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The internet is very angry today. Yes, more so than usual. Today it’s because of a new CNBC article that discusses how a couple making $500,000 a year can still have a very “average” budget.
And I quote…
Sam Dogen of “Financial Samurai” breaks down the budget of two New York City-based spouses, each of whom makes $250,000 a year as a lawyer. They’re 35 years old and they have two young children. “This one couple shared their story and I decided to anonymously highlight their reported expenses,” Dogen tells CNBC Make It, with a focus on why they end up feeling “average” even though they’re such high earners.
Dogen’s definition of “little to no” money is a whole lot different than your and my definition.
That’s because, according to this CNBC article, “little to no” money equals $36,000 a year being put into your 401k, with another $7,300 left over at the end of the year.
Oh, these poor people…
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CNBC even broke down this struggling couple’s budget to show how “average” they are…
Here's a budget breakdown of a couple that makes $500,000 a year and still feels average. https://t.co/mauqIGvcRw pic.twitter.com/eh7xBwvMV1
— CNBC (@CNBC) March 26, 2019
Soooo average.
They can only afford to take three vacations a year at $6,000 a pop! And their poor kids… only $12,000 a year for sports and other activities?! I don’t know why these folks haven’t given up on life yet. I mean, they only give away $18,000 a year to charity? Sad.
Note: When you add the $18K in charitable contributions (not a required expense) to the $36K in 401k contributions (also not an expense), plus the (only) $7,300 they have left each year, it would seem to me, based on my fuzzy math, that this couple in reality could have saved about $61,300 a year. Oh, the struggle!
Just look at how sorry everyone on the internet feels for them…
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1110704010800054272 https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1110706769490145280Can you even imagine complaining about having $600 in just... money... laying around... every month...
— Stephanie Krutsick (@skrutsick) March 27, 2019
Personally I love to be so goddamn deluded that I can save $36k a year for retirement, have a $200/month per person clothing budget, and spend $2000/month on food, and STILL have $7300 leftover as Do Whatever money, and think that's "average"
— the shaq ahhhhhh dats me yellin tweet (@walrusgroon) March 26, 2019
$9,500 per year on clothes for 4 people... that's naerly $200 a month per person on clothes. What do they do, buy new underwear every time it gets dirty?? how the fuck
— Ginny Di (@itsginnydi) March 27, 2019
Look at that food costs!?! 23 grand a year?! $2000 a month!? my god!
— Cajun Commie ☭🇵🇸🍉 (@Noodoggy) March 27, 2019
So after three vacations, three vehicles (One BMW) , two date nights a week, childcare, $60K mortgage, 401k investments, etc. they still have $7K to burn.... I’m confused. 🤔
— Manny (@iiiRoMan12) March 26, 2019
Possibly the dumbest thing I will see on the internet today
— Seton O'Connor (@HiMyNameIsSeton) March 26, 2019
Possibly?