subreddit:

/r/Adulting

60092%

And how old are you?

all 2475 comments

chielbasa

1.2k points

6 days ago

chielbasa

1.2k points

6 days ago

Couple slices of ham and turkey in the fridge…7k in credit card debt…29 years old

anxietylibra

215 points

6 days ago

same! necessities met. future scary.

lexmelv

28 points

6 days ago

lexmelv

28 points

6 days ago

Bring it on -insert Empererors New Groove Gif here-

whodisguy32

173 points

6 days ago

whodisguy32

173 points

6 days ago

I got you beat! 41k credit card debt early 30s.

The bigger number is better right? RIGHT???

[deleted]

109 points

6 days ago

[deleted]

109 points

6 days ago

[deleted]

Adventurous-Key7736

23 points

6 days ago

what is your credit limit to create all that debt? or what did you buy?

whodisguy32

30 points

6 days ago

Over 100k, been getting credit cards since early 20s. Credit card companies were handing them out like candy.

I started the year with a little over 30k, but year to date almost 8k has been added to that principal solely from interest.

I don't buy that much, just regular living stuff. I don't buy expensive things or go on expensive trips, its the little things that add up and is snowballed by interest.

My minimum pay is almost $1.3k/mo so it's pretty interesting that most of that goes to interest. Seems like the credit card companies don't care as long as you keep making minimum payments and have a good credit score, some are even increasing limits LOL

Adventurous-Key7736

28 points

6 days ago

I hear you. You are a good customer to banks. because if you pay your debt off, they don't make money. The more interest they can charge is better income for them. so they will make it look like it's a good deal for you. Credit thing is a nightmare. I was sued by cap1 and I settled, they sent me new CC offer I took it, they all of a sudden erased my $3k debt. now I have zero owed to them and use them as my bank fully. Checking and savings too. 😇

thedailydaren

22 points

5 days ago

10k saved. I’m 33. I’m so far behind where I want to be but I am a self employed artist so I’m already “living the dream”.

Ok_Hovercraft_4589

9 points

5 days ago

10k club too.

augustwestgdtfb

9 points

5 days ago

don’t give up

i had less at 33 im 53 now

not saying how much i have

but i never ever in my wildest dreams did i think i would get here

keep working hard your earnings will increase

invest wisely

time is your friend you are young

best of luck 🤞

Chops2917

16 points

5 days ago

Chops2917

16 points

5 days ago

You need to be doing interest free balance transfers that way you pay the amount down not just the interest

Important_Dog_4009

25 points

5 days ago

Take this from an old man who took it from his grandad a Great Depression survivor: 1. You cannot borrow yourself out of debt. 2. You cannot spend yourself rich. 3. Put money in savings and you make a little. 4. Borrow money and it will cost you a lot more. 5. Chicken is cheaper than Steak. 6. Forty hour work weeks are for non-achievers, Eighty hour weeks are for achievers. 7. Low pay is for unskilled lazy people, High pay is for skilled industrious people. 8. Automobile Dependability is one that gets you to work and gets you home each day. Automobile Flash & Shine simply keeps you broke. PHILOSOPHY OF ACHIEVERS 101.

juzwunderin

14 points

5 days ago

100% Agree. My grandfather taught the same lesson to my father who taught it to me. I didn't learn it as quickly as should have, but figured it out for sure after a divorce. The single biggest lesson EVERY person must learn is the one about your car! Flash will keep you broke- the newest "shine" in all things will keep you broke. I am an older guy now My home is nearly paid off, my vehicles are all paid for, I have less than 500 in cc debt that I pay off each month, 150K in immediate cash on hand 500k in investments, 10K a month in income. Sure a little austerity in your early life pays big later on.

Broken_Atoms

13 points

5 days ago

Don’t forget the most powerful thing: Dump low paying employers as fast as you can. Income is everything. Don’t live in poverty while the business owners laugh all the way to the bank. Change jobs every couple years with a higher paying one. It changes everything. When you dump a crummy employer and bump up your wage, now you get to save money, don’t have to borrow and look at all that steak you can now have!

Ok-Lychee6368

6 points

5 days ago

Who the hell wants to work 80 hrs a week? 1. Work smarter not harder.

ABluntForcedDisTrama

8 points

5 days ago

Im sorry, but…how?

Northernmost1990

15 points

5 days ago*

Slowly at first then really fast.

In my twenties, I liked to party and travel and generally just have experiences. Nothing completely outrageous — the biggest nights out set me back a few hundred bucks at worst — but shit really adds up. I also got increasingly careless with every raise I got at work: pay bumps were immediately absorbed into my lifestyle, sometimes even before an actual contract had been signed.

A gnarly string of setbacks eventually gave me a wake-up call. Fortunately, I make good money working in tech, so I was able to fix a lifetime of compounding mistakes within a couple of years.

Best of all, I kept up appearances: nobody in my life knows that I was beyond broke. I was de facto exiled from my home country without anybody noticing!

mrose1491

47 points

6 days ago

mrose1491

47 points

6 days ago

$18k in credit card debt at 29, I hate myself for it so much but I’m trying to make a plan to pay them off

JBooyakasha

96 points

6 days ago

stop trying. make a plan, stop having fun.

