Are you one of those people, or part of one of those couples, who’s making a lot of money, but you still feel broke?
Maybe you’re making $70,000, $80,000, $100,000, maybe $150,000 or more — but you still feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck?
You need to really think about your lifestyle, and what costs you’re incurring that may be making you feel so cash‑strapped.
If you earn $100,000 or more, you’re doing very well. The average household income in America is about $60,000, so if you feel like you can’t get by on six figures, there’s a problem.
Your lifestyle is likely matching or exceeding your take‑home pay. Are your kids in private school? Are you eating out too often? Are you traveling more?
What about your shopping habits? Are you the person who has to have the latest and the greatest, the designer jeans, the high-end handbags, jewelry?
It can be a bit too easy to slip into a level of luxury you really can’t afford. But it’s important to watch your expenses, no matter what your income.
It’s not easy to do, especially if you live here in the money belt, like New Jersey, and in the greater New York area.
Housing is expensive. Property taxes are expensive. Food, insurance, healthcare, everything seems to cost a small fortune.
But for those costs that you can control, be aware of where your money is going. Do you really need designer clothes, or gourmet food products (when you know you’re really paying extra for the elegant packaging)?
Ask yourself — “What can I keep, and what has to go?” It’s just that simple.
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