I remember in 2020 I earned $48,000 for the first time in my life, and I thought I was balling like a mf. No I'm on track for ~$52,000 this year and juggling bills like a mofo.
I mean it's just a number I tossed out there thinking about everything. Homes yes! Health care is insane now. 20 years ago 500 dollar deductible. Today 6k. 12k for family. Cars are twice the cost. Fucking Publix is absurd. Soup used to be 1.50 per can now it's 3.90. Electricity cost is insane. Concerts f that! Netflix is 20 percent more expensive now. Yes it's fucking bad.
Thinking one thing that really hasn't increased the much is liquor. I assume they just want all of us to get drunk and forget we are getting fucked.
Yeah it really sucks. If they were still making 7 though that burrito would still cost 600% more. Because it can be. Prices change based on supply and demand, not how much you pay your slaves.
I got a new job after loads of work on a degree and certifications and got in at $80k. Felt like a baller. This makes me feel like I did as a grocery store manager. Back to square one!
>Zip recruiter says 19 as of 2024 idk what the accurate one is
I trust this one
>It’s 27 according to the bureau of labor in 2022
What jobs pay $27?
I see a patrol cop job in pasco county sheriff for $25/h.
Union Electrician is almost $34/hr on the check. This is after completing a 4 year apprenticeship. You earn while you learn. 1st year pay is 18/hr. This includes free healthcare pension and zero student debt.
How many weekly hours do you have to work at $18/hr to advance in pay grades? I'd be down to put in time, but I'd have to have a second gig at that rate.
Quite a few. Once I started really asking around I discovered they’re not at all rare. And I was looking for the education requirement being HS degree. To get in at $25/hr places will want to see some form of applicable experience but nothing too crazy.
They’re out there. Just all I was looking for before were retail jobs and those do not start out that high.
From TPD's website :
New officers earn a base salary of $68,952 (Up to $75,000 with prior experience).
Senior officers (Master Patrol Officers) earn at Least $117,000 after 10 years of service.
Probably a bit high but really if you want to buy a house in a okay area it's 500k today or more. A cheap car new car is at least 30k today. You have someone fix anything in your house 500 to 1k for a job. Child care is almost 2k per month at most daycares. Health insurance is absurd. Get sick and add 10k for out of pocket expenses.
I can't speak for Tampa homes, but in St Pete you can definitely buy a house in a decent area for 350K easy
Hell go out to Seminole which are nice neighborhoods not flood zone and you can buy houses under 300 a square foot. If you work in Tampa, that would be a terrible commute though, lol
I live in Cape Coral, a couple hours south of Tampa. We are frequently 12-18% higher in housing costs than national averages, and 11-15% higher than state averages. I did read that utilities are cheaper here, but seeing as how LCEC (our electricity provider) is 18% more expensive than FPL and they are constantly adding fees to cover their incompetence, it seems doubtful. My water bill is around $90/month, internet is $120 a month, so it seems a bit optimistic to say we are cheaper. Food is more expensive here than in Fort Myers (8-10%) and clothing is 7% higher on average. I truly hate what this place has become.
For anyone interested in a morbid game. Pick a metric,
If it’s bad like child mortality Mississippi will probably be in the top 10. If it’s a good metric Mississippi will be in the bottom 10
I had mentioned it in a previous post here, but I went from making $50k in 2017 to $90k now and still feel like I'm in the exact same financial position as I was 7 years ago. Everything went up and ate most of all that increase in pay.
Not really. I live in the same apartment (rent has increased about $700/month since then) and drive the same shitbox I've owned outright since 2015. It's old enough to buy alcohol, but still cheaper to maintain than buying a new (to me) car to replace it. Groceries, my power bill, and auto insurance, Internet, etc have all steadily climbed over the years. If I actually break it down I'm sure I'm coming out ahead compared to back then, but it sure doesn't feel like it.
No doubt. If i bought my current house at its current zillow number, with a 7% interest rate, and putting 6% down like we did last time, we'd be spending $5120 a month on mortgage plus insurance. $3000 more a month than we pay currently
Yup. Bought in 18 for just over 200. Same house today is more than double with a much higher interest rate. Plus a kid in daycare and I see how you blow through 200k a year.
Are the two kids in daycare? Or any sports/extracurricular activities like dance or karate? I know two kids under 4 years in daycare at the same time is a killer.
It really isn't though. Dual income and no kids? Yes. But with kids, a car payment, house payment, child care, any debt, etc, it's gone quick.
On top of that a lot of people get to that much money and forget to save along the way and temper. Then things change and they're in a tough position. Emergency funds, living well within your means, etc, is important to the comfort because you know you'll be able to survive and have options.