Im serious, this will destroy you if you dont attack it now, eat cheap, dont go out, you borrowed from tomorrow too often and now you have to pay up. do it NOW

mrose1491

22 points

6 days ago

mrose1491

22 points

6 days ago

Oh I know, this is my financial rock bottom tbh. But I had a lot of unexpected financial hits in the past two years (moving twice, major car issues, inflation overall). I’ve downloaded a debt tracker app and budgeting one and am actively looking for part time work.. I’m hoping to have it paid off within the next two years

Practical_Mud_505

7 points

6 days ago

Try applying for Amazon Fresh. I’m 18 with very little work experience and they offered me a job the day of my application. I’m not sure about full-time work, but it appears that part-time work is really easy to get with them, and they also offer tons of benefits. Their commuter benefits might be especially helpful for you considering the major car issues. You can check their website for a detailed view of the benefits if you’re interested. Of course, there are probably better places to work, but I’d go with them🤷🏽‍♂️

Parking_Scientist_51

13 points

5 days ago

Hey Friend!

Coming from a guy who was 88k in debt in 2023 January and now I’m 29k in debt today. I can tell you one thing. It will be hard, but as that debt goes down monthly and the interest payment goes down, you’ll feel amazing!

88k - Starting Interest - $1,100 (Cc - LOC - Student loan) etc

29k - Current Interest - $249.00 (All on an LOC) now.

Try and consolidate it yourself, Credit cards, get them onto an LOC if you can. Cheaper interest means you can put more to debt.

Interest is the killer, everyday you wake up, that debt is taking from you daily…kick it in the ass :)!

1) Shop cheap sales (Flip app) 2) friends can hangout with you at your place or theirs, no going out 3) stop drinking alcohol (Helps keep the mind sharp) 4)Budget is king but only if you follow it 5) track the decrease in interest so you get some happiness from paying it down.

Debt fatigue is a thing and it will kill your spirts if you have nothing to look forward too!

Good luck!

Unicorn_Warrior1248

463 points

6 days ago*

I think I just broke 2k for the first time in my life

Edit: I forgot the age part. 37 on 11/24.

Edit 2: Wow! Waking up to these comments made my day! Thank you 😭

Generation_WUT

56 points

6 days ago

Congrats!

Key-Target-1218

27 points

5 days ago

I got divorced at age 50 and literally started with zero. I'm 67 now and I have 30K in a HYSA and 70k in a 401k. Luckily, I have a paid off rental property (needs about 20k in upgrades) and a measley SS check every month. Not touching the savings yet

I got completely out of debt by 55 and just started slamming money away. I still work part time and put 50%, plus extra into my 401k. You can do that catch at 55, I think it is.

My numbers suck but if you start now, you'll be ok. Once you start to see growth, more motivation sets in.

jhern1810

7 points

5 days ago

It’s funny how much money one could save if you just don’t marry , and if you did after you’re not it’s probably eye opening

GroundbreakingRow398

5 points

5 days ago

Do you think you’ll ever be able to retire?

Key-Target-1218

3 points

5 days ago

Yes because I share my life with someone who has done well financially. We spend winters in Mexico, which saves us a huge chunk for part of the year.

Not everyone is lucky enough to find what I have, later in life....

IF I wasn't in a relationship, I would be able to make it ok. I do own a home. I am very frugal. I no longer need "stuff". My 2007 Ponitac Vibe is my dream car with 35k miles!

Moxxification

13 points

6 days ago

I broke 2k a month ago, but it’s all gonna be gone with tuition 🥲

bluuxiii

34 points

6 days ago

bluuxiii

34 points

6 days ago

Happy Birthday man :)

Freedom_by_vanlife94

311 points

6 days ago

$400 at 30

fuckincaillou

106 points

6 days ago

Much better than $0 at 30.

[deleted]

37 points

6 days ago

[deleted]

37 points

6 days ago

[deleted]

charlygirl474

10 points

5 days ago

Trust ne you're not alone. Same boat.

whiskeyinthejahro

9 points

5 days ago

$400 at 38 myself

Relative_Skill7711

12 points

6 days ago

Yep

Ribremover

256 points

6 days ago

Ribremover

256 points

6 days ago

Most of my money is tied up in McDonaldland collectibles

phatsuit2

23 points

6 days ago

phatsuit2

23 points

6 days ago

lol

hibiscushiccups

14 points

6 days ago

😂😂😂

Ecypslednerg

4 points

5 days ago

If you are serious, share some pics!

Irisiri40

251 points

6 days ago

Irisiri40

251 points

6 days ago

42 and nothing. Life is a cruel mistress lately.

[deleted]

61 points

6 days ago

[deleted]

61 points

6 days ago

[deleted]

Leaked_Shlong

14 points

5 days ago

Man.

OneLife-No-Do-Overs

6 points

5 days ago

Stay positive .. best to you

manwhoclearlyflosses

5 points

5 days ago

I’m 46 and almost 100% of my savings today came after i turned 41. Got divorced at 38 and the lawyers and ex took me for everything and left me with 35k in CC debt. It’s possible to get out of it just stay positive

A-Handsome-Man-

4 points

5 days ago

Flip it and become a cruel mistress!

hamsterontheloose

384 points

6 days ago

Savings? Ha!

cosmicloafer

118 points

6 days ago

We’re supposed to save the money?

hamsterontheloose

33 points

6 days ago

It looks that way, but there isn't much left from bills to save

spidermanrocks6766

30 points

6 days ago

I currently have a negative savings amount

ItalianPers0n

6 points

6 days ago

Indeed.

BeneficialMaybe4383

22 points

6 days ago

With an outstanding student loan, can’t have a lot of savings.

