Living On $27K A Year In Seattle, WA | Millennial Money

Chi Baik, 26, lives in Seattle, Washington and earns $27,000 a year as a Ph.D. student. Baik used to work as a teacher outside Washington D.C., but then moved to Seattle to get her Ph.D. in special education at the University of Washington. Despite earning less money and having higher living expenses, she is grateful for the money she is making and still finds ways to treat herself.
This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.
What's your budget breakdown? We're looking for stories from all ages, not just millennials! Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in a future installment of Millennial Money: cnb.cx/3OxbJ71
Produced and Edited by: Valentina Duarte
Managing Producer: Beatriz Bajuelos
Camera: John Paget
Additional Editing: Marisa Forziati
Animator: Elham Ataeiazar
Reporter: Jennifer Liu
Additional Footage: Chi Baik
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[@hiddenwarrior1234]

The math isn't making sense at all. 3271(per month)*12 months is 39252 (after tax). It would be around 50,000 pre-tax. The video doesn't show how she is living on 27,000, it is showing how she is living above her means by taking on debt.

[@brandony.1824]

The grocery bill is ENORMOUS especially for the states. We spend probably around 800 for a family of 4.

[@intothewild0707]

credit cards. This video is non sense.

[@alexanderchu312]

I was just about to say the same Taideee. She’s either out of touch with her finances or knowingly taking on debt/digging into her savings. She’s spending way too much on discretionary and transportation and a bit much on food

[@kat3400]

I noticed this too, she also didn’t include the ‘loan’ from her brother.

[@iwannaquit6200]

PHD stipends range from 8 months to 12 months..so it prob depends...

[@faintedmemo]

At the end she says living on 27k/year in Seatle is doable, but she's spending $3300/month (almost 40k/year) plus racking up other CC debt. She's buying $300 perfumes and HelloFresh because she's somehow smart enough to get a PhD but can't figure out shopping on her own, WHILE owing her brother 15k+? Doesn't sound very doable to me. You guys should have interviewed her brother instead.

[@TheBruceKeller]

That's the thing about PhDs, they don't indicate you are smart, just that you have grit.

[@y.m.6667]

Those numbers definitely DON'T add up at all. She is over the "$27k" they're trying to fool us with.

[@swicheroo1]

Most PhD students are swimming in credit card debt. It's not about intelligence or 'smarts.' It's about how academia sets up systems to exploit students whom they will channel into exploitative work arrangements like Grading, TA-ing, or Adjuncting.

[@ahyuedd12]

Could be possible that she saved money from her past jobs and is using that to pay for her stuff.

[@FinestSPEC]

It’s a PhD in special ed…not physics lol

[@AZCardinals311]

I attended middle and high school with her so it's pretty cool to see her starring in this video in the spotlight of CNBC! Such an incredible human being. Still one of the smartest people I know to this day. So if you see this Chi, 👋hey it's Andy! The guy you gifted a Cardinals shirt to for secret santa in junior/senior year of HS! You're doing great things! Hope you're doing well in the state of Washington!

[@oluwasegunokusaga7995]

In a sea of people dissecting her finances with a microscope, your comment is an island of humanity.

[@Brucelee89896]

She also saved my life when I had a stroke, she did cpr

[@mocheen4837]

She seems like a great person. She worked with disabled children and plans to be an educator. She is selfless and will make the world a better place. We need more people like her.

[@KingElrosTarMinyatur]

Thank you for saving my puppy bro. And for the lambo you lent me.

[@owenmurphy2022]

Can we PLEASE get more Millennial Money videos ? I love watching these !!!

[@connie0613]

Same ❤❤

[@DaltonCole]

For the people doing the math with $3,271 a month * 12 months. When I was a grader during my PhD, I was only paid ~8 months of the year (no summer and a month off in the winter), so the $27k a year checks out.

[@dynamichunter843]

That’s her spending for the month, not her income. She’s spending more than she makes during the school year, not even talking about summer

[@jerry.cray..]

If that’s the case then her finances for that 8 month period are closer to someone who is on pace to make $40,500/yr. If she’s “making it” on $27K for only 8 months, then they need to say that instead of implying that she’s surviving a year off that. But then of course it wouldn’t be as attractive for click-bait.

[@PleikuNguyen]

@@jerry.cray.. I ASKED HER: She makes ~$3500 a month for 8 months, she was planning on getting a summer job but recently got put a grant so summers will be paid about the same too Making 3500 and spending 3300 isn’t bad at all (she also says that 3300 month was a high month, it’s not always that bad) P.s. she says that $350 bottle of perfume was bought like 2 years ago 🤣 But yeah just a clickbait title, sounds better than “spending $40k on a $40k income!”

[@jones2277]

my graduate stiped was $12K the first year. lol

[@QuangMinhDang-cy4mz]

Same here, I earn $ 13,000 a week. Mrs Grace has been a blessing to my family.

[@alisonm3700]

She is CONTENTED, not just with the money but with her life. Not many of us even with our huge 6 figure salaries can say that. You go girl

[@thunderb00m]

Many of us dont want to be forced to work till we die and have at least something of a retirement. Social security will be broke way before i reach 60. Dont get me wrong, i like my job, im good at it and I'm greatful to make 6 figures and even happy at times but that doesn't mean i can be content doing this for the rest of my life.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Well done! I have been poor all of my life. I know one can live that way.

[@swicheroo1]

When I was in grad school, I was on fellowship at $13,500. Fellowship means you're fully funded and your tuition is paid. This was in one of the three major cities of the USA. Did a little grading, like her. Did a little tutoring. It wasn't much money. But it was a great way to pass my 20's.

[@katp.4817]

If your brother is reading this: your an awesome big brother and we need more someone like you. So helpful to his little sis! So so sweet!!!!!!!