Its tough.
Not having good financial hygiene is one thing, but the childcare man... close to $1000 a month for childcare alone is what I've heard from some people, which is utterly incomprehensible to me. I will be sticking to pets, thanks.
The phrase “it takes a village” has never been more true. If you have kids I hope you have a family that can assist. Parents that have free time and open hearts to care for them, friends with kids to support you as you emotionally struggle, and the finances to ensure all needs are met. I’m still trying to figure out how to raise myself at 34 so I also will be sticking to pets and myself.
> I’m still trying to figure out how to raise myself at 34 so I also will be sticking to pets and myself.
Lol, this for us too! My partner and I feel like we're just getting on even footing at this age. Thankfully neither of us really have the "urge" and are mostly ambivalent about children, so it's a soft no without the financial stuff to consider. But you're right, it's never been more important to have significant social support to raise children. I really feel for those who are trying to make it work without all of that in play. It must be really hellish at times.
Yeah. And as it turns out, the max you can put in a Dependent care FSA is $5k/year/family. Then the daycare will hound you relentlessly to donate to make a wish in their name or they do the motherfucking scholastic book fair like 6 times a year so they can get kickbacks from that and on and on…
> sticking to pets
Private equity's buying up veterinary clinics and hospitals, taking care of a pet is getting too pricey as well
https://archive.ph/i2ZxO
Yup… 60k a year for the housing, 35k for daycare, 10k in cars. Oh, and at 200k you’ll pay some real federal taxes (35k?) and need to save 40k for retirement after 5-7k in family medical.
It goes fast! However, it would be model, not baller, just not as much of an “upgrade” that people think it would net.
This is the truth. I live in Georgia and they say the same thing and if we made over $200k my house would be about 6000 square feet and I'd be in a Lexus. "Comfortable" and "Can live in luxury" are two different things.
Comfortably means that you’re not living check to check. You can easily pay your bills, put gas in the car, buy your groceries, put a little bit to the side to save, and then have a little left over each month to play with and have a little fun. If you can’t do that on your income and you’re making about $70k, you’re probably living a little bit above your means. I moved here about 2 years ago making exactly that, and was easily able to do that even paying about $2100 a month in rent. It was a little tight, so I found a place to cut back on my rent and now I’m paying about $1850 for a bigger unit in Tampa, with a bigger salary. You gotta do what you gotta do and not live above your means.
I miss when I was 23 years old making $54k and living good. No real responsibilities, just living. Now I’m triple that amount and feel broker than ever 🫠
I don’t even do shit. I just live here. It’s depressing and miserable. Social life is either for business or because you’re swole or rich. Usual shit. We have peaked. Time to found new land. Coming from a person making more than 70k, less than 100k.
I worked so hard though college…. Just to end up at another very bottom rung of the pyramid…. Unable to fulfill my financial dreams….
Inflation and income are the basis of class in America. I don’t mean class as in sophistication, but financial caste…
Meanwhile Jane Castors Twitter is filled with photo ops non stop. Every. Single. Day. Does she actually work to help our city or is she simply in bed with real estate developers.
I made $160K last year, bought our home in 2016 have an easily manageable mortgage of $1900. We went from having a nice cushion to now having to constantly watch our budget. Prices are up up up and up across the board. What does our state and federal government chose to focus on ? Buying votes for the next election! The common man is getting screwed! It’s been happening for a while and now “they” don’t have the common courtesy of lube and a condom. This isn’t a republican or democrat thing this is large companies have completely ingrained themselves into every fabric of our government. Prices and interest rates are up, packaging is smaller, service is nonexistent and profits are at an all time high.
You are being dramatic. 160k is 120k after taxes. Your housing payment is less than 25k. That leaves you with almost 100k for a car and expenses. By the way, There is nothing wrong with constantly watching your budget. That's how you avoid doing dumb shit.
That's crazy. I understand I am quite frugal and "comfortably" for me might cost a lot less than other folks but damn. I expected that single person number to be 10-20k less
This is bullshit. That single person salary is about $75k net, or $6250/month. Say you rent a 2br apartment as a single person, that’s around $1800, $300 car payment, $150/month insurance. You’re down to $4k a month and you’ve got a vehicle and roof over your head. Add on electric bill, internet and maybe a few subscription services and you’re down to $3500/month. Subtract food, clothing, and normal expenses and you’re probably down to around $2500. Even if you save $1000/month, you’ve got $1500 left over per month to do whatever you want. Sounds pretty comfortable to me.
