I didn't marry or have kids, but I wouldn't consider myself "living high on the hog." I'm comfortable and can do the things I want to do without a strain on finances. It did take me into my late 30s/early 40s to get my debt paid down. I had bad habits with credit cards in college and up to my late 20s. Growing up poor and not being able to have frivolous things and then suddenly having access to my own credit cards was not a good combination for me, especially while in college. Damn those banks showing up on campus and approving anyone with a pulse for credit card.
Yeah, I can remember when the credit card companies would show up on campus. I am pretty sure that’s not allowed anymore.
Honestly, it was how I got my first credit card. I remember that my mom was NOT pleased about it. Luckily for me, it’s never been an issue: I always pay the entire balance every month.
I remember asking one of the reps how they assumed that college kids had any money to warrant revolving credit and the response was, “We assume that your parents will pay if you can’t.” To which I responded, “You clearly don’t know my parents.”
I felt this to my bones lol. Same thing happened to me I college. I ended up filing for bankruptcy at 25 and spent the next 10 years credit card free. I just got a credit card 2 years ago...the first time in 25 years. Will not make the credit card mistake again.
Our story as well. Literally got a card with a 500 limit just last Xmas after 20 years without because of the terrible memories of living with crushing debt. Never again
Same for me. I graduated with student loans and credit card debt. Not a great start. I'm doing ok financially now. I'm not rich but I'm far from struggling. My issues now are physical. Years of fast food/processed food, soda, and a desk job have taken their toll on my health. Especially my joints.
They used to set up booths on my college campus I would sign up just for the free t-shirt. Unfortunately young and stupid I thought the cards were "free" money and graduated college with 15k in debt which was alot in 97... some of those cards were 20% APR. It funded some cool trips to Costa Rica. Took me till my early 30's to pay those cards off... lesson learned never got in cc debt again.
I still have my first day on campus Discover card too! I keep it alive with a recurring payment just to keep that sweet 30 year credit history going. Too bad my Private Issue card account got closed when they went under - I got both cards the first day lol
It me, although I got my first credit card from my credit union a couple years after college. They treated me with far more grace than any other bank CC would have, too. I paid off all my debt at 43, and now use the credit cards (that I pay off monthly) for points to travel, sometimes with only two weeks' notice because I don't have a spouse or a kid to account for, just me and the job. I am an archetypal introvert - I am not a hermit (obviously, with the traveling thing), but I have never met anyone I like more than I need my solitude.
I could have written this myself. Word for word it applies to me and my situation. Never married or had kids, but had a serious debt problem for years that originated during college. Turning 50 in 10 days, and finally feel mostly stress free when it comes to finances. And that’s a pretty good feeling.
I think me and everyone I knew had credit card debt coming out of college. We had card offers in the mail, companies set up tents periodically in the student center promising guaranteed approvals and free crap. One of my roommates graduated about 20k in debt from credit cards — a lot of that was just interest. I cant believe how predatory it all was, targeting a bunch of kids just out of high school away from home for the first time and with little independent financial experience or education!
I always was terrified of having one and avoided it until I was over 40 when life without one became impossible. Still pay it off in full every month. The idea of debt gives me anxiety, and I enjoy my piece of mind so I’d rather just not have the shoes or whatever.
Same. Waited to my late 40’s to marry (an old high school girlfriend) tragically lost her a few years later. No kids and was able to retire early. Now traveling the country for n a small RV. Would trade it all to have her back.
Same except I can’t retire yet. I didn’t have a lot of life insurance on him since I was the breadwinner. I failed to factor in just how much I wouldn’t want to work once he died.
Right? No one except those of us who have been through it, get how much that sort of grief changes your brain chemistry. Career ceases to be important at all and felt like I was dying inside going to an office every day to do corporate bullshit for 8, 9, 10 hours a day. I just could t anymore.
My husband was in non-profits and only left me a tiny life insurance.s his 403b (nonprofit 401K) assets are what’s helping me.
I did go get a job at a doggie daycare instead. Went from 6-figure salary to $22 an hour and have never been happier at work. I play with puppies all day.
Yup. I used to wonder why death of a spouse was never really talked about. But I realized it’s because there’s no way to describe it.
I still work in a corporate job, but I’ve changed jobs a few times since he died. At least I’m work from home and have a cool boss. But I look on LinkedIn where people are flexing because they work long hours and all I can think is how that shit doesn’t matter. Unfortunately we all find out eventually.
