Estimate of taxes & withholdings is way too low. Maybe some states have such a low tax rate, but most places do not. In addition, withholdings are usually much higher.
There are tons of expenses not itemized that you can assume most people will have. Phone, internet, utilities, renters insurance, health insurance, car payments, gas, car insurance, parking, transit tickets, bank account, etc.
Also doesn’t account for an emergency fund, savings of any kind or anything other than hand to mouth.
Then there’s stuff you need to keep your job & apartment. Cleaning supplies, soap, deodorant, shampoo, laundry soap, dryer sheets, garbage/recycling/compost bags, clothes, shoes, haircuts etc.
God forbid you have any sort of uncovered medical expenses. Birth control, OTC drugs of any kind, glasses/contacts, supplements for some kind of nutrient deficiency, dispensing fees for prescription drugs, etc.
Why do people insist on dragging each other down like this, like some billionaire is going to be impressed with how long they were able to live off a sack of rice and beans.
This isn’t about dragging each other down. Those are genuinely the costs of living for me (central Europe). 15% is the tax rate, the only time I payed more than 400 bucks for groceries in a month was when me and my gf together bought take out every day because we were in the process of moving among other things, and there’s no way in hell our internet/electricity/water/gass bills could put a major dent into 878 bucks. That shit is like 150, where we often pay reserves, so a small chunk of that will come back.
America is fucking expensive if that’s true, like holy shit, good luck to you all. It’s easy to forget that in America you’re forced to buy a car and pay for healthcare (here, health care is part of the 15% tax btw). Here you can just buy a YEARLY public transit ticket for around 150 (more for nationwide, but whatever) and just rent a small van when you really need a car. Altho I ear a little less than OP and still manage to squeeze in a small cheap car. And with my gf doubling our income we can even afford a bit larger flat. I’d argue I’m quite spoiled and not using my money effectively and still manage fine.
It’s not even slightly correct.
Why do people insist on dragging each other down like this, like some billionaire is going to be impressed with how long they were able to live off a sack of rice and beans.
It costs nothing to support each other.
This isn’t about dragging each other down. Those are genuinely the costs of living for me (central Europe). 15% is the tax rate, the only time I payed more than 400 bucks for groceries in a month was when me and my gf together bought take out every day because we were in the process of moving among other things, and there’s no way in hell our internet/electricity/water/gass bills could put a major dent into 878 bucks. That shit is like 150, where we often pay reserves, so a small chunk of that will come back.
America is fucking expensive if that’s true, like holy shit, good luck to you all. It’s easy to forget that in America you’re forced to buy a car and pay for healthcare (here, health care is part of the 15% tax btw). Here you can just buy a YEARLY public transit ticket for around 150 (more for nationwide, but whatever) and just rent a small van when you really need a car. Altho I ear a little less than OP and still manage to squeeze in a small cheap car. And with my gf doubling our income we can even afford a bit larger flat. I’d argue I’m quite spoiled and not using my money effectively and still manage fine.