BigBangWeary
Recycles dryer sheets
Hi everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster here. I am hoping that you might be able to help me gain some much needed perspective on our financial situation. I am 32 and my wife is 29. We left North America almost 9 years ago with some of the typical five-figure student debt that has
come to define our generation. We felt that our options were quite limited and we hoped to find somewhere overseas where we would be able to get a bit of a leg-up on our situation.
Over this time we have been able to pay off our debt, and accumulate a net worth of $325,500 (investments, pension, savings account). Our after tax income is $11,000 per month and we have a pension that gives us just under $10,000 (after tax) per year. We are currently saving half of
what we make, and we are able to travel quite a lot.
I am not trying to brag here as I realize there are many people in our age range who are doing far better, and many who are not. The problem is that I am really not happy with my current career, nor the place we are living, yet we do not feel we have enough perspective outside of our little bubble to make an informed decision about what to do. I do not want to give too many details over a public forum, but trust me when I say that we would not be able to replicate our income anywhere else with our current qualifications. Our package is particular to where we work, and we have spent a lot of time working our way up the ‘chain’.
We have always dreamed of becoming financially independent and not having to ‘worry’ about finances so much. I grew up in a poor family, and we were always teetering on the brink. I know this has skewed my view to an extent.
At our current rate it will take us at least another 8 years to reach the coveted one million dollar mark, and that is if we do not have another major crash. I know that many people would suggest we leave this place, and start fresh at something new, but a part of me feels both guilty
and irresponsible for thinking of doing this. We know that many people in Generation Y are struggling to find steady, reliable jobs, let alone worrying about early retirement, and sometimes I feel that we should just suck it up and stay here and save. On the other hand, I don’t want to end up being the richest man in the graveyard.
I guess we are looking for some input into how well we really are doing at this age. Should we be holding on to this opportunity and avoid letting it slip away at all costs, or should we be throwing caution to the wind and starting over completely in an effort to be happier. I know that some of
this is very subjective, but we really do live in a bubble as expats and everyone around us is in a similar situation. It is very hard to get ‘real-world’ advice or make comparisons in our environment.
Anyways, any constructive feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
come to define our generation. We felt that our options were quite limited and we hoped to find somewhere overseas where we would be able to get a bit of a leg-up on our situation.
Over this time we have been able to pay off our debt, and accumulate a net worth of $325,500 (investments, pension, savings account). Our after tax income is $11,000 per month and we have a pension that gives us just under $10,000 (after tax) per year. We are currently saving half of
what we make, and we are able to travel quite a lot.
I am not trying to brag here as I realize there are many people in our age range who are doing far better, and many who are not. The problem is that I am really not happy with my current career, nor the place we are living, yet we do not feel we have enough perspective outside of our little bubble to make an informed decision about what to do. I do not want to give too many details over a public forum, but trust me when I say that we would not be able to replicate our income anywhere else with our current qualifications. Our package is particular to where we work, and we have spent a lot of time working our way up the ‘chain’.
We have always dreamed of becoming financially independent and not having to ‘worry’ about finances so much. I grew up in a poor family, and we were always teetering on the brink. I know this has skewed my view to an extent.
At our current rate it will take us at least another 8 years to reach the coveted one million dollar mark, and that is if we do not have another major crash. I know that many people would suggest we leave this place, and start fresh at something new, but a part of me feels both guilty
and irresponsible for thinking of doing this. We know that many people in Generation Y are struggling to find steady, reliable jobs, let alone worrying about early retirement, and sometimes I feel that we should just suck it up and stay here and save. On the other hand, I don’t want to end up being the richest man in the graveyard.
I guess we are looking for some input into how well we really are doing at this age. Should we be holding on to this opportunity and avoid letting it slip away at all costs, or should we be throwing caution to the wind and starting over completely in an effort to be happier. I know that some of
this is very subjective, but we really do live in a bubble as expats and everyone around us is in a similar situation. It is very hard to get ‘real-world’ advice or make comparisons in our environment.
Anyways, any constructive feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!