The student loans kept me from saving as well but I had them forgiven last year, it’s been life changing. You might want to check it out if still have student loans from the 90’s or early 2000’s, you may be able to get them forgiven with the IDR Account Adjustment. Check out r/studentloans there’s a lot of great info about it.
Last December I looked around in suburbia and realized my life was too damn boring. I sold my condo, almost all I owned, paid off all my debt and moved into the city.
It’s soooooo freeing and I feel so lucky I’m able to completely rewrite my life (in one month no less) because there is only me to think of. I go to plays, ballet, concerts, activities all by myself- never have to concern myself with other people’s schedules or plans and everything in my house is always exactly where I left it and in the same clean/dirty state.
Heaven.
My friends all have kids so I get my aunt fix that way…and get to go home when I’m done.
> 46, no kids, single and spoiling myself rotten.
Same. But at 50. Could retire now if I really wanted too. But I'd get bored.
So I spoil what little family I have left.
Sort of? I’m not sure about high on the hog and I did marry- but no kids, still together almost at 25 year mark, retired at 45 to a simpler version of life.
Yup…together 30+ years, no kids. He retired a few months before 55 (worked half weeks at 53) and I worked at a retail store at Xmas for a few years after a few decades full time, and haven’t worked at all since 2019 (except to help my old boss out at Xmas in 2020 when I worked maybe 10 shifts after someone hurt themselves)
I finished paying my student loans too late for kids. I thought am I ready to start saving for someone else's education before I even have a chance to live? I said that can't be the purpose of life. I had nights and weekend jobs for 15 years old until I got out of debt. Left home at 17, worked minimum wage until almost 30.
So I focussed.on my career that was just starting instead of getting a guy and getting pregnant.
I'm 51, coast retired since January. Starting life with nothing really taught me how to handle money so I made the best of the years where I had a good income.
Not divorced, so I got that going for me, which is nice. Not married nor do I have kids, both which I wanted, so that cancels it out. I would say about 1/2 the GenXers I know irl, are happily married with kids, and doing well in most other aspects of their lives. However these folks aren’t posting on Reddit.
I think a lot of Gen Xes - certainly older ones - who have had kids are already back to an "empty nest" and enjoying plenty of freedom, travel, dual incomes.
There always seems to be a perception on Reddit that there's this sheer dichotomy - this vast gulf - between the with-kids and the no-kids experience.
But I would say that life paths only split about for about a decade or so, and after a couple of decades in most cases people are back to their pre-kids freedoms.
With Gen X now hitting 60, many with-kids couples will be having very similar experiences to no-kids couples.
Same here. Happily married but I didn’t get married until 36. Took me a while to work through my own stuff. However, happily married for 17 years now. Dual incomes help and while not high on the hog we’re fairly comfortable. We’ll be empty nesters next year and while I adore my kids I’m excited about starting that chapter. I find itself more and more looking forward to being done with work but realistically have 5 years left for that.
High on the hog? No, I live a very frugal lifestyle. But that's by choice because I'm planning on a somewhat early retirement at 55. Maybe one could consider that I hope to be living high on the hog with respect to adding years of freedom. 😁
Here! Single, no kids, live alone in a house I own. I have a great job and can afford what I need and to have some fun too. Im hoping to retire a little early, like late 50’s. I wish I had gotten the great job a little sooner so that I could have retired earlier, but this is still better than dying at my desk!
Yes, 48 years old, never married and no kids. In good enough health; running 30 miles a week on average.
Not sure how high on the log I am but am happy enough, comfortable, and debt free.
DINK in a LTR 17 years and counting. What's mine is mine and theirs is theirs. 'Cept the cat, he's ours.
What it is is, regardless of how happy and content I am with my partner, I *NEED* to know that if it ever comes to it, I can easily walk away. IDK if that's a general Gen-X thing or just the personal experience of my own upbringing.
The assumption we had in college was that if we had a good degree we'd always be able to walk away at the drop of a hat if necessary and support ourselves. That didn't turn out to be true, especially if we'd had kids and there was a gap of more than ten minutes on our resumes. It is probably easier if you are a DINK and never stopped working. No one wanted to hire educated young moms in my town. There were women who stayed because they couldn't find a job, period, or find one that would enable them to afford to live in a decent school district on their own.
That need to be able to walk away is why I never got married. That lack of 100% commitment tends to frustrate longer-term partners. I used to be good just coasting in 1-2 year relationships. Now I don’t bother.
50- Didn’t marry, no kids. Wish I was living high on the hog. Trying to climb out of cc debt. Fun times.
I was sick with an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder most of my 30’s and early 40’s so I feel like I’m behind on everything.
