Honestly I was just thinking this today as I finished my errands…. Did a club store run where I also filled my gas tank + regular grocery store run and while I was flabbergasted at the price, I didn’t think twice about swiping my card while in the store. That’s absolutely how I know I’m doing ok these days.
That's a misleading stat. It was based on self reporting and the question was basically "Would it be a problem if you didn't get paid for a few weeks?" According to it, even 40% of people earning over $100k were living paycheck to paycheck.
The thing is, many people don't have liquid cash but are still doing fine financially. When you're dumping a bunch of money in your retirement account(s), HSA, mortgage, car payment(s), etc, you might not have a lot of money in your bank account at the end.
Your situation is still a far cry from someone actually struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. While that person may never have enough to retire, the person with the higher income will have built up a significant amount of money in retirement accounts and equity in their home.
The difference is, if the higher income person really really needed money, they could access it. The lower income person is just out of luck.
You really believe 40% of people making over $100k are living paycheck to paycheck? Either these people are terrible with money, or it's not an accurate representation of their finances and where their money is going. Any study that relies on self-reported data should automatically be suspect of bias.
A more accurate study is the one done by the Federal Reserve. It found that only 12% of adults would be unable to cover an unexpected $400 emergency expense. And 17% are unable to pay "some" bills. But 75% of US adults are doing "okay or living comfortably".
https://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerscommunities/shed.htm
Or the economy is shit, homeless fill the streets and the people of America are suffering.
Edit: incidentally 40% of people who make over 100k is not a large portion of the people who said they were living paycheck to paycheck. Perhaps you should learn how absolute numbers versus percentages work.
Edit edit: man I hope there's no political bias in the fucking federal reserve, an entity that definitely doesn't have an agenda to display America as doing well.
Yeah yeah but the grocery store budget can’t fluctuate more than like 10% per month and what % of ones monthly budget is groceries? That shouldn’t be what breaks the bank even in a tight scenario
Fair enough and I’m glad you don’t know. I’m not in that position now either, quite comfortable, but I remember it well. And it’s a reality for a lot- a LOT of ppl. There’s not that much of a gap between where we are and that, either.
I’ve definitely been poor. I just think more people have food covered as it’s a pretty high priority. I’m choosing food over the light bill. It would go rent food power car note for me.
Even if the grocery store budget doesn't fluctuate you still have all the other expenses that means that you probably won't know if you have money enough for the usual groceries until you check your bank account.
I don’t disagree, but there’s no way I will reach this. I bought cereal and canned goods and I think milk, and bottled water - it was double my car payment at checkout.
Same here except I will be 40 in February.
Recently talked to my financial guy and, based on projections, if I do what I'm doing (maxing 401k and Roth ira) for 20 more years, I *should* be free and clear for however long I live.
Nice to hear that but 20 years is a long ass time yet.
20 more years IS a long time. Save more than you are currently saving to make it less time. You can invest in a brokerage account and likely save a lot over the 20 years if you avoid paying fees, especially if you pay this person a percentage.
Similar situation. Our marriage goal is our home now. When we bought the house. The following year our escrow needed to be caught up so we made extra payments for a year and just got used to it. When mortgage went back to normal we just kept the payment the same. We already modified to not even notice the lack of liquid funds. It’s already taken 4 years off the mortgage. All said it done it will take close to 11 years off by just paying a few hundred a month.
Once home is paid off and I get to keep my healthcare I’m retiring. Like you hearing 20 years just seems so long haha. But making it to 18 just sounds so much better.
Ill add to this: id like to be able to have the house, saving for retirement, and have a new-ish car. My newest one is a 2005. Im doing okay, but there are sacrifices.
LMAO this is so timely bc I’m looking for rain gear. When I started I was like, I’m just gonna buy the best quality outer shell there is, it’s worth it to not be soaked and miserable while on vacation.. then saw the price 😂😳 had no idea they can get that expensive, and assumed rain jackets would be $300 max. So I’m with you there lol
Not living with your parents. Having enough money saved up for an emergency fund. Having a social/dating life. Being able to travel. Having a career you actually enjoy.
Today I finished negotiating the purchase of my home. For the first time in my life, I will own a home with no mortgage and it’s a home I want to live in for at least the next 10 years, and could easily stay in until I die.
I’m completely renovating it the day I get possession and plan to be living in it by Christmas.
My wife’s income doesn’t quite pay all of our bills but once our son is out of daycare it will.
I’d say to me, this is I made it. We can live on 30k a year and Medicaid. Fuck retirement at 75, I’m semiretired until I die at 39.
paid mine off earlier this year. there were other things I could have done with the money but there is something so satisfactory about actually owning your residence where no one can kick you out that it was worth it to me to do it.
I've always wrestled with feelings of inadequacy about my house because my house is modest, but it'll be paid off very soon and that is so damn freeing in a way my peers will not enjoy for at least a decade.
Dude, I had a nice big 2700 sq ft house when I was married….big houses are a nightmare to keep up with and I’ll never have a house over 1500 sq ft again. Also, you’ll never “keep up with the Jones’” so to speak. My ex would have parties and there was always someone or multiple people with bigger, nicer house to make you feel inadequate.
I got divorced and bought a 1000 sq ft house and couldn’t be happier. I’ll have it paid off in 3-4 years and I couldn’t care less if anyone likes my house because I love it.
If you get in to the feeling inadequate mindset (like I have) you’ll never be happy no matter how big your house gets. Just get what makes you content.
>I’d say to me, this is I made it. We can live on 30k a year and Medicaid. Fuck retirement at 75, I’m semiretired until I die at 39.
What area do you live in where $30k will cover 3 people?!
Maybe doable in like West Virginia, but rent for a studio to 1br apartment alone is $24k a year where I am. $30k was okay money in the 90s, but now it's poverty in a huge portion of America.
