more open about money then maybe money would not be the root of so many divorces.
I am by no means saying run out and tell all your friends about your finances but for close friends there is always some comparing of notes about salary.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:49 PM |
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Alli06
Baby #3 coming this June
Member since 8/05 6721 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by ssdbk
If we were to get a true consensus of the income levels and financial situaions of people in this board, we would probably find the average income to be a lot lower than what it seems based on people's posts. Not many people will come on here and say that they are earning 30K a year when someone else just mentioned their new $1,000 handbag. And, it seems that everyone here lives in nice typical LI neighborhoods, but we aren't seeing a huge representation from the very exclusive communities.
Completely agree!! Also, not everyone has credit card debt and school loans.
Message edited 4/16/2007 3:10:57 PM.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:49 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
I know what most of my friends- b/c we all started out together and compared starting salaries- promotions etc just to make sure we were getting fair deal and decideing about changing jobs
but we all do the same thing- so if you can't compare with your friends- who can you campare with
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:51 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by MrsT
Posted by Meaghan729
how do we know how much our friends make anyway? unless you see their paystub and cc bils and mortgage, you have no idea.
I know how much many of my friends make because salaries are lock step at my old job (where some of them still work). Salary information for many medium to large law firms is published yearly. Moreover, upon accepting new job offers my friends who left that law firm told me about their salary negotiations & bonuses.
I know about the price tag for my friends apartment because she told me and also because it was in the news paper (write up about single women buying homes w/o husbands). I find it odd that so many people are secretive when it comes to money & finances. I think if families are more open about money then maybe money would not be the root of so many divorces.
I am by no means saying run out and tell all your friends about your finances but for close friends there is always some comparing of notes about salary.
while I know you can look up how much someone paid for their house - you dont know their financing /down payment.
I share my financial information with FH only. frankly, its no one else business how much $$ I make (or dont make, lol). Being open to your familiy is one thing, but friends is another, imo.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:51 PM |
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Hi-Fi55
12 years...wow....
Member since 2/06 2984 total posts
Name:
Dianne
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by MrsS2005
I think any job paying six figures is well paying, but I don't necessarily think of everyone who makes that amount as being well off.
I agree. There is a BIG difference between well paying and being well off.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:52 PM |
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MrsT
Enjoying wedded bliss.....
Member since 4/06 1323 total posts
Name:
Katrina
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Meaghan729
Posted by MrsT
Posted by Meaghan729
how do we know how much our friends make anyway? unless you see their paystub and cc bils and mortgage, you have no idea.
I know how much many of my friends make because salaries are lock step at my old job (where some of them still work). Salary information for many medium to large law firms is published yearly. Moreover, upon accepting new job offers my friends who left that law firm told me about their salary negotiations & bonuses.
I know about the price tag for my friends apartment because she told me and also because it was in the news paper (write up about single women buying homes w/o husbands). I find it odd that so many people are secretive when it comes to money & finances. I think if families are more open about money then maybe money would not be the root of so many divorces.
I am by no means saying run out and tell all your friends about your finances but for close friends there is always some comparing of notes about salary.
while I know you can look up how much someone paid for their house - you dont know their financing /down payment.
I share my financial information with FH only. frankly, its no one else business how much $$ I make (or dont make, lol). Being open to your familiy is one thing, but friends is another, imo.
I'm in real estate and many of my friends (+ family) tell me lots about their financials. I have even helped with tax returns for friends and attended closings with them.
Even now I know that a friend's rental property in her hometown is turning into a money pit since the tenant (family member) can't keep up with the payments. We have discussed refi options and how it will take to bail out.
It's really no big deal in my circle of friends/family to discuss finances.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:58 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by monkeybride
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by Beth1210
Posted by JenniferEver
I, too, make less than half of the bottomn number, but compared to how much I was making in theatre, I feel RICH now. I think I have a really decent job with a decent salary.
But I still think the number with the WOW factor for me, personally is $50K. Fh has always made more than that...but to me $125K is a fortune and what I would consider someone who is "rich." It's amazing how much perspectives differ
Jennifer- remember you are young and just starting out- when I was your age I was making 1/2 what I make 5 years later-so for you to compare yourself to people that have been working for years- it isn't fair to yourself
Im not "young" at all and I think $125K a year for one person is a fortune......
And Kinda feel anyone who doesnt is off their rocker....