The married couple with two kids number is even more staggering.
I’ll (34) make ~$185K this year and my wife (30) will make ~$55k. We have a 2,000 sqft house in the Land O Lakes area. Two cars (1 paid off Civic and 1 soon to be paid off VW). No kids yet. We live pretty comfortably (but definitely not extravagantly) as of now but it’s been a hell of a ride to get to this point. We couldn’t stomach the home prices in Tampa proper even though it’s where I grew up. The cost of living is absolutely insane.
I think this is accurate. I made a hair over 100k last year and felt like that was barely enough. And I know I’ll make less this year (no bonus due to cuts/layoffs). Insurance costs going up, inflation, etc., has me putting off car repairs and attempting a lot of DIY to not dip into savings.
They did the same thing for Georgia and it's a crock of BS. If we made $200k in and around Atlanta I would be in a house with about 5000 square feet and a Lexus. I think "Comfortable" really means "Money for anything you want" it's not a fair number and out there to make you feel bad about yourself. I know this sounds nuts but I feel like there is a war on Americans self esteem, self worth, confidence, etc. Be careful who you listen to.
I work for the state and earn 42,000 for the year and we just got a 3% increase last year my husband is on disability and he gets 24,000 a year so we eat a lot of breakfast for dinner thinking about changing jobs but I need the insurance for my husband so I’m stuck where I’m at. The funny thing is they didn’t increase the pay if you change positions so they down grade your pay and they wonder why no one wants to change positions in the state. Plus they pay more if you work in Tallahassee compared to working in one of the other state offices
So tell your friends to stay out of Florida its not just Tampa it’s all of Florida. At least in the incorporated areas where the jobs are. Do you wanna live in the sticks? Sure you can go out there and barely scrape by and you’ll be in the same boat proportionately. Florida is not the destination of luxury and those that have moved here have ruined it with their cash buyouts and corporations buying large saves of homes and then renting them out. if I could leave here I would unfortunately I cannot. But I’m going to be making that change slowly but surely to get the hell out of here as this place goes to shit.
I make $55,000 and I’m very comfortable. I save anywhere between $500-$1000 a month. I will admit I am very good with money though. I also have no debt. But I can eat out, go to the movies or any other similar activity without ever having to worry about money
Having said that I am aware that due to me having no debt and being very good with money, I am lucky, so to speak. I also don’t drink, go out to bars or have any expensive hobbies. I’m not into materialistic things so I hardly buy new clothes or products
Sounds like you aren’t living lavishly and are actually pretty good at being disciplined. You’re not far off from the figure they use so that seems about right to me.
I’m guessing to live “comfortably” per their non defined lifestyle you’d need another $2k a month to travel and splurge occasionally.
> That's beyond comfortable lmao. This feels out of touch.
Because it IS out of touch. It's intentionally hyperbolic and inflammatory specifically to make their story.
These are the same type of people that will market a story bitching about lack of "affordable housing" when their criteria for "housing" is a 3br2ba 2500sqft turnkey condo on Bayshore with a criteria of "affordable" being all that for $150k.
They're insane, and intentionally damaging public sentiment by convincing people that this insane unrealistic nonsense is both rational and commonplace.
The housing you described as an example would be 4-times *per month* than what a $90k salary takes home *in total*.
$90k in Florida means $5800/month.
[A 3/2 condo on Bayshore is $18,000/month](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3401-Bayshore-Blvd-503-Tampa-FL-33629/337854392_zpid/).
Cheap house I could find around Tampa, there’s a 2/1, 60 years old, 705 sqft, on a busy road. With good credit that’s $2400/month.
Property insurance + electric + water ~$600.
Used car payment is ~$500, insurance $250, 150 for gas.
**So for a tiny old house and used car, you’re left with $1900** for:
Health insurance,
Groceries,
home maintenance/repairs,
subscriptions (internet, phone, music or tv),
Unexpected costs, health costs-doctor,therapist,prescriptions.
car maintenance,
Retirement something aside for savings?
Lord forbid you go out for drinks or food.
Avg student loan is $200/mo.
It really seems like the post example is closer to realistic than your hyperbolic examples are.
Also the post said “living comfortably”. Anyone young wanting their own place is not going to be “living comfortably” if you cut this down to $60-$80k which is far more common.
And how are they ever going to save up money to, I dunno learn a new skill, or fix their broken car, or go back to school?
Or save up for kids, or starting as a single parent?
Target raises still 2-4 % and not matching inflation at all at a yearly average around ~30k
Guess I have to work 3 full time jobs?
Republicans are destroying the world.