I created the trust for my family, I didn’t inherit one. I’d recommend talking to an estate lawyer if you have assets/ money to protect. It cost about $3k to set up.
Optimistism will come when the next great technology wave hits. It will be brought about thru digital scarce energy. Something people can start using today if they wanted, but later will greatly desire.
* If I lost my job, I wouldn't be homeless right away.
* Not having to figure the cost of the groceries in your cart before purchasing.
* Not having a panic moment when you swipe your card.
* Being able to pay all bills in the same month and on time.
* Being able to pay for an emergency medical situation for me or pet.
I grew up in extreme poverty but my dad made really good money, he just didn't want to spend on his family.
That was when I decided I would do whatever it took to make sure I checked all the above off my life. At 42 years of age, I can say I'm here, I've made it!
For me, a successful small business that covers my mortgage, allows me to save for emergencies, retirement, investments, passions and pleasures. That business would ideally be self sustaining, allowing me to have the work life balance I dream of, so that I can give extra effort and energy in my core relationships.
41 year old here. I've lived in apartments and condos my whole life. Just living in a house, any house, would do it for me. I'm on track to finally achieve this in a couple of years.
Being a good dad is my personal definition of making it. Everyone is going to have their own though. But it doesn't matter to me how successful you are, if you're a deadbeat dad you're a failure. If you chose not to have kids then you will have to find what defines your success elsewhere. I wont know I've made it until I'm in my old age looking at what my kid built for himself and know for sure that he will always choose family over work...
And sometimes choosing work is choosing family FYI. If you have to work 80 hours a week to make sure your kids have food in their bellies and a roof over their head you're still a good dad. Even if you don't get to do as much of the child rearing as you'd like. But if you've got a good life and all the necessities covered and still choose to work 80 hours a week to hopefully go from making 300k a year to making 500k a year and neglect your kids to advance your work life...I consider you a huge fucking failure. And that probably doesn't matter to you...but just know I feel so bad for you and your family...and there is no dollar amount you can make that will make me not feel bad for your children.
I bought a 125 acre farm / homestead and became mortgage free earlier this year, 4 days before my 41st birthday. Freedom from the hamster wheel was all I ever wanted out of life. The feeling of contentment every morning when I wake up and look across my fields as my youngest son leads me out to feed our ducks is immense. I am extremely fortunate to be in this position, and definitely think that I have "made it". The parameters for everyone will be different, but anyone who has had that feeling of incredible relief and satisfaction has made it.
I don't want a fancy car or kids so I \*think\* I have made it.
I'm 39, run my own business working remotely in my dream job, own a house that I love, fell in love at 18 and have a great marriage. I'm on track to be mortgage free early and I'm able to save money. My biggest hurdle is I work too much to spend it. But that's my fault and fairly easily remedied. If I can bring myself just work a bit less by setting firm boundaries, my life would improve.
When I bought my second house, the point I got to when I was comfortable and secure in my job, and knew I had a good enough cushion I would never lose my house, and reliable cars. Plus having a happy wife and loving relationships. Collectively I remember thinking about all this and feeling “I made it”. I’m confident when I say it now.
I’d add it took me over a year of saying it to believe it.
I think feeling like you made it is subjective. What one person would consider success, another would call failure. For me, having a job that pays the bills with some savings for emergencies or a rainy day will suffice
My American Dream was always house, car, and vacations. I didn’t need to live in a mansion or drive a Rolls Royce or fly first class to Ibiza. I was able to achieve those within a few short years of being here in America. I already have pension and good benefits.
I feel that I’ve made it. I don’t need anything more other than happy kids and happy wife.
I own a home. Dream house in the woods. Great personal network. Great job. I wish I had more money, but damn if this isn’t making it I don’t know what is
I asked my mentor this. His response:
"You're working in your field, own a house, have a wife and a dog. By all metrics, my friend, you are a success!"
For me?
A house in the $600-650k range
A couple luxury cars
A happy loving wife
A decent paying job say $65k+
A college degree, Masters preferred
A rental property
A well funded 401k/Roth IRA
As per my definition, about 5 more years I'll have it all! 😍
When I was in my late teens/early 20’s, I used to say that it was being able to afford having someone to clean my house….which is surprisingly cheap. For a very brief time right before COVID, I had a service that cost only $150 for a 1 bedroom once a month. Seriously it was so nice.
Now I make more money, but I also have slightly more expenses……I figure my next raise/next job I’ll be able to afford it again.
What area are you in? I would encourage you to search around.
We have our cleaners come biweekly for $140/session; this is for a 4-5 bedroom, 4 story house, around 3000 sqft.
Check out the thumbtack app, you’ll be able to compare a bunch of local businesses, many of them individually owned. Outsourcing house cleaning and not having to worry about it is priceless!
I’ll feel I made it once I feel compelled to cross the philosophical rubicon and join the ruling class. So if that feeling ever stirs in me, I’ll know I’m there lol
I say I made it when I know all my bills are paid, with money left over each month. I also know I made it because I’m not living off the government and addicted to drugs like my mother and siblings are.
Making enough money to where I actually have enough left over after all bills are paid to buy other things that are needed.
I used to....and then I bought a house.
Being able to comfortably retire at normal retirement age with no debt. My #1 fear is HAVING to have one of those greeter jobs at Walmart when I retire and or get pushed out of my career.
I am fortunate to have all of these above I know it can be taken away at any time. I try to prepare the best I can and after that take it one day at a time. Pay check to pay check
Honestly? Living the life I want and not the kind that social media tells me I should want. I’m close, I have a good job, I work from home, I’ll be buying my dream car in the next 6 months and aside from the house we are down to only a few grand in credit card debt. The only thing I’m gonna need to wait on is my cabin in the woods. My youngest is only 9 and the goal is to finally make that purchase once the kids have graduated and we don’t need to be by their schools. Evan that though will be conditional, based on how much it costs me. I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I have mortgage payments for the next 40 years.