[@skylinec83]

Big brother is the Real MVP

[@austinayala]

My brother is the same. I’m blessed to be in the financial situation I am in now but, when i needed to borrow money he would always help and i made sure to pay him back. I loved this episode

[@iTzDritte]

She’s making $27k but living like she’s making $127k.

[@pete3936]

I feel like she is severely in debt lowkey, just not telling us the full picture

[@cazpk6840]

And she has homes and family overseas - probably adds to the security.

[@Naomi-xu4hq]

She seems like a college student who is getting income from her parents

[@itsteethomas]

Of course she is, because spending $3,200+ a month is nowhere near $27,000 annually. A lot of information was left out.

[@teenytinytoons]

she has $70k in retirement savings at 26 saving at 30% a clip when she was teaching. i think she'll be okay.

[@itsteethomas]

@flippingpennies You understand her retirement is accrued automatically through her employment? That's not her everyday accessible spending money. Chances are we are not getting the full picture.

[@flexor212000]

She's not "living" on 27k. She's amassing debt and banking on hopefully being able to pay it off when she gets a job utilizing her PHD (commanding 6 figure income). Like others say below, she's not living in her means and if she was she just plain wouldn't have the options she has. She has a dog. "Treats" herself regularly. Has the ability to pay almost 50 bucks a month for "therapy". Eats out for every meal (yes hello fresh is eating out and it's as much if not more money). Pays for ubers. Phone. 27k in Seattle is wayy below the poverty line in Seattle. She is not impoverished. If her actual income matched what she spends, she'd probably make around 70k+. That's more aligned to what her "living" looks like.

[@user-be2pd1ch5i]

Really depends on what her Phd is in as well as how many publications she can pump out in order to impress individuals in Academia. For example, a STEM focused Phd program such as Electrical Engineering or Mathematics will yield far better career outcomes in the industry than a liberal arts major such as Humanities or Poli Sci. Regardless, most people who go into Academia have an end goal of becoming a Professor, as a Phd just to go into the industry again isn’t regarded highly. Commanding a 6 figure salary as an Associate Professor is possible, but if you face the unfortunate yet more likely reality of becoming an Adjunct Lecturer/Professor, then 6 figures is highly unlikely. I’m assuming her Phd is not in something that is highly coveted, so it may be difficult for her. Regardless, there is still hope in the end, but it will take a lot of willpower. Good luck to her

[@iowanELF]

I did almost the exact same thing, PhD in Seattle, made even less money at the time. I rented a (relatively) cheap microstudio and basically lived paycheck to paycheck, and when I did run out of money every now and then I would ask for help from my parents, just like her brother helps her out. I survived on my stipend 9 months out of the year and I would spend every summer back home with the parents while working on my research, which was free. It kind of works if you don't think about trying to save money at all. And most PhD students I knew survived on similar arrangements.

[@w.d.2154]

Yeah, no way she's living on 27k. I live in seattle and make around 45k and it's really a struggle, almost impossible to rent anything alone. Someone is bank rolling her, or she living on major debt. lol hello fresh!?

[@louish2037]

Yeah, 27k in Seattle is basically homeless, and she claims to have money to to spend on all that extra stuff. What kind of lie is this?

[@y.m.6667]

Yeah, the nu.bers don't add up. She might be charging a lot, and her parents probably pay it all for her.

[@wturner777]

I know right?! That sounds a bit fake to me. You can't even make it in Florida with $27k a year, not by yourself anyway. People making minimum wage are still living with their parents or living with roommates.

[@rashardsappVEVO]

My father went to Stanford University all 4 years and made larger money in Denver Colorado using his scholarship

[@tm7517]

It’s hilarious when people get fake upset about other’s people’s spending that they miss objective reality. This young woman doesn’t have much debt, $1300 cc debt is nothing. Which means her spending isn’t out of control. She has $70,000 in retirement at 26, which meant she was saving a huge percentage of her income which means she lives frugally. She voluntarily cut her pay because she knows her brother has the ability to help her out financially. her parents maybe helping her as well. She is good. Pretending oh my goodness her spending is so reckless is just being irrational.

[@skylinec83]

Yeah, I feel like commenters are so proud to be able to do basic arithmetic on her monthly cashflow and multiply by 12 that they miss the overall picture that she’s still $50k net positive on net wealth while investing in a PhD at 26. She’s already had 4 years of full time work/teaching experience and upon graduating - will be literally shaping the next generation. But people want to focus on some food expenses and Uber trips while she’s back in school.

[@SaintsandSushi]

Is reckless and irrational to be a financial leash of your parents and brother. Is not their responsibility to pay for her over consumption. She has the money to not be on debt and yet she is. Her retirement fund means squat since inflation will make that money disappear in months when she is old. She spends all the money she gets instead of paying off her debt. She is the typical “taken care of” irresponsible person and that’s nothing to be proud of.

[@billhartsford4820]

"lives frugally" and $300 some dollar perfumes don't really mesh lol. Plus pet ownership. If you're on a tight budget, having a pet is a stupid decision. I'd also learn to cook before I spend $800+ a month on food.

[@7oeseven793]

Living on $-12,252 a year in Seattle

[@PleikuNguyen]

I ASKED HER: She makes ~$3500 a month for 8 months, she was planning on getting a summer job but recently got put a grant so summers will be paid about the same too Making 3500 and spending 3300 isn’t bad at all (she also says that 3300 month was a high month, it’s not always that bad)

[@mlim82480]

@@PleikuNguyen she doesn't pay taxes?

[@PleikuNguyen]

@@mlim82480 I don’t have that answer for you but assuming $13k standard deduction leaves let’s say $27k after everything 10%-12% tax rate only shaves off ~3k over a year Not even sure if grants are taxed or not

[@connie0613]

🥺🥺

[@LuisSanchezCrypto]

How come?

