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The American Dream Now Costs $3.4 Million
investopedia.com ^ | 12/5/2023 | By HIRANMAYI SRINIVASAN

Posted on 12/07/2023 11:07:33 AM PST by bitt

The classic "American Dream" including two kids, a house, and car costs more than most make in a lifetime.

The American Dream now costs $3,455,305—that's the estimated lifetime cost of common milestones including marriage, two children, homes, healthcare, cars, and education.

The cost of raising two children to the age of 18 is now estimated at over half a million dollars ($576,896). The average lifetime cost of a home including a mortgage with a 10% down payment and a 30-year fixed rate of 7.2% is now about $796,998, according to Investopedia's analysis.

The American Dream now costs $3,455,305—that's the estimated lifetime cost of common milestones including marriage, two children, homes, healthcare, cars, and education. The American Dream was one of Investopedia's top searched terms of the year, and is typically used to refer to major aspirational events and purchases like buying a home and car, getting married, having kids, and economically prospering. But rising costs have made the typical "American Dream" out of reach for many. In fact, the average lifetime earnings of Americans across all education levels is approximately $2.3 million 1 —that's over one million short of the estimated cost of the American Dream.

(Excerpt) Read more at investopedia.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: inflation
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To: bitt

I’m so thankful to God (and my husband’s relatives) for our crummy little fixer upper. It’s not a mansion; I can wait for Heaven for that. But it’s paid for and the taxes are practically non-existent. We purchased it from his Aunt, who practically gave it away, and another fixer upper from his cousin that we’re giving to my son. I’ve never been in love with money, but even with the above, prices are getting way out of hand for us. A humble pot roast is now $5-$6 a pound. I think there’s also price gouging. (And I really don’t need to hear from the FReepers who think any price, no matter how high is good business. There’s good business, then there’s greed).


41 posted on 12/07/2023 12:09:01 PM PST by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: Fuzz
My 27 year old daughter has 2 homes. One has two apartments she rents out.

LOL! Did she win the lotto at 22?

42 posted on 12/07/2023 12:11:15 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: bitt

I wonder what they use to measure that.

What do they allow for essentials and extras? Does that include electronic gadgets? Private schooling? The latest trendy designer clothes?

How big of a house and how many and how new the cars?


43 posted on 12/07/2023 12:15:22 PM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: bitt

I’d leave off the final $7,848 for the funeral. That’s somebody else’s problem.


44 posted on 12/07/2023 12:15:36 PM PST by glorgau
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To: dragnet2

No. Masters in engineering, going for a second master’s degree. Works in medical device manufacturing.

Her boyfriend has 2 undergrad degrees and 2 master’s degrees including an MBA.


45 posted on 12/07/2023 12:29:43 PM PST by Fuzz (. )
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To: dragnet2
***I’d bet money there are upwards of 10 million homeless in America today***

I suspect perhaps 3 times that many...❓ ... and growing❗ Plus don't forget all the invaders being supported by our tax {?} dollars. What happens when the goose that lays the golden egg dies - which it is destined to do?

46 posted on 12/07/2023 12:37:34 PM PST by Bob Ireland (The Democrap Party is the enemy of freedom.They use all the seductions and deceits of the Bolshevics)
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To: Fuzz

Go away, bother someone else with your BS.


47 posted on 12/07/2023 12:41:38 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Bob Ireland

You’re probably right. 10 million homeless was just a guess...Could be close to 30 million. I dunno...


48 posted on 12/07/2023 12:43:13 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

BS?

LOL

Everything I said is true. Why so bitter?


49 posted on 12/07/2023 12:46:05 PM PST by Fuzz (. )
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To: bitt
Yeah, no.

Many things wrong with this, as follows:

Cost of home with mortgage $800K -- but it leaves you with a +$500,000 piece of real estate afterwards

$68K pet care costs? Not a chance unless you're insane.

College tuition costs -- I notice that the chart assumes parents will pay for their children's college. That is an idea which should go the way of the dodo.

Note that TAXES are not included anywhere on this list and they're a huge chunk of anyone's expenses. Maybe the biggest if you include state-mandated insurance costs.
50 posted on 12/07/2023 12:49:38 PM PST by Antoninus (Republicans are all honorable men.)
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To: Fuzz
My 27 year old daughter has 2 homes. One has two apartments she rents out.

And let me guess, she did all that by the time she was 22...lol

Yep, your offspring is so typical of todays America. You guys are just too good.

100% cowflop.

51 posted on 12/07/2023 12:49:40 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: bitt

3.4 Million divided by 30 years (average career) is $111,346.67 per year.

The average US income is $31,133 per year.

I think I see a problem here.


52 posted on 12/07/2023 12:49:55 PM PST by Responsibility2nd (A truth that’s told with bad intent, Beats all the lies you can invent ~ Wm. Blake)
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To: immadashell
But the majority of the young working folk can't buy real-estate.

Correct. They can't buy real estate on the east or west coast. But there are plenty of locales in the midwest and south where they absolutely can.
53 posted on 12/07/2023 12:51:47 PM PST by Antoninus (Republicans are all honorable men.)
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To: dragnet2

No. She was 25 when she bought the duplex. 27 when she bought her home.

Both were fixed uppers.

She works hard and smart. Proud of her.


54 posted on 12/07/2023 12:51:49 PM PST by Fuzz (. )
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To: Responsibility2nd

Yep...Even at 50k per year, after taxes that’s what, 34K?

The young folk are screwed...So sad.


55 posted on 12/07/2023 12:52:59 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: nutmeg

.


56 posted on 12/07/2023 12:53:35 PM PST by nutmeg (FJB)
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To: dragnet2
Yep...Even at 50k per year, after taxes that’s what, 34K?

Most people earning $50K pay zero taxes. If you have kids, you actually come out ahead at tax time with all the credits available.
57 posted on 12/07/2023 12:55:27 PM PST by Antoninus (Republicans are all honorable men.)
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To: dragnet2

The only real alternative to making this work is NOT to live in New York, California or any liberal city or state.


58 posted on 12/07/2023 12:56:00 PM PST by Responsibility2nd (A truth that’s told with bad intent, Beats all the lies you can invent ~ Wm. Blake)
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To: Antoninus
Most people earning $50K pay zero taxes.

If you believe that, you'll believer anything.

Tell me, why aren't 25 year old's buying homes, getting married and having babies if it's all so reasonable?

59 posted on 12/07/2023 12:59:16 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Responsibility2nd

That’s most of the country since there is no such thing as a major city which is conservative. All major cities are run by leftist.


60 posted on 12/07/2023 1:00:22 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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