LogFAQs > #937601093

blu posted...

I agree a kid with a disability would push retirement off more than a kid without a disability, but its not the standard. Having a kid is also expensive, but its a one time expense per kid. People typically dont have a kid with a lifelong disability, its an exception. Food and clothes are inexpensive if you choose them to be, expensive if you choose. For a young kid theres nothing wrong with thrift shopping for clothing, or have a few outfits you found on clearance. Very low cost. School amounts to notepads, writing utensils, folders, some money for projects or labs.

How much someone makes and the cost of living does depend on the city. Luckily, nothing is preventing a move for most people. Most people also arent in a super high cost city. Nothing is also preventing people from choosing a career that earns more...even managing an In & Out or a Taco Bell location pays over 50k. Being a lead at certain call centers, some jobs, sales, medical tech...you cant get these things tomorrow but you can look at what youre good at and start from there.

And yes, you can always live cheaper. There is utility in money for having a good life, but theres diminishing returns. Getting my 3rd guitar or getting professional screwdriver over the bargain bin doesnt really add much. There just needs to be a point where you can say this is enough instead of having lifestyle inflation.

Unless youre in the inner section of a major city you can find a quality apartment for under 1k a month, especially with a roommate or someone else to help with economy of scale. Playing games 1-2 years old, watching movies 6-8 months old, playing sports, inviting people over for a park BBQ, using the library, not buying things that dont get used often, travel to Central America now and do Europe for when youre more stable. There isnt a huge lifestyle adjustment needed to get spending down to early retirement levels if you have decent (40k+) earnings. Theres definitely no reason to not have a kid or get rid of a pet, theyre only expensive if you choose to make them expensive, beyond initial costs.

A bit off the topic, but I split a 800sq ft luxury apartment with my gf. Its an indulgence, its a waste of money but I love the location. I spend around $600 on it ($7200/year) because we split expenses. Before we had a 700 square foot for $400 each ($4800/year) center of a midwestern city. Before that I had a roommate in a two bedroom town house and paid $450. But figure food is $2000 a year reasonably, $3000ish transportation (could be lowered, I usually walk or bike but choose to keep my car), maybe 1-2k on utilities and other things that come up, and that leaves thousands a year for entertainment, gifts, my kitty, doctor visits, travel while still living on under 20k.

I guess I just dont see what part is difficult or sounds shitty. Possibly making a move from family, but a move isnt entirely needed unless you really live in the middle of nowhere.

It's not. But that's why I also included regular children, too. As in stuff like broken bones. I think about 1 in 3 children get a broken bone or something. And that has additional cost. And that's just one things. But children have a bunch of extra cost that people sometimes don't think about. And can easily push back retirement more than a few years. Especially if you were trying to save money. And most parents will save money in a separate savings for something like college. Which can also disturb savings for their own future. And it's not a one time expense for a kid. It's usually many, many, many expenses over 18 years. +/- a few years depending on each situation. Idk why you think it's a one-time expenses. And even if it was, it would definitely not be a cheap one...

The main thing preventing a move for most people is money. I don't know why people think moving is cheap. Not only that, but finding a place to live. And choosing between renting and buying, depending on the situation. So, there's that. That's what prevents most people. That and not having the right amount of credit. Which can easily happen. And getting a management position isn't always easy. Some people can easily get them. But depending on the place, that job could be given to a friend of the owner, even if they don't deserve it. And even then, I don't really think it pays as much as you think. Not from what I've seen, at least...

You can always live cheaper. Doesn't mean a good life, though. There's a limit of how frugal you can be before things start getting shitty.

Not always. It just depends on the area. If the area was fixed up recently, prices can be pretty high. And like you said, cities are expensive, as well. Like New York and DC. California, as well. Some other cities is certain states are cheaper, but you always get paid much less, as well... As for how much of a life change you have depends on you current lifestyle as of right now. Even when I lived cheaper than all the stuff you mention (by not buying any games, not taking any vacations, not doing anything that would cost money), I still had a hard time saving because I just didn't make enough at my old job. So, it goes back to being able to make enough. And that can easily be what stops them from being able to save. And if you already have a kid or pet, then not having one doesn't matter anymore as you already do have one. And most people aren't going to give either of them up... It's And it's not always up to the parents to decide how expensive it's going to be. Life happens. The unexpected happens. Like all the time... It's rare to find a family with kids where unexpeected cost didn't come up multiple times...

And maybe you were happy with that. I have a roommate and we split expenses. And even without buying myself nice things, my expenses are higher than that. Some people can find a good area that's cheap. Not everyone can. And even in good areas, it doesn't matter if the person who owns the place charges more...

You never see it, though. I've been in your topics, so I'm not surprised you don't see what can be difficult or shitty about it. You humble brag all the time. So, I wouldn't expect you to understand how normal people live...
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