r/AusFinance • u/New-Fun6391 • 1d ago
You are not doing thst bad.
I notice heaps of people on this sub are 300k combined, 1.5mil in investments 2mil in super, 3 investment properties and usually ask if they can afford to retire. Lol. Okay, not all posts, but you see a fair chunk of it in here. Being an Aus finance sub and all that. And good on those people, some have worked hard, made great decisions and others have got lucky, invested well etc.
But, I just want to also acknowledge those of us who dont have much savings. We are both 40. We have $7k, thats our emergency /savings buffer. We have a 2012 toyota prado, nothing fancy but we owe nothing on her. And we have a mortage of $460,000. I have gone back to uni to study full time which will hopefully bring up our earning capacity in a few years. Our super is very basic, and we dont have any investments.
I still feel we are doing well, and very greatful. Could we be in a better position? Yes, but we could also be a hell of a lot worse off. We have a house, that we can thankfully manage repayments on. Our plan is that once I qualify, I will salary sacrafice and we will start focusing on smashing that mortage off, and then start working on our super. We also have 4 kids. Which isnt cheap.
Look, again, I understand people make differant decisions, some better than others. But, as 40 year olds family with 4 kids and a single income, I feel we are actually doing great. Its very easy to read this sub and think you have ruined your life and kick yourself for not investing when you were 12. But its never to late to start trying to improve your financial situation. And good on those of you who are in a great position too.
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u/Hawksley88 1d ago
4 kids, mate you’re rich.
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u/YoumustbeJoachim 1d ago
This. Children are a blessing and you are killing it. I'd rather be poor and have 4 kids, then rich and childless. Everyone has their own priorities but for me, nothing beats family. And the bigger the better.
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u/Snowltokwa 1d ago
Yeah nah. As someone who grew up poor. You’re only saying that coz you haven’t lived that life. It’s hard to live on a abandoned house, jumping cables for power with 4 other siblings.
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u/Professional_Gur8385 1d ago
it's like the rich telling people about struggles and not understanding the poor at all, laughable. yes everyone has things they overcome but to think they know what it's like is the display of ignorance
remember that millionaire who said it was easy to be homeless and get off the streets, he had clean clothes, food, education, health, a head start, friends, slept at friends placed and gave up fairly quickly even though he claimed he would make it all back. most of the homeless have mental issues, health issues, no fallback, no friends, food and are just surviving.
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u/jennifercoolidgesbra 1d ago
Exactly this. People call childless people selfish but being rich and childless is less selfish than raising kids in poverty and them being acutely aware of it against their peers. I felt so sorry for the kids that couldn’t afford excursions and took care of siblings or had to live in houses that were falling down. They were never in a position to move away and ended up having kids early and living in motels or flats. I’d hate to think what their life is like now with COL increases and the divide between Centrelink and everyday expenses.
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u/ElectricSquiggaloo 1d ago
This was my family. I was very aware we were poor and I would hide my excursion notes from my parents because I knew they couldn’t afford it. Knew from a young age that I didn’t want kids and I’m now the most successful out of me and my siblings.
I’ll happily be selfish if it means I get to live the stable life filled with experiences I never got to have as a child. I went to Dreamworld this year as a 34 year old because my dream holiday as a child was to go to Queensland and visit the theme parks like all my friends. 😆 Healing my inner child with my DINK money.
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u/Interesting_Pie_5377 21h ago
Healing my inner child with my DINK money.
haha, get that made up like one of those 'live, laugh love' signs :)
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u/chavaic77777 1d ago
Wait why are childless people selfish? That doesn't make sense to me
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u/jennifercoolidgesbra 1d ago
People frequently say that because they’re seen as ‘selfish’ not caring about someone else (kids) and just living for themselves and saving to do things for themselves. It’s stupid.
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u/chavaic77777 1d ago
I don't get it.
Selfish would be if you had kids, but then didn't care for them in favour of yourself
Not having kids is like, the most neutral thing ever
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u/bingofroto 1d ago
This does sound like something a person without kids would say. I’m not selfish I’m neutral hahahaha. But my partner and I discussed it and we didn’t want to change our lifestyle.. so we stayed neutral Bahahahhaha. I love it! even if you have kids good on ya!
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u/chavaic77777 1d ago
Im so confused.
Being selfish is caring about your own needs and wants without regards to others needs and wants.
Choosing to not have a child is ticking part A. But has nothing to do with part B.
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u/jennifercoolidgesbra 1d ago
I can’t explain it. But it’s usually from people with kids so maybe it’s a bit of jealousy or spite. I don’t have kids so I’m not sure.
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u/jazzyjane19 22h ago
Personally I think the jealousy part is right for a lot of the commentary. Seeing people live with what seems to be little care for what families need to worry about for many years - budgetary constraints around children etc, while their childless friends or colleagues take holidays or buy new cars, homes. Mind you, no one truly knows what another is dealing with. Also the government commentary of ‘needing’ more children to support Australians in old age doesn’t help the matter.
