'It Is Super Frustrating': Accountant With $190K Yearly Salary Struggles with Debt and Budgeting

Illustration purposes only (Photo by MART PRODUCTION/ Pexels)

Lifestyle creep, a common issue where increased income leads to higher spending without additional savings, has significantly impacted Preston, whose annual income has doubled to $190,000 over the past five years. Despite this, he finds himself broke by the end of each month. Preston, an accountant living in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and three children, called into The Dave Ramsey Show to discuss his predicament of living paycheck to paycheck.

Preston's situation reflects a broader issue in the US, where high living costs, mortgage rates, and elevated inflation and interest rates affect even high-income earners. During his call, he revealed $222,500 in debt and mentioned having enough savings to start an emergency fund, estimated by Ramsey's team to be $1,000. His debts include $4,500 in student loans, $6,000 in medical debt, a $12,000 car loan, and a $200,000 mortgage. Preston expressed frustration at his inability to make extra payments, saying, "I know we have more room in the budget. When I try to make one extra payment at the end of the month, it's just not there. It is super frustrating."

Struggles with Budgeting

Despite creating a detailed family budget, Preston admitted he struggles to follow it strictly. He finds it ironic that, as an accountant, he is not adept at managing his expenses. He sought advice on how to cut down miscellaneous costs, such as dining out. The family plans to spend between $1,500 and $2,000 monthly on food, but often ends up spending up to $3,000 due to frequent dining out. While he knows how to manage client finances, his knowledge doesn't help with his budget.

Ramsey's team highlighted that impulsive spending is a significant challenge, exacerbated by the rise of buy-now-pay-later apps. The average American lost $150 monthly to impulsive spending in 2023, down from over $300 in 2022. Easier access to credit increases the likelihood of reckless spending. To address this, Ramsey suggested that Preston and his family eat at home more often to stay within their food budget. Planning weekly meals, maintaining a shopping list, and cooking at home could save them almost $1,500 monthly.

Necessary Spending Adjustments

The advisors recommended that Preston start living as if he earns $80,000 annually and adjust his budget accordingly. This would involve cutting back on various expenses, such as cancelling subscriptions, eating out less, and reducing activities like the kids' Little Gym classes. They explained that trimming discretionary expenses becomes easier when setting short-term goals, emphasising that a few months or a year of frugal living is a small sacrifice for long-term financial relief.

Preston was also advised to use the debt snowball method to clear his smallest debt quickly by making the highest repayments towards it while paying the minimum on the others. In his case, this would start with the $4,500 student loan. Once cleared, the funds used for this debt could be redirected to the next smallest debt. While the snowball method may save less on interest payments than the avalanche method, which targets high-interest debts, it provides psychological motivation by closing loan accounts quickly.

Leveraging Skills for Extra Income

Lastly, experts suggested that Preston could use his accounting skills to secure freelance gigs, as these can pay well and provide additional income to help with debt repayment. Preston's story illustrates that even high earners are not necessarily financially secure. Active participation in budgeting, managing spending, and investing for long-term results is crucial. By implementing these strategies, Preston and his family can work towards achieving financial stability and escaping the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

Preston's predicament is a reminder that high income does not automatically equate to financial security. Proper financial planning, disciplined budgeting, and prudent spending are essential for maintaining and growing wealth. As living costs continue to rise, even high-income earners must remain vigilant in their financial practices to ensure long-term prosperity.