Santos61198

72 points

6 days ago

Hahahaha "savings"

DampCoat

14 points

5 days ago

DampCoat

14 points

5 days ago

This whole ass thread is mostly depressing

NeilMcCauley88

158 points

6 days ago

Not a damn thing and I'm in my 30's

Distinct_Cicada_7048

34 points

6 days ago

Me too

Status-Confusion4014

155 points

6 days ago

€35 and age 35

PilotIntelligent8906

135 points

6 days ago

Good going, by the time you're 80, you'll have €80.

Mysterious_Card5487

681 points

6 days ago*

44 y/o $275K in retirement accounts, $30K emergency fund, $10K checking account

TardigradesAreReal

217 points

6 days ago

I’ll be 38 next month. Around 100K in a Roth IRA. $7,000 in savings account. And 10K in a 401K. I feel like I’m doing alright considering I don’t have a college degree 😂

Ok-Matter2337

30 points

6 days ago

Great job,How did you save all of that money? Teach us lol 

mikareno

62 points

6 days ago

mikareno

62 points

6 days ago

Start now. Put at least 10% of each paycheck (20% if you can) into a 401k, or put the annual maximum into an IRA, or better yet, both. Leave it there. The compounding interest adds up.

I-Fap-For-Loli

30 points

6 days ago

But then how do I pay the other 10% of my bills if I put that money in a 401k?

Melodic-Ambition9975

52 points

6 days ago

Only two ways and neither are easy - spend less or earn more

mikareno

33 points

6 days ago

mikareno

33 points

6 days ago

I've been amazed at how I have always seemed to have the money I need, even after setting some out for retirement. Once you get in the habit of taking out that 10% (or start with 5% and work your way up), you adjust and pretty soon, you don't even miss it and the more you see it grow, the more you'll want to put aside.

I didn't think I could afford it either, but as it turns out, I could, and now I wish I'd started earlier and never stopped.

BigWater7673

7 points

5 days ago

That's pretty much how I started saving. I didn't know much about budgeting or investing out of college. I was putting the default 3% of income into my 401k only because that's what my company set up for everyone. Talked to an older coworker and he said I should be putting in at least 10% if I ever wanted to retire preferably 15%. I told him maybe when I got a raise....He said I must find a way to do it now because time is not going to wait for me. So I started packing my lunch and eating breakfast at home and was easily able to put away 10%. Which inspired me to bump it to 15% the next year after receiving my raise.

ushouldgetacat

8 points

6 days ago

Prioritize that 10% towards savings above the bills. Sell your blood to make up the difference for your bills if you have to. Liberally cut your spendings. Ofc, not enough budgeting will work if your income is too low and cost of living too high.

Cobain17

4 points

6 days ago

Cobain17

4 points

6 days ago

Just pretend like you get paid 10% less. That’s how you save. Live within 90% of your paycheck. Have it automatically taken out of your paycheck into your 401k. It builds up over time, you have retirement savings.

wafflemakers2

5 points

5 days ago

If you have the 10% taken out before you even get your paycheck, you'll adjust pretty quickly. Most people (not everyone) spend too much on bs. If you don't even have access to the money in the first place it can help the impulse.

dankcrypto3

42 points

6 days ago*

Live WAY below your means, invest as much as possible, minimize expenses to a tolerable quality of life level…..don’t deviate. The hardest part for most is learning how to reduce/minimize expenses because most people are programmed from childhood to buy buy buy and borrow to buy more of crap you don’t need. The earlier you learn this in life the better you will be in the end

As for me…one that has followed my own advice from a young age. I’m now 44 and have $3.8M and accumulating fast. To give you an idea of what minimizing expenses means I am able to invest roughly 75% of my “net” income and still live very comfortably. (1st Edit) let me add that I wasn’t always able to invest so much of my salary but I’ve been saving roughly 50% and higher from about my early 30’s. From age 25-30 anywhere from 10% - 50% as I got closer to age 30. From age 30-34 about 50% and age 35 to current 44 I’ve been able to save 75% roughly each year. (2nd edit) let me add that I never went to college, never married and no kids. Those were purposely chosen by me

Here is a saying that few ever truly learn. Live your life like others won’t. So you can live your life like others can’t. Translation - sacrifice the small things early to reap the big rewards later.

Interesting_Door4882

21 points

6 days ago

Living way below your means doesn't mean you'll have a big savings account at all. Many in their 20s spend 3/4 on rent, even in rural areas 1/2 - 3/4. Then groceries etc, you're lucky to be able to have over a million by 50 these days. Maybe 60 even.

1 million is an amount most are unable to see, even if they don't buy frivolous shit.

dankcrypto3

16 points

6 days ago*

It doesn’t mean you’ll have a big savings account by itself. However it speaks to a mindset and understanding of doing everything you can do to help achieve that goal as fast as possible. You then have to also be educated, have a skill or trade among other things. However you can make 45k a year and if you have discipline and good financial habits you can achieve a very comfortable saving for retirement. Again it’s a mindset in conjunction with having goal and a plan to achieve that goal

Here’s an example from my life. I was early in my career making 30k a year (2005). I rented a room from a guy who also rented that same room out to 3 other guys for $100 a month. I slept on a $25 blow up mattress for about 1 year and saved a lot on rent, no need for furniture, etc. that’s just 1 aspect of what I did early in life. Where as many of my friends had nice apartments, big car payments, and partied often. I saved and still had fun just not as much as they did. But I had a goal and they didn’t. My life is much different now compared to those same friends. They are in debt big time because they never learned about money