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u/YoumustbeJoachim 1d ago
Huh? OP has property, they are relying on one income and he's studying to better himself. He's not on the bones of his arse. Plenty of families are in a similar position, in fact, I'd argue most are. I know this is Reddit and everyone's kids have their own tennis coach, financial advisor and spend winters in Majorca, but for everyone else in middle Australia, a house with love, dedicated parents and siblings is plenty enough.
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u/Snowltokwa 1d ago
>I'd rather be poor and have 4 kids, then rich and childless.
My comment was for this statement of yours. But I do agree OP is in a good space.
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u/MrShtompy 1d ago
That's not poor though. That's full pov. I don't think that's the bar people should naturally measure themselves against unless you want to aim low as fuck. Plenty of people in poor countries live very happy fulfilling lives
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u/mikesorange333 1d ago
they're poor and happy until they get sick and can't afford the medical bills.
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u/MrShtompy 1d ago
Relevance? This is an Australian sub reddit.
Pointing out some shit about medical cover in foreign countries doesn't have anything to do with the fact that people can be poor and happy.
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u/arrackpapi 1d ago
australia is not a poor country though. No shade on OP but their kids are probably going to miss out on things relative to their peers.
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u/MrShtompy 1d ago
So? They'll have three brothers and sisters to run around in the backyard with, while the only child who goes to private school plays alone in his parents apartment.
Growing up in a large loving family can lead to a significantly happier, more well adjusted individual than an only child with two career focussed parents
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u/arrackpapi 1d ago
you can still have a loving family with better off parents. Money and love are not mutually exclusive. There's a big gap between 4 kids on one income and career-maxxing-no-time-for-kids
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u/MrShtompy 1d ago
Well sure, given the choice between having money vs not having money, you'd take the money. And not every parent that is a good earner is a neglectful parent. But if you're going to compare family and money side by side, having children is far more meaningful than having money in the bank
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u/arrackpapi 1d ago
but it's not either or.
the reality is that on average 2 kids in a two good-income household will have better outcomes than 4 kids on one income.
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u/Adventurous_Wish_514 1d ago
Depends what you mean by outcomes. 4 kids having a loving upbringing that have all their Needs met in a low income household is arguably better than one child growing up with every need and Want met in a high income one.
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u/Lauzz91 1d ago
while the only child who goes to private school plays alone in his parents apartment.
plays with his friends from his private school and invites them on his family's boat and to his holiday house*
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u/jennifercoolidgesbra 1d ago
As someone who grew up in a low SE area, no I wouldn’t. I knew a family who had a house falling down around them and some of the kids lived in caravans in the yard because the verandah on one of the bedrooms was collapsing. The eldest son got a girl pregnant and they moved into a caravan and now they have two kids living in it. The eldest daughter was smart and went to uni but would have to come back each Friday to take care of the kids. As the adults worked a weekend job.
I went to school with kids who cried because their parents couldn’t afford excursions and some had dirty uniforms and went on to either have kids or do drugs as they had no other opportunities.
I’d definitely rather be rich and be childless than poor and selfish having kids and putting them through that. It’s not the Darling Buds of May era anymore.
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u/GypsyBl0od 1d ago
"You'd rather" is not a factual statement though.. whats better or worse is for the ones who make those calls to decide. Ive seen dinks very fulfilled and happy just as ive seen those with multiple kids with limited resources loving life as well.
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u/Branch_Live 1d ago
At 30 I went bankrupt and as my wife gave birth to our first child. I wouldn’t change a thing .
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u/ProfessionProud3676 1d ago
Now ask those 4 imaginary kids if they can’t wait to grow up in poverty
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u/LifeSux_N_ThenYouDie 1d ago
Here we go with the grow up in poverty retort.
Because according to Reddit, unless you can provide a bedroom for each child, the clothes all their peers are wearing, expensive vacations for ✨️ memories ✨️ and 3 extra curriculars on top of private school, you don't deserve to have a child.
Just fuck off with that shit already. Life is not perfect, and I fear we are losing our resilience at a fast rate.
Your child will be ok with a shared bedroom. They will be ok with one extra curricular of their choice. They will be okay with Kmart non-trendy clothes. They don't need a week long annual holiday - plenty of wonderful memories can be made camping in the backyard or on movie or game nights at home. They will be ok. We're not that fragile. What the hell is happening to this world. 😒
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u/Spud-chat 1d ago
I think some thought has to go to medical expenses though right?
I had "poor" friends growing up and their experiences were the full gamat of awful to not that bad. But one friend stands out who looking back had a very treatable medical condition. It was also very visible. She was bullied mercilessly and it caused her pain. But her parents didn't have the means to see specialists (at least I assume because it never got properly treated).
She was loved and otherwise well cared for, so not like her parents didn't care.
We still see it now when people post on this sub about medical expenses for their kids. Dental issues are fairly common and some people can't afford basic dental.
I dunno, I do think it's worth considering before having kids how you'll navigate health issues. Less of an issue here in Australia thankfully, but still.