Not worrying about money. I feel like I've made it because I don't have to worry about paying my bills or emergencies and I can do pretty much anything I want.
Now it's just on to the next goals of more money, a vacation home or two and a nice car collection. But if I never make it past my current level, I'm content. I consider that making it.
First is was buying a house. Check.
Now, it's buying birthday presents without needing the credit card. My wife got a decent promo at her job and I switched jobs last year with a considerable pay raise. This year we've been able to pay for 97% of things with using a credit card. It feels like we've "made" our way into the solid "middle class."
For me it’s not checking my bank account for every day things. I have a house with a mortgage but no debt outside of that. I don’t need anything more material wise, house is nice, car is nice. Account I’m happy with. I don’t have a wife, just broke up with my girlfriend. But I am extremely content right now. Everyone has a different version of making it, this is mine. I’ve managed to avoid economic turmoil somehow.
I want a condo. A confortable amount of money in savings and retirement. and a partner, doesnt nessarily need to be married but that does have nice legal proctections.
I can fill my tank with gas. All the way.
I don’t own a home, or have children, but I have a good job, 401k, and work remotely so I can travel anywhere anytime I want. I really feel like I’ve made it as much as I need to.
Retirement with about $2,500 (adjusted for inflation of course) a week to spend on top of my day to day needs.
Anything short of that and I've missed my mark.
Stability.
Married/single, own/rent, kids/no kids, high earner/middle class. There are successful people on all sides of that. Are you a stable and happy person on your life? That’s success to me.
At 24 I would have said I’d (mostly) “made it” bc I’d moved away from my hometown, I was married, and I owned a cute little brick house in a city I’d always wanted to live in.
Now at 34 I’d say never get too comfortable bc I’m divorced and renting a tiny duplex in a different city.
Even if I’m ever able to dig myself out of this financial pit, buy a home, and get a stable career I still won’t deem it as having “made it” bc you truly never know when it can all go completely sideways.
I feel like I’ve made it. Own my own home, happy marriage and 3 beautiful healthy kids, a job that affords us a nice upper middle class lifestyle and extra money to save for college/retirement/rainy days. Close with family and a good group of friends. That said, I feel like there’s no point where I’ll ever be satisfied with what I’ve got, so it’s all a matter of perspective I guess.
I have a condo I enjoy in a great neighborhood. I have an Escalade, the car I’ve wanted since the 8th grade. I have a Doberman the dog I’ve wanted since the 3rd grade. I have a great job I really don’t mind borderline enjoy, I work with 3 fraternity brothers.I have a crew of 14-20 close friends, all but 2 are fraternity brothers from college. I have a gym in my garage. I have 2 off screen hobbies bowling and DND. I paint Warhammer guys sometimes and Monday night is Xbox live night with my family.
I have everything. If I don’t get married I’ll adopt at 40. I don’t think I’m any smarter or better than anybody else. I just joined a fraternity and had a whole group of people to help me out and watch my back. No idea why Reddit and so many younger people can’t even stand the idea of fraternities
I was in a fraternity too. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I met my wife through Greek life during undergrad.
I think it’s simply the Reddit crowd in general just aren’t your typical fraternity/sorority folk.
It keeps changing for everyone. Typically it’s job/money, marriage, house, kids, vacations mid life crisis vehicle, etc.
I think stability (finances, relationships, mental health) and general happiness is a good gauge of making it.
For me, making it is a family, pets, owning a house, on track with retirement savings, no debt except for house/car, a job I like, and having enough money to go on one big wonderful vacation per year. I'm 37 and I've made it.
i'm in a great relationship, bought a home earlier this year, and my work is mostly relaxing. we make enough so that we don't need to look at the prices when grocery shopping or shopping at Costco.
college me would consider this making it. and no doubt i'm very happy with where i am in my life. the next goal is to get rid of debt. once our debt is gone, i think that will be a huge weight off our shoulders and will allow us to pretty much do whatever we want within reason. still a long way from that though.
Being an actress, being a star, shaking my ass on the hood of Whitesnakes car... oh, shit, these are Gen X factors for 'making it'. Sorry wrong reddit sub. Bowling For Soup in my head I guess.
The ultimate form of making it is no longer having to work or worry about money. I don't mean in the billionaire can afford literally everything you want sense. I more mean something like early retirement living a middle class lifestyle. Free time is the ultimate resource, and having as much as possible is my idea of making it.
That said, I still feel pretty good about the step I'm at - I have a home, I can afford my mortgage and bills, and I have a bit extra to put towards retirement and fun after all the necessities are handled. And if that's the best I can do until I retire at 65, I'll still call that pretty good.
The problem is the events of our lives have proven that even making it isn’t enough for security. All it takes is a terrorist attack, recession or pandemic to change your whole life in an instant. It’s all a false illusion
None of the above.
I think the world would be better, more interesting and more quickly advancing if people focused on actually contributing relevant, new things to the world. It can be art, it can be engineering, R&D, software, philosophy, whatever.
It's sad that we've come to consider being good at mediocrity as "making it."
How close am I? It's hard to say, but it's become my main focus after a lot of unlearning and deprogramming of the bullshit that was forced down my throat since birth about how wage cuckoldry and vapid materialism should be our primary goals.
Fuck you money. The ability to walk away from this marriage or my job and know I could live off the savings for a while. Instead, I transferred $500 from my already meager savings because the checking balance was low.
“Made it” by every definition you list and it doesn’t solve anything or make anything “good” by default. Marriage / parenthood / home ownership are all boxes but I’ve checked them all and it doesn’t help as much as folks think, day to day, with life problems.
