I've had financial topics on here before because people's financial situations just continue to amaze me. For one, it's how much stuff people can have, yet they act as though they don't have much.
I know a couple of guys who each bought a newdisk mower for $9,000. It wasn't like either of them were in desperate need, but they just thought it was a good deal and nice to have. The think is, their appearance and talk doesn't seem to be any better off than I am, but they apparently are.
I was also talking with a lady recently who said she had certain things automatically paid with her checking account, and often got nervous because she hoped there would be enough to cover it until payday. Then she started talking about her boat, her vacations, and all the money she spent on a birthday part with a live band and 150 guests.
I often wonder how much cash a middle class person have could get their hands at any given time. I'm not talking about investments or net worth, but just how much cash they have.
I know this is not something people share with each other at coffee breaks, but nobody knows me here, so who cares. I make about 55k a year and have about 27k in my bank account. Unlike most people, however, I don't have a lot of stuff. I live in an old farm house that is not fixed up. I don't have boats, campers, 4-wheelers, and have just enough farm equipment to get by, most of which remembers when Ronald Reagan was president.
That 27k came from several years of not spending every dime I make. It's not a total "hands off" amount. I dip into it when I need to. I'm sure i could spend it and have a few more things, but with my income, it wouldn't replenish very quickly.
So, does my income and accessible cash sound anywhere near what you all consider normal? Do I just not make as much as most? It won't hurt my feeling if you say no.
Is 27k in the bank a decent amount, chickenfeed, or would some struggle to get their hands on $3,000.
I know a couple of guys who each bought a newdisk mower for $9,000. It wasn't like either of them were in desperate need, but they just thought it was a good deal and nice to have. The think is, their appearance and talk doesn't seem to be any better off than I am, but they apparently are.
I was also talking with a lady recently who said she had certain things automatically paid with her checking account, and often got nervous because she hoped there would be enough to cover it until payday. Then she started talking about her boat, her vacations, and all the money she spent on a birthday part with a live band and 150 guests.
I often wonder how much cash a middle class person have could get their hands at any given time. I'm not talking about investments or net worth, but just how much cash they have.
I know this is not something people share with each other at coffee breaks, but nobody knows me here, so who cares. I make about 55k a year and have about 27k in my bank account. Unlike most people, however, I don't have a lot of stuff. I live in an old farm house that is not fixed up. I don't have boats, campers, 4-wheelers, and have just enough farm equipment to get by, most of which remembers when Ronald Reagan was president.
That 27k came from several years of not spending every dime I make. It's not a total "hands off" amount. I dip into it when I need to. I'm sure i could spend it and have a few more things, but with my income, it wouldn't replenish very quickly.
So, does my income and accessible cash sound anywhere near what you all consider normal? Do I just not make as much as most? It won't hurt my feeling if you say no.
Is 27k in the bank a decent amount, chickenfeed, or would some struggle to get their hands on $3,000.