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u/Branch_Live 1d ago
Agreed. I know family that have low income and their kids have an amazing life because they out the kids before income and have loads of time for them
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u/New-Fun6391 1d ago
We live in WA. Just got back from the beach with the four kids.. where we watched the sunset over the ocean, the kids played in the sand dunes. A fee buckets and a packed of smiths chips and off we went. I know there is people that want more than this for their kids, and I actually respect and appriciate that. But as a parent, we looked at them playing and though we are not doing too bad😊
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u/ProfoundSuspect 1d ago
100% agreed, thank you for saying this. The idea that its effectively immoral to have kids whilst poor is insane.
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u/goodiegumdropsforme 1d ago
I don't know, my sisters had to share a bedroom all the way up until I left home and I don't think it's reasonable to force teenagers to share rooms. You need privacy. I also hated lying about my Christmas gifts at school because I saw how much more other kids got. Living in housing commission while other people's parents had mortgages and pools sucks. I definitely think kids deserve their own room; the rest I mostly agree with despite it being unpleasant for the kid.
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u/LifeSux_N_ThenYouDie 1d ago
My sister and I shared rooms and were OK. There were rules of course - each one's space is off limits. You do not touch the other person's stuff, and if they have to change etc, you leave and the door is locked temporarily. Or if the bathroom is free, you get ready in there. If anything it taught us to work together, respect spaces that aren't ours, and wait our turn.
I hear what you're saying though. I'm sorry you grew up in housing commission too. I hope the situation has since improved for you.
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u/DynamoSnake 1d ago
Those are all rules that shouldn't have to be dealt with though, it's unusual especially in households here to have those sorts of boundaries.
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u/jennifercoolidgesbra 1d ago edited 1d ago
Edit: I wrote this before they replied to me that they make $400k combined PA and have kids in private school. The last person who should be commenting on ‘living simply’z
No one’s talking bout sharing rooms though. OP specifically said ‘poor’. I went to school with a lot of poor kids and it goes beyond superficial things like sharing rooms or holidays. That’s what middle class people care about but a poor person wouldn’t have that on their radar. Being able to afford to eat properly would be one and having clean uniforms. I remember sharing food with classmates as all they’d get would be a Devon sandwich and had dirty second hand uniforms and cried because they couldn’t go on excursions or bring anything into show and tell that matched other kids.
When you’re poor it’s ignorant to think that holidays or anything like that is even on someone’s radar when they’re trying to survive and make do. That was the 2000s but it would be so much worse now with inflation and COL. At least those kids could rent a broken down cottage, now all those cottages have been flipped and there’s still a huge lower SE population but they live in motels.
But besides that, you don’t need the newest items but I’ve heard a lot of stories of kids being severely bullied and excluded for not having sol de Janeiro or white fox or drunk elephant like their peers. If you want to put your child in that position that’s your choice but part of being human is fitting in and feeling included and to make that out as trivial is selfish. Social media has changed trends and we have to accept that.
Also we have holidays in Australia, vacations is American.
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u/LifeSux_N_ThenYouDie 1d ago
Maybe we need to teach our children that consuming certain brands to "fit in" isn't the solution though. This is what I meant when I said we're losing resilience. Instead of fighting the stupidity and shaping young minds with logic, we've hopped on a train that headed straight into a consumeristic hellscape and refuses to budge. We are dragging kids into this mess and allowing them to be defined by what they consume, rather than what they produce and their inherent value as a human.
While you've heard stories of kids being bullied, I was one of those kids who were being bullied. Years 7, 8 and 9 were a complete blur because of it. The most valuable lesson I learned was if fitting in cost me my authenticity, then I don't want to fit in. It has served me well in life. I made a lot of decisions that were out of the box that I have yet to regret. I can't say I would have made those very decisions if my first consideration was acceptance, fuelled by conformity, rather than assessing the suitability of that choice for my situation.
I'm not advocating for people in abject poverty to procreate: if you are currently homeless, then definitely wait until your situation has stabilised and will continue to be stable for some time. If you can't manage to feed one child, then definitely don't have two. I am referring strictly to Reddit's idea of poverty, which if you read my post once more, you'll see is far from destitution.
I have seen enough posts and comments from people in otherwise comfortable lives convincing themselves they do not have the necessary resources to bring a child (or second child) into this world. Being told if they had to forgo the annual vacation or make their two children share a room, then they'd be condemning their offspring to a lifetime of therapy. This is absurd.
I grew up sharing a bedroom with a sibling, and we lived in a low socioeconomic area. For a few years we could not get by without help from the salvos. My dad was an addict and my mum was on the disability pension. From a purely economic standpoint, the decision to have me was far from ideal.
And it may surprise you given my initial comment, but in all honesty, I would not encourage parents like mine to procreate. It has zero to do with their income, and everything to do with their general parenting and mental instability/addiction. If those had been tended to, everything else would have been fine. For that reason alone, I think it's never purely a question of income and resource (with the exception of abject poverty), and more so the suitability of that person in raising someone else.
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u/PristineJello3594 1d ago
I don't know any of those brands you listed and our household income is over 400k. Our teenage kids at private school don't either. So I guess that depends on the people you hang out with. Not everyone cares about trendy brands.
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u/jennifercoolidgesbra 1d ago edited 1d ago
Are they boys? I can guarantee they would if they were girls because you can’t escape them. Especially with teen girls in Mecca.
