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by polyfractal 5079 days ago
For what it's worth, before I was a programmer I was a biology technician, living in Boston (a very expensive place to live) making 32k a year.

I still managed to max out my personal IRA as well as hit the match on my employer's 401k. Sure, I was single and living cheaply...but that's the point. Live within your means and contribute to retirement. You don't need to make 100k.
1 comments
batista 5078 days ago
>I still managed to max out my personal IRA as well as hit the match on my employer's 401k. Sure, I was single and living cheaply...but that's the point.

The point is if you're not making enough money don't have a family? Or choose between family/kids etc and retirement?

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polyfractal 5078 days ago
I'm not entirely certain of your statement (grammar), but I think it may also argue for not having a family before you are financially capable of having one.

Having a family is a privilege, not a right. You should only have one when you can afford to house, clothe and feed them as well as contribute to your own retirement. You wouldn't take a vacation to Tahiti if you can't afford to buy bread for yourself to eat...why do people think it's ok to raise a family on a salary that is not sufficient?

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