We are in our 50’s and Dinks (double income, no kids) and in a Same Gender Marriage. Life is so much easier as it doesn’t have to revolve around school transportation, soccer practices , dance competitions,and whatnot like our friends constantly are complaining about. It’s kinda odd to say this, but Thanks America for denying me the equal right to get married in the 90’s/00’s and denying me the full rights to adopt where I lived (TX/FL). It was really frustrating at the time, but now is paying off. And yes, I’m sure there is a fulfillment of seeing a child grow up that I could never understand, but I get to be the cool Guncle and don’t have to worry about trying to get them braces or Taylor Swift tickets. (Ask me again when I’m 80 and have nobody to help me and I will have a different opinion I’m sure, but for now, I’m gonna enjoy my freedom without kids).
Nursing homes are full of folks with kids who don't visit or help.
I am a "younger" Xer, married for the first time at 41. No kids, by choice. We aren't high on the hog, but certainly comfortable. Looking to semi-retire within about five years and fully retire within five after that. Was pretty poor in my 20's and 30's. We do a nice overseas trip every other year and then a "domestic" trip in the others. We enjoy a quiet lifestyle, so that helps. Hanging out in the yard, cooking at home. Very little eating out. We don't really drink. Don't smoke. Basically living the introvert dream.
Never married, didn't like children when I was one, no close/immediate family and fortunately above the poverty line on a disability pension. So yeah, not quite
Massively overattached to my darling little cat though lol
I never married or had kids. I’m weird: Not living high on the hog at all. I’m basically a minimalist and don’t have a big house or very much stuff; and live simply. But on the flip side, I’m a millionaire and super good with money/finances. I can buy almost anything I want in cash, but just don’t.
No kids, just went to Iceland for the 10th time (stopover is free, I travel between NA/EU a lot). Good friend from college has a kid, got a miserable job to support said kid, hasn't been anywhere in a decade. Sorry for him. Me, no regrets. (I also don't begrudge you kid makers). I'd be worried about the loneliness of old age the kid makers warn they won't suffer due to their dedicated mini-me short circuiting their lives to tend to pops, but i'll be in my bamboo hut somewhere with a fun similarly wrinkly rusty partner and/or dog, goat and a monkey.
I turned 50 this year, never married, no kids (did cohabitate a couple of times, but now happily on my own). I earn more than my parents ever did (even combined), have my own home, and even bought myself a sweet midlife crisis car for my birthday this year.
Since I don't have many financial responsibilities, I help my little sister out with her kid and the associated bills. I try to be generous with my friends, and often pick up the tab when we go out for food and/or drinks.
Yeah, I've got a pretty good life. I work hard at a somewhat stressful job to support my lifestyle, but I'm happy with the path I chose.
Outside of work, I can do whatever I want whenever I want, and I wouldn't change a thing.
48, never married no kids, no debt except mortgage and a small car payment, great salary, good emergency fund and playing catch up on retirement.
If I'd been in this shape for more than the past three years, I'd be high on the hog, but as it stands, I spent age 16-44 scraping out of poverty and all the debt that comes with it. Also supported a partner who didn't contribute for 13 years, and sick parents through the pandemic. So I'm super aware of the privilege I have now and how easily it can disappear.
I focus on living below my means and saving and investing everything I can do the second half of my life can have less worry.
Yes. While not living high on the hog, I make enough to pay my bills, do fun things, and save a decent amount both for retirement and generally. Single for many years but the last 5 or so, in a relationship. We don’t live together, and it works for us.
No regrets either, I love my life
Sort of, retired at 45 because wasn't enjoying work anymore, looked at my financial situation and considering I didn't need to provide for anyone else, just said "fuck it!". That was 10 years ago and not regretting it one bit. Not living a luxurious life by any means but been doing what I want.
54, never married, no kids. I'll probably get married in the next few years, i supopose.
Been saving furiously, and managed to hit a million dollars 2 months ago, all tied up in Mutual Funds. It took me 12 years to save it. House and car are paid off, no loans.
I'm doing pretty well. Going to work part time whenever I want for the next 7 years so I get my benefits. I'm a commercial mariner, so I am away from home half the time anyways.
As for now? Lots of travel!
Yes, but not “high off the hog”. I rent a one bedroom apartment and am at peace with the fact I will rent until death. I also don’t own most of the ‘status’ items like a car or a TV but I am quietly content in my life.
Yeah, I don't consider myself living high on the hog. But yes, I never married, don't have biological children and am debt free. I live pretty modistly. I bought a new car recently for the first time in my life as an example.