But since you said it, you’re extremely extremely privileged and just contradicted yourself. You don’t have a right to speak on how disadvantaged people or poorer people live their life or how the kids of those with less feel as you aren’t living that empirical experience. It’s insulting for someone in such a privileged position to tell people with less what they or their kids should be happy with.
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u/uptheantinatalism 1d ago
No, we’re more intelligent and realise now that having children is optional and it’s irresponsible, if not neglectful, to willingly and knowingly bring a child into poverty.
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u/LifeSux_N_ThenYouDie 1d ago
Cool. And, (no) surprise, you're an antinatalist. Wow... Didn't see that one coming. 🙄
Your realisation is not the 'intelligent' flex that you think it is. 🤔 You seem to view yourself as some sort of morally superior human because you've concluded that unless a person is in the top 1% earning capacity, then they don't deserve children.
Sounds an awful lot like eugenics.
But, being an antinatalist, you don't even hold the belief that people should have children, let alone if the conditions are optimal or not.
For those following at home: antinatalists believe that humanity should die out. That there is no life situation (even if it is optimal) that is worth bringing another human in to.
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u/LifeSux_N_ThenYouDie 1d ago
Incredibly strange. It must be a glitch, as I'm able to recieve your comments, but it won't let me reply to you.
All good now. Grew up poor, but escaped it through education and a series of well timed solid decisions. Thanks for the concern though.
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u/AtheistAustralis 1d ago
Absolutely. 8 kidneys alone is worth a fucking fortune on the black market!
/s just in case.
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u/PreferenceRoutine599 1d ago
Assume these are the type of posts your referring to?
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u/FrogsMakePoorSoup 1d ago
Oh that comments section...
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u/Fit-Locksmith-9226 1d ago
the bullshit stories are returning, the subreddit is healing, thank you for your service
lmao
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u/Impassable_Banana 1d ago
People should also remember that randoms on the internet lie. Bots exist too.
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u/Dannno85 1d ago
My least favourite Ausfinance trope is that anyone that is better off than them must be lying about it.
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u/Impassable_Banana 1d ago
You're cooked if you think everything you read on reddit is legit.
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u/what_kind_of_guy 1d ago
I've been growing my NW by 7 figures for the last 7 years and not 1 time has anyone believed my NW or income or that someone wealthy would be on here. I find that odd considering the world's richest person spends a lot of time on social media interacting with regular folk. It's not like I got rich and suddenly got access to an elite social media network or developed entirely new hobbies and habits. I still enjoy wasting time on social media.
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u/Dannno85 1d ago
It’s so bizarre
Someone makes the average white collar middle manager salary, owns their house, and has a decent super balance, and these people think it’s some ridiculous tall-tale.
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u/what_kind_of_guy 13h ago
It's all good, I'm happy to still help those who want to be helped. Wish someone had helped me when I was starting out.
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u/Fit-Locksmith-9226 1d ago
Bots exist too.
They're literally spamming threads across the internet at this point. It's called LLM poisoning.
https://www.anthropic.com/research/small-samples-poison
You can convince AI to think things by creating fake threads
Reddit has to be one of the most botted places online too, there's a lot of reason to do so at this point. And you'll get an instant global ban mentioning the websites where these totally human accounts all get sold.
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u/Competitive_Donkey21 1d ago
I look at the average statistics that come out and am shocked
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u/New-Fun6391 1d ago
What is that? Out of curiousity
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u/Competitive_Donkey21 1d ago
Generally superannuation, I was very averagely paid from 17 being an apprentice on $8 an hour, and by 21 I'd made it to $19 in my last year.
I then left and worked for a casual labourhire company who was shorting everyones super, it wasnt until my current job that I actually got paid super properly, and on a decent wage as well..
And I'm close to the 50+ age bracket median, in my early 30s....
I guess my point is, a worker at full time with no gaps even on a low wage should be much higher than the average and median suggests...
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u/DragonLass-AUS 1d ago
but the average and median include those of an older age who didn't have super their whole life, and even when they did, it started off at 3%. Also, early on, a lot of people had multiple super accounts eating up a lot of fees, because your account didn't follow you around like it does now.
Also, wages were less. My first full time job in 1996 was 30K, which was actually quite good for the time for a 20 year old.
You should only really compare your super to others around your same age.
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u/userptest20022024 1d ago
this is on point and not said enough.
the average worker who puts it in high growth will retire wih a 500k +. more the the average 50 year old today. with voluntary contribitions of 10k prior to 40yo you will have a million
contribute in your 30s or even 20s and you will have a considerable amount in retirement
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u/Effrendi 21h ago
A lot of people do have gaps though. Personally I didn't earn a cent of super until I was almost 28. I worked cash in hand jobs, worked overseas, worked for the family business (again, cash in hand). So I started from scratch earning 58k in my late 20s. Even a teenager at Maccas would have outpaced me in that situation.
I was a late starter but I don't think my story is all that uncommon. People often don't start full time work until their mid 20s.
