I think we're are going off the rails here.
Fencers point was her two DSs in the AF, class of 2012, are living quite comfortably on an O2 salary. Both are married. One has a baby and their spouse does not work.
Scout your point, from what I interpret is defending the civ school aspect.
My DS went to a civ school, just like his cousins and my cousins. He was fortunate enough to have merit and AFROTC to pick up the bill. Sorry, fencer, but I do get where he is coming from if you say NO school loans.
That being said, a degree from Brown, Stanford, Princeton, etc does not equate to having more disposable income than an O1 even if they make 70k a year more.
~ Most Wall Streeters do not live in NYC for the fact that it is too expensive. However, they do not only pay NY state taxes, but NYC, and if they live in NJ, like many do, they pay NJ taxes too in top of their Federal. Now add in the cost to commute.
~~ Trust me I have many family members that work in NYC and live in NJ and at the end of the day that 6 figure salary is basically in the 5 figures.
~~ Look at the Pentagon. Surely by now you know people assigned there. Are they living in DC, Crystal City, or further out? Such as, Woodbridge VA? Did they move to Woodbridge because they enjoy the commute or like Wall Streeters..financially where thy could afford to live within their means!
~ In my marriage, there were many years, even when Bullet was an O5 I brought home more than him...just saying....don't throw stones scout.
~~ Quick question...when 9/11 occurred do you know which state lost the most citizens? Answer: NJ
Not NY, because those Wall Streeters couldn't afford to live in Manhatten., and those Princeton, Wharton, Harvard grads that paid 250 K for their undergrad degree were like O3s at the Pentagon...coffee pogeys!
The OPs future wife might be like many spouses, including fencers DILs and myself. They earned a college degree (in my case a Masters too), but because they were assigned to po dunk towns, they had to keep recreating their own career. They may decide to be stay at home mothers or fathers.
So before we keep throwing stones at each other, let's stay on topic.
Cannonball,
I married Bullet when he was an O1.
Did we live hot check Friday (flieger, USMC, Navyhoops, etc will laugh)? Yes...back in the old days if payday was Monday, we would go grocery shopping at the Commissary on Sat/Sun because banks were closed over the weekend.
I worked because I wanted to, the money was gravy.
Our kids not only did the Disney World trips (2x and not at Shades of Green), but took them to the Winter Olympics in Turin. One family vacay was to Scotland for golfing at St. Andrews and my eldest was 4. We bought a brand new camper when we lived in AK. Bullet got his dream car for his 35th birthday....a Vette...yes, AF, but he was a WSO...no bonus check like pilots.
Now were we wise on spending? Hell YES! If it meant hanging wallpaper by myself, than I did it. If I wanted ceramic tiles in my kitchen, instead of paying someone to do it, I told Bullet buy the equipment and you do it.
I am a USAA member,but never used them for a MTG.
When shopping at the mall, I always ask if they do a military discount.
Our DS purchased his first home last month. He followed every advice from military members. Ask the MTG broker how much and then use that as the guide. IE he knew his BAH, wanted utilities, including cable covered. They backed it out and said this is the max you should pay for a house.
He, like fencers DS, has a wife. He commissioned 2012. Married 2014. He bought a new car in 12, and another in 14. They are able to fly home 2x a year, while they max out their IRAs.
Finally, all I can say as a spouse that followed Bullet around the world for 21 years and 11 moves is, I relished every minute tightening our belt and not taking a yearly vacation to Aruba, because my kids experienced something way more important. They saw the Northern lights in AK. They experienced a family that was born out of service to this nation, not blood. They have memories that no matter how much you make cannot be created.
A paycheck is a paycheck. It puts a roof over your cranium. Seeing the person you love the most say I can't believe they pay me to do this is different.
That to me matters more than anything. Just saying you will not be living in the projects. You will be able to fly home for the holidays without asking the folks for help. Even if you have college loans, you can buy a new car...reasonably priced... Toyota Tundra, yes...Toyota Tundra with Nav..maybe not smart.
