I make around $10k a week and still feel broke…

Yes boo hoo but it’s the truth. Tax man takes close to 50% off the top, as I’m self employed and live in a high tax state (can’t move business is here).

So I have around 4-5k a week. 1k goes to retirement bc that’s one of my only deductions. It’s $69k this year I’m allowed to put into my Ira. So actually a little over $1300/week to that.

3500 left. utilities and housing related expenses are 1500/week

2000 left. Food is $500 for 4 people.

1500 left. 2 cars gas maintenance insurance etc is close to $500/week

1000 left for anything less that pops up.

Before Covid I had so much more money left over and was also making more like 15k a week. My industry got crushed during Covid and hasn’t gotten back to normal yet. Before I felt very blessed now I barely feel middle class. Sure I’m able to save a lot in my retirement account but there’s very little other savings I have now. Just crazy that someone with a wife and 2 small children doesn’t feel wealthy here making $500k a year. I couldn’t imagine making the national average of 75-100k or so for a household. My wife will be returning to work in 2 years so that will def take some of the pressure off.