Quoting Ryloonjimama:" $17000 a month? Gtfo. Just because all of their money is "accounted" for, doesn't make them poor or even ... [snip!] ... are giving to charity. They have retirement, vacation fund etc. They have spare cash for "fun" activities. Poor... What a joke."

Well, I feel like I worded it badly.

This persons budget was meant to show how he doesn't live extravagantly but still manages to spend all of his monthly paycheck.

I feel like it's BS. And his perception of "extravagant" has become severely blurred.

So I was thinking about it more and more last night to conclude that..... $17K a month?! Holy crap man, there is no way in hell that individual is poor, if it were $1,700 a month then depending on their other expenses like kids, pets or whatever you might be pushing it. Smurf I would love to make $17K a month, lucky lucky person. They still need to talk to a financial advisor though to sort through that issue.

Can I be poor then? Because this middle class thing isn't quite working out

Quoting *...*...*...*:" Well, I feel like I worded it badly. This persons budget was meant to show how he doesn't live extravagantly ... [snip!] ... to spend all of his monthly paycheck. I feel like it's BS. And his perception of "extravagant" has become severely blurred."

I've made that much and more. My income was tied to bonuses so I didnt get a fixed amount each month, but making $211k/yr as a single would be well-off but wouldnt support extravagance.
Making that as a family in many areas in the northeast and some big cities puts you squarely in the middle-class category.
I'm still shocked by how little he pays in taxes. MS must be a low-tax state BUT, i think his figures are wrong in that section and they just might be wrong in other sections.
Regarding charity, it looks like he tithes.

All of the above said, he is clearly way beyond poor but also not rich either. If he is really smart with money and continues to make a lot, he can increase his net worth instead of spending it on lots of "stuff."

Quoting *...*...*...*:" Well, I feel like I worded it badly. This persons budget was meant to show how he doesn't live extravagantly ... [snip!] ... to spend all of his monthly paycheck. I feel like it's BS. And his perception of "extravagant" has become severely blurred."

I don't think his budget is extravagant at all. It seems like a basic budget, IMO.
That being said, I don't think he's poor or broke either.

Quoting TheNuge:" I've made that much and more. My income was tied to bonuses so I didnt get a fixed amount each month, ... [snip!] ... really smart with money and continues to make a lot, he can increase his net worth instead of spending it on lots of "stuff.""

I'm still wondering about his taxes

Quoting Destinite:" I don't think his budget is extravagant at all. It seems like a basic budget, IMO. That being said, I don't think he's poor or broke either."

Would you consider it a modest budget?

Quoting *...*...*...*:" Would you consider it a modest budget?"

Yes, pending that his budget is really correct. I have extravagant tendencies when it comes to some of my purchases.

Quoting Destinite:" I'm still wondering about his taxes....I pay far more in taxes than he does. We make around the same income."

yes, i think something is wrong with that number. It's 22% and that is low.

Quoting *...*...*...*:" Would you consider it a modest budget?"

Yes. I agree it's on the moderate side.
His utilities arent high.
His 401k should be clarified - he can contribute a max of $17k/yr so after a few months his direct contribution stops and his take-home pay is higher.