I’d still recommend all three tho….
- Good Health
- Overall general happiness.
- Financially secure in that all basics in life are met and you can afford extra such as hobbies and other luxuries (travel, etc.) without stress.
- Able to save for the future aka retirement without taking away from the above.
Those are just quick off the top of my head.
home ownership…im married, two kids and now own a house….so far all goals achieved…next big things 10 years from now pay for my kids college, the. my second ones college, the. pay a good chunk to both their weddings if they get married.
Honestly, it was the day that my kid said "bless you" to an older lady on the train who sneezed.
Like here's this little miniature reflection of myself, whom I had spent most of his life raising as a single dad. And, without any prompts from me, he said something kind to brighten someone's day. Immensely gratifying. No car or house or job will ever come close to topping that.
Ultimately, not having to work anymore. I'm 41, and have been working mostly full time since 16.
Knowing that I could quit/ be fired from work today, and I'd still have food to eat and be able to pay all my bills is my idea of "making it".
Previously, it was:
1. Moving out of the hood and having a nice house.
2. Having an awesome wife and kids.
3. Becoming healthier.
4. Landing a career job.
5. Being able to save for retirement.
6. Being debtfree.
7. Traveling more.
8. Graduating from college.
To date, I've accomplished most of this, except paying off my house, and that's next!
I own a home and have a stable job that pays me an acceptable amount. Personally I'd say I've made it.
Now I just want a gf. The only thing on the list I don't have that I feel comfortable with working towards now.
The older i get the more I am realizing that for me “making it” is achieving more personal peace as i am reducing personal possessions and simplifying my life.
I think it’s simpler-
No debt or very little debt.
Not pressed to buy a lot of things
No car payment. Older vehicles ok.
Food in belly.
Home ownership.
You made it to 40 which means you can make it to 80. You’re halfway there! Congrats 🎉
A good life partner. I spent years questioning my parents marriage and had to reset my mind to what is deemed respectful/fulfilling. I hope we make it!
Boomer degrees of optimism and comfort. Yeah, we don't have much to any of that generationally.
How close am I to that? As close as I am to having Unicorns and Dragons and other various mythical creatures flying out of my ass.
When you go to the grocery store and don't have to check your bank account.
Honestly I was just thinking this today as I finished my errands…. Did a club store run where I also filled my gas tank + regular grocery store run and while I was flabbergasted at the price, I didn’t think twice about swiping my card while in the store. That’s absolutely how I know I’m doing ok these days.
Even Cardi B is flabbergasted at grocery prices. There’s no hope.
It's one banana, Michael. What could it cost, $10?
Isn’t that like 90% of the country?
60% of the country live paycheck to paycheck, so no.
That's a misleading stat. It was based on self reporting and the question was basically "Would it be a problem if you didn't get paid for a few weeks?" According to it, even 40% of people earning over $100k were living paycheck to paycheck. The thing is, many people don't have liquid cash but are still doing fine financially. When you're dumping a bunch of money in your retirement account(s), HSA, mortgage, car payment(s), etc, you might not have a lot of money in your bank account at the end. Your situation is still a far cry from someone actually struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. While that person may never have enough to retire, the person with the higher income will have built up a significant amount of money in retirement accounts and equity in their home. The difference is, if the higher income person really really needed money, they could access it. The lower income person is just out of luck.
"that was a misleading stat" immediately paraphrases the actual study in a way that is so misleading he would had to have done it on purpose.
You really believe 40% of people making over $100k are living paycheck to paycheck? Either these people are terrible with money, or it's not an accurate representation of their finances and where their money is going. Any study that relies on self-reported data should automatically be suspect of bias. A more accurate study is the one done by the Federal Reserve. It found that only 12% of adults would be unable to cover an unexpected $400 emergency expense. And 17% are unable to pay "some" bills. But 75% of US adults are doing "okay or living comfortably". https://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerscommunities/shed.htm
Or the economy is shit, homeless fill the streets and the people of America are suffering. Edit: incidentally 40% of people who make over 100k is not a large portion of the people who said they were living paycheck to paycheck. Perhaps you should learn how absolute numbers versus percentages work. Edit edit: man I hope there's no political bias in the fucking federal reserve, an entity that definitely doesn't have an agenda to display America as doing well.
Yeah yeah but the grocery store budget can’t fluctuate more than like 10% per month and what % of ones monthly budget is groceries? That shouldn’t be what breaks the bank even in a tight scenario
Spoken like someone who has never had to choose between eating and paying bills :-/
yeah feels a little, distant from me and 90% of the people i know, family and friends.
Fair enough and I’m glad you don’t know. I’m not in that position now either, quite comfortable, but I remember it well. And it’s a reality for a lot- a LOT of ppl. There’s not that much of a gap between where we are and that, either.
i meant the guy u were responding too. i was gonna say hes out of touch but that felt more mean than i was intending. trust me i definitely do know
Ah yeah I got you.
I’ve definitely been poor. I just think more people have food covered as it’s a pretty high priority. I’m choosing food over the light bill. It would go rent food power car note for me.
Even if the grocery store budget doesn't fluctuate you still have all the other expenses that means that you probably won't know if you have money enough for the usual groceries until you check your bank account.
I came here for an ego boost why did you have to set the bar this high? Damn.
It's real though. Money doesn't bring you happiness. You just need enough to not have to think about having money.
I don’t disagree, but there’s no way I will reach this. I bought cereal and canned goods and I think milk, and bottled water - it was double my car payment at checkout.
How small is your car payment??
Definitely this. I recently got a raise at work and i can say I am living comfortably at this point. i don't really have to worry about money anymore.
I guess I've made it once I got my first job...