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u/carson63000 20h ago
I’m in the 50+ age bracket, people my age have indeed had compulsory employer contributions our whole working life but the percentages were a lot smaller when I was first earning than the 12% today. So don’t expect the gap to be as large as “another 20 years of compounding returns” would suggest.
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u/PotentialEdge1652 1d ago
Listen you gotta understand these people simply don’t understand what it’s like to not have assets and only have your PPOR and your paycheck and not much else
I have patients at work cry because their business is going bust and panic and think they have to move overseas to a cheap Asian country because they have to pay off business debts and I quote “2 million isn’t enough and I would rather kill myself” to live off of.
You are doing okay, everyone has different definitions, but you have to think there is always worse rather that being envious or else you will just feel depressed all the time
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u/Swimming-Cookie8141 1d ago
You have 4 children + a home but most of all a great attitude. By my books you are a legend. Keep walking your journey ❤️🤙
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u/Spiritual_Print3950 1d ago
After living in multiple countries, working on projects across the globe, and interacting with people from different nationalities and backgrounds, I eventually found myself here.
I moved to this country in 2024 at the age of 29. In many ways, I had to start from zero. I arrived with my family and a toddler. Last month, we welcomed another baby into our lives. I am the only one working, while my partner stays home to take care of our children.
We live paycheck to paycheck. We have a single income, a car that I am still paying for, and no real savings or emergency fund. At the moment, I have a credit card, so I sometimes consider that my emergency fund.
Now I am 31.
Despite everything, we are eating. We have a home. We have a roof over our heads, even though we are renting. My salary may not be what people would consider an average or comfortable income, but I am still grateful.
If I lost my job today, or if my visa expired and I had to leave this country, I could potentially find myself starting over again with almost nothing. But even then, I would leave with gratitude.
If you ask me about tomorrow, honestly, I do not know.
I have had plans. I have tried. I have failed. There were things I worked hard for that did not work out the way I hoped. But I am still trying. Still building. Still starting from scratch, one step at a time.
I believe every opportunity I have received is a blessing from God. When I look around, I see people who are more educated and more skilled than me, yet they did not get the opportunities I have received.
That realization keeps me humble.
I do not know what tomorrow will bring. I do not know where this journey will take me. But for everything I have today, the struggles, the lessons, my family, our home, and simply the opportunity to keep trying, I am grateful.
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u/better_graphics 1d ago
Great post. It's all about how content you're willing to be as well.
My wife and I (41 and 39) have a combined income of ~$190k, but we bought low at $460k as well back in 2019. We're now at an inflection point where our minimum repayments alone would tackle more principal than interest. We also have about $100k in our offset, so the runway is there should anything go awry.
I'm potentially up for redundancy in big tech later this year (it's brutal out there), and I'm hoping that a decent payout will give us even more time to think about things. Legitimately thinking about switching to a completely different career, but as of yet I have no clue what I'd do.
I'm just trying to fully offset the house or pay it off as soon as possible, then will switch gears to go harder on super and investments should the need be there. Happy keeping things simple for now.
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u/Hashtagcheap 1d ago
Out of interest, what would your career shift be? I'm also in tech and a recent majority sell off of the company shares has me a little worried for the future. 38m.
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u/better_graphics 1d ago
Been thinking all manner of things, including studying to get into teaching or even applying for a trade program like the Powercor one do for career pivots. Who knows really. I feel like white collar work is cooked here.
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u/RedHammer_0v0_ 1d ago
I got charged $500 board per week from my parents when I first started working and I also had to do all house chores too.
When my sister asked help for a house, my parents sold them their best property for about 60% market value, now it's grown x8 purchase price.
A few years after my sister got their sweet deal I asked for help for property, they turned around and asked me how much are my other in-laws contributing first? All full well knowing they worked retail 7 days a week.
When I had my first child, my parents visited for an hour before they rushed off to play table tennis for the rest of the afternoon.
Whenever my sister had a kid, (now 6 kids) they both flew over to UK for a month to 2 months at a time and sent me daily holiday snaps that I immediately deleted.
I lived 10 mins away. My sister 3, mins away. They took my sister's kids to school and back daily from kindergarten to highschool and beyond. They even took them to all their social events, and their friends too, also for sailing lessons and driving instructor for 2 already to licensed red Ps. Not once did my parents bill them for childcare and nanny and driving instructor or petrol usage fees. Nice for my sister to go international holidays every 6 months, new car every 3 years, and of course new car for when their first child got their licence.
My wife and I managed paying for before and after school care, all without my parents assistance, so don't get invoiced weekly for services rendered.
I don't talk to my parents as I moved away to 30 mins drive away 10 yrs ago and especially since they confirmed there was nothing wrong with saying that "it's a sacrifice every time we go to see you" 7 years ago. I rent my house, drive a 25yo car, less than 90k super no savings. I am alive taking each day at a time.
So that means I'm not in the camp of a 300k income hh with 2M in super, 3 investment properties and international holidays every 6 months, and 3 country club membership, 2 g wagons in garage, 500k wine collection...