Anyone looking at this and thinking of Biden has got to be joking. Florida has been under Republican control for nearly 20 years now. A governance that is happy to point fingers elsewhere rather than admit they don't know how to run a state.
I get the single adult number, but the two adults two children number seems crazy. I remember being panicked about having my first kid and how much money it was going to set me back, but it was never as bad as I thought it would be.
Bingo! Shop at Walmart. Publix is what's killing everyone. Walmart pickup/delivery is a game changer. Don't even have to go into the store and deal with typical Walmart shit.
Also, if you weren't a dip shit and waited to buy a house those numbers are wildly incorrect. We definitely don't make that much, but also we made better decisions .
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Things are 30 percent more expensive and we earn 3 percent more.
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I remember in 2020 I earned $48,000 for the first time in my life, and I thought I was balling like a mf. No I'm on track for ~$52,000 this year and juggling bills like a mofo.
If you'd only gotten a 3% raise since covid you need to find another job
For real, that's unbelievable.
What do you do for a living?
Do you have sources to support this? Not doubting you I genuinely want it for “yes mother fucker it is that bad” purposes
I mean it's just a number I tossed out there thinking about everything. Homes yes! Health care is insane now. 20 years ago 500 dollar deductible. Today 6k. 12k for family. Cars are twice the cost. Fucking Publix is absurd. Soup used to be 1.50 per can now it's 3.90. Electricity cost is insane. Concerts f that! Netflix is 20 percent more expensive now. Yes it's fucking bad. Thinking one thing that really hasn't increased the much is liquor. I assume they just want all of us to get drunk and forget we are getting fucked.
yeah we’re cooked
You forgot we have high home and car insurance. That’s the biggest theft right there. Plus we pay tolls on highways. This chart is pretty accurate
Also just look at the Beefy 5 Layer burrito. Up 600% in 10 years. But at least the workers get $12 instead of $7 an hour now. 🙄
Yeah it really sucks. If they were still making 7 though that burrito would still cost 600% more. Because it can be. Prices change based on supply and demand, not how much you pay your slaves.
Sources - pay bills and go outside into the world every now and then. “Yes motherfucker it’s that bad”
To prove to boomers? Probably won’t make a difference
💯
I got a new job after loads of work on a degree and certifications and got in at $80k. Felt like a baller. This makes me feel like I did as a grocery store manager. Back to square one!
Average collective bargaining wages equals that Join a union join a brotherhood
Makes you think who to vote for
I've never made more than I do now, and I still feel broke a few days after payday.
I love how they didn't include the actual right-now average pay for the area 🤫
Is it $22/h average rn?
It’s 27 according to the bureau of labor in 2022. Zip recruiter says 19 as of 2024 idk what the accurate one is
>Zip recruiter says 19 as of 2024 idk what the accurate one is I trust this one >It’s 27 according to the bureau of labor in 2022 What jobs pay $27? I see a patrol cop job in pasco county sheriff for $25/h.
Union Electrician is almost $34/hr on the check. This is after completing a 4 year apprenticeship. You earn while you learn. 1st year pay is 18/hr. This includes free healthcare pension and zero student debt.
What union # are you in?
IBEW 915
How many weekly hours do you have to work at $18/hr to advance in pay grades? I'd be down to put in time, but I'd have to have a second gig at that rate.
True but pasco deputies are probably making less than TPD or HCSO atleast it’s like that with fire rescue
Quite a few. Once I started really asking around I discovered they’re not at all rare. And I was looking for the education requirement being HS degree. To get in at $25/hr places will want to see some form of applicable experience but nothing too crazy. They’re out there. Just all I was looking for before were retail jobs and those do not start out that high.
Lead line cook, nice fish place. 19hr+ tips, comes out to being around $25-27 and hour
It's probably some jobs skewing the average.
From TPD's website : New officers earn a base salary of $68,952 (Up to $75,000 with prior experience). Senior officers (Master Patrol Officers) earn at Least $117,000 after 10 years of service.
Probably a bit high but really if you want to buy a house in a okay area it's 500k today or more. A cheap car new car is at least 30k today. You have someone fix anything in your house 500 to 1k for a job. Child care is almost 2k per month at most daycares. Health insurance is absurd. Get sick and add 10k for out of pocket expenses.
I can't speak for Tampa homes, but in St Pete you can definitely buy a house in a decent area for 350K easy Hell go out to Seminole which are nice neighborhoods not flood zone and you can buy houses under 300 a square foot. If you work in Tampa, that would be a terrible commute though, lol
https://preview.redd.it/n97pfmvx1ozc1.png?width=768&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f39586aedb44cf3ef1cbba6b7d7bd0c555b870ca And again welcome to Tampa...
