I’m still buzzing from Thursday’s Money Talks event. It was so fun to gather with readers and friends (and readers who have become friends) to talk about style and money and so many other interesting things! A huge thank you to Erika Veurink, Erika Alpern, and Shelcy Joseph for co-hosting and moderating our group chats. If you missed the event but still want to talk about style and money, there’s a great conversation going on in the comment section from Tuesday’s newsletter!
Today’s Home Economics author is not spending a lot on clothes—she works from home, and she has a personal motto to never pay full price. (I should probably embrace that rule of thumb!) Read on for the interesting story behind how she and her husband bought their condo (below market and with just 3% down), and how she went from earning ~$25,000 annually to over $100,000 in a span of just five years.
Want to share your own Home Economics? Fill out the form here! One story I’d really love to tell: married couples who are in long-distance relationships but share their finances (and so are paying for two of everything). Specific, I know! Even if you don’t fit this description, and you’re interested in sharing your story, please submit it!
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Age: 33
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Relationship status: Married
Age of partner: 41
About me: I’m a disabled queer tech worker—I have autism. I got diagnosed in my late 20s, and I have found working in engineering-adjacent computer fields to have setups that work best for my needs. I do not have formal accommodations at work because our setup is already accessible for me (WFH, open communication, clear deadlines). My husband is a former chef who recently finished an engineering bootcamp, and now he’s looking for a job. We live in a condo with our three cats.
Income:
- Your job title/salary: Technical support engineer (team lead); $175,000
- Partner’s job title/salary: Recent grad/job hunter: $0
- Your monthly take-home pay (paycheck amount after taxes and other deductions): $10,387.84
- Partner’s monthly take-home pay (paycheck amount after taxes and other deductions): $0
- Side hustles: I used to be a full-time commercial river guide (taking people on multi-day rafting trips in Idaho and the Grand Canyon). I now do one to two trips a year (affectionately called celebra-guiding) and make about $500-$1,000/year for that. I now only do trips with a youth nonprofit, so most of my paycheck covers my travel. I do it because I love it and also to keep my certifications and pro deals active.
- Total monthly income: $10,387.84
