u/TowelScared4341

Want to keep things vague but I've worked in numerous environments, some mostly men dominated and others female dominated. In my experience, I really prefer an even split if possible as one gender being predominant usually causes issues.

From my experience, a mostly women environment tends to be a cliquish, "mean girl" type of environment where if you're not part of the group, you get ostracized and feel left out.

At times, I can be socially awkward around majority women (for whatever reason) but usually when its an older group I do better.

For those who were successful, how did you navigate it?

Graduated late at 25, started career at 26 at $38K.

Started a job back in end of March/April of this year at 33.

No kids, no wife, kind of anti-social unfortunately lol and need to network more.

Sacrificed a lot to get to this point (dysfunctional upbringing) and want more. Eventually, want to start a business but want to clear up debt first (paid off a few debts recently).

I still feel behind as I graduated late but got to travel a bunch in my 20s. At this point in my life, I have a lot of work to do but based on these finances/budget, how do I compare against other 30 year olds in the city?

I feel like a lot of peers live in high rises, travel and I want to do more of that but need a stronger foundation.

Thoughts?

Income:
Base: $111K+
OTE: $157K-$165K (Not guaranteed but there's a chance at a potential bonus)
401K: $80K EST (contributing 16% of paycheck monthly + getting match rate)
Brokerage: $3.5K
Credit Score: 820 (Average)
Net Worth: $91K EST
Savings: <$1K

Debt
Car Loan at $11.5K at $515 per month at 4.9% interest
401K Loan at $2.6K at $151 per month at 9.99% interest
Medical Debt of $2K
0 Balance of Credit Card Debt

Budget:
Rent + Parking: $1850
Gas: $80 EST
Electric: $155 EST
Wi-Fi: $95
Phone: $109
Car Loan: $515
Insurance + Renter's: $113.71
Haircut: $130 (2x a month + tips)
Food/Groceries - $800-$900
Gas: $60-$80
Parking: $150

Credit Card Expenses:
$12.99 - Spotify
$34.99 - Gym
$14.99- YT Premium
$29.99 - LinkedIn Premium
$4.99- Streaming Service #1
$80 - Nearby neighborhood Gym
$20- LLM Subscription Service

Going after work is horrible lol

Because of that, I usually try to wake up at 4:30am and then hit the gym by 5:15am or 5:30am to get a workout in but I have trouble going to bed that early.

I have no kids so I feel that working out is an obligation. I shouldn't really have any excuse of not being able to work out at least 3-4 times a week.

Other than that, I do NOT want to go to the gym after work and wait for a machine.

Way too crowded.

What about you?

In my opinion, S1-S3 were when Power was at it's peak when it came to writing

S2 is my favorite season of original power. It showed Ghost, Tommy, Kanan, Tasha, Angela at their best.

After S3, I noticed a shift and dip in quality of writing.

The Ghost going to prison storyline felt kind of mid and then by Season 5-Season 6, I noticed a big difference in writing (the storyline of Alicia Jiminez getting kidnapped by an Ambulance after someone dropped something in her drink was ridiculous, even for TV lol)

Thoughts?

Ghost was living like a baller from the Pilot episode up until he got shot.

If you had to guess, how much you think bro was bringing in monthly to live a lifestyle like that in NYC?

He had the freshest tailored suits, living up in a penthouse, personal chauffeur, running a Manhattan Night Club, having Angela as a side chick and running a drug business on the side lol

That Manhattan penthouse alone was probably like $40,000 a month, which is wild.

I would say he was worth roughly $20-$30 Milli and had a burn rate of roughly $1M per year supporting his family.

Thoughts?

*Serious*

Since this topic is so convoluted and complicated, what would be in your top 5 sightings/evidence that there "is something going on" that you would point out to a non-believer and why?

The why can just be a quick summary of the event or situation.

I've come across a lot of successful people since living here and it feels so common to find people who make $200K+, high rise living, luxury car and having multiple properties.

I know comparison is a thief of joy but it's hard NOT to pay attention to your surroundings.

I've worked very hard to get to the point of making the money I have now (+six figures, no kids, 30s) and I STILL feel behind (I've never had a mentor, referral or anyone that actually guided through my career)

I sacrificed A LOT to get to this period (moved away from family, sacrificed/delayed marriage/serious commitment and socializing) and I still want more (I guess that will never change)

Just want to hear some people's stories/journeys

mid 30s, I feel like I'm behind relative to peers who have been at this level but I feel like that's just my anxiety speaking + social media.

Main goals are:

Looking to get out of debt by EOY + I want to move and rent into a nicer area than where I'm currently at without becoming house-poor (living in a HCOL area).

It's only me and I'm also working on a savings account.

Recently eliminated a $20K Debt Consolidation Loan!!

Here are my financial stats at the moment:

Base Salary: $110K
*Potential Total Compensation*: $155K-$165K
Brokerage: $3K
401K: $75K+ (contribution of 8%)
Credit Score: Average of 800+
Cash savings: $2K

Debt:
$12K Car Loan at 5% (Sports Car)
$2.6K 401K Loan at 9%
$2K Medical Bills
$950 Credit Card Balance (with a $50K credit card limit, expect to pay this off ASAP)

Expenses:
Rent: $1850 (One Bed/One Bathroom), 800 sq ft
Utiltiies (Gas/Electric): $230
Wi-Fi: $95
Car Loan: $520
Phone: $109
Car Insurance : $115
Haircut: $130 (est)
Food/Groceries/Eating Out: $900 (average, this can be adjusted)
Gas: $50-$60

Credit Card Expenses:
Spotify: $12.99
Gym: $34.99
YT Premium: $13.99
LinkendIn Premium: $29.99
Streaming: $4.99
Gym 2: $79.00 (likely canceling soon)
LLM Service: $20

Couple of questions:

Am I objectively behind financially for someone in their mid-30's?
Should I prioritize eliminating all debt before increasing my brokerage investments?
How much cash should I have saved before increasing my house costs?

mid 30s, I feel like I'm behind relative to peers who have been at this level but I feel like that's just my anxiety speaking + social media.