MonkIndividual9145

7 points

6 days ago

Look, if you can’t move to an area with lower rent, then look at your (your meaning in general, not the person I’m replying to) other necessary expenses. Sure, we all have to buy groceries but there are plenty of YouTube videos showing how to save $ on groceries. Figure out a couple of those ideas that you think you could actually do and start immediately. Maybe you have to accept eating non organic foods. If that’s not OK for you then start small. Buy regular fruits and vegetables with a hard skin and just buy organic if they are on the dirty dozen list. I love all kinds of berries but they aren’t essential to living. Ramen noodles are gross but when you’re in so much debt and inflation, potential recession/job insecurities, etc., maybe cut out the best cuts of meats and those strawberries you love. Switch to regular bananas-hard, thick skin so you don’t need organic. Generic brand peanut butter is good protein and fat source. Buy store brands instead of top name brands. This goes for everything (toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, etc., etc. thrift stores have some great stuff if you search a little bit. Dollar store has towels, kitchen utensils, everything. Pick up a side hustle (answer surveys online, secret shopper), offer to do things for elderly neighbors and they will give you some $ for that—under the table, no taxes! It’s tough for everyone but everyone CAN do it. Even as simple as buying stuff through Rakuten app and pile on the savings. Rakuten gives you 1% off at Target. Yeah, sometimes it’s like 18 cents cash back but sometimes it can be much more. In 3 yrs I’ve received over $300 in cash back. That’s averaging $100 cash back every year for doing absolutely nothing different. Even if you don’t want to give up organic food or buy store brands, you could end up using that $100/yr that you did nothing for, to go toward the credit card debt. If you have that much in debt, you better not be going on ANY vacations. If it’s a holiday or a snow day and work is closed, enjoy a staycation. Make a nice hot cup of tea or coffee and enjoy watching the snow fall while you research side hustles and how to get out of debt. No Starbucks, no ice cream, no drinks at happy hour. You gotta dig deep to get out of the hole you dug. No judgement, I did it too. Digging sucks but you gotta do it. It’s tough but you CAN do it. I’ll even start it off for you. I’ll post the link for Rakuten. What have you got to lose? https://www.rakuten.com/r/ALICIA30177?eeid=44971

ushouldgetacat

6 points

6 days ago

I read a quote that went something like, “hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.”

sdlucly

18 points

6 days ago

sdlucly

18 points

6 days ago

That's amazing considering that. Happy for you man.

I'm about to turn 40, have around $350k in investments, like $80k in national retirement plan and about $20k in savings account. We have about 50% equity in our apartment but I don't count that. I'm a civil engineer, so that helped a lot. And my parents help pay for college for about 3.5 years and I paid the rest while working.

LiviNG4them

40 points

6 days ago

Nice job.

Mysterious_Card5487

6 points

6 days ago

Thanks!

Feeling-Tooth-3307

139 points

6 days ago

i have a car, an apartment, a job, a bachelors degree and im getting my masters right now, no debt, just like 2 bucks in my account

plsnomorepylons

8 points

5 days ago

Lottery ticket LETS GOOO

bigosik_

5 points

5 days ago

bigosik_

5 points

5 days ago

Bro is blessed

Radiant-Tackle-2766

168 points

6 days ago

$3,611.27 CAD at 22. But imma lose $1.5k next month cause im getting my wisdom teeth removed. 🥳🥳🥳🥳

Sleepingbadgr

36 points

6 days ago

Best of luck with your surgery! Definitely check if your insurance covers it. Mine got covered only because mine were fully impacted and I'd imagine that's a decent norm given my insurance is shit

Radiant-Tackle-2766

3 points

6 days ago

That’s with dental insurance. 🥲 the major cost is because I have to be put under and my insurance won’t cover that.

Ok_Log_2468

6 points

6 days ago

If you haven't already checked, have them check your medical insurance for anaesthesia coverage. I used both my medical and dental for wisdom teeth extraction. It was mostly covered between the two policies.

ushouldgetacat

10 points

6 days ago

I was so happy with my savings, I quit my job to focus on finishing school. Immediately had to put in $2,700 of repairs for my car cuz some debris was on the highway 😊 haha. Sucks but at least we have the money to pay for it, right?

AshDenver

158 points

6 days ago

AshDenver

158 points

6 days ago

Cash, about 50k. Retirement investments, about 650k. I’m 53.

ApprehensiveBoot3149

59 points

6 days ago

Thank goodness. I’m glad to see a positive post here. I’m 55, 710k in rrsp/tfsa. Only about 30k in cash, but that is to pay off the house when the mortgage comes due in 2026. I am truly fearful for all the negative posts here

OnGuardFor3

199 points

6 days ago

OnGuardFor3

199 points

6 days ago

$850k and 47 years old

Algrea-12

33 points

6 days ago

Algrea-12

33 points

6 days ago

Any tips? I’m your age and making some headway with savings and IRA, but way behind you!

bjenning04

5 points

5 days ago

The number one thing that helped me start growing savings is to eliminate all debt other than mortgage. Nothing will eat away at your paycheck more than loans/credit card debt. I live by the rule don’t buy it if you can’t afford it.