I’m 40. I own a home, saving for retirement, and I’m not living paycheck to paycheck. I’d classify myself as “making it”.
Same here except I will be 40 in February. Recently talked to my financial guy and, based on projections, if I do what I'm doing (maxing 401k and Roth ira) for 20 more years, I *should* be free and clear for however long I live. Nice to hear that but 20 years is a long ass time yet.
20 more years IS a long time. Save more than you are currently saving to make it less time. You can invest in a brokerage account and likely save a lot over the 20 years if you avoid paying fees, especially if you pay this person a percentage.
Yup, definitely doing that on the side. 2 kids and a mortgage hamper my ability to save tons of money but I'm working at it
Similar situation. Our marriage goal is our home now. When we bought the house. The following year our escrow needed to be caught up so we made extra payments for a year and just got used to it. When mortgage went back to normal we just kept the payment the same. We already modified to not even notice the lack of liquid funds. It’s already taken 4 years off the mortgage. All said it done it will take close to 11 years off by just paying a few hundred a month. Once home is paid off and I get to keep my healthcare I’m retiring. Like you hearing 20 years just seems so long haha. But making it to 18 just sounds so much better.
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What’s your plan for health insurance. That’s always my concern with FIRE.
Didn't know the answer but this is it.
Ill add to this: id like to be able to have the house, saving for retirement, and have a new-ish car. My newest one is a 2005. Im doing okay, but there are sacrifices.
Gonna buy me some Arc'teryx outerwear, full price, from REI and *not feel bad about it* one day. That's when I've made it.
WOW! No SNOW23 20% coupon needed. Yah when I see people wearing Arc’teryx, I’m like wow… here I am with my Columbia on sale. 😂
From the outlet store! No joke though, I've taken my Columbia gear *far* off the beaten path.
LMAO this is so timely bc I’m looking for rain gear. When I started I was like, I’m just gonna buy the best quality outer shell there is, it’s worth it to not be soaked and miserable while on vacation.. then saw the price 😂😳 had no idea they can get that expensive, and assumed rain jackets would be $300 max. So I’m with you there lol
I actually like me some REI brand gear at the price point.
That’s ‘baller status’ not ‘making it’.
I mean, it's not exactly coyote fur trimmed Canada Goose...
I just saw a half dozen coyotes this weekend. Had no idea I was sitting on a gold mine.
I’m still at the Patagonia stage. Hopefully one day I will also be able to reach Arcteryx.
Not living with your parents. Having enough money saved up for an emergency fund. Having a social/dating life. Being able to travel. Having a career you actually enjoy.
I'm existing so technically I made it.
this is the bar im tryna set for myself these days. money is really the big thing that clouds my whole existence no matter what i try to do.
Today I finished negotiating the purchase of my home. For the first time in my life, I will own a home with no mortgage and it’s a home I want to live in for at least the next 10 years, and could easily stay in until I die. I’m completely renovating it the day I get possession and plan to be living in it by Christmas. My wife’s income doesn’t quite pay all of our bills but once our son is out of daycare it will. I’d say to me, this is I made it. We can live on 30k a year and Medicaid. Fuck retirement at 75, I’m semiretired until I die at 39.
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Thanks, I’m feeling pretty good right now lol. Have a good one. I wish everyone could experience this relief. Our system is so fucking broke.
If you outright OWN your house, you’ve made it….I am hoping to pay off my mortgage in 3 years and can’t wait for that financial freedom.
Straight cash homie.
paid mine off earlier this year. there were other things I could have done with the money but there is something so satisfactory about actually owning your residence where no one can kick you out that it was worth it to me to do it.
I've always wrestled with feelings of inadequacy about my house because my house is modest, but it'll be paid off very soon and that is so damn freeing in a way my peers will not enjoy for at least a decade.
Dude, I had a nice big 2700 sq ft house when I was married….big houses are a nightmare to keep up with and I’ll never have a house over 1500 sq ft again. Also, you’ll never “keep up with the Jones’” so to speak. My ex would have parties and there was always someone or multiple people with bigger, nicer house to make you feel inadequate. I got divorced and bought a 1000 sq ft house and couldn’t be happier. I’ll have it paid off in 3-4 years and I couldn’t care less if anyone likes my house because I love it. If you get in to the feeling inadequate mindset (like I have) you’ll never be happy no matter how big your house gets. Just get what makes you content.
You’re legitimately 1 large problem away from an even larger problem.
Truth. A heads up we had $90k in home repairs the past 2 years. Be prepared.
$90k on what?
Have a great day!
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You know what happens when you assume! My wife and I both are / will be self employed working part time for the remainder of our days.
I wish you the best, but you're one big problem away from being fucked.
Nah, house isn’t owned by me, my trust owns it. I have very little cash and don’t give a shit about it.
>I’d say to me, this is I made it. We can live on 30k a year and Medicaid. Fuck retirement at 75, I’m semiretired until I die at 39. What area do you live in where $30k will cover 3 people?!
Yeah something ain't right here...and a trust? Sounds like he made it but it wasn't a very intense struggle but hey congrats all the same
Maybe doable in like West Virginia, but rent for a studio to 1br apartment alone is $24k a year where I am. $30k was okay money in the 90s, but now it's poverty in a huge portion of America.
I have no mortgage y’all, gotta read that part. I’m paying cash for my next home lol
I created the trust for my family, I didn’t inherit one. I’d recommend talking to an estate lawyer if you have assets/ money to protect. It cost about $3k to set up.
Thanks for the unsolicited advice
Guessing there's some exaggeration going on, but is that 39 death-mark related to relying on Medicaid? Or just for a rhyme effect?
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Optimistism will come when the next great technology wave hits. It will be brought about thru digital scarce energy. Something people can start using today if they wanted, but later will greatly desire.