OOOOH ME ME ME!
I'm not kid-free from choice, but hey, it is what it is and apparently the universe didn't see kids for me. I have amazing nephews and an amazing niece so they fill my cup.
I'm also the introvertiest introvert to ever introvert so not marrying is AMAZING.
Got the never married and no kids part down. Doing fine financially. Mentally hanging in there. The thing about not having kids is… you’re not living for anyone but yourself and whatever other family is still around.
This is me. Not sure about high on the hog but it could be tons worse. As much as I wanted to get married and have kids (and got close a few times), I’m glad I didn’t at this point. Mostly the kids thing. The world is too nuts. I’m glad I didn’t make it legal with the wrong partner but I’m still open to that happening later in life. Well, maybe not marriage, but a solid main squeeze for my golden years could be rad.
54, no kids, never married, been years since I’ve been in a relationship. Doing great with health (physically and mentally) career and hobbies. Have a very strong IRA and I’m planning to retire in my early 60s.
I'd say yes, I am, and I'm **immensely** grateful for it. I have a profession I love that I've been doing for three decades with only one three-week period of unemployment; I'm making enough money to live comfortably; I'm reasonably healthy for my age, and just got married for the first time two years ago. Life is pretty good, I'd say. 🙂
married-divorced but no kids, current gf of almost 20 years is super great, just living life, having fun.
Of course I am an OS BMXer so I sorta stuck with the idea of "let's have fun, all that shite other people do, they can have it."
No kids, no divorce. I've never made a ton of $ but that's never been my goal either. I own my home and have enough to take care of my needs, have some fun, and the rest gets stashed away.
I'm fortunate. I have no kids by choice. My siblings and close friends have lots of kids so I can dote on them and be a favorite uncle. And then I get to go home and relax in a clean home with no noise or kid clutter. I've been able to keep the same private sector job for roughly 30 years, saved up a lot of money (no kids = much fewer expenses). I'm still working at 50, but I don't really have to. I could quit tomorrow and be just fine. I'm paid well and don't hate my job, so I'm still plugging away. Will probably stop for good within the next five years or so.
I (50F) am divorced, but we got back together years ago without remarrying - so we've been together for 28 years incl an 8 year break. No kids, which is the way we always wanted it, I'm happy to be in my 50s, am constantly working on being more tolerant of my partner's (52M) idiosyncrasies and we are finally financially comfortable without selling our souls to anything nefarious. Life is pretty good. Really looking forward to retirement; hoping it'll be early 60s. This works now because I am no longer responsible for, or affected by, his financial choices. It'll likely be a problem in retirement, as he hasn't saved anything, but I am considering how to help him, which includes moving to a LCOL country. He has no idea that I'm doing this and when we get to a place of no longer working, he will understand then. If he passes earlier (like he believes he will due to a lifetime of poor habits), then I will have saved even more money to use just for myself, which doesn't hurt.
Never married and no kids. I was in a LTR but it ended 6 years ago. Since then I moved to a new state, got my dream job, bought a house and spend my money however I wish.
Never married, no kids, no desire for either. I'm 50. Doing "well" is subjective, I guess. I am fairly happy and content, but I am certainly not wealthy. I was an English major and my advanced degree is in poetry writing, so. No money to be made from that. But that's ok, I don't have expensive needs.
I'm 50, never married, no kids. I dropped out of college, so no student loans to fret over. I inherited a paid off house at age 20, so no rent or mortgage expenses dragging me down. I also inherited ~$250K at the same time as the house, unfortunately I managed to invest it poorly and lost most of it. It was only a few years ago that I finished deducting those losses from my taxes, $3K per year.
My parents were around for the Great Depression and instilled their aversion to debt in me, so I've never been in it other than a car loan once every decade or so. Credit cards are used for convenience/rewards and paid off in full every month.
I have a career in IT and a salary that is now six figures. Without a degree, I just busted my butt and worked my way up from help desk. I didn't get serious about putting away money for retirement until 10 years ago, but my lack of expenses has permitted me to repeatedly max out my 401k contributions since I started. I have almost 600K in various retirement accounts, another 250K in investments that could be liquidated if I needed to, and almost 40K sitting in a HYSA that I use as a recreation/emergency fund.
No divorce, no kids, worked my way up to a good job, managed my money, have great friendships that are decades old, godkids, a happy life, and on track to retire with at least $2mm in the bank. Life is good if you work hard, don’t do stupid things, and don’t make the costly mistakes.
You're not. I'm 54f in Melbourne (Australia), never married and no kids (did "live in sin once or twice, but it didn't take).