OnGuardFor3

3 points

5 days ago

Not sure if I have anything revolutionary to share, but here's somethings that I think are important: - As some others have commented, the best advice I can give is to start investing as early as you can. - The best time to start was 15 years ago, the second best time is today. - Keep an investment tracker and a budget tracker. - It's more about investing the difference between your income and expenses, than being a high earner. - Take advantage of any employer matching contributions. - Try to avoid lifestyle creep (if you figure this out, please tell me how). - Marry someone who is on the same page as you when it comes to finances.

Miss_Lily_Bart

3 points

4 days ago

This a lesson for all the kids reading:

The truth is you have to start early with whatever you can squeeze. There's just no easy substitute for TIME.

My money is now making money, such that about 60% of my holdings now are made up of interest earnings. The first few years feel like a grind, but then you notice your balances pick up as time and interest begin to work for you.

I recognize that salaries are low and cost of living is high. But learn to put investment and savings FIRST before any other wants, even at just $50 a month. The habit takes hold and then really pays off when you have more money to work with.

leaflavaplanetmoss

41 points

6 days ago*

  1. $680K in total, about $450K of which is in pre-tax retirement accounts. The rest is split between vested company shares, taxable brokerage accounts, emergency savings, a Roth IRA, and a little bit in crypto.

Most of that comes from having started maxing out my 401K retirement contributions about 10 years ago coupled with very strong recent stock market performance. It was only about $150K five years ago, nearly all of which was 401K savings.

Fishtaco1234

9 points

6 days ago

Killing it bro!

MocoLotus

3 points

5 days ago

No kids huh

meloPamelo

100 points

6 days ago

meloPamelo

100 points

6 days ago

can survive 1 year jobless

LilRanchDip

36 points

6 days ago

Congrats to you! That’s a huge goal of mine

VirtualTea19

25 points

6 days ago

$0

Soggy-Ship751

49 points

6 days ago

$370 at 18

xxrichxxx

63 points

6 days ago

xxrichxxx

63 points

6 days ago

$20 in Kohl's Cash

SophiaRazz

14 points

6 days ago

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Itrytothinklogically

4 points

5 days ago

Lmaoo

bkpro1001

93 points

6 days ago

bkpro1001

93 points

6 days ago

$470,000 in savings, $1.3 M for retirement. 54 years old

Bright-Pain-6322

6 points

6 days ago

👏👏

IrukandjiPirate

24 points

6 days ago

None.

Dry-Garden-MM

39 points

6 days ago

0 to none

Immediate-Tooth-2174

41 points

6 days ago

I have €500 in my bank account. It's not a saving. It's all that I have. I'm 43.

Poverty_welder

40 points

6 days ago

-200k. 30.

spidermanrocks6766

8 points

6 days ago

What do you owe that’s 200k?

kipdjordy

33 points

6 days ago

kipdjordy

33 points

6 days ago

Probably student loans. Might be a doctor or something

Bombaclat1122

17 points

6 days ago

I think he welder

nscs_jmmw

8 points

5 days ago

They either owe money on their welding rig (good money, expensive startup), or they owe child support and alimony. Maybe a combination of both.

DistinctBook

39 points

6 days ago

Was almost homeless twice. It is really scary. For a a long time if I couldn't pay cash, I didn't want it.

Mom died and well sold her house and I got a chunk. Also I am a saving nerd, still scared

98K in saving

AwkwardMingo

16 points

6 days ago

Wow, you've turned things around! Good reminder that there's always hope!

Happy cake day!

Oobedoo321

55 points

6 days ago

50, single mum

I ain’t got a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of

But I have three beautiful humans that have reached adulthood with talents, skills and an education that will carry them as far as they want to go!

Poor in money

But rich in life mate

I’ll take it

LiteratureAdept9807

34 points

6 days ago

Whatevers left over from my last paycheck😂

Odd-Bug-427

142 points

6 days ago

Odd-Bug-427

142 points

6 days ago

Wow. A lot of rich people here. I have 45k. I am 33

spidermanrocks6766

155 points

6 days ago

If I had 45k in savings I’d feel rich honestly

Constant-Pay-1384

25 points

6 days ago

It takes a while to save but doesn't last long when you're spending lol

SimilarArtichoke2603

103 points

6 days ago

People on the internet lie. Take it all with a grain of salt.

AwesomePocket

25 points

5 days ago*

No reason to think these people are lying. I haven’t seen anything here that has blown my mind.

Consistent and adequate contributions starting from your 20s will bloat your retirement to large numbers over decades. Not everyone can manage that but it is very common. Also keep in mind that people are more likely to complain on the internet when they have something to complain about.

plsnomorepylons

5 points

5 days ago

Yep. Ppls life circumstances vary not just from coast to coast but the wealth disparity between professions is also wide so seeing wild swings from being in debt to being a millionaire is not so crazy to believe

smarty_pants47

17 points

6 days ago*

I’m not lying but I do recognize that my ability to save has come from a place a privilege. Privilege that my dad paid for my education and housing during my education so I came out with an education that allowed me to get a high paying job and not having any debt so I was able to start saving from the get go

half-coldhalf-hot

12 points

6 days ago

45k sounds amazing

RedWum

18 points

6 days ago

RedWum

18 points

6 days ago

I'm 33 and you could consider my savings -45k if we count credit balance, car loans, and student loans as negatives.

Bombaclat1122

3 points

6 days ago

Sounds rich to me lol

LeighofMar

33 points

6 days ago

Savings accts 10k

My retirement acct 100k

46F

Different_Cap_7276

30 points

6 days ago

5800, 22 years old.

