People Have So Many Questions About This ‘Budget Breakdown’ Of Guy Making $100K

Photo via @dutchessprim/Twitter, @CloakDaguerre/Twitter

August 19, 2021, 1:00 pm

Yet another budget breakdown of a high-income individual reported by some news outlet is making average Americans scratch their heads as they try to figure out whether somebody is lying to them or if the rich really are just that weird. This latest case comes from a CNBC post claiming to highlight someone who is “excellent with money” and makes $100,000 per year but somehow only spends $2775 per month, putting the other $66,700 per year into savings, apparently.

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The article is from 2018, but resurfaced when Twitter user DitchessPrim posted a screenshot of the original tweet from CNBC, remarking that she has questions about the corresponding pie graph.

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Though some of the expenses seem reasonable, such as utilities and transportation costs (assuming you live somewhere with decent public transit), many commenters wondered how anyone in the U.S. in the 21st century is able to pay just $20 for internet, $825 for rent, and $30 for a house cleaner for an entire month. Some were also skeptical that anyone making that much money could find a health insurance plan, even for an individual, for just $270.

The full article on this young man, Trevor Klee of Massachusetts, helps to answer some of those questions. Trevor “Excellent with Money” Klee keeps his rent low by sharing a house with four other people (and one dog). His phone bill stays low because he’s part of a family plan and is only paying his share. He also shares the cost of the house cleaner with his four roommates and likely the internet bill.

The one thing that can’t be explained is why this guy gets labeled as “excellent with money” when he spends $250 per month dining out while the poor get called parasites and are accused of welfare fraud if they dare to own and cell phone and a refrigerator. But the problem most people have with this breakdown is that it gives the impression that someone considers Klee’s situation to be at all average for someone living in the U.S. and that those who are struggling should blame themselves for being bad at money.

People don’t like that. Exhibit A:

1.

A few notes…

* 90.85% of Americans of people make less than $100k/yr, so this is literally only for the privileged few…

* Nat’l median 1-BR rent = $1,216/mth
* House cleaner = NOPE (wtf)

This is TERRIBLY disconnected from the average American lifestyle. Yikes https://t.co/Uq5YE0UnRq

— The Dude (@TheDudeTrader1) August 18, 2021

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2.

3.

If you’re 25 and making $100k and your rent is $825 a month (where is this? not in LA!) , you don’t need to be excellent with money. You could be awful with money AND STLL BE OK. https://t.co/cee1F5PZ1a

— Henny is fully vaccinated! (@jenhen) August 18, 2021

4.

5.

615 a month for donations?? When I was that young and single it was that much on donations to the local watering holes etc.

— Robert Glazebrook (@The_Glaze_MN) August 18, 2021

6.

Average rent in lowly old Denver Colorado is even north of $1700/month.

— JimmyG (@JimmyG303) August 18, 2021

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7.

These kind of graphs make me question whether the writers and their editors are in touch with reality. No one I know that’s my age is making $100k. Even in the highest paying markets that I have friends in. Most of my friends are 30+.

— Cody Thurman (@cthvrman) August 19, 2021

8.

Donations $615, is that what they call tips to service workers? Please.

— GuinnEssential (@EssentialGuinn) August 18, 2021

9.

As a 45yr old who doesn’t make close to that, I’ve got questions.

— Alison () (@ggreeneyes1975) August 18, 2021

10.

Ah yes, I remember being 25 and buying $400 worth of groceries while also donating $615 to charities per month. Those halcyon days of youth.

— Tracy (@littlecrane) August 19, 2021

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*First Published: August 19, 2021, 1:00 pm