[@skylinec83]

Reading all the comments about “she’s spending more than she makes each month”. Of course she is. She’s a PhD *student.* She’s got the equivalent of a full time unpaid job that she has in her day. That’s literally how attending college works for 90% of students. This is the same reason why college kids don’t get mortgages - because the banks know this is not a realistic reference point for evaluating earnings potential.

[@user-zt7os6zi2r]

I made 40k while I was in school working part time (in Seattle) it’s not hard to find a decent paying part time gig. How much one makes doesn’t matter if the person lives within their means, but this lady clearly doesn’t. Making 27k and spending like she makes 50K is financially irresponsible, student or not.

[@birdseye2239]

There's absolutely no way she affords all those things on 27K a year. Nobody making that much money can spend $300+ dollars on Ubers alone in a month. Even just her rent is generally too high for someone only making 27k. That combined with the fact that her family can pay for college tuition for a PHD student, why is she hiding them paying for everything else?

[@doomsday4004]

this video is misleading because she is not full time employee/teacher. she is actually a PhD student. I am assuming she getting some kind of assistant from somewhere/family...

[@jtiburcio]

Her food monthly budget almost $900 ??? That’s crazy

[@TransMascNurse]

I imagine she is getting money from other places but her PhD is funded! There is no tuition to pay!

[@SnowyCountryChicken]

I work in student employment at a university. She probably gets a non-service stipend like a fellowship or scholarship. She does admit that her brother and parents help her financially! She doesn't seem to be hiding anything. She probably works in the summer when she doesn't have classes.

[@Michele-hd1uh]

Sad that she chooses to use the money to support her lavish lifestyle.

[@candacedawn357]

I'm single w/o kidos & spending $800/month on food is insane!! I cook my meals at home. You should be able to find simple recipes.

[@y.m.6667]

I live in WA, and I call BS!! She has a dog that eats EVERYDAY, and I didn't see that information factored into her budget. Nails, facial treatments, and internet were also NOT factored into her budget. Other utilities? Rent -1,157x12= $13, 884 Food- 812 x12=$9,744 Transportation - 439 x 12=$5,268 Therapy -47×12= $564.00 With these expenses above (based on their own accounts), she is OVER budget by $2,460 annually. These expenses below are in addition to those above. Insurance- 8×12=$96 Spotify- 6×12=$72 Vet-1,737 Contacts-326 Ticket -104 Nothing adds up here.

[@edman813]

In the video she says she has debt, so figures that's where it comes from

[@connie0613]

@@edman813 she also has 70,000 from retirement fund she can use

[@wturner777]

​@@connie0613I'll tell you what she could really use. A reality check from Dave Ramsey.

[@mattpredictsofm.]

As a beginner, it is advisable to seek professional support, this way you can get strategies designed to address your unique long-term goals.

[@joecaruso06]

I couldn’t agree more because for newer investors like me, it's always great to hear from a person who has gone through all andd yh yh I know loses are inevitable but It's unnerving to see your portfolio go from green to red but even if I were to pick a stock.

[@mvanwie]

@@joecaruso06 Coming from someone who’s been actively and passively involved. I 100% agree it’s best to seek the help of an expert while you learn at your pace. For instance, I’ve been able to build a $262k portfolioo following Maria Teresa Tyler analysis. Financial security is achieved through diligent savings & Investments.

[@maryalchester]

@@mvanwie How trustworthy are these fin advisors? And how do I get a hold of your coach? Could I like look her up? I mean Maria Teresa Tyler

[@tommyfisher277]

@@mvanwie Maria Teresa Tyler huh? I did find her site. Resume, background & qualifications looked impressive as well as detailed. Seems to know her stuff pretty good.

[@bradsandler3526]

@@maryalchester Meeting the right one could be a hassle, in regards to the large influx of bots, it’s right to verify licenses

[@Arenem88]

Let me get this straight..She gets her nails and skincare done regularly, gets ubered around, spends 8 hundred on food and 1100 on rent while still having credit card debt and somehow manages to “help” her parents with bills while obtaining 27k a year via grant IRS where u at

[@elianah8803]

The article says she helps them with translating, didn’t hear her say she helped them financially.

[@sapphirexwind]

@@elianah8803 No it said she paid their traffic bills online...

[@skylinec83]

She paid a $100 traffic ticket for her parents.

[@Brucelee89896]

Side hustles, only fans etc ….

[@Arenem88]

@@Brucelee89896 exactly. She’s only making that much on paper.

[@CharlieChang]

Wow, Chi is living better than me 😅

[@ezra-jackthomas903]

I know there's already a lot of comments here saying that this doesn't make sense. But I just wanted to say this video is grossly misrepresentative. Do not use this video for advice. I make about 60 and after taxes I bring home only a tiny bit more than what she claims she's spending each month. Granted it's a different tax bracket. Someone commented earlier that Ph.D's are only getting paid about 8 mo's out of the year. So if you do some algebra 27k over 8mo is equivalent to about 40.5k over 12 mo. That's hard to get by on. All in all, the deets of this video don't add up. And even if they did - the life of a Ph.D. student is not representative of the average person living in Seattle. I don't typically like to call this stuff out but this is the kind of thing that gets used to justify lower rates of pay in the minds of the public. Touting this as doable is irresponsible.

[@livingunashamed4869]

I'm still trying to see how she amassed 70k in retirement in just 4 years. Thats awesome she's so ahead based off this alone.

[@satl3161]

She put it 30% of her income while she was a teacher. And retirement accounts can grow fast if you're smart. And she's got her brother who gives her sound financial advice.

