Average House hold income (Page 3)

I think people get too depressed when they don't make what others make. If my wife didn't stay home we would probably reach 100K combined. I constantly have to walk a thin line convincing my wife that we are not poor, but still keeping her thrifty.

It's about priorities. We don't have cable, but I set aside $700/year for tris. We clip coupons, but we bought great seats for Phantom of the Opera because she really wanted to go. We live in a smallish (by today's standards) house in need of work, but we take some kind of vacation every year.

We are happier now with less money and more mouths to feed.

I guess I'm in the minority that I don't care if you strangers know my salary, but I do not let my IRL friends, family or colleagues know.  It would cause jealousy in my family and I've only ever known it to cause strife at work.   Of course I've always worked in private industry where salaries were not regulated or published.  I would LOVE to know the salaries of my friends in the same profession, as a way to better prepare for future job interviews, though.

My husband and I are dinks and have pretty good job and seems to me like we have a bunch of money, although I am sure we're just in the middle.  We also live in a middlish expensive place (Minneapolis area).  Median home price was a bit over 200K for a while, although that's dropped.  I always laugh watching House Hunters in places like Atlanta.  I tell my husband we can live in a mansion there, for the same price as our very modest 50s ranch.

And by the way, scuba is cheap compared to triathlon.  I got into scuba first and was so mad about the prices of regulators and other equipment.  Then I turn around and enter a sport where my first beginner bike purchase was twice the cost of a regulator.  Oh well.    SCUBA trips are def more expensive (for me and husband), but the training and gear are a cinch. I expect to be using the same stuff for at least a decade.

In my opinion, an "Income" discussion is moot. Income is so relative and so many contributing factors play a part in your ability to support any given lifestyle.  I know plenty of people who make <$50K who have 5X the disposable inome of others making >$250K.  Geography, family, household finances (mortgage, loans, rent), taxes (property/income and otherwise).  Consider these factors...

Texas residents do not pay state income taxes
North Carolina residents enjoy some of the lowest property taxes in the country
An individual living in NJ, but work s in NYC has to pay income taxes on both sides of the fence, while dealing with the nations highest property tax rate.
A modest 1800 sqft home in Arkansas can cost as little as $85K, the same house in the NY Metro is more than $500K

I am sure a few of you know people who lease $50K vehicles, and rent lavish apartments, wear designer clothes and maybe even dropped $10K on a sweet tri-bike. I'm sure they make a decent living, but probably have a mountain of cc debt, hold no assets, nor have savings.  But hey, they sure look rich!  

All I'm trying to say is that everything is relative to each individuals situation.  Analyzing income alone is like asking Macca what tire pressure he used to win Kona, a drop in the bucket of the big picture.  

This rant is brought to you by, the great state of New Jersey... a hand in your pocket at every turn! 

'Tis true, it can escalate.  We don't live in an area worth diving in (my opinion) so we actually still rent a regulator when we go.  Not to much the cost of the equipment anymore, but the ongoing upkeep.  We did pony up for dive computers before our last trip, which turned out to be a sound investment.  Still, the wet suit, BC, fins (with boots), mask, snorkel, still cost less combined than my first bike I think.    I refuse to dive anywhere cold, so we get by with less stuff (i.e. 7 mm suit, etc)

I never in my life thought I would own a wet suit, and now I have 3!  Crazy.