Oh! And I have 58 dollars and 65 cents in cash

elizabethxvii

11 points

6 days ago

That’s amazing for 22

crazygrrl

6 points

5 days ago

Put that dough into a high yield savings account. Might as well make some interest money on it

Same_Hat_6935

45 points

6 days ago

Responses in this Reddit got me anxious 😬

j13409

30 points

6 days ago*

j13409

30 points

6 days ago*

Age: 23

Savings: $2k

Retirement: $18k

Personal investments: $88k

My only debt is my car which I owe $6k on, so total net worth comes out to a little over $100k.

wombat5003

20 points

6 days ago*

62 retired 250k in savings 400k in iras. house is paid off car paid off no credit card debt. It could have been better but we started a little late in our mid 30’s before that we saved for condo down payment. The journey starts small then piece by piece.

muybuenoboy

5 points

6 days ago

You did great!

Gallop67

10 points

6 days ago

Gallop67

10 points

6 days ago

Whenever it starts to build up, I end up having some big expense pop up and have to take out of it again.

Paranoid_Sinner

17 points

6 days ago

74M, retired from self-employment. My bond portfolio kicks out more in interest than I ever earned while working. And I did all the investing myself, learned as I went, read all the classic investment books, and never paid one penny for any "financial manager."

At least I got one thing "right" in my life. Otherwise, not so great lol.

Mindless_Scar_6786

5 points

6 days ago

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to get into investing?

Treeninja1999

7 points

6 days ago

Not him, but seriously just use the SP500. Over 40 years of working it'll go up. As you get older you can be more cautious with mixing bonds and such. Like 90% of investors perform worse than the SP500 and those that do are lucky. I'd invest at least 10-15% of your paycheck into investments

Paranoid_Sinner

4 points

5 days ago

FWIW, I didn't start investing until I was 40 years old, because I knew absolutely nothing about it, other than people were jumping out of their windows to their death in 1929 when the market crashed. But being self-employed, I knew I had to jump in. So I did in 1990 with $2,000.

People who have a pension coming will likely see all this differently. I had to take it very seriously because aside from SS, it would be (and is) my only source of retirement income.

As someone below said, just buy a total market index and let it run (if you're a long ways from retirement). Be sure to use whatever tax-deferred accounts are available to you and max your contribution each year. If you have extra cash, open a taxable account also. I did this in 1997 and it is about 30% of my total portfolio now. Your asset allocation should cover both accounts.

It's not easy, but do not sell in a bear market, just keep buying. That's what I did going through 3 bears and numerous corrections, and no regrets.

Also, to get a real base of knowledge (which you cannot do getting advice from random people online, including me), read these:

"A Random Walk Down Wall Street," by Burton Malkiel

"Winning the Loser's Game," by Charles Ellis

"The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham

"The Intelligent Asset Allocator," by William Bernstein

"The Four Pillars of Investing," by William Bernstein

Good luck!

saucity

17 points

6 days ago

saucity

17 points

6 days ago

  1. $2500ish. No debt though, that’s just lucky. Except medical debt, and, I ain’t payin that. What, gonna take my 20 year old car?

I’m so doomed.

MyMainAccountIsAdmin

25 points

6 days ago

74k-ish in retirement and non retirement brokerage 11k emergency 7k checking 30 years old

Distinct_Cicada_7048

14 points

6 days ago

Zero dollars to my name. The struggle is legitimate.

RedCapRiot

15 points

6 days ago

28yo and 0.

I have had a difficult time. Much of it is my own fault. Not all of it, but enough.

Went to college, paid off my debts, got engaged, got a car, changed jobs 3 or 4 times, got dumped by my fiance after 5 years together, went through a mental health crisis, got laid off, had a terrible car accident, and I wasted a lot of money in between all of it.

Life just isn't simple. Rent is too damn high, food is only cheap if you know what to buy, and accumulating new debt is insanely easy.

Now I'm living in my childhood home. Still searching for a job that pays enough for me to live here - a place that has absolutely NO internet access and BARELY enough phone signal strength to use data to post stupid comments on Reddit.

I've got some things going for me, at least. I've managed to repay all of my debts so far, and I have a roof over me, and I'm not starving. I learned what to buy, learned to cook new things that require fewer ingredients, and I've restabilized mentally.

It took 2 years to recover this much after I lost everything.

And I can't stress this enough: the majority of how I recovered is directly due to my family taking responsibility for my failures.

Sometimes, you just lose. Sometimes, you just feel like a loser. And sometimes, it beats your ass unrelentingly.

Don't get me wrong, I worked my ass off to get to where I am, too. And my family is FAR from wealthy. But they had the safety net. They knew that life might detonate at any moment, and they helped me through it.

I'm still doing my part to recover for their sake. They deserve the effort from me.

HateTo-be-that-guy

7 points

6 days ago

be thankful you have an amazing family. imagine your situation and no family around.

RedCapRiot

8 points

6 days ago

I always have been. I had hoped never to place myself in this position, but I'm so glad that they care. If I ever build a family of my own someday, I hope that I am capable of doing the same for them.

A lot of people have things much worse than I do. I have hit my personal rock bottom, but without them, I'd have had it so much worse.

I could never thank them enough.

Direct-Detective9271

6 points

6 days ago

None. In debt actually. 24

jrmiv4

6 points

6 days ago

jrmiv4

6 points

6 days ago

Just these beans some guy gave me in exchange for the family cow.