[@livingunashamed4869]

I thought she said 30% savings rate meaning some in savings some in retirement. Got to have cash saved for sinking funds and emergency fund

[@manp1039]

good point. It would be helpful to know the total of her contributions to the retirement accounts and what she is invested in.

[@bitdude]

​@Living Unashamed she was averaging 60k a year as a teacher. 30% of that in retirement is around 18k. Multiply that by 4 years and it's about 72k. That part checks out but living on 27k a year in Seattle is hard to comprehend.

[@gootubesucks9390]

onlyfans

[@fendiboots4481]

Tips: reduce Uber and use public transportation. Pick favorite Hello Fresh recipes and buy the ingredients. $1,157 for 240 sq ft is unbelievable, but sadly Seattle pricing.

[@Wooster77]

Teachers don’t get paid enough.

[@americanpenguinz3897]

She works 10hours a week

[@rickyayy]

They get a lot of benefits.

[@wowthatsinteresting8951]

She’s not a teacher yet clearly

[@PleikuNguyen]

@@wowthatsinteresting8951 she was a teacher for a few years prior to this

[@wowthatsinteresting8951]

@@PleikuNguyen I stand corrected but 60,000 is enough for a teacher lol

[@AssBlasster]

Ok so let me try to clarify her rather irrational situation since I was a former PhD student in eastern Washington. Her salary is more or less accurate for a big city like Seattle. I live in a cheap part of the state where we got paid $20K salary per year (including summer work arrangements that vary with each department). I got a similar $30K offer when I applied to the University of Miami. For reference, some of the highest paid PhD students at MIT and Harvard get about ~$38K salary. In regards to my budget, I paid about $800 for a 1 bed apt + utilities, spent ~$600 eating out a lot and not caring about grocery costs, and had no pets or car. I just bike or bus around my city too. So I had a few hundred dollars leftover per month and a credit card if needed. As you might see, there is very little room for a spending budget like she portrays. She probably has an monthly allowance from her family or lives off her savings from working as a teacher to sustain her $3K budget on a ~$2K salary.

[@coreyw5981]

The real problem is apartments atleast in WA wont even let you rent unless your income is 3X the rent, whether you can live comfortably with less or not

[@zestyclose_village68]

Yeah I was a bit confused how she got her place. I’m pretty sure she had to have her brother or other family member co-sign her lease.

[@MissTopDJ007]

This is misleading AF. She did not Make It. Start broadcasting news on people who ACTUALLY are making $27K with no help from family or going to school and living frugally. Real Life situations.

[@parker.100]

It's such bs. Show what each person ACTUALLY has in income, including help from family and friends. If they're relying on credit, show it. What is the point of these videos if the series is hiding or misrepresenting information?

[@RS-uz3ud]

Something is missing in this story. She has clearly saved a lot towards retirement and has a financially savvy brother who gives her timely help! There is no way you can treat yourself on 27K and live in such a nice apartment!🙄 People barely survive on this income.

[@parker.100]

Her spending exceeds her supposed income so something isn't right

[@thisiszw]

graham stephan's gonna have a field day reviewing this video 😂

[@darkshadow955]

Graham adds no value with his reviews.

[@skylinec83]

@@darkshadow955 Graham is going to say she needs to take less Ubers, eat out less, drink more homemade $0.19 coffee and put in her money in a S&P500 index fund and let it compound for years. *YAWN*

[@darkshadow955]

@@skylinec83 Absolutely. Graham is far too predictable

[@BTrain-is8ch]

@@darkshadow955 Probably because personal finance is boring and most people are just bad at money.

[@KINGCABA-if4nk]

Yep, he’s made his comments be known.

[@jdbailey442]

She definitely saved money from teaching before relocating and going into her doctoral program. I suspect she previously lived in a small or medium sized city. She is primarily living off of the money she currently has coming in. She will be fine. She can be a professor, superintendent, school administrator, etc and make decent money once her doctoral program is finished. She can also sell lesson plans and do tutoring on the side and make decent money too.

[@octaviakf]

Silver spring MD is one the most expensive parts of Maryland which is already a high cost of living location within the US similar to living in Seattle Washington

[@hotmama298]

I'm not sure how she's able to afford rent and other expenses on 27k a year? But she's making it work and she has a good attitude about money so I'm glad it's working for her.

[@Snowfox23]

She is leaving on debt

[@eringlaberson1458]

It sounds like she's using credit card debt to make it work like a lot of other people. Her monthly expenses in January were over 3k so I don't know where the extra money is coming from to pay for that.

[@dynamichunter843]

She isn’t making it work, if you extrapolate her budget she is spending way more than she makes pre tax. She’s going into credit card debt for her food spending alone. No way she should be spending $800 as a single woman on food, she doesn’t live in NYC.

[@cocomarineblu993]

What’s the point of valuing education when you’re still poor after you get it.

[@cocomarineblu993]

Hello fresh ! No girl

[@ToddBaldwin]

I LOVED this video! Well done to her, her brother, and CNBC Make It!

[@MoorishBrooklyn]

She is amusing, keep things simple, a wonder and surprising at the same time. She really had me going when she said she was not saving at all. However she has saved in the past. Shout out to her brother for talking to her about some aspects of personal finance and financial literacy. She has a good nest egg and also wants to have a higher income to do more.