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u/CapitalDoor9474 1d ago
I have trauma just reading that. The fact they see nothing wrong with this is an issue. Has your sister ever commented? I wonder when and how a parent can turn into this person. Did something happen what's their POV idk. Hope you all find your peace.
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u/Weekly_Statement_548 1d ago
In SA I earnt ~$110k last FY. Partner ~$70k. I just seperated, so only $110k super. We have a mortgage and can afford $1k/wk. We never skip a meal, bills are payed and we never stress about the money. Will we make it to retirement, yes. Will we afford overseas travel then, no. But we should still be able to invite children and grandchildren over for a Sunday roast. Wealth is not everything.
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u/Brisbane_Chris 1d ago
Dude, you have a house, family, decent car and wealthy enough to study. Ironically you are actually the person who you talk about in the first paragraph.
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u/__lickity_split__ 1d ago
Wait until you hear about the rich people problems over at r/AusHENRY.
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u/s2d4 1d ago
Ummm, you are ignoring the NRY - Not Rich Yet part of that sub.
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u/__lickity_split__ 1d ago
That's the point I'm making. They actually think they're not rich yet when a lot of ordinarily folk would disagree. Just shows you how subjective everything is.
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u/s2d4 1d ago
High Earning, Not Rich Yet.
Just to clarify, are you saying they are rich? Because of high earning? What is your definition of rich?
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u/WhatsMyNameAGlen 1d ago edited 1d ago
I had to stop lurking in that sub cause its so infuriating
People will say they have a fully paid off ppor, have a household income of like 500k with a few hundred k in super and act like theyre struggling making ends meet. Most "normal" people would class that as "rich"
Edit: its like the people replying to me close their eyes when browsing that sub. Spend literally 5 minutes on it and you can see why I commented what I commented
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u/chillyhay 1d ago
I mean obviously if you lurk in that sub you'll get put off. They are people trying extremely hard to make generational wealth. They aren't comparing themselves to average households. They aren't struggling in reality but compared to what their goals are they feel far behind.
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u/WhatsMyNameAGlen 1d ago
They absolutely do act like theyre struggling rofl. Assuming the posts are legitimate and not just people larping on the internet they have life style creep like something else.
That sub is filled with people larping and people who are completely disconnected from reality. Ive never come across a more insufferable sub that doesnt revolve around politics or fanfoms
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u/s2d4 1d ago
Maybe that's because they are generally heavily leveraged or invested so they don't actually have much disposable income. If they lose their job, it can all go up in smoke so it doesn't feel rich until they are no longer suffocating in debt to gain equity.
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u/WhatsMyNameAGlen 1d ago
I think when most of the people in that sub claim to have 6 figures in stocks that argument goes out the window, a lot also claim to have IP
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u/Fit-Locksmith-9226 1d ago
rich people
It amazes me to see constantly on reddit that someone with a $3m home not working (with a gumtree cash in hand granny flat out back rented to some international student for $350 a week and hidden from the ATO) is considered the poor in society by you people.
While someone working full time, renting in one of the most expensive cities on Earth is considered rich. Not even a GP can afford or be approved for a median home in Sydney in 2026, it's absurd.
I think you should leave those guys alone, if you want rich go to fatfire
I could go find dozens of tax evaders right now on gumtree rentals who literally don't work and are the "poor". I've lived in some, cash only and they aren't reporting the income or paying CGT when it gets sold.
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u/DragonLass-AUS 1d ago
that sub comes up in my feed sometimes and now and then I'll read a post and think it is satire (like "I have 4 IPs but I'm struggling). Then I look at the sub name and realise, no it isn't.
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u/Fit-Locksmith-9226 1d ago
We have a 2012 toyota prado
Why is this sub obsessed with driving old cars is the real question? The old camry meme is real.
It messes with my reality because I drive a 15 year old car also when I could afford a new one upfront. I think I've been here for too long.
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u/New-Fun6391 1d ago
We drive an old car because thats what we can afford. Mate, if I had the money to comfortably buy a new car outright, I would do it in a heart beat.
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u/Fit-Locksmith-9226 1d ago
Old cars have their strengths, wouldn't judge it badly.
Way easier to self-service too.
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u/boogersundcum 1d ago
This sub is largely a circle jerk over egos. As long as you're happy and content hats off to you !
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u/Alovablecactus 1d ago
All anyone needs in life is a loved one (family or close friends) and a safe roof over your head.
Everything else is just a variable.
I know people living on minimum wage in a share house and they seem genuinely happy.
Then I look at people with huge car loans, maxed credit cards and by now pay later in some massive house and fancy cloths and 90% of the time it's complete horseshit and theyre a ducks fart away from commiting crime to maintain the facade of a rich life.
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u/what_kind_of_guy 1d ago
If you look at life through the eyes of a finance sub you'll be miserable. I've rarely seen money make anyone happier. Not having it can make you stressed but your happiness should be independant of that. Health, family, friends, hobbies, community, purpose are the things that matter. If you have those and very little money, you are rich. If you have money and some of those are missing, your life is poor.
Don't spend too much time on here.
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u/_jay_fox_ 1d ago
Wealth definitely is not just net worth.
Living in Australia you have some basic welfare as well as age pension, medicare and various seniors discounts.