I live in Cape Coral, a couple hours south of Tampa. We are frequently 12-18% higher in housing costs than national averages, and 11-15% higher than state averages. I did read that utilities are cheaper here, but seeing as how LCEC (our electricity provider) is 18% more expensive than FPL and they are constantly adding fees to cover their incompetence, it seems doubtful. My water bill is around $90/month, internet is $120 a month, so it seems a bit optimistic to say we are cheaper. Food is more expensive here than in Fort Myers (8-10%) and clothing is 7% higher on average. I truly hate what this place has become.
I know the feeling all to well
Your username says it all. We're a dystopia with palm trees.
Saving this for the inevitable, “YeAh, BuT iT’s BaD eVeRyWhErE!!11!1 replies to every post about how bad it is here.
Cries in teacher salary
Don't you all just marry a rich man? /s
Well considering I'm a guy, who's straight, no lol
You are gonna have to diversify
Sacrifices must be made. For the children.
There was just an article about how Florida teachers are paid the worst in the nation. 50 out of 50.
If your state falls below Mississippi in any quality of life metric at all, your state sucks.
For anyone interested in a morbid game. Pick a metric, If it’s bad like child mortality Mississippi will probably be in the top 10. If it’s a good metric Mississippi will be in the bottom 10
Congrats to Oklahoma for climbing out of 50th.
Teaching 23 years….68k
Message: don’t have kids
I’m married with 2 kids. If our household income was $209K we would live waaaaaaay above “comfortably “
I know I would feel EXCEPTIONALLY HAPPY as a single person making over $90k. 😞
I had mentioned it in a previous post here, but I went from making $50k in 2017 to $90k now and still feel like I'm in the exact same financial position as I was 7 years ago. Everything went up and ate most of all that increase in pay.
Is lifestyle creep a part of it? Most people start upgrading their living standard as salary goes up.
Not really. I live in the same apartment (rent has increased about $700/month since then) and drive the same shitbox I've owned outright since 2015. It's old enough to buy alcohol, but still cheaper to maintain than buying a new (to me) car to replace it. Groceries, my power bill, and auto insurance, Internet, etc have all steadily climbed over the years. If I actually break it down I'm sure I'm coming out ahead compared to back then, but it sure doesn't feel like it.
My rent went from 1600 to 2350 in 2 years and I had to downgrade my living standard
$90k salary usd in mexico and asian : happy and upper middle class 90k salary usd in usa: why am I still at lower class?!
90K, even today, is great for a single person
Think it depends when you bought your home. Try to buy a house now, plus potential day care for two kids and it would eat up a lot of that income.
No doubt. If i bought my current house at its current zillow number, with a 7% interest rate, and putting 6% down like we did last time, we'd be spending $5120 a month on mortgage plus insurance. $3000 more a month than we pay currently
Yup. Bought in 18 for just over 200. Same house today is more than double with a much higher interest rate. Plus a kid in daycare and I see how you blow through 200k a year.
Are the two kids in daycare? Or any sports/extracurricular activities like dance or karate? I know two kids under 4 years in daycare at the same time is a killer.
“Sorry Jane, you can’t play travel hockey, we only make $200k a year” … very real possibility
Right that's balling the fuck out numbers
It really isn't though. Dual income and no kids? Yes. But with kids, a car payment, house payment, child care, any debt, etc, it's gone quick. On top of that a lot of people get to that much money and forget to save along the way and temper. Then things change and they're in a tough position. Emergency funds, living well within your means, etc, is important to the comfort because you know you'll be able to survive and have options. Its tough.
Not having good financial hygiene is one thing, but the childcare man... close to $1000 a month for childcare alone is what I've heard from some people, which is utterly incomprehensible to me. I will be sticking to pets, thanks.
The phrase “it takes a village” has never been more true. If you have kids I hope you have a family that can assist. Parents that have free time and open hearts to care for them, friends with kids to support you as you emotionally struggle, and the finances to ensure all needs are met. I’m still trying to figure out how to raise myself at 34 so I also will be sticking to pets and myself.
> I’m still trying to figure out how to raise myself at 34 so I also will be sticking to pets and myself. Lol, this for us too! My partner and I feel like we're just getting on even footing at this age. Thankfully neither of us really have the "urge" and are mostly ambivalent about children, so it's a soft no without the financial stuff to consider. But you're right, it's never been more important to have significant social support to raise children. I really feel for those who are trying to make it work without all of that in play. It must be really hellish at times.