[@meryh6404]

When I was making 38K, I lived with roommates, I used only public transit and cooked all my meals at home. The only restaurant I could afford once in a while was McDonalds

[@FairBeautyEssentials]

Seriously, what brother can just loan you $15k? Not my brother!😅And her brother coached her/advised her on building up her retirement savings to where it’s $70k?!🤯 Look, her brother should’ve been on this episode, not her..cause clearly he is “makin’ it”

[@skylinec83]

I don’t mean this in a misogynistic way but the oldest son in an Asian family is expected to “pave the way” and be the example for their siblings. They’re supposed to be the one shouldering the responsibility of taking care of not only the siblings but also the parents when they grow up. So it’s not really a surprise that the brother had to get a high paying job, learn financial skills on his own, guide his little sister on major money matters, and help with putting her thru school. Also, I am speculating that because the older brother is fiscally responsible and is demonstrating that he can not only take care of himself but also his little sister already - that’s why the parents are ok to let the younger sister “follow her dreams” despite in a field that’s known to be less than lucrative. Going farther out on a limb here but I assume that’s also why the little sister only needs to handle more trivial matters for the parents like paying speeding tickets or calling up customer service on the phone. I’m betting that big brother is probably dealing with the more serious parental matters. Just a hunch.

[@jones2277]

good point!

[@jones2277]

@@skylinec83 but also, the parents probably poured all of their finances into him as the first son, and now it is his turn to do it for his sister.

[@skylinec83]

@@jones2277 Yup, that's highly possible as well.

[@_w_w_]

This is pretty typical of Asian families.

[@blinkofani07]

I would like to applaud this young lady for pursuing her own professional aspirations (education over business), rather than caving in to her parent's well intentioned dreams for her future. That takes REAL courage. Personally, I didn't have the strength. Per my immigrant parent's wishes, I became a pharmacist. While I am grateful for the financial security pharmacy has provided me, I have never loved my job - I tolerate it. I struggle with stress, burnout, regret and resentment on a daily basis. Having immigrant parents taught me frugality and how to save money (in savings accounts), but it taught me nothing about investing or how to set myself up for financial independence. I am fumbling along that path on my own. I'm so glad she has her brother, who seems to be educating and encouraging her. He is really "teaching a man to fish" and giving invaluable skills and opportunities. May we all have someone like that in our lives.

[@skylinec83]

Bingo. How many of us took the fiscally responsible route only to be grinding until we can save enough to hang it up one glorious day? Good on her on being able to make this decision while she’s young and stick to her guns.

[@thedopplereffect00]

She should have listened to her parents. Sounds like she is putting herself further and further into debt for a degree that won't likely pay very much.

[@SaintsandSushi]

How is putting yourself into a financial hole instead of making money by having a business something to be proud of?? She is literally drowning in credit card debt and can’t even do grocery shopping…she lacks basic skills and her hoping to be more financially responsible in the future is not very likely. She took the easy route not the best route. Doing a PHD is piece of cake compared to the grind that needs to be done to have a successful business. She is getting financed by her parents and brother…her math ain’t mathing.

[@blinkofani07]

@@SaintsandSushi I’m getting negative vibes… why? My comment was simply focused on her accomplishments. Her parents wanted her to get a business DEGREE. A business degree doesn’t make you an entrepreneur. Sure, entrepreneurship is fantastic for some people - but not for everybody. Is college and grad school the best choice for everybody? Absolutely not. Is a graduate degree always a good return on investment? Absolutely not. It seems like she had dons research and thinks it will pay off. I hope it does.

[@skylinec83]

@@SaintsandSushi A few rebuttals: 1) virtually every college student is putting themselves more in debt each additional day they’re attending school 2) $1500 in credit card debt is not “drowning in debt” especially if she can make $26/hr as a student 3) the fact that she can save 30% of her income or 4 years shows that she is fiscally responsible enough to get the major points down. So what if you buy a $300 bottle of perfume or shop once in a while or prefer to grocery shop at Whole Foods when you’ve got $70k saved at age 26? 4) I get CNBC is a money and finance channel but money is not the end all and be all to life. The fact that she’s a teacher and still electing to get a PhD in the field with firsthand experience under her belt shows that she is passionate about the work and not about the dollars. To her, it’s worth the sacrifice in lucrative earnings to be able to work with kids, shape the next generation, or maybe 3 months off a year - whatever her motivation. How many of us hate our jobs but are locked in due to the paycheck? How many business owners have war stories about on the verge of not making it and getting white hair from stress or the sleepless nights? How many businesses straight up don’t make it? There’s nothing wrong with avoiding the high stakes rat race and pursuing a profession because of personal fulfillment rather than the monetary compensation.

[@rgrgrg836]

I’m confused by the numbers on this one. Yes living on $27k is doable when you’re actually spending $40k?

[@connie0613]

Some months, she can spend less. It was just for January! She can quit hello fresh the next month?

[@CaseyBurnsInvesting]

3271 x 12 = 39,252 The math ain’t mathing. This girl’s financial life will be a trainwreck if she doesn’t change after school and get serious about her income and staying out of debt.

[@skylinec83]

The whole premise of being a student is that it’s a temporary arrangement and you’ll have exponentially higher earnings realized after graduation.

[@13ikea]

The math in this video isn’t mathing at all

[@PleikuNguyen]

I ASKED HER: She makes ~$3500 a month for 8 months, she was planning on getting a summer job but recently got put a grant so summers will be paid about the same too Making 3500 and spending 3300 isn’t bad at all (she also says that 3300 month was a high month, it’s not always that bad) P.s. she says that $350 bottle of perfume was bought like 2 years ago 🤣

[@13ikea]

@@PleikuNguyen how did she amass to saving 70k in retirement on a teacher salary for 3 years in a high COL location?

[@PleikuNguyen]

@@13ikea she was a teacher in Maryland for 4 years before moving to Seattle, 30% on $60k = $18k a year, times 4 years is about $72k

[@skylinec83]

Initially I thought she had the typically Millennial YOLO mentality until I saw that she saved $70k in 4 years with a teacher’s salary. Ok she has been fairly fiscally responsible despite CNBC focusing on what seemed to be outsized expenses/splurges on low student salary. But come on - we all know the unsung hero here is her brother.