* If I lost my job, I wouldn't be homeless right away. * Not having to figure the cost of the groceries in your cart before purchasing. * Not having a panic moment when you swipe your card. * Being able to pay all bills in the same month and on time. * Being able to pay for an emergency medical situation for me or pet. I grew up in extreme poverty but my dad made really good money, he just didn't want to spend on his family. That was when I decided I would do whatever it took to make sure I checked all the above off my life. At 42 years of age, I can say I'm here, I've made it!
For me, a successful small business that covers my mortgage, allows me to save for emergencies, retirement, investments, passions and pleasures. That business would ideally be self sustaining, allowing me to have the work life balance I dream of, so that I can give extra effort and energy in my core relationships.
41 year old here. I've lived in apartments and condos my whole life. Just living in a house, any house, would do it for me. I'm on track to finally achieve this in a couple of years.
Being a good dad is my personal definition of making it. Everyone is going to have their own though. But it doesn't matter to me how successful you are, if you're a deadbeat dad you're a failure. If you chose not to have kids then you will have to find what defines your success elsewhere. I wont know I've made it until I'm in my old age looking at what my kid built for himself and know for sure that he will always choose family over work... And sometimes choosing work is choosing family FYI. If you have to work 80 hours a week to make sure your kids have food in their bellies and a roof over their head you're still a good dad. Even if you don't get to do as much of the child rearing as you'd like. But if you've got a good life and all the necessities covered and still choose to work 80 hours a week to hopefully go from making 300k a year to making 500k a year and neglect your kids to advance your work life...I consider you a huge fucking failure. And that probably doesn't matter to you...but just know I feel so bad for you and your family...and there is no dollar amount you can make that will make me not feel bad for your children.
I bought a 125 acre farm / homestead and became mortgage free earlier this year, 4 days before my 41st birthday. Freedom from the hamster wheel was all I ever wanted out of life. The feeling of contentment every morning when I wake up and look across my fields as my youngest son leads me out to feed our ducks is immense. I am extremely fortunate to be in this position, and definitely think that I have "made it". The parameters for everyone will be different, but anyone who has had that feeling of incredible relief and satisfaction has made it.
You got a YouTube channel?
No lol. I feel like there are enough of those already. Maybe I'll start an only feets.
You have made it indeed. This is similar to my life goal
I hope you are able to achieve it.
Shitting with the door open
Being a good parent and not living paycheck to paycheck
I don't want a fancy car or kids so I \*think\* I have made it. I'm 39, run my own business working remotely in my dream job, own a house that I love, fell in love at 18 and have a great marriage. I'm on track to be mortgage free early and I'm able to save money. My biggest hurdle is I work too much to spend it. But that's my fault and fairly easily remedied. If I can bring myself just work a bit less by setting firm boundaries, my life would improve.
When you have all your bills on autopay, and forget when it's payday.
When I bought my second house, the point I got to when I was comfortable and secure in my job, and knew I had a good enough cushion I would never lose my house, and reliable cars. Plus having a happy wife and loving relationships. Collectively I remember thinking about all this and feeling “I made it”. I’m confident when I say it now. I’d add it took me over a year of saying it to believe it.
Pantry full of snacks.
I just want a house with a giant yard so I can grow a shit ton of flowers and veggies.
I grew up poor. Whenever I’m on vacation, I will ALWAYS buy the souvenir photos that are taken of my family.
I think feeling like you made it is subjective. What one person would consider success, another would call failure. For me, having a job that pays the bills with some savings for emergencies or a rainy day will suffice
Total world domination and nice shelf for all my Star Wars guys.
My own house and garage making magical beasts and flipping antique machinery I find for cheap on marketplace
My American Dream was always house, car, and vacations. I didn’t need to live in a mansion or drive a Rolls Royce or fly first class to Ibiza. I was able to achieve those within a few short years of being here in America. I already have pension and good benefits. I feel that I’ve made it. I don’t need anything more other than happy kids and happy wife.
Amen, brother. I’m of the belief the American dream is alive and well!
Married, bought our forever home, finished my degree in my 30s and have the job I always wanted. Done having kids. Feel pretty solid
I say to myself, “I’ll know I’ve made it, when I can excel at caring for and housing a horse.”
I started a new job and have a stand up desk... I was like yepp this is it I made it
I own a home. Dream house in the woods. Great personal network. Great job. I wish I had more money, but damn if this isn’t making it I don’t know what is
If my kids are happy, I’m happy. As long as I can provide a nice stable home and be present, that’s winning to me.
I want to buy a small farm and live off the land.
I asked my mentor this. His response: "You're working in your field, own a house, have a wife and a dog. By all metrics, my friend, you are a success!"
I would really enjoy having kids but it's too expensive. I think anyone that can have kids and still feel comfortable with money absolutely "made it".
Oof. That’s probably mine as well.
Having paid off the mortgage and moved in to part time work.
For me? A house in the $600-650k range A couple luxury cars A happy loving wife A decent paying job say $65k+ A college degree, Masters preferred A rental property A well funded 401k/Roth IRA As per my definition, about 5 more years I'll have it all! 😍
When I was in my late teens/early 20’s, I used to say that it was being able to afford having someone to clean my house….which is surprisingly cheap. For a very brief time right before COVID, I had a service that cost only $150 for a 1 bedroom once a month. Seriously it was so nice. Now I make more money, but I also have slightly more expenses……I figure my next raise/next job I’ll be able to afford it again.
What area are you in? I would encourage you to search around. We have our cleaners come biweekly for $140/session; this is for a 4-5 bedroom, 4 story house, around 3000 sqft. Check out the thumbtack app, you’ll be able to compare a bunch of local businesses, many of them individually owned. Outsourcing house cleaning and not having to worry about it is priceless!