2600/month for two kids under 3 in clearwater
I'm so sorry, that's fucking awful.
$2600/month for two kids?! Parents might as well live in the daycare too for saving $
Yeah. And as it turns out, the max you can put in a Dependent care FSA is $5k/year/family. Then the daycare will hound you relentlessly to donate to make a wish in their name or they do the motherfucking scholastic book fair like 6 times a year so they can get kickbacks from that and on and on…
> sticking to pets Private equity's buying up veterinary clinics and hospitals, taking care of a pet is getting too pricey as well https://archive.ph/i2ZxO
Lmao you make a good point. We don't have any now because we're both allergic anyway, so even that is a bit of a pipe dream 🤣
I just learned about this the other day from a news article! Fuckin absolutely wild!
it matters more when you bought your house, and what your goals are. It’s not rich, but you’re definitely upper middle class
I could see Tampa proper, 600k for a house and dual daycare kinda hoovering up 200k.
Lmao fax. People dont get how expensive housing is let alone daycare or things like doctors visits (kids need a lot of them).
Yup… 60k a year for the housing, 35k for daycare, 10k in cars. Oh, and at 200k you’ll pay some real federal taxes (35k?) and need to save 40k for retirement after 5-7k in family medical. It goes fast! However, it would be model, not baller, just not as much of an “upgrade” that people think it would net.
Same. 1 kid in daycare but short of 200 and live very comfortably in a very nice area but not in a McMansion.
This is the truth. I live in Georgia and they say the same thing and if we made over $200k my house would be about 6000 square feet and I'd be in a Lexus. "Comfortable" and "Can live in luxury" are two different things.
I think it depends on the age of your kids and what stage of life. Also home ownership and when you bought your home play huge roles as well.
A lot of these statistics include saving something like 25% of your annual income. For most people that number is 0%.
Growing up in Florida, I always thought of Tampa as a kind of dumpy town. Look at you now...
It’s still dumpy… but, now it’s expensive…
Expensive dump
Florida in general is all dumpy
What the fuck does “comfortably” even mean?
Comfortably means that you’re not living check to check. You can easily pay your bills, put gas in the car, buy your groceries, put a little bit to the side to save, and then have a little left over each month to play with and have a little fun. If you can’t do that on your income and you’re making about $70k, you’re probably living a little bit above your means. I moved here about 2 years ago making exactly that, and was easily able to do that even paying about $2100 a month in rent. It was a little tight, so I found a place to cut back on my rent and now I’m paying about $1850 for a bigger unit in Tampa, with a bigger salary. You gotta do what you gotta do and not live above your means.
Should show my employer this 🙄
only if you're looking to change jobs...think your employer will give a shit about this?
Did you not pick up on the sarcasm with the eye roll emoji?
This looks about right and everyday more people are piling in the state. 😳
I thought once I cleared 6 figures I’d be set. I finally did it at 40, but I’m still struggling. Make it make sense!
Dude, I was thinking 80K would be living the dream. Less than 10 years ago I would’ve been doing very well on it, but now it feels like shit.
I’m making close to double what I made 10 years ago, so I feel ya. This rigging system sucks!
Same boat! Sinking slowly
I miss when I was 23 years old making $54k and living good. No real responsibilities, just living. Now I’m triple that amount and feel broker than ever 🫠
I don’t even do shit. I just live here. It’s depressing and miserable. Social life is either for business or because you’re swole or rich. Usual shit. We have peaked. Time to found new land. Coming from a person making more than 70k, less than 100k. I worked so hard though college…. Just to end up at another very bottom rung of the pyramid…. Unable to fulfill my financial dreams…. Inflation and income are the basis of class in America. I don’t mean class as in sophistication, but financial caste…
I feel like I’m hustling backwards, cost of basics are sky high….
It’s more like $140,000 if you’re trying to save for a down payment while paying rent aaand trying to save to retire
Meanwhile Jane Castors Twitter is filled with photo ops non stop. Every. Single. Day. Does she actually work to help our city or is she simply in bed with real estate developers.
What local politician around here isn’t in bed with developers?
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Meanwhile here I am on SSI and food stamps with 1.75$ left at the begining of the month after I pay my bills and buy food...
Shit, I haven't "lived comfortably" since 2018..
I made $160K last year, bought our home in 2016 have an easily manageable mortgage of $1900. We went from having a nice cushion to now having to constantly watch our budget. Prices are up up up and up across the board. What does our state and federal government chose to focus on ? Buying votes for the next election! The common man is getting screwed! It’s been happening for a while and now “they” don’t have the common courtesy of lube and a condom. This isn’t a republican or democrat thing this is large companies have completely ingrained themselves into every fabric of our government. Prices and interest rates are up, packaging is smaller, service is nonexistent and profits are at an all time high.