[@copycatsyoutube2112]

shes very likable

[@biscaynesupercars]

Baccarat Rouge 540 and 27k a year do not go together but she definitely had savings from before and she’s currently in school which was left out of the title

[@y.m.6667]

The show is talking about living on $27k annually, not including her savings or retirement. These things don't add up here, based on their own information.

[@Erin-rg3dw]

Another comment said that she'd actually bought some of that stuff earlier, not all in one year. The show layout makes it seem like all of these expenses /earnings are consistent, when in reality they are not.

[@thirteenwolfies]

I have to say it; her nails are amazing! 🖤😍

[@connie0613]

Agreee

[@darlinspaces]

I relate to this video so much! I started out like that but because I stuck it out and abided by a specific budget at least I can buy a new car!

[@meejinhuang]

You can't survive on that amount in Seattle. You won't have much savings and a job loss will put you on the street.

[@gio.orbit5498]

"I do hope I become more responsible when I start making more money" 😂 that's not how that works

[@myreel]

I can vouch for that. I went from little, to more and I have failed to become more responsible.

[@lenaprice6239]

I love her philosophy about money. I save a lot of money, but if I want to buy something, I just buy it, and do not stress about it. I do not however purchase items on credit, that I can't afford to pay off in full each month.

[@freshestinclass763]

Right.. I don't see how anyone do it anyway else. But my wife always fights it.. I don't see no point in saving all the time and not picking up somethings that'll last along the way.

[@whitneybrown4067]

This is Gonna b so Informative🔥🔥🔥👍n Happy Monday😀….

[@jennyqzq]

She is happy, spirited and warm-hearted

[@connie0613]

Yess! Love it

[@_w_w_]

Without a supportive Asian family, her spending is just not possible. I am a single good-earner, and with the exception of housing, she spends more on every other category than me. $800+ on food is just nuts. I am in California and I spend about $200/month on groceries and I don't exert any spending control.

[@msmeow157]

Food is expensive. She orders from Hello Fresh which makes it even mote expensive. She is definitely not making it on $27k.

[@_w_w_]

@@msmeow157 Agreed. With her limited income and as a PhD student, ordering most meals from Hello Fresh isn't financially smart. Even in Seattle, over $400 a month on transportation is very high. At her $27K income, she'd qualify for free ORCA transportation card, which means she is spending about $400 in Uber rides, which is a lot for simply "augment" public transit. This story is full of holes.

[@DellDreamer]

$820 per month for food seems to be a bit high for one person.

[@indigodande4345]

I worked in Seattle making 21 an hour. About 35k take home after taxes. Rented a basement from a lady 1500 for 2 bedroom 1 bath Shopped the perimeter of the store for self and husband 130 for 2 weeks groceries. 40 a week for gas = 120 Didn’t eat out often at all Made one pot meals. 150 in insurance Car payment 350 or so a month. Internet was 80 a month or so for comcast Clothing was good will. Date day was a walk at magnusson or greenlake. Luckily water sewage and electricity was included in rent. Seeking a micro studio for myself and one dog was about 1100 a month. This was as of 2020 Renting a 3 bedroom in 2017 was about 2300 shared with roommates. I guess renting by yourself on my salary is possible but it’s by the skin of your teeth. I also had pay deducted for insurance and 401k. So about her amount of money.

[@indigodande4345]

@@abbyz9790 I mean you really would have to feasibly have roommates. probably 3 of them and rent a 3 bedroom. Then tier the price of the rooms between the three of you. I think in 2019 our 3 bedroom was between 1800 and 2200. If you can each price the rooms based on which ones have more benefits - like the master being 800, the second room being 700, the smallest being 600 - you could probably make it on 16 an hour starting but each person needs to pull their weight. Once you enter a roommate situation though you have to remember each person may move onto living their own life and at any time if one of you suffers losing a job, sickness, or moving out with a significant other its going to topple and break a very delicately crafted balance. To live on your own I think by the time I was making 21 an hour working from home, a micro studio would have been possible maybe take home on 21 an hour was about 38 to 40k. I had a car payment which would have debilitated my situation. So if you dont have a car and work from home you might be ok. Even on my pay it would have been tight. You probably now in 2023 have to make about 60k to be comfortable and be a minimalist. I also mean 60k in the essence that you are comfortable at your job and not like trying to keep your jjob by the skin of your teeth. it needs to be stable.

[@TheBruceKeller]

'Paying my brother back', so that's the secret of how she affords to 'live on $27k a year in Seattle'.

[@anaroman1499]

Her monthly spending is more than what she makes....

[@skylinec83]

Just like 90% of any college student in the US

[@PleikuNguyen]

Somewhat clickbait missing details, she gets paid $3500 a month and spends about $3300 But only makes that on an 8 month/year schedule, was gonna get a summer job but she recently got a grant so she’ll make about the same over the summer too

[@benny871]

Teacher should get paid at least 6 figures. This is insane that they are getting paid so low for such a crucial job

[@Veerow2005]

Agreed. I taught for 5 years. It’s an extremely difficult and important job.

[@biscaynesupercars]

I was told in nyc they do make 6 figures

[@tylerjodeblock1224]

this is why the education system is a joke, anyone that has any real value to offer will simply leave the field and go into a different field to make a better living

[@thedopplereffect00]

No they shouldn't. Test scores have fallen for the last 40 years. They don't deserve it because they are poorly trained government workers.

[@thedopplereffect00]

​@@tylerjodeblock1224 teachers unions protect poor performance

[@teenytinytoons]

By far CNBC's best and most relatable series. Obssessed with this series.

