HelloSweetie wrote:^^^^ if SB estimates are high like I've heard, and the real total is somewhere in the middle, the E&J have gone from about 600K in Jan to 320K now. Yes they can live comfortably with this, but they a certain financial decisions when they thought the numbers were going to keep climbing. For instance, based on that budget Ellie showed the one time, they weren't putting enough into long-term savings when they had more disposable income. E&J desperately like to keep up with the Joneses and they definitely won't be able to with their numbers treading so far behind Ruby and Bonnie's.... especially given that both sisters have no network and have maintained their old lifestyle for the most part.
E&J spend quite freely now, and that isn't sustainable. On paper and to most of us it seems like they make a lot of money, and they do, but they have upgraded their lifestyle substantially so there is less money to long-term savings. If they want to plan a retirement of even $100 a year, for the next 35+ yrs (assuming YT is sustainable for at least the next 10 yrs) then they need to be saving over half what they earn every month. For reference, my husband and his coworkers earn slightly less than E&J, yet all have lifestyles that more closely resemble Bonnie or Ruby's. We live in a comparable area as far as costs go, but if you make a lot and want it to stay that way for your entire lives, then you have to save more also. Not buy a fancy house, large hot tub, new camper (etc etc) on the spur of the moment.
So basically they are living comfortably, but it's just for now. Continuing as they do the day will come when they are not only having to work out of the home again, but find another 6 figure job.
This isn't even accounting for the mission or educational savings (and weddings) they will need for the boys, both of which will require hundreds of thousands as well.
This! I see this debated over and over again on these boards and it usually seems that people look at the numbers for now and don't think of the future. Many of these families were struggling before You Tube because they couldn't get better paying jobs and this isn't going to change after You Tube. If they want to stay financially free, they need to invest wisely and based on spending habits, I don't see many bloggers doing that. Interestingly enough, the bloggers that had their lives set up prior to starting You Tube, seem to be making far better decisions. Possibly because they have already struggled with money and are more appreciative of the windfall? J&K, Ruby, Bonnie, they all seem to be banking a lot of the extra and this is smart because they are focusing on the long-term instead of just instant gratification in the short term.
Most people forget about long-term savings now, and would much rather "enjoy their money" and have more toys when they are young. Trouble is, this is why you see so many older couples that are still paying their mortgage, or looking to downgrade their lifestyle, when they retire. For most people retirement savings happens over 40 years, but Ellie and Jared are lazy, and will want to continue to both stay home long after You Tube changes. Plus each kid may bring in more numbers, but they are going to also be a long-term expense too!
E&J may have made more than Bonnie or Ruby have to date, but they have also spent far, far more.