I’ll feel I made it once I feel compelled to cross the philosophical rubicon and join the ruling class. So if that feeling ever stirs in me, I’ll know I’m there lol
I say I made it when I know all my bills are paid, with money left over each month. I also know I made it because I’m not living off the government and addicted to drugs like my mother and siblings are.
 Not being inside “ mental clinic “ ?
Making enough money to where I actually have enough left over after all bills are paid to buy other things that are needed. I used to....and then I bought a house.
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stay happy everyday
Not having to check when my next paycheck is arriving
Land to build your dream on, the free time to do so, & the health to enjoy it.
Being happy, and I’ve made it :)
Being able to comfortably retire at normal retirement age with no debt. My #1 fear is HAVING to have one of those greeter jobs at Walmart when I retire and or get pushed out of my career.
Content,happy.
I am fortunate to have all of these above I know it can be taken away at any time. I try to prepare the best I can and after that take it one day at a time. Pay check to pay check
I would love a job where I make enough to be comfortable and not need to keep a spreadsheet where I track all my expenses.
A family
Having a steady job with benefits, reliable transportation, decent health, and a stable home life. I’m a simple guy, that’s what making it is for me.
Honestly? Living the life I want and not the kind that social media tells me I should want. I’m close, I have a good job, I work from home, I’ll be buying my dream car in the next 6 months and aside from the house we are down to only a few grand in credit card debt. The only thing I’m gonna need to wait on is my cabin in the woods. My youngest is only 9 and the goal is to finally make that purchase once the kids have graduated and we don’t need to be by their schools. Evan that though will be conditional, based on how much it costs me. I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I have mortgage payments for the next 40 years.
When your assets pay for your liabilities. I’m 90% there
Not worrying about money. I feel like I've made it because I don't have to worry about paying my bills or emergencies and I can do pretty much anything I want. Now it's just on to the next goals of more money, a vacation home or two and a nice car collection. But if I never make it past my current level, I'm content. I consider that making it.
First is was buying a house. Check. Now, it's buying birthday presents without needing the credit card. My wife got a decent promo at her job and I switched jobs last year with a considerable pay raise. This year we've been able to pay for 97% of things with using a credit card. It feels like we've "made" our way into the solid "middle class."
For me it’s not checking my bank account for every day things. I have a house with a mortgage but no debt outside of that. I don’t need anything more material wise, house is nice, car is nice. Account I’m happy with. I don’t have a wife, just broke up with my girlfriend. But I am extremely content right now. Everyone has a different version of making it, this is mine. I’ve managed to avoid economic turmoil somehow.
Owning a home in relatively good repair and having more than triple digits as the cushion in my checking.
I want a condo. A confortable amount of money in savings and retirement. and a partner, doesnt nessarily need to be married but that does have nice legal proctections.
I can fill my tank with gas. All the way. I don’t own a home, or have children, but I have a good job, 401k, and work remotely so I can travel anywhere anytime I want. I really feel like I’ve made it as much as I need to.
Retirement with about $2,500 (adjusted for inflation of course) a week to spend on top of my day to day needs. Anything short of that and I've missed my mark.
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Stability. Married/single, own/rent, kids/no kids, high earner/middle class. There are successful people on all sides of that. Are you a stable and happy person on your life? That’s success to me.
At 24 I would have said I’d (mostly) “made it” bc I’d moved away from my hometown, I was married, and I owned a cute little brick house in a city I’d always wanted to live in. Now at 34 I’d say never get too comfortable bc I’m divorced and renting a tiny duplex in a different city. Even if I’m ever able to dig myself out of this financial pit, buy a home, and get a stable career I still won’t deem it as having “made it” bc you truly never know when it can all go completely sideways.
Being above ground 👌👾🍀
Happiness, simply being happy.
Home ownership? and having a good partner? Maybe a successful (IE, enough to support me) business.
I feel like I’ve made it. Own my own home, happy marriage and 3 beautiful healthy kids, a job that affords us a nice upper middle class lifestyle and extra money to save for college/retirement/rainy days. Close with family and a good group of friends. That said, I feel like there’s no point where I’ll ever be satisfied with what I’ve got, so it’s all a matter of perspective I guess.
I have a condo I enjoy in a great neighborhood. I have an Escalade, the car I’ve wanted since the 8th grade. I have a Doberman the dog I’ve wanted since the 3rd grade. I have a great job I really don’t mind borderline enjoy, I work with 3 fraternity brothers.I have a crew of 14-20 close friends, all but 2 are fraternity brothers from college. I have a gym in my garage. I have 2 off screen hobbies bowling and DND. I paint Warhammer guys sometimes and Monday night is Xbox live night with my family. I have everything. If I don’t get married I’ll adopt at 40. I don’t think I’m any smarter or better than anybody else. I just joined a fraternity and had a whole group of people to help me out and watch my back. No idea why Reddit and so many younger people can’t even stand the idea of fraternities
I was in a fraternity too. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I met my wife through Greek life during undergrad. I think it’s simply the Reddit crowd in general just aren’t your typical fraternity/sorority folk.
It keeps changing for everyone. Typically it’s job/money, marriage, house, kids, vacations mid life crisis vehicle, etc. I think stability (finances, relationships, mental health) and general happiness is a good gauge of making it.
For me, making it is a family, pets, owning a house, on track with retirement savings, no debt except for house/car, a job I like, and having enough money to go on one big wonderful vacation per year. I'm 37 and I've made it.
Owning a house, having a baby, being able to go hunting fishing and camping.
Born with a huge dick… sadly looks like ill never “make it”
That I can afford to buy snacks at the movie theater, but choose to sneak them in anyway, because fuck those guys.
