Actually, I work with kids of poor families as well, and I could say the same, although the indulgences are more mundane (expensive cell phone plans and TV packages).
Actually, I work with kids of poor families as well, and I could say the same, although the indulgences are more mundane (expensive cell phone plans and TV packages).
Er, how? Assuming a very optimistic 4% return after inflation and taxes, that's only $7k/year.
Not counting gas (which I mostly use for my hour-long commute), I further spend $20/mo on internet, and $60/mo on 3G service (which I consider a luxury). That brings the total to $7600/yr. So, I exaggerated slightly. I would need closer to a year and a month's worth of $172k income to meet this requirement.
I did some back-of-envelope calculations, a few years ago, based on the inflation common savings interest rates of the time, and median salaries where I lived. Basically, given £1M in a savings account and no other income, someone who lives as though earning the median salary (including reinvesting about 30% after tax), could expect to start eating into their capital (in real terms) within about 3 years. I can't remember how long it would take for their capital sum to actually drop below £1M, but I do remember it taking about 30 years to drop to 0.
Now, you're obviously a bit more frugal than the average bear, but you're talking about having a tenth of that capital, and a sixth of that expenditure, which already doesn't add up. Also, my calculations above were made when even a risk-free savings account would score you nearly 5% APR.
That's U$ 12k/year right there (and rent is inflation adjusted here).
Yes, we do have a housing boom here, why do you ask :) - it's far cheaper to own than to rent, but most people don't have the capital - I rent, as I make U$ 13k/year