Unless they have lived a very well to do lifestyle previously and to me with more then $125K a year that would mean , huge home, designer clothes and fancy cars...
because I could afford all of that on that salary.
Really? What's your secret?
Do you have student loans to pay off? a mortgage? a car payment? I mean this stuff adds up.
Our bills alone are almost 4K a month (mortgage, utilities, insurance, car payment (and it's a cheap asss car) etc.)
I don't wear designer clothes, I cut coupons and we don't eat out often AND we don't even live in NY anymore.
125K in this day and age is not rich, I'm sorry.
Ok, so based on what you just said at $4K a month for bills...Thats less then $50K a year.
I was saying one person making $125K...meaning the other person makes at least something in the household.
So you have almost 75% of your income left over?? And you need to cut coupons? See what Im saying?
We have a high rent, two cars, insurance, baby on the way and debt, my school loan , back taxes to pay but I could buy a coach bag if my heart was set on it....
I really apologize if Im coming off wrong, but I cannot understand how anyone can say $125K a year is not a lot of money , and cannot live on that amount if they are "living a normal lifestyle"....I was stating I live whats considered a normal lifestyle on nothing even remotely close to that amount of money....
A person making $125K with $50K of bills has nowhere near 75% income left over. Federal income taxes alone are over $40,000 on that salary assuming the person is single. That doesn't include other paycheck deductions. That leaves around $30K per year for other expenses (food, gas, etc). I don't think a person could buy fancy cars, designer clothes, and eat out all of the time on that amount. While it's a decent amount of money, it's certainly not enough to live the high life.
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| Posted 4/16/07 3:01 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Meaghan729
Posted by MrsT
Posted by Meaghan729
how do we know how much our friends make anyway? unless you see their paystub and cc bils and mortgage, you have no idea.
I know how much many of my friends make because salaries are lock step at my old job (where some of them still work). Salary information for many medium to large law firms is published yearly. Moreover, upon accepting new job offers my friends who left that law firm told me about their salary negotiations & bonuses.
I know about the price tag for my friends apartment because she told me and also because it was in the news paper (write up about single women buying homes w/o husbands). I find it odd that so many people are secretive when it comes to money & finances. I think if families are more open about money then maybe money would not be the root of so many divorces.
I am by no means saying run out and tell all your friends about your finances but for close friends there is always some comparing of notes about salary.
while I know you can look up how much someone paid for their house - you dont know their financing /down payment.
I share my financial information with FH only. frankly, its no one else business how much $$ I make (or dont make, lol). Being open to your familiy is one thing, but friends is another, imo.
I agree. I do not know how much friends and coworkers make and it really is none of my business.
You really DON'T know how anybody gets their money. While you see Joe Schmo with a new car and wonder how he does it, maybe Uncle Bob died and left him money, maybe he sold stocks, etc. You just don't ever know.
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| Posted 4/16/07 4:10 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Remember when speaking of the high salaries paid to those of us who work at large law firms that most of us have six figures worth of student loans to pay off as well.
It's all relative!
Message edited 4/16/2007 4:22:54 PM.
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| Posted 4/16/07 4:20 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by lululu
Posted by Bxgell2
I have to pipe in here, because there's something I see going on this thread, that's I've seen before, and it always makes me ponder.
Why is it NOT ok to be judgmental of people in the lower tax brackets, but completely and totally ok to judge those who are in the higher tax brackets? Why is it automatically assumed that those in the higher tax brackets, who find that $100k for one family isn't enough, are necessarily "unhappy", or making unnecessary sacrifices, at the sake of family time? This is a form of reverse discrimination, and I find it just as insulting as people who judge those who are less well off.
Me, personally, my husband and I do quite well - and, yet, without living luxuriously or spending oodles of money on fancy cars, vacations or clothing, we DO spend a lot on just basics, like our mortgage, food, and daycare. But, you know what? We ARE very happy, and though we both work, it's not for the money - it's for the fulfillment we both get from our careers. While we do both work full-time, we've chosen careers that are more flexible and family friendly, so we DO spend quite a bit of time with our daughter.
Let's stop for a moment, and think a little before we pass judgment...
you know - I was just about to type something similar and then i thought - why even bother. I think it makes people feel better to think that anyone who has/makes a good deal of money is "paying the price for it". but since you posted it, I will put in my 2 cents as well. My husband and i do very well. and we are both very happy. We were very motivated in our careers and it gave us a lot of satisfaction to achieve financial success. Neither of us did this at the expense of spending time with our family or being unhappy all of the time. And I think we are one of the happiest couples out of all of my friends. The ones who seem to be the unhappiest from the outside are the ones that have financial problems, because it seems that all they do is fight about money. But EVERYONE's circumstances are different so it's unfair to say that just because someone is financially well off, that they are unhappy elsewhere....
