The Salary You Need To Stop Worrying About Money Might Be More Than You Think
Those who never worry about money typically have a great deal of it. So, short of winning the lottery or working eight side hustles, what salary do you need to stop stressing about your finances?
In this current economy, the answer is complicated. It’s not just about your paycheck anymore, as it can only do so much against disproportionately rising costs of living, expensive childcare and overlooked unpaid labor. That means the number you need to feel financially secure might be a lot higher than you expect.
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Simply put, not having to worry about money daily would be great, but this is certainly not the case for many Americans today. Here's how much you would likely need to earn annually to stop worrying about money.
What Salary Do You Need To Feel Financially Comfortable?
Many people think making $100,000 is the sweet spot to feel nice and comfy financially. However, CBS News recently reported that a typical U.S. family needs an annual income of about $145,000 to thrive. So that means about half of working Americans, even affluent ones, fall short and are left feeling not so confident about their financial situation.
That’s why the general perception indicates that even a six-figure income may no longer be the gold standard, but rather just what you need to pay the bills. Still, making at least $100,000 to $200,000 or more will at least keep the wolf from the door and boost the potential to be happy.
However, there are many things for which these numbers don’t account.
For example, think about the unpaid labor of it all for a second. If this concept makes you scrunch your brow, it’s probably because when you think of income, you focus on wages. Yet, for millions of households, a huge chunk of the salary they get to keep instead of spend comes from benefiting from the unpaid work of mothers or primary caregivers.
That work is far from free if you are a single parent or in a family where both partners have to work. In a recent survey, it found that many people would value that labor upwards of $100,000 a year. In other words, many families are only financially comfortable because someone is doing a bunch of full‑time jobs for free.
Why Your Real Salary Doesn’t Equal Your Comfort Salary
If you had to replace unpaid labor with paid services, your cost of living would skyrocket. It gets a little extreme when you start doing the math. For example, the average cost of daycare for just one child typically ranges between $293 and $321 per week, or $15,236 to $16,692 per year, while other childcare costs can run from about $8,600 to $44,000 per year per child.
You could easily need an extra six figures in income just to maintain the same lifestyle. This makes the goal of making $140,000 now seem middle-of-the-road for the middle class.
So, Why Do You Still Feel Broke?
The bottom line is that if you feel like your income should be enough but somehow isn’t, there is actually a reason (or several). Most Americans, especially Gen Z and millennials, feel financial anxiety multiple times a week and report the highest levels of money stress in recent history.
Housing, childcare and healthcare are eating up larger portions of income than ever before, specifically if you are the primary provider for your family. So, what is the real salary you need to finally feel like you can breathe? Of course, the answer varies depending on your unique situation, but here are a few honest takeaways:
If you’re single, you might feel comfortable in the $75,000 to $120,000 range, depending on location.
If you’re a dual-income household, crossing into six figures helps, but may not eliminate stress.
If you’re supporting a family and paying for childcare, you likely need $140,000 or more to feel truly secure.
Remember, the salary you need to stop worrying about money isn’t just about income; it’s about everything your household needs to function. So if your paycheck feels like it should be enough, but it obviously isn’t, you’re not doing anything wrong. The goalpost for financial comfort has simply moved.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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