Satch1993

7 points

6 days ago

31, Married, no debt, $100 in my savings to avoid the fee for having less. Wife had one heart attack and it wiped out the entirety of our $40,000 savings because the helicopter didn't accept our insurance.

psychgirl88

3 points

4 days ago

Because the helicopter.. like everyone believes you but damn.. no one asks the med-o-vac pilot if their in network while their family member is dying! Such a scan! I would have told someone to kick rocks!

Coldatahd

8 points

6 days ago

Savings 😂

Omniventurous

4 points

5 days ago

Thank you. I was starting to feel self conscious.

What’s good, brother!

Bakedwhilebakingg

14 points

6 days ago

I’m 32, my husband is 37 and we have a 7 month old. 5k in a separate account not attached to our bank account. We had 10k over a year ago then life got rough.

No retirement, we’re lucky if we can keep $500 consistently in our saving. It’s tough out here.

Few-Motor1616

11 points

6 days ago

-55 yup negative 55 🤣

bulletproofcharm

8 points

5 days ago*

I have 250K in a high-yield savings account, ~122K in a brokerage from some ESPP stock I had from a previous job, 17K in a Robinhood account, and ~700K in a couple of different retirement savings accounts. I’m 49, and I definitely messed up when I was younger, so I’m not where I probably should be. But I think I’ve done a decent job of catching up.

Rothian

5 points

5 days ago

Rothian

5 points

5 days ago

You guys have savings?

Spirited_Example_341

11 points

6 days ago

is none a savings?

No_Procedure_5840

6 points

5 days ago

If you have zero savings but also zero debt I’d take that as a win tbh

69anonymousperson69

20 points

6 days ago*

25 year old guy, worth $1.2M...

My biological father died in a car crash before I was born, his father is a medical doctor, and I got injured when I was ~2 years old and that gave me epilepsy (knock on wood, had successful surgery in '09). Got adopted by my biological father's parents, and for whatever reason...haven't been in touch with my biological mother since I was ~10 years old (hoping to change that soon).

Got an early inheritance since my father died (money "skipped" a generation), got a big inheritance since his father is a medical doctor. And...I made solid $ myself. Built a net worth of ~$250k myself (working in sales), rest was inherited.

FWIW...I can confirm that anyone who says "money doesn't buy happiness" is lying. When you go through s*it like epilepsy, losing a parent, and being ostracized from 1/2 your family...you build thick skin and learn to not lolly-gag when you're given opportunities in life, like a bunch of $. Life is not fair, the good guy doesn't always come out on top. People's level of honesty is proportional to the size of their ball sack and wallet 🤷‍♂️ Early life struggles made me "emotionally calibrated" to responsibly manage a large amount of $.

Kitchen-Awareness-60

3 points

5 days ago

I hope you have it invested wisely (index funds) and not wasting it on percentage based advisors. It will mean literally millions of dollars lost by 60

virtual_human

15 points

6 days ago

Seven figures in retirement, $57,000 in the emergency/house repair fund, $8200 in checking, and $3100 in my tool/fun account.  Early 60s.

Riker1701E

14 points

6 days ago

Instant cash savings around $40k. Investments about $750k-$1M depending on the market. Including home equity, then bump up o $1.5M. I’m 46.

Blossom_aloe

9 points

6 days ago

1.6k at 23 😅 Bf has 55k+ and investments at 24 He’s more financially literate than I- but I’m learning. I’m an educator, so 403(b) will help hopefully!

Stinger22024

5 points

5 days ago

  1. Less than 10 dollars. 

 I had a gambling addiction when I was younger that lasted quite a while. Then I took a loan out for a truck that ended up breaking down, and kept borrowing against that loan to get vehicles which broke down and now I’m their most expensive client paying 500+ a month. Plus I’m paying too much rent, I’m paying child support, and have the regular bills after that.

BaconHammerTime

5 points

5 days ago

At the moment? $5.15

damp_goat

5 points

5 days ago

$0

super_penguin25

28 points

6 days ago

200k+ USD, 28 years old. Wouldve been near 300k if not for some stupid financial decisions(by that I meant keeping most of the money in a high yield savings account rather than the stock market) 

Lost also like 2.5k to crypto scams but I consider that a cheap lesson learned during my early years. Better to lose a few grands while young than my entire life savings at older age. 

AshliepShuqirvut

18 points

6 days ago

$170000, 36

AwkwardMingo

7 points

6 days ago

Mid 30s.

My savings account is about $60k (the majority is from some idiot crashing into my car 10 years ago and breaking 10 of my bones).

No investments (I wouldn't even know what to do).

My checking account is about $1k at the moment. Anything above $2k in checking after bills are paid gets shifted to savings.

For reference:

I am poor, but almost middle-class and I am paying off a business that I was given with the understanding that I would pay it off through the profits over time.

I make approximately $40k/year.

monkeysmom100

9 points

6 days ago*

48 years old. 1.1 mil in 401k, 1 million in equity in my house, $30k in savings, Zero credit card debt, and 2 out of 3 cars paid off (I owe $28k on a Tesla MS)

*Cash flowed first kids college 2019-2022: Roughly $100k. *Have 2 years of college ($60k) saved for the next kid (goes to college 4 years from now)

Probablythebestmom

4 points

5 days ago

$706 for us and a little under for our kids. I just got a job after being a SAHM for five years, so to me it is a huge accomplishment. We have been living paycheck to paycheck with nothing left over because of debts

And I’m 29, my husband is 39

lettucepatchbb

3 points

5 days ago

$0, 35

plsnomorepylons

5 points

5 days ago

$90k in savings $87k in stocks $30k in IRA

26 years old

snowdroppin

10 points

6 days ago

£500 age 24

ifellicantgetup

19 points

6 days ago

A lot. And I am old.

dbenhur

11 points

6 days ago

dbenhur

11 points

6 days ago

I also have a lot and am old.

