It was the pinnacle of achievable success.
It was the tipping point that allowed you to have disposable income.
Anything beyond six figures allows you to have fun stuff like a boat.
Add significant money to your savings/retirement account.
You get to own a house like inHome Alone."
“During the pandemic, I finally achieved this magical goal…and I was wrong.
No big brick house in the suburbs.
Now I have no idea where that bar is.
I don’t have kids, though.
That one difference would decimate me.”
She started crying and hugging him, blubbering about how proud she was of him.
u/kyonkkun_denwa
“I make $40,000 a year, and $100,00 is still my goal.
Not only have the times changed quite a bit, but your perspective has as well.
“Its not what you make; its what you keep.
If you make $100,000 and spend like you make $100,000, then youre always struggling.”
u/Apart-Assumption2063
“Its really shifted in the past decade.
When I started working, I thought $100,000 was end-of-career money.
Coincidentally, I have friends who dont make $100,000 together and are getting by just fine.
Probably a combination oflifestyle creepand inflation.”
“Right now, I make about as much as my dad made in the early ’90s.
There’s more to life than money and working until you die.
At least, there should be.
Unfortunately, it’s the reality for a lot of people from any generation.”
u/ThisIsTheCaptain
“Anyone else feel like Dr. Also, it depends on your spending and saving levels.
We can’t afford new cars.
We’re stressed out about affording a single child.”
A friend and his wife make a combined $250,000 and do really well for themselves.”
Yall need to move.
Half of you are remote now, for Petes sake.
You think I want to live out here at the ass end of nowhere?
No, I dont.
But Im living comfortably on a $45,000 take-home.
Living in a highly populated area has to be the most expensive thing a person can do.
Everyone wants to live there because theres so much stuff to do.
But if youre too broke to do any of it, why pay so much?
u/Luckydog6631
“I would say the meaning of $100,000 really changed with the housing boom.
That used to be the magic number for being able to buy a nice home.
Unfortunately, now you would be lucky to get a cheap townhouse or condo with that salary.
Its a shame, considering that my parents made less and easily purchased a single-family home.
Their $300,000 house purchased in 2001 is now worth $1.2 million.”
“I’m a disabled veteran and live on $25,000 a year in an urban setting.
I scratch my head when people say that six figures isn’t enough.
Sure, it isn’t what it used to be.
I’m single, no kids, yes.
However, add a wife, two kids, and another $25,000 for each.
Some costs wouldn’t repeat.
Certain luxuries may be out of reach, but I just can’t see it not being enough.
I’m not shaming anyone or ridiculing your choices.
In fact, I’m trying to make those who say that feel a little better.
It could be worse, and even then, it can be done.
I have enough space.
I insist on eating real food.
I have an e-bike to get around, and that credit card payment is my only debt.
The VA does cover medical, so maybe bump that up to $30,000.
That’s roughly $425 monthly on medical expenses.”
The burden of graduate loans was a lot to mentally deal with."
“It still is a milestone.
You should be proud of your accomplishment.
Despite what you see online, many working Americans will never make six figures.
After $85,000, the feeling of excitement went away for me.
It’s just all a bit more to save or invest.
u/ApeTeam1906
“Your $100,000 now was just over $57,000 in 2002.
Nobody back then was saying, ‘Make a $50,000 income, and you’re set.’
It’s just math.
Debt is much more expensive.
It costs more now.
There is one other thing to consider: What are your savings?
How much are you spending to secure your future?
“Recently hit six figures.
Nothing’s changed for me.
In fact, its getting worse.
But Im a single parent with two kids and paying child support.
I guess I didnt pull up my bootstraps enough.”
“I work in government, where pay is pretty static.
Everyone in a specific classification makes essentially the same thing.
u/IndoorSurvivalist
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