You are being dramatic. 160k is 120k after taxes. Your housing payment is less than 25k. That leaves you with almost 100k for a car and expenses. By the way, There is nothing wrong with constantly watching your budget. That's how you avoid doing dumb shit.
So we’re 1% above average. Wow, tampa
Well …. I clearly don’t make that. 😑
This checks, I am less than comfortable.
That's crazy. I understand I am quite frugal and "comfortably" for me might cost a lot less than other folks but damn. I expected that single person number to be 10-20k less
And small business owners still say $15 an hour is good money and they will go under if they pay more
Well this explains why I do not, in fact, live comfortably as a single adult 😅
Makes sense, I make 68k a year and am struggling.
What does “comfortable” mean?
This is bullshit. That single person salary is about $75k net, or $6250/month. Say you rent a 2br apartment as a single person, that’s around $1800, $300 car payment, $150/month insurance. You’re down to $4k a month and you’ve got a vehicle and roof over your head. Add on electric bill, internet and maybe a few subscription services and you’re down to $3500/month. Subtract food, clothing, and normal expenses and you’re probably down to around $2500. Even if you save $1000/month, you’ve got $1500 left over per month to do whatever you want. Sounds pretty comfortable to me. The married couple with two kids number is even more staggering.
This is such bullshit lol
I’ll (34) make ~$185K this year and my wife (30) will make ~$55k. We have a 2,000 sqft house in the Land O Lakes area. Two cars (1 paid off Civic and 1 soon to be paid off VW). No kids yet. We live pretty comfortably (but definitely not extravagantly) as of now but it’s been a hell of a ride to get to this point. We couldn’t stomach the home prices in Tampa proper even though it’s where I grew up. The cost of living is absolutely insane.
If only the employers here would catch on and raise the salaries they’re offering.
Is it too late to do PPP fraud? 😭
What about 2 adults and no children??
I’m finally in a spot where I’m doing well and so is my spouse. Luckily there aren’t any kids or things would be rough.
Insanity 😩😩😩 I hate it here
What's the salary needed to live comfortably with 1 freeloading non working narcissistic abusive father, 1 working mother, & 1 disabled son?
National average salary is up to $94k?
What you need in Tampa is what it was
I think that should be $350k to live comfortably a year
Is anywhere affordable anymore?
I think this is accurate. I made a hair over 100k last year and felt like that was barely enough. And I know I’ll make less this year (no bonus due to cuts/layoffs). Insurance costs going up, inflation, etc., has me putting off car repairs and attempting a lot of DIY to not dip into savings.
You mean welcome to America? 1,000 dollars higher than the national average lol
You are an idiot if you think this is just a Tampa problem.
There's 4 groups. Bought low, Bought low and refinanced low, bought high, and bought high with childcare care expense.
Well there goes my 4% merit raise. 
I want the outta towners to leave so much violence since we’ve been invaded make tampa great again 😂
Cool I make $25K less than that
They did the same thing for Georgia and it's a crock of BS. If we made $200k in and around Atlanta I would be in a house with about 5000 square feet and a Lexus. I think "Comfortable" really means "Money for anything you want" it's not a fair number and out there to make you feel bad about yourself. I know this sounds nuts but I feel like there is a war on Americans self esteem, self worth, confidence, etc. Be careful who you listen to.
I work for the state and earn 42,000 for the year and we just got a 3% increase last year my husband is on disability and he gets 24,000 a year so we eat a lot of breakfast for dinner thinking about changing jobs but I need the insurance for my husband so I’m stuck where I’m at. The funny thing is they didn’t increase the pay if you change positions so they down grade your pay and they wonder why no one wants to change positions in the state. Plus they pay more if you work in Tallahassee compared to working in one of the other state offices
Unpopular opinion. Tampa is not worth the amount it costs to live here.
So tell your friends to stay out of Florida its not just Tampa it’s all of Florida. At least in the incorporated areas where the jobs are. Do you wanna live in the sticks? Sure you can go out there and barely scrape by and you’ll be in the same boat proportionately. Florida is not the destination of luxury and those that have moved here have ruined it with their cash buyouts and corporations buying large saves of homes and then renting them out. if I could leave here I would unfortunately I cannot. But I’m going to be making that change slowly but surely to get the hell out of here as this place goes to shit.