I agree. DH and I do well and IMO not very well in this day and age but we're happy. He works FT and I work PT and spend the rest of my time raising my daughter. If we wanted/needed to very well we could and I would work FT but for now this works for us.
We're happy and would be much less happier making less money because like the previous poster said we'd be fighting and stressed about money. I feel like we have a good blanace in our lives.
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| Posted 4/16/07 8:10 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by dm24angel
Ok, so based on what you just said at $4K a month for bills...Thats less then $50K a year.
I was saying one person making $125K...meaning the other person makes at least something in the household.
So you have almost 75% of your income left over?? And you need to cut coupons? See what Im saying?
We have a high rent, two cars, insurance, baby on the way and debt, my school loan , back taxes to pay but I could buy a coach bag if my heart was set on it....
I really apologize if Im coming off wrong, but I cannot understand how anyone can say $125K a year is not a lot of money , and cannot live on that amount if they are "living a normal lifestyle"....I was stating I live whats considered a normal lifestyle on nothing even remotely close to that amount of money....
Well I'm assuming 125K before taxes. A person making 125K brings home no where near that! So 4K a month in bills is a pretty substantial part of the take home.
Like I said that's just our bills.What about groceries, diapers, clothes, baby clothes, gas, vacations, going out to eat, movies, saving for DD college etc. Maybe we're just not frugal enough but to me for our middle class lifestyle the almost 125K we bring home isn't much money at all.
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| Posted 4/16/07 8:17 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Posted by Syliblond81106
i know the highest paid woman on LI-she has a HUGE mansion, brand new cars, but barely sees her 4 girls. also, her marriage is ending-now would i want that ?
That can happen on a smaller salary too.
Given the option, I'd like to be loaded and divorced.
  Couldn't have said it better.
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| Posted 4/16/07 8:19 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
I don't know...I still feel after reading this whole thread that if you don't know how to make it on 125K, well, I'm sorry.
It seems nowadays that things are more expected. People EXPECT to have a new car, a big house, vacations yearly, new clothes, etc. I know it isn't helpful to compare our lives to our parents and grandparents' lives considering that salaries have not increased the way housing has, but their mentality and even their frugality took them farther than I think many people of our generation will go. Just remember that it could all come crashing down as quickly as it went up 
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| Posted 4/16/07 8:39 PM |
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by MissJones
Just remember that it could all come crashing down as quickly as it went up
I'm in my late 30s and I have seen people crash and burn, and people who only had 2-3 great years, so I agree with this.
I also believe that we should all at least know how to live on 125K, because it is a nice paycheck. However, I think that the person or family that earns a total of 125K still has to watch their spending and make sacrifices. Also, some people I know started out with more support from parents or with stocks and some people really had to build their lives from scratch. There is a huge difference.
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| Posted 4/16/07 8:44 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by MissJones
I don't know...I still feel after reading this whole thread that if you don't know how to make it on 125K, well, I'm sorry.
It's not about making it on 125K. No one is saying it can't be done, but I do believe people are mistaken to think it goes a lot further than it does.
125k ain't gonna' get you a big house and new cars...not around here anyway.
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| Posted 4/16/07 9:18 PM |
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mrsv
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Member since 7/06 2969 total posts
Name:
lol
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by MissJones
I don't know...I still feel after reading this whole thread that if you don't know how to make it on 125K, well, I'm sorry.
It seems nowadays that things are more expected. People EXPECT to have a new car, a big house, vacations yearly, new clothes, etc. I know it isn't helpful to compare our lives to our parents and grandparents' lives considering that salaries have not increased the way housing has, but their mentality and even their frugality took them farther than I think many people of our generation will go. Just remember that it could all come crashing down as quickly as it went up
wow.. well said :)
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| Posted 4/16/07 9:40 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Posted by MissJones
I don't know...I still feel after reading this whole thread that if you don't know how to make it on 125K, well, I'm sorry.
It's not about making it on 125K. No one is saying it can't be done, but I do believe people are mistaken to think it goes a lot further than it does.
125k ain't gonna' get you a big house and new cars...not around here anyway.
