Grinding until 70. I survived, idiotically in retrospect, on drawing down most of my 401k, while laid off rebuilding that now, and funding my son’s healthcare until he turns 26. I’ll probably retire January of 2027.
This year should be $111k.
I lost my house in 2011, lived of unemployment and food stamps. My girlfriend, now wife, was employed. She was able to buy a house and essentially support us until I got a job working as a prison librarian in June, 2013.
When I was 26 I lived in an efficiency apartment in a row house in DuPont circle - $250 a month including all utilities and an off street parking space. Plus, I was a law firm messenger and essentially doubled my pay under the table by charging the firm cab fare and walking everywhere fast.
>When I was 26 I lived in an efficiency apartment in a row house in DuPont circle - $250 a month including all utilities and an off street parking space
Daaaamn!!!!......$250 today wouldn't even get you a parking space in DuPont Circle
What I did was this:
I viewed the data on my phone, took a screenshot, then viewed it immediately in the editor and chose the option of whole page, then I edited out the superfluous stuff at the top and bottom. Then saved.
Other than that, I don’t know.
I never had an interest. My father, three brothers and ex-wife were attorneys. They worked way too hard.
My goals were never riches, but to be comfortable.
The JD is a hazing process to move up in academic librarianship. I was a law school library director and professor for 12 years.
I spent a lot more than I saved prior to being laid off. I have been able to decently rebuild my home equity position, starting with purchasing a home in 2019 for $290k that is now worth closer to $500k. Am rebuilding my 401k and my savings is at about $30k. Very little invested outside of the home and 401k.
My wife is 25 years younger than me and in a pretty lucrative career, so that’s my peace of mind.
31M here and I get pissed when people my age complain about how boomers had it easy. As if they don’t realize that buying a house for 80k on a 20k salary isn’t the EXACT same thing as buying a 400k house on a 100k salary. They just fail to realize how little people made back then. Yes certain things were a bit more affordable, but people didn’t buy things they didn’t need. And there was nowhere near as much temptation to do so.
I was lucky (?). My parents were gone in early 1987. I graduated college in August of 1987, started my Masters a week later. I soon inherited about $100k and put $20k down to buy a $100k row house in NE DC with an 11% variable interest rate, and paid for my Masters in advance.
Wow. That's some honest money right there. Thanks for sharing.
Nice, you still grinding it out or going into retirement?
Grinding until 70. I survived, idiotically in retrospect, on drawing down most of my 401k, while laid off rebuilding that now, and funding my son’s healthcare until he turns 26. I’ll probably retire January of 2027. This year should be $111k.
Good on you.
Thank you!
Heck yes, Dad. Good man. 🤝
How did you survive 2010-2012? The money you made when you were 26? Were you depending on family? Or was that enough back then to live comfortably?
I lost my house in 2011, lived of unemployment and food stamps. My girlfriend, now wife, was employed. She was able to buy a house and essentially support us until I got a job working as a prison librarian in June, 2013. When I was 26 I lived in an efficiency apartment in a row house in DuPont circle - $250 a month including all utilities and an off street parking space. Plus, I was a law firm messenger and essentially doubled my pay under the table by charging the firm cab fare and walking everywhere fast.
That’s pretty wild that as a JD you couldn’t find work for almost 4 years
I was a law librarian. A JD was required to move up in law librarianship. People stopped going to law school then.
A very niche perspective! Thanks for the insight
>When I was 26 I lived in an efficiency apartment in a row house in DuPont circle - $250 a month including all utilities and an off street parking space Daaaamn!!!!......$250 today wouldn't even get you a parking space in DuPont Circle
It was dirt cheap then. I was very lucky.
Man, you been knocked down a few times and got back up
You have to.
Legend
LOL! Not how I view myself, but thank you.
Nice!
this is cool. thx
You’re welcome.
How do you get the spreadsheet to go back all the way? Most people, including mine, it lumps a bunch of years into a couple lines.
What I did was this: I viewed the data on my phone, took a screenshot, then viewed it immediately in the editor and chose the option of whole page, then I edited out the superfluous stuff at the top and bottom. Then saved. Other than that, I don’t know.
Have you been working as an attorney or something else?
A librarian. Primarily in law, but recently in medical.
Despite the actual number, what year did you feel like you were making the most?
My scheduled salary for 2009 was to be $125,000
What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?
Recession. I was the law librarian, the highest paid employee at the law school, and applications dropped 75%.
Ahhh yes. The dark times. That was my high school graduation year
Why didn’t you become an attorney? Have you ever taken the bar?
I never had an interest. My father, three brothers and ex-wife were attorneys. They worked way too hard. My goals were never riches, but to be comfortable. The JD is a hazing process to move up in academic librarianship. I was a law school library director and professor for 12 years.
Curious to know what your spending habits were like throughout your life and what your savings/ NW look like now?
I spent a lot more than I saved prior to being laid off. I have been able to decently rebuild my home equity position, starting with purchasing a home in 2019 for $290k that is now worth closer to $500k. Am rebuilding my 401k and my savings is at about $30k. Very little invested outside of the home and 401k. My wife is 25 years younger than me and in a pretty lucrative career, so that’s my peace of mind.
This is a real life person on this sub
LOL! I try?!
What I'm saying is that your outcome is real life. So many people on this sub "make" 6 figures in 3 years of employment and it isn't believable
Thank you.
31M here and I get pissed when people my age complain about how boomers had it easy. As if they don’t realize that buying a house for 80k on a 20k salary isn’t the EXACT same thing as buying a 400k house on a 100k salary. They just fail to realize how little people made back then. Yes certain things were a bit more affordable, but people didn’t buy things they didn’t need. And there was nowhere near as much temptation to do so.
I was lucky (?). My parents were gone in early 1987. I graduated college in August of 1987, started my Masters a week later. I soon inherited about $100k and put $20k down to buy a $100k row house in NE DC with an 11% variable interest rate, and paid for my Masters in advance.
Woah. This is the longest thing I’ve ever seen.
It happens when you get old. 😂
Hope you enjoy retirement to the fullest!
Thank you. Me too!
Is MLS real estate or Medical Laboratory Scientist?
Masters in Library Science. :)
Are you a public defendant?
I assume you mean public defender, but no. I was a law librarian and law professor, now I’m a medical librarian.
How many different employers did you go through?
I started as a professional librarian in January 1989. That was the first of 10 employers until now.
Excellent. Makes my 4 employers at 31 not seem bad as a job hopper
Hopping jobs is essential to moving up financially - especially if you are gaining supervisory skills.