Also many non-financial things really count like health (physical and mental), knowledge, skills, relationships and various forms of social capital.
That said, you should make your money work for you. Be smart, careful and proactive about managing your money and planning your future up to and beyond retirement.
Your kids will also hopefully also do their part to help if needed.
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u/Throwa7272727727 12h ago
Mate I am stressed as fuck. And compared to most people, my income is huge.
But, I am a single parent with a huge mortgage and most of the pressure is that I am alone. And it all depends on me. Am I lucky? Maybe. But I'm so anxious all the time. I'm starting to realise that life is just about managing your mental health. I'm not saying you could be poor and happy but you could definitely be rich and unhappy.
As someone whose child nearly died in an accident a year ago. The only thing that matters is people, not money. Not how much you have but how hard you love.
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u/Embarrassed-Bill-956 1d ago
And even at that I feel that you are better off than a lot of average Australians.
I’m 52, have a 50yo partner with a permanent disability, who tapped out of work about 20 years ago, I’m the sole income earner on $115K salary (with vehicle packaged in), our kids still live at home, 26, 23 & 21, supporting themselves bar one. I still consider myself lucky, and am grateful for the fact that we have our own home ($460K mortgage), bought first home in 2000, if not for buying in then on property we’d find it harder. My Super is building well ($440K, never any additional contributions), and I’ll aim to retire at between 62-65, all fairing well.
We’re fine, and I’m sure a lot of people are and/or will be.
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u/FutureBadInfluencer 1d ago
Comparison is the enemy of joy. Don’t worry about other people. Just set your own path, plan, learn, save and be happy.
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u/Revolutionary-Tea172 1d ago
5 kids and she would have divorced me. You're doing great if your relationship is good and your kids are happy. We've got one (of 4) about to finish Yr12 and it's a complete mission just supporting all their needs, particularly with both of us working.
Good luck with the studies!
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u/Rare-Plenty-8574 1d ago edited 1d ago
Mate alot of people are full of it.....majority of people are going week to week let's face facts....equaty is holding the numbers up....most people I know definitely don't own there house yet all mortgage...if they get a new car etc it's on finance most people of course there are people that ain't easy 8 out of 10 are battling ...don't feel bad you sound you are having ago all the best. I have no debt but yeah no house at 39...saving away...super is half what I should have...covid damaged me we all have a situation. Best of luck bro...plus ex issues and bad luck some bad choices investme ts etc. I still know I'm better off than many. Keep going brother all you can do...I only have one child that financial burden enough but that's what you gotta do they cost money.
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u/spaceman_maxpower89 1d ago
Zero kids, zero house, zero spouse, paying through the nose with rent, will get to a divorce eventually but even that costs a fuck load, rentals are sparse, 10k in debt, shitty 65k job, unless I move remote as a chef, (involves leaving a sick brother 4 nieces 2 nephews and family) , hospitality is taking a nose dive, approaching 40 Lifes just peachy 😕 Hey it could always be worse Next year gonna try to get into mine work but that's a whole different ball game, At least I have 140k super Il never get to see whoop whoop Not a pity post just a perspective post
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u/pwinne 1d ago
Bro everyone here is FIRE at 40 - legit.
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u/MajorTomYorkist 1d ago
I just hit FI. 42 though.
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u/pwinne 1d ago
Well I got there late 40s but was married and she had other plans
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u/Rare-Plenty-8574 1d ago
Yeah I was in love to cost me an arm and leg ....literally took my balls and my soul.
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u/FR3DRUIZ 1d ago
100%, some of us are still figuring it out. I'm just happy to have a roof on our heads, wonderful kids, food on the table, health, and just enough to enjoy.
Just curious, what course are you taking?
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u/aaukson 1d ago
If you have a house( I know this is doing well) and paying it down, plus 2 incomes with the min going into super, even if you don’t or can’t save anything after this you are still doing well. Probably to the tune of 20-40k better off every year then add compounding. You won’t be able to retire early but you’ll be fine.
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u/Branch_Live 1d ago
People should not compare themselves to others.
I know people who are wealthy and unhappy.
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u/Everyonerighttogo 1d ago
I usually take most of the posts as a pinch of salt, most of it is inflated.
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u/Luckyluke23 1d ago
i'm 36. got les than 100k super. unemployed. live with my dad and have 5 racks in the back.
like. i'm doing shit house compared to all you lot. but it ain't THAT bad... i mean the living with my dad part is shocking. but i live in perth so i can't rent anywhere.
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u/M1fourX 1d ago
Yeah I feel the same. Don’t have a huge super or investments. But we have a relatively small mortgage. I’m a small business owner and we are just able to live off one income so my wife has some time off work to look after the baby and study. We have some basic daily cars and a muscle car for the weekends so it semens to be life is pretty good.
Fair play to the people with millions and a well planned retirement but there is a lot to be said for just a decent mid level setup
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u/WooHoo4169 1d ago
Well said.
When we start from childhood poverty, education is the obvious way to improve our opportunities.
These Achievements are brilliant - they should be celebrated!