[@Santiagomanuel240]

If you wanna be successful, you must take responsibility for your emotions, not place the blame on others. In addition to making you feel more guilty about your faults, pointing the finger at others will only serve to increase your sense of personal accountability. There's always a risk in every investment, yet people still invest and succeed. You must look outward if you wanna be successful in life...

[@WilliamReynolds887]

Absolutely. Market success requires emotional maturity

[@mikaelrutherford1507]

The first step to successful investing is figuring out your goals and risk tolerance either on your own or with the help of a financial professional but is very advisable you make use of a professional

[@sirmoritzo.schulte5392]

I trade as a side hustle while keeping my job. I'm tired of trading in losses myself. I've blown my account twice and it's frustrating. I see people making a living out of trading and I want to do the same. Please I need help can someone teach me how to trade?

[@Pepper212]

I'll recommend Expert Mrs. Pamela Weaver to you. She's the best I've seen. She trades my fx account and makes me good profits weekly

[@Marine40]

I'm one of her clients.... and I'm a living testimony of Expert Mrs. Pamela. She has changed my financial status for the best, all thanks 😊 to my friend who introduced her to me🙌

[@ggggg-fo2xq]

no student loans, 70k in retirement at less then 30 years old, less then 2k on living expenses? I think she's killing it, everybody has things they spend a little more on, whether it be a comedy show, sports game, in her case she splurged and spent $300 on perfume. I think we need to stop judging people, at the end of the day its her money she isn't stealing it or leeching off the government.

[@kelvinjunior3359]

No student loans here. Spent 280 on perfume and I don’t regret it one bit. Never done drugs, weed, or alcohol. You’re right. Everyone has their own spending vice

[@PleikuNguyen]

P.s. she said she bought that $300 perfume like 2 years ago so it’s not a frequent buy or anything

[@ss11733]

did she say she owes her brother 50k??? sounds like she's living on more than her salary

[@anoukc6928]

15K

[@dscalia2443]

That math ain’t mathin

[@echuynh]

Very misleading to say 27K is doable in Seattle, WA. She's racking up huge amount of debts without any savings. Well let's hope she's not teaching finance with the PhD.

[@jdwiles777]

Noooooo - she is definitely NOT living for 27k a year in Seattle. While I don't doubt she's found a studio for that cheap somewhere around town here, her January budget would require her to make 36k a year AFTER taxes. Basically, her food and lodging alone would be the entirety of her annual income after tax. These numbers are crazy misleading. I'm glad she's got someone or some loans subsidizing her education, good for her. She's getting her PhD in my field and we need awesome people in SpEd, but I live in Seattle and unless you're living with roommates, getting your monthly housing down to $6 or $700 a month (think 4 or 5 people in one house), there's just no way to exist here in the city at that annual take-home. You can definitely live in Seattle at minimum wage if you don't have a car (no Ubering!), do a house-share with people ($6-800/month), and make sure 90% (or so) of your food budget is groceries. You'd also have to find a job or two at minimum wage, enough to get about 40 hours a week.

[@parker.100]

Exactly!

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Living on $27,000 is doable (as long as you have a supportive brother lol)

[@PleikuNguyen]

I ASKED HER: She makes ~$3500 a month for 8 months, she was planning on getting a summer job but recently got put a grant so summers will be paid about the same too Making 3500 and spending 3300 isn’t bad at all (she also says that 3300 month was a high month, it’s not always that bad)

[@teenytinytoons]

bro she has $70k in retirement savings at 26. do you?

[@Elizabeth-mf3dn]

It’s great when siblings advise and support eachother ❤

[@naya4607]

I love her omg, I want to be her friend ❤️ yes to the first gen American story, yes to life is short but still having retirement savings and getting/doing what you want! Yes to therapy and yes to her likes and hobbies 🎉🎉🎉 she seems so awesome

[@jujugarcianyc]

This is so misleading... And I don't blame her. CNBC is so click-baity. She is NOT living on 27k a year. She has years and years of free college, free investment advice, years of over double the promoted salary of 27k (even in her "low paying job" of 60k/year), is also have school paid for by a fellowship. January 2023 alone, which is usually the lowest cost month for folks, would equate to living on $60k a year, and I'm sure her life costs even more than that. She seems level-headed and reasonable about her financial reality, but CNBC has to stop misleading people into thinking anyone can genuinely live a nice life off 27k. Ridiculous gaslighting of the working class.

[@mayapineda1262]

I don't think its very doable if you're having to borrow money from your brother and started building up to 50k. I'm making 60k in Seattle and I'm barely getting by

[@ParthPatel-lc7eq]

I made more a year in high school/college and I could barely afford rent food and tuition. That's on top of going instate.

[@itsblack90]

I want to know how does she pay $47 for therapy

[@nicolegrande6151]

Probably from the school she's at.

[@SugarKrystalStudio]

She has to pay a copay, for behavioral health with a therapist or psychiatrist can range from $5-$65 based on your plan

[@itsblack90]

@@nicolegrande6151 are we sure?

[@itsblack90]

@@SugarKrystalStudio i wanted to know where if it was something online so i can extend the resource to a friend

[@nicolegrande6151]

@@itsblack90 I know a lot of students get reduced therapy using MH resources from their school.

[@aqworlds9]

Peoples food budget i think in general are INSANE. I cant fathom the amount of money people spend on food. Her food alone pays my entire month worth of expenses (i bought my apartment cash, so no rent/loan).

[@lt9335]

Eating out and groceries in Seattle is really expensive. If you eat out 2-3x a week with friends, that adds up to $400 a month easy. 1 entree and splitting an appetizer can come out to over $30 after tax and tip. Groceries for 1 person is like $300. And I know plenty of people who spend more than that. The cost of living in a city like Seattle is just on a different scale.

