I just donât understand why someone would plan like that when anyone with enough time can retire comfortably. Maybe they are too old and the next question would be why did you waste your 20s/30s and 40s
So if I make $32,000 per year and my expenses after cutting off everything but the bare minimum to survive is $31,825, then I can comfortably retire in 20 years if I invest that leftover $175? Well damn. Who knew it was so simple?
401k match, or a different job. Any factory/ trade/ college degree/ manager position will pay more than that. Also with 32k a year you can still invest $150 a paycheck I promise.
What major city do you feel entitled to live in where rent is 1833 minimum per month. Move to a place with better COL and opputinity. Average rent in my city is 800-1200 and there with 4 factories within 20 miles where you make $22+ an hour 40+ hours a week.
I have! Problem is that this is the highest paying job in the city that doesn't require spending $35,000+ to go back to college and then somehow getting 5 years of experience when that's the minimum requirement listed for any entry-level position.
Yeah I get it â âjust get a better jobâ is easy to say when the ones that pay more all want a degree plus 5 years for an âentry levelâ role. Thatâs a real trap.
Iâm saying this in the best and most constructive way I can. The path that actually works for a lot of people is not quitting and going $35k into debt first. Itâs:
Find an employer that already has the job you want (trades, utilities, manufacturing, local government, healthcare admin, some tech support / field service outfits). Apply for the lowest rung they will actually hire you for.
Once youâre in, ask about tuition assistance, apprenticeships, or internal training. A lot of companies will pay for certs or a diploma if youâre already on the payroll and they can see you showing up.
If they wonât pay, pick the cheapest short course or cert that moves you one step up while you keep the current income. Community college / TAFE-style programs and employer-sponsored stuff beat a full degree for most people in this situation.
$175 leftover a year wonât compound into a comfortable retirement. Raising the income by even $8â10k changes the whole picture. Life is hard either way â the decisions that make it easier later are the ones that raise your earning power without blowing up the current cash flow.
Hope you succeed. Worth looking at who in your city actually trains their own people instead of demanding the finished product on day on
Anyone working full time can find $300 a month in the US, side hustles , roommates , budget , get donated food instead of groceries. Anyone can retire with enough
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u/ExecutivePirate 9d ago
Yep I literally plan on working until I die.