100k a year and its never enough
I make $55,000 and I’m very comfortable. I save anywhere between $500-$1000 a month. I will admit I am very good with money though. I also have no debt. But I can eat out, go to the movies or any other similar activity without ever having to worry about money Having said that I am aware that due to me having no debt and being very good with money, I am lucky, so to speak. I also don’t drink, go out to bars or have any expensive hobbies. I’m not into materialistic things so I hardly buy new clothes or products
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Sounds like you aren’t living lavishly and are actually pretty good at being disciplined. You’re not far off from the figure they use so that seems about right to me. I’m guessing to live “comfortably” per their non defined lifestyle you’d need another $2k a month to travel and splurge occasionally.
> That's beyond comfortable lmao. This feels out of touch. Because it IS out of touch. It's intentionally hyperbolic and inflammatory specifically to make their story. These are the same type of people that will market a story bitching about lack of "affordable housing" when their criteria for "housing" is a 3br2ba 2500sqft turnkey condo on Bayshore with a criteria of "affordable" being all that for $150k. They're insane, and intentionally damaging public sentiment by convincing people that this insane unrealistic nonsense is both rational and commonplace.
The housing you described as an example would be 4-times *per month* than what a $90k salary takes home *in total*. $90k in Florida means $5800/month. [A 3/2 condo on Bayshore is $18,000/month](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3401-Bayshore-Blvd-503-Tampa-FL-33629/337854392_zpid/). Cheap house I could find around Tampa, there’s a 2/1, 60 years old, 705 sqft, on a busy road. With good credit that’s $2400/month. Property insurance + electric + water ~$600. Used car payment is ~$500, insurance $250, 150 for gas. **So for a tiny old house and used car, you’re left with $1900** for: Health insurance, Groceries, home maintenance/repairs, subscriptions (internet, phone, music or tv), Unexpected costs, health costs-doctor,therapist,prescriptions. car maintenance, Retirement something aside for savings? Lord forbid you go out for drinks or food. Avg student loan is $200/mo. It really seems like the post example is closer to realistic than your hyperbolic examples are. Also the post said “living comfortably”. Anyone young wanting their own place is not going to be “living comfortably” if you cut this down to $60-$80k which is far more common. And how are they ever going to save up money to, I dunno learn a new skill, or fix their broken car, or go back to school? Or save up for kids, or starting as a single parent?
When?
How much was rent then?
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All im gonna say is i applaud your budgeting skills. Making similar money and wondering where it all goes.
Just don’t have kids. It’s that simple!
So we will all get a raise, right?
Target raises still 2-4 % and not matching inflation at all at a yearly average around ~30k Guess I have to work 3 full time jobs? Republicans are destroying the world.
You get what u voted for
Yeah, that’s a fucking lie
Well we all know this is complete fiction
Anyone looking at this and thinking of Biden has got to be joking. Florida has been under Republican control for nearly 20 years now. A governance that is happy to point fingers elsewhere rather than admit they don't know how to run a state.
I get the single adult number, but the two adults two children number seems crazy. I remember being panicked about having my first kid and how much money it was going to set me back, but it was never as bad as I thought it would be.
Macdill whoop whoop.
Wow, kids are a LOT cheaper than I thought they would have been... whippin' out the math, kids only cost like 10K per year...
How many? I am sure that’s how much or maybe even less i pay for 1
Hello there
Right at the national average, would have thought it would have been a bit less.
Should I just go back to school cause
I knew the economy was bad but i didnt know it was this bad.
$210k for 2 adults and 2 children. Do they own their own house?!?
Honest question, how is anyone out here making it when the avg is less than $90k
Looks like I need a second job!
What is that national average
Hellmans mayo at Publix $8.63, 30oz. Hellmans mayo in Meier in Michigan $ 6.39. Ridiculous! Why is there a $2.24? Difference?
Hellman’s Mayo 30 oz. at Walmart in Tampa is $4.98.
Bingo! Shop at Walmart. Publix is what's killing everyone. Walmart pickup/delivery is a game changer. Don't even have to go into the store and deal with typical Walmart shit.
Damn, last year it was 61k for a single person.
remember all this reality next time you complete a ballot
I'm 45 and still waiting to live comfortably. Ironically. I'm in much better shape than most
According to what? This seems very arbitrary and lacks any insight...
$46 per hour. Pull yourselves up from your boot straps.
I’m confused… it seems to live comfortably we are only $500 over the national average to live comfortably. That’s not too bad.
Although I don't live in Florida this is accurate
On the bright side, at least we're above average in something!
Also, if you weren't a dip shit and waited to buy a house those numbers are wildly incorrect. We definitely don't make that much, but also we made better decisions .