Millennial couple makes $850,000 a year and still worries about money | CNBC make it
In a world where financial security is a common concern, a couple with a net worth of $2.3 million and an annual income of $850,000 from tech jobs reached out to money expert Ramit Sethi, feeling they weren’t saving enough. Despite being in the 90th percentile of U.S. households, their fear of not having enough savings highlights a significant disconnect between their financial reality and their perceptions of security. Sethi, a self-made millionaire and author of “I Will Teach You to be Rich,” finds their situation troubling not because of their financial practices but because of their mindset towards money.
This couple’s financial strategy is solid, with their living expenses well below the recommended percentage of income and a substantial portion of their earnings directed toward investments. Their monthly investments, including retirement savings and a 529 plan for their child, amount to about $25,000. Despite this, they still feel financially insecure, a sentiment Sethi attributes to their cultural backgrounds as immigrants from India, emphasizing the psychological aspect of financial management.
Sethi criticizes the couple’s minimal “guilt-free” spending, only 4% of their monthly take-home pay. He argues that hoarding money without enjoying the fruits of one’s labor can lead to a lack of fulfillment. Sethi’s philosophy is that money should be a tool for achieving happiness and satisfaction, not just a means to accumulate wealth. He encourages the couple to shift their mindset from playing defense with their finances to going on the offense, suggesting they should start spending more on meaningful experiences and conveniences that could enhance their quality of life.
The narrative of this couple serves as a potent reminder that financial well-being isn’t solely about the numbers in one’s bank account but also about how one perceives and utilizes those resources. Sethi’s advice to the couple to increase their meaningful expenditures reflects a broader lesson on balancing financial prudence with personal fulfillment………[read more]
Rising Dough
Consider the psychological impact of cultural background on financial decisions and saving behaviors. How might individuals from different cultural backgrounds approach financial security, and what role does this play in their overall financial planning and quality of life?
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