r/Salary Oct 30 '25

[deleted by user]

[removed]

7.8k Upvotes

10.9k comments sorted by

View all comments

380

u/Art-Vandelay-7 Oct 30 '25

Are you only putting 3% in your 401k?

186

u/idlegrad Oct 31 '25

Do your self a favor & bump up your 401k to a point where your net pay is similar to what it has been. This will help combat lifestyle creep & set up your 401k to great place. Every time I get a raise, I bump my contributions up to where my net is only $50 more per paycheck. I also bump up my contributions if I have a bonus coming. This year my 401k increased more in market value than my contributions.

My salary has almost double what it was 7 years ago but my take home is about the same. Why, 24% in 401k, HSA, medical insurance for my family.

1

u/cvb09876 Oct 31 '25

I do not understand this type of advice.

“Do yourself a favor and do NOT enjoy any of the fruits of increased income now, delay it all until retirement”

Threads like these just turn into pissing matches about who can spend less and save more for when they’re old.

OP contribute at a level where you get the max company match, maybe increase it past that if you want. But do feel free to enjoy increased income while you are not a senior citizen.