Main goals are:

Looking to get out of debt by EOY + I want to move and rent into a nicer area than where I'm currently at without becoming house-poor (living in a HCOL area).

It's only me and I'm also working on a savings account.

Recently eliminated a $20K Debt Consolidation Loan!!

Here are my financial stats at the moment:

Base Salary: $110K
*Potential Total Compensation*: $155K-$165K
Brokerage: $3K
401K: $75K+ (contribution of 8%)
Credit Score: Average of 800+
Cash savings: $2K

Debt:
$12K Car Loan at 5% (Sports Car)
$2.6K 401K Loan at 9%
$2K Medical Bills
$950 Credit Card Balance (with a $50K credit card limit, expect to pay this off ASAP)

Expenses:
Rent: $1850 (One Bed/One Bathroom), 800 sq ft
Utiltiies (Gas/Electric): $230
Wi-Fi: $95
Car Loan: $520
Phone: $109
Car Insurance : $115
Haircut: $130 (est)
Food/Groceries/Eating Out: $900 (average, this can be adjusted)
Gas: $50-$60

Credit Card Expenses:
Spotify: $12.99
Gym: $34.99
YT Premium: $13.99
LinkendIn Premium: $29.99
Streaming: $4.99
Gym 2: $79.00 (likely canceling soon)
LLM Service: $20

Couple of questions:

Am I objectively behind financially for someone in their mid-30's?
Should I prioritize eliminating all debt before increasing my brokerage investments?
How much cash should I have saved before increasing my house costs?

Some high rises have rents that are way too expensive for a post grad individual to afford a studio, let a lone a one bedroom/one bath.

Whenever I see a group of 20 year olds in these high rises, I'm convinced that it's likely one or combo of the following reasons:

1. Affluent/Rich upbringing and access to disposable money, ex. Daddy's girl/boy
2. Group of 3-4 friends splitting the cost post grad for the last hurrah before settling down
3. Rare exception but those who have landed jobs in IB, Big Law Firms, Big Tech, Finance etc
4. Even rarer, successful entrepreneurs who want to enjoy their efforts
5. Living way above their means (ex. credit card, payday loans, YOLO etc)

Sidenote, congrats to the ones who are living that life! No shade, I'm just making an observation lol.

For those who have lived in high rises, at what age did you first move in, are you splitting the rent (or did you) and what's your current salary?

Looks like a pretty nice place (based on what I've seen online) but curious to know if it's worth it to move to.

Let me know of the pros, cons and everything in between. Thanks!

I'm looking around to move into a high rise (by next year) and I'm looking for a one bed/one bath unit, roughly 700 sq ft, in a decent area (South Loop/West Loop) and has overall nice amenities.

I've toured a few high rises so far (NEMA, The Grand Central, The Elle, Spoke) and they all have fairly nice amenities but I want to find something that's reasonably priced and has pretty good management/service

Budget is $2,700 for the one bed/one bath and I'll be bringing a car as well (I'm aware that it's roughly $250-$400 for parking in some places).

Annual income is roughly $110K+

What are somethings you should be aware of before moving into one?

Curious to hear people's perspective on this salary (or near it).

For people earning around that amount ($100K-$120K), how comfortable does that feel in Chicago?

I have roughly $19K in debt but planning on paying that off before EOY.

Possibly considering a high rise but going to hold off for a while.

If so, how do you like your job and working at the company?

I'm interested in renting a one bed/one bath around 700-800 sq ft, around 2,500 to 2,700.

Planning on moving in around April or May of next year and I'm looking for a unit that's either in West Loop or in the South Loop (but not too South).

I don't have any pets at the moment and it's just me. I want to ideally be around other late 20s-30s professionals, entrepreneurs and sociable.

This looks like a pretty decent high rise but curious to know if it's worth moving into.

Let me know of any feedback when possible, thank you!

I'm interested in eventually moving to one of these locations but wanted to get some insight on which property would be better.

I'm looking for a 1 bed/1 bath unit with a W/D in unit, in a nice location, not too busy, with some solid amenities around (i.e co-working space, game room, maybe a gym).

Looking to be around other ambitious, professional people.

I have a car as well, so would be bringing that as well.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Looking to find a nice high rise spot, with W/D in unit and has a decent view that's under $2.8K all in.

Reliable elevators and solid gym/amenities

I have no kids and ideally like to be around other social, ambitious, outgoing people, in late 20's-late 30's.

I saw that the Grand Central and Jax look like decent options, but wanted to know if anyone would recommend either and what else should I look out for?

Thanks!

Curious to know what everyone's opinion on this is?

I'm mentally checked out of my current job due to compatibility and I want to leave ASAP.

The job doesn't pay equal to my experience, I'm doing a lot of work and I've been in interviews that confirm that (they all pay more than my current job).

However, it's hard to prep and keep the current job, especially when it's demanding. It's mentally draining to study a company, research, do all this prep and then be stressed out by the time the interview happens.

What do you recommend?

I find it difficult to interview and maintain a full time job (especially when the pay doesn't match my full experience/skillset)

How do you guys usually do it?

I really want something else but my current job (obviously) takes up most of my time.