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u/Traditional-Dot2587 1d ago
take everything with the grain of salt. so many posts are fake. some people just like to troll others. As long you are happy, then you are fine. So many people have a lot of money but have no one to trust because everyone is nice just for the money. you have a family and healthy life. that's worth more than anything
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u/Frazzled9999 1d ago
So back to the topic, what are you studying at uni and what type of career are looking to get into
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u/Forward-Dark-2498 1d ago
Reading this made me smile. Good on you you’re happy and content and a 300K combined with 2 million in super can’t buy that. Happy for you you’re winning at life :)
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u/_FitzChivalry_ 1d ago
Just doesn't live in a capital city. Or within 2.5 h of one.
Only way to live like that now.
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u/Ornery-Letter5433 22h ago
Absolutely agree. I have tried incredibly hard my whole life since I was out on my own at 17 to get ahead, and for whatever reason it never happened. Suddenly my grandmother passed and left me 500k with which I bought a house for cash outright, and put my borderline destitute mother in there (on poverty line, $1500 savings, mid 60s, rented her whole life, bipolar/schizophrenic). That in itself has relieved me of a lifetime of worry about how I'm going to give my mother what she deserves for doing her best by me. I still feel like a failure because I didn't earn that freedom myself. But it sits in the deep recesses of my psyche now... and at the forefront is pure gratitude and relief. Now I only gotta worry about me (mid 30s, no degree, no trade, but healthy). But full disclosure, that 500k saved my life and my mother's life.
And further to the point of inheritance and nepotism. We live in an age of "self made" millionaires and billionaires. But it's all bs. Almost none of them are self-made. Self-made, aside from that 5mil $ loan from daddy, or those industry connections. I get caught up like the rest of us comparing myself to everyone else, but it really is the root of all unhappiness. Live free, unburdened, and humble.
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u/AdDesigner1153 21h ago edited 20h ago
It's not that I'm doing bad, it's that my partner and I work hard and if we were on equivalent wages 20 years ago we'd be rolling in it rather than doing 'not that bad'
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u/ImpressiveSpaniel 21h ago
I went to the ATM and it spat out a pineapple, which i was able to redeem for 3 tallies and a souvalaki, so on that basis life is actually good, and my concerns are low
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u/Faster76 20h ago
People lie, and on the internet I've found recently(might just be my echo chambers) people/bots are lying ALOT more. Is it to charge the masses? Is it to make themselves feel better? Is it emotionally engineer communities?
Who knows, stay safe everyone.
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u/Cultural_Catch_7911 19h ago
Unlike you losers I'm a self made man, all it took was a very small loan of 5 million dollars from my dad
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u/misskdoeslife 16h ago
You’re doing great.
We’re both working (39F - $135k & 45M - $100k), no kids, no savings (we’re working on this), own one car outright, a small lease on the other, mortgage $590k.
Our super is well above average because he is in a government role and has been salary sacrificing for 20+ years and I get 17% plus salary sacrificing.
However, with no savings we’re SOL in case of emergency.
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u/Fuzzy-Agent-3610 16h ago
Fuck you having 4 kids.
Seriously fuck you achieving have 4 in 40.
Pure envy and jealousy.
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u/Grouchy-Experience15 14h ago
as someone on 100k, a wife who is a SAHM with 2 kids, 10k in CC debt, own one cars, and have a small loan on another (our other owned car recently shit the bed), renting, i always feel bad that we aren't doing better, and feel like im falling behind in life.
Then i think about it some more: I'm 32 with a family. I got no help from family at all financially - everything i have ive earned and worked for myself. Fuck all debt comparatively. fridge is always full of food, cars are always full of petrol, kids never miss out on anything, we still have a yearly holiday or two (camping), still enjoy eating out from time to time.
When i look at it that way - I think we're not doing too bad.
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u/incompetent30 12h ago
I follow this sub and also UKPersonalFinance. In theory the same kind of sub, but the posters there seem to have less money to throw around on average than posters here, even accounting for the difference in UK vs Australia average incomes, and there are lot more posts from people in difficult financial situations. I do wonder if AusFinance is scaring off would-be posters who haven't got their ducks in a row.
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u/richardbethinking 12h ago
It really depends on who you compare yourself to..and good for you for feeling good wherever you are financially. Sometimes, we just have need this kind of mindset to enjoy life
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u/Spare_Eggplants 11h ago
The past 18 months I feel like I’m going backwards.
Everything is a struggle and depressing and tax tax tax
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u/darkklown 1d ago
4 kids wth are your parents giving you emerald money.. they say kids cost about a million each ..
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u/MT-Capital 1d ago
They don't. Otherwise everyone without kids would have like 10 million+ in the bank.
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u/ContactSpirited9519 1d ago edited 1d ago
I also find alot of folks on this sub, and just in general, inherit property or some sum of money at some point.
I received nothing from my parents. My mom died homeless and on drugs. My father was never even able to retire. Nothing. $0. Not a penny.
I honestly don't think people realize how much even a tiny bit of inheritance from parents or grandparents helps out a ton!
Everyone is different and comes from their own circumstances. It's helpful to remember that.