conversation: User (NiceTryDisaster): "Hi. As an non-american, I did some math as to what the expenses/savings will be for an non-american student/immigrant in America who just got his first job of $100k but with a student loan of $50k. I do not have any plans to study in USA but I am curious about the math because I feel an immigrant will probably not save much. Please go through the list below and correct me where I am wrong. I have calculated it for one year basis and not monthly.\n\nTotal salary: $100,000/year\n\nTaxes: $33,000/yr (Federal + State + FICA)\n\nRent: $24,000/yr (I believe it's anywhere between $1500-$3500 for a 1BHK in major cities + good location?)\n\nStudent Loan Payment: $12,000/yr (6% on $50k for 5 year term)\n\nGroceries: $4500/yr (at $350/month x 12)\n\nHealth Insurance: $3600/yr (I see the common health plans are between $250-$350 premium per month for a single individual)\n\nDental insurance: $500/yr\n\nHome utilities: $3500/yr (Electricity: $100/month + Water and sewage: $100/month + Internet: $50-$70/month +Garbage,Laundry and other minor utilities: $25/month)\n\nTravel expenses to &amp; fro from work: $1200/yr (With a $100 bus pass a month)\n\nForeign travel plane tickets: $ 1200 (Usually immigrants go back to visit their homeland once a year or two)\n\nWeekend fun: $1500/yr (bars + booze + uber or other travel once a week or so)\n\nOther minor expenses: $500/yr\n\n\nI havent included the following: House deposit money paid to landlord, any visa charges, paid services like netflix, prime, spotify, any entertainment stuff, emergency fund, money sent to 401k fund, a car, any major splurge, any deductible health problem charges, gym, hobbies, clothes, electronic gadget purchases or dating/relationship expenses or the losses occured while you were pursuing your Masters degree like the plane ticket expenses or the salary you may have earned for those 2 years in your home country.\n\nAnd despite that the expenses seem to go out to $85k per year. Leaving about $15,000 in yearly saving or just a little over $1,250 in saving per month. I feel, a net saving of $15,000/yr on the prized "$100k job salary" seems very poor. But from what I've read a lot of students here would kill for a $1,250 saving per month because they save even less. Because this is a good case scenario with nothing going wrong. The savings are at par at what one would net in a third world tech job with a few years of experience. \n\nI would appreciate if some of you guys could take a look at my above math and correct me as to where I've missed or overshot the $$. I wouldn't mind some tidbits from your personal finances and how they relate to the above as well.\n\nThank you.\n\nAlso first post on PF. Be nice :)\n\nedit: Minor edits"
  Self: "Your rent is 2k/month. That's very high.\n\nWeekend fun is at less than $30/week. That's quite low, unless "fun" is dollar draft night at your local bar.\n\nThere's also household setup expenses. Furniture, that sort of thing.\n\nThe locale you'll be residing in matters quite a bit here."
  User (NiceTryDisaster): "&gt; Your rent is 2k/month. That's very high\n\nHow? Isn't the price for a studio apartment over $1500 in most top cities? Unless youre sharing your home with 2 more people, I believe a 1 Bedroom kitchen home would cost about 2k isn't it?\n\n&gt; Weekend fun is at less than $30/week. That's quite low, unless "fun" is dollar draft night at your local bar.\n\n\nHow much do you guys usually spend on weekend nights to a bar, pub or any nearby events?"
  whiteraven4 (whiteraven4): "Most people making ~100k in a city like NYC or SF will be willing with roommates."
  