I agree 100%- we could live on $125K combined- but not with out scrafice in NY and I am not willing to give up much more (which is why we are moving OOS- to enjoy our hard earned money alot more)
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| Posted 4/16/07 10:43 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Perhaps it boils down to what we are willing to sacrifice versus necessity. Some things I know I can certainly live without, but I know I don't consider it a sacrifice not to have them. I just dont have them.
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| Posted 4/16/07 10:57 PM |
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Lanabean
Yoginis
Member since 11/05 9202 total posts
Name:
Lana
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
I consider 6 figures to be VERY VERY well paying...just under that, well paying
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| Posted 4/17/07 7:40 AM |
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LuckySV
LIF Adult
Member since 10/05 4675 total posts
Name:
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Goldi0218
Perhaps it boils down to what we are willing to sacrifice versus necessity. Some things I know I can certainly live without, but I know I don't consider it a sacrifice not to have them. I just dont have them.
I think it really boils down to WHAT people think are sacrafices and WHAT they think are necessities. Some people think that not having a yearly vacation is a sacrafice, while others prefer to stay home. Everyone lives differently and prefers to handle their money the way they feel is most appropriate. I believe it's not how much you make but what you do with what you make.
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| Posted 4/17/07 8:59 AM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by MissJones
I don't know...I still feel after reading this whole thread that if you don't know how to make it on 125K, well, I'm sorry.
It seems nowadays that things are more expected. People EXPECT to have a new car, a big house, vacations yearly, new clothes, etc. I know it isn't helpful to compare our lives to our parents and grandparents' lives considering that salaries have not increased the way housing has, but their mentality and even their frugality took them farther than I think many people of our generation will go. Just remember that it could all come crashing down as quickly as it went up
ITA with you. I could do soooooo much with $125,000. I am happy when my dh gets a $30/week raise. THAT even helps us!!
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| Posted 4/17/07 9:10 AM |
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Ladybug63
Ohh... baby
Member since 5/06 2527 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by Beth1210
Posted by Chatham-Chick
Posted by MissJones
I don't know...I still feel after reading this whole thread that if you don't know how to make it on 125K, well, I'm sorry.
It's not about making it on 125K. No one is saying it can't be done, but I do believe people are mistaken to think it goes a lot further than it does.
125k ain't gonna' get you a big house and new cars...not around here anyway.
I agree 100%- we could live on $125K combined- but not with out scrafice in NY and I am not willing to give up much more (which is why we are moving OOS- to enjoy our hard earned money alot more)
I agree, $125k is a lot of $. It should provide a good standard of living however it will not buy you a HUGE house and fancy cars!
Not on LI.
DH & I also do very well, we work hard for what we have and are afforded nice things but by no means are we living in the lap of luxury.
I have no mansion or Mercedes and according to some of these statements I should. scratch: 
It just doesn’t work that way!
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| Posted 4/17/07 9:22 AM |
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
I cant beleive what this post has turned into  (oh yes I can, I saw this coming )
Money will always be something to argue and go back and forth about.
I think we ALL identify the word
AFFORD ****VERRYYYYY*** differently, and that will always be the case.
One person might be able to "afford" much more than the next, yet that may not be a priority for them,and it will never be "afforded".... because before buying a chachka item for a small fortune (to show the world what they can afford)
they might have a list of where this money can be better spent.
Like many have said, it's how you spend the money and not so much how much of it you have..
and I agree with the one that said the filthy rich are not always happy.. I saw that firsthand at one of my past jobs...
so there are my scattered thoughts on this
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| Posted 4/17/07 9:40 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: "Well paying jobs"
Posted by npbride
Posted by Goldi0218
Perhaps it boils down to what we are willing to sacrifice versus necessity. Some things I know I can certainly live without, but I know I don't consider it a sacrifice not to have them. I just dont have them.
I think it really boils down to WHAT people think are sacrafices and WHAT they think are necessities. Some people think that not having a yearly vacation is a sacrafice, while others prefer to stay home. Everyone lives differently and prefers to handle their money the way they feel is most appropriate. I believe it's not how much you make but what you do with what you make.
Thanks. That is actually what I meant to say.
ETA:
As each day goes on with this thread, I am actually forced to re-evaluate myself and my own priorities. I suppose it has taught me a little lesson.
Message edited 4/17/2007 9:55:52 AM.
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| Posted 4/17/07 9:47 AM |
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