[@The_VANtastic_Pack]

She should go through Banfield the pet hospital for her dog's vaccines, check ups and depending which plan your on, dental cleaning and bloodwork etc. Is included and is more affordable then the route she's taken.

[@joelmonster]

This needs to be labeled satire. What a dangerous concept to present to people, to accept their lot in life and not to put responsibility on the employer to grant living wages. We shouldn't conform to mediocrity and struggle to survive. This young lady needs to grow up and realize her financial advice is for corporate wet dreams, not the average human.

[@PleikuNguyen]

The video missed a lot of detail, makes for better clickbait content I guess But she makes $27k/8 months Summers she would’ve gotten a job but recently got a grant so she’ll make the same over the summer too

[@o11ivand3r]

I've been budgeting for making 40K in Seattle, and while I'll be able to live comfortably, I absolutely cannot spend hundreds every month on food subscriptions and transportation. Acting smarter, not harder is a legitimate way to get settled in an expensive city if you know how to prove yourself to a landlord (without making 3x rent), budget for groceries, and spend just a little on costly hobbies, but not if your throwing money around like this.

[@rashb3994]

Lol, she sounds the part and looks so pleasant which is a great way to throw us off. Now for reality, hearing her spending habits is actually driving me up the wall. She probably could find a way to actually live on 27K for realzies cutting down on her inflated expenses.

[@virgoeun]

This is nice content. It's so rare to see 'normal' people, saving, at time struggling, but still finding small happiness in their lives, on this platform where all those fancy influencers or youtubers are talking about 1m is easy to earn blah blah.

[@mikewayne8902]

wishing her the best man she seems humble and cool asf. good luck you beautiful spirit you !

[@ellenc4872]

I've lived off $27k before in an expensive city (while not going into debt) and the reality is a lot more stressful! It's paycheck-to-paycheck and I had to monitor my spending carefully. I didn't have money for luxuries because everything I made went into survival or savings. She seems like an cool person, and no hate towards her or her lifestyle - but I hope CNBC Make It comes out with more videos showing the lifestyle of who's making $27K in an expensive city, and living within their means. Also, the video seems misleading... 27k a year is $2250 a month...but it says her budget is 1k more than that (so I assume she is using credit cards/loans to live the lifestyle of someone who makes more income)

[@wturner777]

Maybe another non-biased news source will show the reality of people making $27k a year. Especially people living at or below the poverty line.

[@timehathtcg]

ya know its moments like this that make me...... take a step back and just reflect anyone feel that way after watching this XD

[@talyhahernandez8361]

I’m excited for Graham to see this

[@tammykhair]

love this!

[@user-jb6uz8oq9e]

Though she’s content She won’t be here forever she got goals and an achiever obviously 👏👏

[@bge1234]

"Right now, I'm not really saving any money." *Graham Stephen has entered the chat.*

[@McLivin410]

Numbers don’t add up. She getting help from her family for sure. Without it she would starve

[@buzzybee186]

She has such an amazing attitude. A good balance of enjoying life/staying in her means but without depravation

[@tylerjodeblock1224]

I used to think that way too at 26 years old, until you live that mindset getting nowhere for another 3-4 years you become jaded and strive for real change and get what you are truely worth

[@doomsday4004]

this video is misleading. she is not full time employee/teacher. she is actually PhD student. she is not making it by herself...

[@hsuantingchen490]

I like it that CNBC is not just sharing positive example and we get to learn from the bad ones too.

[@mevans3291]

She could be doing more with her budget especially savings and less on eating out but she does not want that and she is content so it was a great to hear her side.

[@darlinspaces]

Except most people comment they want to see relatable content...people who may not be really living high up there and actually saving their income

[@showbling]

I agree with her for a single person. If you have a family with kids, it is a different story. You know if you know. :)

[@steveton1682]

YIKES! The naive part is... if she doesn't change her mindset, her expenses will continue to go up with her income once she graduates and she'll never be able to repay the $15K loan from her brother.

[@jimba6486]

This lady is a catch fellas. I get good vibes from her. Down to Earth.

[@larrywilliams8335]

She’s was very relatable

[@Myeternalperspective]

I like her attitude. She’s seems like a cool person. 🤘

[@happylife7542]

She will make way more after she graduates though. Let’s be real . And thanks to what she does for our future generations

[@MM-sf3rl]

Chi you’re so cute; and a gentle soul. I like how you seem to tread easy on this earth.

[@thankgodlove]

yes i agree!

[@Vivalinaaa]

Was this just clickbait? The annual cost of living was way more than the annual salary shown on the title.

[@Gpacharlie]

$2500 per month in Seattle? You are exceptional. Please write a how to book for the rest of us. You won’t need to live on $2500 for long.

[@itsteethomas]

Spending $3,200.00+ a month is far beyond $27,000.00 she is claiming to make annually. A lot of information was left out of this. She is drowning in debt.

[@parker.100]

If family is helping the subject of a video, they should include that money as income!

[@flexor212000]

I'd like to hear how much credit debt and how much she spends on cards for all this stuff.

[@cblw14]

Love these videos when people make lower amounts of money. I'm also a PhD student in Chicago making around the same amount of money as her 🥴

[@dopemusic6414]

Good luck with your studies

[@cblw14]

@@dopemusic6414 thank you!!

[@jaredtheboss]

​@@cblw14 how do you afford rent

[@cblw14]

@@jaredtheboss house poor for my first two years in an apartment with pests in Chicago. Then, moved to the suburbs and rent out place with sister. 😔

[@Tapha_Bezos]

Spending 39,252/yr earning 27k, you are on your way to RICHESSSS 😮😅

[@skylinec83]

“No student loan debt” and “$70k in retirement” would like to counter