Do you make 'enough' money?

[lookout123]

no. look at it another way. You've crossed the line into "voluntary land". everything you do beyond this point is something you want to do, or you won't do it. You have entered the realm of "eff you" money. Boss tells you to work late and do more with less and you don't want to? "eff you, i'm going home." here's the great part, very little will push you to that point of frustration now because you are doing things you want to do, not things you have to do just to buy groceries.
that discovery is why so many financially secure baby boomers are continuing to work rather than spend the rest of their lives on the golf course.

forget the finish line, you just crossed the beautiful starting line.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by lookout123

no. look at it another way. You've crossed the line into "voluntary land". everything you do beyond this point is something you want to do, or you won't do it. You have entered the realm of "eff you" money. Boss tells you to work late and do more with less and you don't want to? "eff you, i'm going home." here's the great part, very little will push you to that point of frustration now because you are doing things you want to do, not things you have to do just to buy groceries.
....

Are you saying he has enough? And you don't have a specific number of what that amount might be? By jove, I think you've got it!

[DanaC]

Well. I certainly don't earn enough to meet my needs currently, and would not wish to remain on this income level for good. That said, I am content to remain at this level for now, as an increase in income would require me to give up my studies. It is worth it to me to stay at university, surviving on my student loan + bursary along with my Council allowance. Overall my income amounts to a little under £14k before tax. Given that my rent alone is £375 a month, you can see that I am not exactly in Clover :P

I think in terms of what income level would make me 'content' for the long term, I'd say anything between £20k and £25k per annum.

By that I mean, below £20k I may be tempted not to take a job even though I would enjoy it. Above £25k I don't think I could be tempted into a job that wasn't something I really wanted to do just because of the wage it offered.

[jester]

I voted content, mostly because technically, I do make enough for the lifestyle that I have. Early in my marriage, it was rough financially. However, things have changed - I have had this job since 1989. I'm a staple - That being said, in the beginning, it was low paying, however I am on salary, which is definitely great, cause I'm not here 40 hrs a week (everyone knows it). They pay all my health & dental insurance, I pay for AFLAC. They pay into my retirement account which is in "profit sharing", so it's good. The spouse makes decent money too. It's just stupid decisions that are made, that gets us into "binds". Oh well, such is life.

[HungLikeJesus]

It's not about the money.

It's about the stuff.

[Shawnee123]

And that's a good point, Jesus. What kind of "stuff" is sufficient for each person? Going back to the car reference, I really would like for one that is more reliable...but then I really do love sports cars and saw a beautiful BMW Z4 that was the prettiest shade of blue I've ever seen and I thought "I WANT that!" Would that, then, be enough?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

And that's a good point, Jesus. What kind of "stuff" is sufficient for each person? Going back to the car reference, I really would like for one that is more reliable...but then I really do love sports cars and saw a beautiful BMW Z4 that was the prettiest shade of blue I've ever seen and I thought "I WANT that!" Would that, then, be enough?

Naw, you deserve a Bentley Azure.

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

And that's a good point, Jesus. What kind of "stuff" is sufficient for each person? Going back to the car reference, I really would like for one that is more reliable...but then I really do love sports cars and saw a beautiful BMW Z4 that was the prettiest shade of blue I've ever seen and I thought "I WANT that!" Would that, then, be enough?

It's funny, but just yesterday morning I was having this discussion with myself.

------------------------------

I have too much stuff.

That's great. You have enough stuff.

No, not enough stuff, too much stuff. Too much means I have to get rid of stuff. This is true. Enough means I don't need any more, which is not true. I need to get rid of stuff, but then I need more stuff.

--------------------------------

And that's the way it went, all morning.

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If you don't need to spend money on stuff, then you don't need to make as much money, which means you can work less. If you cut back to 32 hours per week, your net pay will probably only decrease by about 10%, after taxes. Your expenses will decrease and you'll have more time for things you enjoy.

You're right - but then I'd need more stuff.

--------------------------------

I miss work.

[Sundae]

At present I am not making money.
I look forward to the day when I finish a long hard day and feel I have achieved something.
I look forward to aching feet, aching back, a fund of stories about bad tippers or drunk arseholes or stupid customers.

I couldn't post in the thread that became pros & cons of the welfare state because it was too personal for me. But for the record I'd rather have a job I love for a minor wage, and one that is simply hard, or dull, or menial to make it up than have none at all.

I'll get there. And drag you with me, screaming, one detailed post at a time

[Aliantha]

I don't need more money. I have a husband that earns enough for me to spend, and pay all the bills and put a bit aside as well as contribute to various charities on a regular basis.

No, we don't need more. If we had more we'd just spend it on frivolous shit and then wonder where it went. We're pretty lucky to be in the position we're in and I know I for one am quite content.

One can say they make enough money when they can see the future and say, for a fact, that they, or their loved ones, will not get sick, hurt or any other needy situation and their spouse's work situation absolutely will not change no matter what.
Remember, I am disabled and FL insurance law, my wife's job, recently changed.
There was a time when it was all sunshine and roses, the future sure was certain.
Until you have enough to pay for a life of medical care for yourself and your family, factoring in serious possible inflation, that is COMPLETELY separate from any market fluctuations and current income, you do NOT have enough.

[Aliantha]

I think you can plan for most outcomes by having suitable life insurance and income protection, coupled with investments in more than one area in order to cover any fluctuations.

No one can predict the future.

Right, so to have "enough" you must plan as best you can for the worst case scenario.
Trust me, I know.
Insurance does not always pay out like you want it to.

That you cannot predict the future is WHY you plan for it.
"What if something happens tomorrow and I/you/we can't work, where will we be in ten years?"
If you don't like the answer, do something about it.
Or gamble.
Up to you.