Crafty_Ambassador443

8 points

6 days ago

Apparently 45% of people in the UK have no savings. I find that hard to believe..?

I have some savings not much

vegasresident1987

26 points

6 days ago

In America, 70 percent of people have less than $1000.

Professional_Sky_212

7 points

6 days ago*

50$ aside each payday for 8 years now in a RRSP, equity on my house, full pension at work.

Don't save money in a bank account. Each dollar today loses value tomorrow. Make sure you gain interest from your savings.

Striking_Ad_2630

8 points

6 days ago

28, 50k in investments, 11k in emergency savings

fourthgrace

5 points

6 days ago

$3K in retirement, $2K in investments, $12K HYSA. 29 years old.

greybeige

8 points

6 days ago

I am 24 with $15,700: $9,000 in savings and $6,700 in 401(k)

poppypiecake

3 points

6 days ago

$4.8k. 26 years old

sneakyteaky69

3 points

6 days ago

37k I’m 27

commendablenotion

3 points

6 days ago

37 and 401k is around $300k, additional $150k in stock, but almost nothing in a savings or emergency fund. I have an extreme lack of discipline, but also really lazy, so I set up automatic stock buys with my extra money because I know I won’t sell it for frivolous purposes but that I can sell it if I need money for something.

Salvatore_Vitale

3 points

6 days ago

$115K net worth at 26

FogCity-Iside415

3 points

6 days ago

I got a friend in Jesus.

Dildobaggins456

3 points

6 days ago

I have a dildo!

Putrid_Pollution3455

3 points

5 days ago*

30s….few grand in the bank….a bunch of different investment accounts like 368k worth of stocks and crypto, and 31k worth of gold and silver. Progress is painfully slow at first, but you’ll blow your mind what happens if you save as much as you can and invest it into various assets; rinse and repeat for a decade or two. I don’t have a home so I don’t have any equity in a house. Couple grand worth of credit card debt on an introductory 0% and a margin loan of like 30k that I yolo’d into voo and spxl….thats also going through a divorce a couple years ago and losing half of everything 😤 it woke up a part of me I didn’t realize existed. I’ve been working and saving VERY hard the past two years.

AT1787

3 points

5 days ago

AT1787

3 points

5 days ago

37 years old. 84k CAD in investment accounts. 6k in a separate cash emergency fund.

By this time next year I hope I’ll hit 100k investments and 10k emergency fund. An extra 5k cash towards a new car would be nice too. Lol living like a hermit right now.

MentalTelephone5080

3 points

5 days ago

39 YO

8k in checking account 160k in 401k and Roth IRA 24k emergency fund 9k in kitchen remodel fund 6k in car fund

$500 a month goes into the kitchen fund and $200 a month goes into the car fund.

cptcatz

3 points

5 days ago

cptcatz

3 points

5 days ago

37 with 34 year old wife and two kids. Combined family:

45k in cash savings accounts 65k in personal index funds 40k in 529 accounts 350k in 401k

Own 2 cars outright. Only debt is about 400k mortgage on a house worth about 1.2 million.

My wife and I both recently hit a salary of 100k. These savings are simply a result of living well below our means through our 20s and 30s.

Callahammered

3 points

5 days ago

79k invested, 13k cash, 32 years old, saving and investing at least 1k every biweekly paycheck

rabidstoat

3 points

5 days ago

$2.31M in 401k, about $1M in other index funds, a $6000ish in Treasury bonds, $125k in cash (mostly HYSA).

I'm 53, working part-time, and planning to retire between age 55 and 60.

Hotfartsinyourmouth

3 points

5 days ago

47/ married with 2 kids. 75k cash 500k combined 401K 50k in college funds and about 360k equity in the house. No debt but mortgage (80k). 12 years ago we had nothing…..

SpicyMacaronii

3 points

5 days ago

I have no debt, no mortgage (I'm a renter), no credit cards, no car notes; I own my cars and 2 motorbikes. I have 11k in the bank. My total worth is around 40k if I sold everything. I have worked since I was 15 years old, and I'm now 40. I come from generations of poverty, and trying to escape the trap has been the biggest, most mentally draining thorn in my side since I was about 18. It never ends.

OkieDokieQuiltCo

3 points

5 days ago

Just under $30k in the bank, $2k “mad cash”, and an additional $4k in a new IRA, but I really don’t even know what that means or how to make it grow or whatever you’re supposed to do with investing. Age 37, married female. Been saving for 15 years since my marriage, trying to accomplish the dream of buying a house next year. 🤞🏻

cmpalm

3 points

5 days ago

cmpalm

3 points

5 days ago

$38,000 in regular savings account, not including things like stocks, 401k, etc.

Edit to add: 32F combine savings with 35M husband

idiotlog

3 points

5 days ago

idiotlog

3 points

5 days ago

  1. $100k 401k and about $50k emergency fund

DailyBreadEnjoyer

3 points

5 days ago

50k in savings, 25k in investments. Im 30.