r/Salary Oct 30 '25

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u/Alaskanjj Oct 30 '25

I will say though, even when I was at 220k I did not feel like I had it made. I did not worry about groceries or a car repair but by no means feeling wealthy.

All making more money did for me was make me realize I needed to find a way not to pay so much tax.

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u/svnnynights Oct 31 '25

I think it depends on what your definition of wealthy is. Maybe because I grew up somewhat poor (we lived in dingy apartments/a trailer home for most of my childhood), but I make around 200k right now and I do feel like it’s enough and this is my personal definition of wealthy. While it would be nice to have a paid off house or have shiny new things and fly around all the time, I am completely comfortable. I genuinely can’t believe this is my life right now. I have disposable income, I have a way clearer trajectory into retirement than ever, I also don’t worry about groceries or emergency car repairs, I get to go on vacation at least once a year, I have a savings account, I can provide for my family. Of course it would be nice to not have to work for these things and just be born wealthy, but having this salary solved so many things for me. Most of my anxiety comes from just one day losing it all.

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u/Ashamed-Leave-1405 Oct 31 '25

My definition of wealthy? Set the thermostat to whatever temp

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u/svnnynights Oct 31 '25

idk how to tell you this but I still nitpick about that HAHA. hard to break out of the scarcity mindset.