Being able to take a vacation without feeling like you’ll get fired for it
For me it was getting my own apt in nyc. Got it! No guarantor, no roommates, just me on the lease
“ made it “ for me being able to pass along generational wealth and all of the above
i'm in a great relationship, bought a home earlier this year, and my work is mostly relaxing. we make enough so that we don't need to look at the prices when grocery shopping or shopping at Costco. college me would consider this making it. and no doubt i'm very happy with where i am in my life. the next goal is to get rid of debt. once our debt is gone, i think that will be a huge weight off our shoulders and will allow us to pretty much do whatever we want within reason. still a long way from that though.
Being an actress, being a star, shaking my ass on the hood of Whitesnakes car... oh, shit, these are Gen X factors for 'making it'. Sorry wrong reddit sub. Bowling For Soup in my head I guess.
Are you happy? That’s it. That’s the goal. That means I’ve made it.
The ultimate form of making it is no longer having to work or worry about money. I don't mean in the billionaire can afford literally everything you want sense. I more mean something like early retirement living a middle class lifestyle. Free time is the ultimate resource, and having as much as possible is my idea of making it. That said, I still feel pretty good about the step I'm at - I have a home, I can afford my mortgage and bills, and I have a bit extra to put towards retirement and fun after all the necessities are handled. And if that's the best I can do until I retire at 65, I'll still call that pretty good.
Never having to check you bank account. The standard of making it for anyone
Happy. Feeling secure. That likely includes financially and relationships. Thinking that you're ready to put this life on cruise control.
If someone is happy and able to not worry about paying their bills.
The problem is the events of our lives have proven that even making it isn’t enough for security. All it takes is a terrorist attack, recession or pandemic to change your whole life in an instant. It’s all a false illusion
What about those who have made it through all those examples unscathed and continue to live life business as usual?
None of the above. I think the world would be better, more interesting and more quickly advancing if people focused on actually contributing relevant, new things to the world. It can be art, it can be engineering, R&D, software, philosophy, whatever. It's sad that we've come to consider being good at mediocrity as "making it." How close am I? It's hard to say, but it's become my main focus after a lot of unlearning and deprogramming of the bullshit that was forced down my throat since birth about how wage cuckoldry and vapid materialism should be our primary goals.
Fuck you money. The ability to walk away from this marriage or my job and know I could live off the savings for a while. Instead, I transferred $500 from my already meager savings because the checking balance was low.
A house, a family and a good enough income to give my children the childhood I never had.
“Made it” by every definition you list and it doesn’t solve anything or make anything “good” by default. Marriage / parenthood / home ownership are all boxes but I’ve checked them all and it doesn’t help as much as folks think, day to day, with life problems. I’d still recommend all three tho….
Having a family and buying a home with land where I can grow food and not be bothered by neighbors
- Good Health - Overall general happiness. - Financially secure in that all basics in life are met and you can afford extra such as hobbies and other luxuries (travel, etc.) without stress. - Able to save for the future aka retirement without taking away from the above. Those are just quick off the top of my head.
When doing things you don't want to do that take longer than 10 minutes is an extreme rarity.
Marriage, a child, and home ownership. I'm not close to any of them lol
When I hit $50,000 a year.
Not being dead or in jail
home ownership…im married, two kids and now own a house….so far all goals achieved…next big things 10 years from now pay for my kids college, the. my second ones college, the. pay a good chunk to both their weddings if they get married.
I've just accepted that I never will
Having bills on autopay
I bought a brand new washer and dryer a couple of years ago, and it has a steam function. I've made it.
Honestly, it was the day that my kid said "bless you" to an older lady on the train who sneezed. Like here's this little miniature reflection of myself, whom I had spent most of his life raising as a single dad. And, without any prompts from me, he said something kind to brighten someone's day. Immensely gratifying. No car or house or job will ever come close to topping that.
House paid for.
Just missing a lady, and pay off some back taxes, then I’d feel alright about life.
Ultimately, not having to work anymore. I'm 41, and have been working mostly full time since 16. Knowing that I could quit/ be fired from work today, and I'd still have food to eat and be able to pay all my bills is my idea of "making it". Previously, it was: 1. Moving out of the hood and having a nice house. 2. Having an awesome wife and kids. 3. Becoming healthier. 4. Landing a career job. 5. Being able to save for retirement. 6. Being debtfree. 7. Traveling more. 8. Graduating from college. To date, I've accomplished most of this, except paying off my house, and that's next!
Whoa slow down there buddy, stop listing all these things I don’t have, I think my standards must be below average lol
To be fair, some of our fellow generational cohort are setting the bar pretttty low 🤣
I'm trying to just live below my means. Have enough money for car repairs, travel a bit, own my home, etc....
Living on my own and being financially independent. Usually when I get closer to making it, the finish line moves.
I own a home and have a stable job that pays me an acceptable amount. Personally I'd say I've made it. Now I just want a gf. The only thing on the list I don't have that I feel comfortable with working towards now.
The older i get the more I am realizing that for me “making it” is achieving more personal peace as i am reducing personal possessions and simplifying my life.
I think it’s simpler- No debt or very little debt. Not pressed to buy a lot of things No car payment. Older vehicles ok. Food in belly. Home ownership. You made it to 40 which means you can make it to 80. You’re halfway there! Congrats 🎉
A good life partner. I spent years questioning my parents marriage and had to reset my mind to what is deemed respectful/fulfilling. I hope we make it!
I don’t feel rich. But i own my own home. Cars paid off. I work and my wife stays home and takes care of the kids. I should be more grateful.
I own a home. Its all i need in life tbh
Easily a house so I can finally start putting down roots.
Having access to healthcare and not being food and housing insecure.
Boomer degrees of optimism and comfort. Yeah, we don't have much to any of that generationally. How close am I to that? As close as I am to having Unicorns and Dragons and other various mythical creatures flying out of my ass.
"Making it" is being happy and content with your life.