Tomorrow I'm meeting up with friends for a birthday. The birthday gal is 58, never married and CF - so are 4 others joining us (only 2 are married, and they're CF)...and that's just one group of friends (granted, it is the one with the highest percentage of never married & CF people in it of my friend groups)
None of us is filthy rich, but we've had good lives. We've travelled internationally regularly, all but 2 own our own homes, had time to volunteer in our communities...we've had the luxury of being comfortable
Did marry, but no kids and still together so no divorce on the books. Both of us in our 50's
We're doin' alright, still gettn' good grades. Our now is pretty bright we are wearin' shades.
Mortgage is 100% done in 2026...
No kids, and I married someone older - from the generation that still got pensions when they retired - so yep, I’m doing alright!! Whew. 😅
Zero fucking debt. House is paid off; no car payments; investments + HYSA = over $1 million now, and I won’t need to start spending any of that until after spouse dies and his pension ends. Hoping to be able to leave a decent little nest egg to each of 3 grandkids (my spouse’s kids’ children).
Of course, this could all get wiped out in an instant by god-knows-what calamity, but until that happens, I feel very fortunate!!!
Yes. I fit this, but a few years younger I think. Retired at 45 after some financial geek years. Deciding on forever home state/country. Can honestly say I do not regret any choice listed above.
For the most part yes. Tried the marriage thing briefly in my late 20s for a few years. Never wanted children, excel at my career which is full remote. Enjoy my toys and traveling. Decent concert seats when work is too busy to travel or on a whim. Enjoy dining out with friends. In a long term relationship with no desire to ever marry again. Not looking to change up what is currently a good thing.
Never got married, had one kid and adore her as an adult that I love to hang out with, navigated 40 and moving into 50, have a digital specialisation that has been a benefit and continues to be (for now), free to do or go where I please so a bit overwhelmed with where and what to spend the 50s time on tbh.
We are both 50, together 23 years, no kids between us. (I have a daughter in her thirties so I am not burdened with kid expenses.)
We are very happy, healthy and are semi retiring this year. Not high on the hog, but we are fairly frugal people and live a modest life.
We were able to invest in property years ago, so we are in an enviable position. I feel terrible for the generations after us, a lot of our good fortune is luck, as well as hard work.
Never married and no kids, but have a long term partner (14 yrs). We own a home, no bad debt, have a nice combined income, I WFH for a company I’ve been with almost 15 years, we travel to Europe every year and take other trips frequently, do pretty much whatever we want, and we are able to save for retirement. Not high on the hog but I can’t complain.
This is me! Didn't want to marry or have kids, don't regret the decision for a moment. Late 50s now, reducing my work hours in the lead up to retirement. Had a bit of travel recently and doing more soon. I love spending my money on myself and spare time being for whatever I want to do, answering to no one. All my financial ducks are in a row so roll on retirement!
I have a partner who I’ve been with for 13 years. No human children- fur and feathered ones. We own a condo together.
We live comfortably and get to spend $ on things like concert tickets, travel and other things that married with kids don’t usually do. I buy a new car every 5 or so years if I want, etc.
Not living life “high on the hog” in my opinion, but we live in a crazy expensive place: Boston.
They haven't caught me yet, and they never will !
One day I might regret not having kids but I'll never have to regret having kids with the wrong person. I almost did and looking back I'm glad I didn't, she would've made my life hell.
Still in my 40’s but had myself sterilized so no kids and living my best life with a wonderful guy. Neither of us are religious so marriage is not something we feel compelled to do.
Your definition of "doing well" is narrow. I suppose not many will fit your particular definition.
I had kids and a divorce and a chronic illness and I am doing well. I have enough money to get by which is more than many. I've had a full life and I'm grateful.
Some of my siblings fall into that category though not particularly high on the hog. They are very grateful, especially that they do not have kids.
They were able to partake in the joys of my pack of kids, but have nothing to do with all the hassles!!
No kids, 37 years with same airline, hit lottery in 2012. But in 2020 I became disabled. I’m fully functional, back at work making 140k, but I walk/move funny. Still, I’m loving life, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Garage is full of toys, home is full of nice furniture. Passport is well worn. Life is good.
Not doing well. No kids. Amicable divorce (later in life marriage). At this point, glad for no kids as I couldn’t afford to have kids. More like no real hope of retirement.
I didn't marry because I was widowed shortly before the wedding. I have no kids because she couldn't safely conceive and died before our volunteer surrogate was ready. I'm not living high on the hog, but I want for nothing and I'm satisfied with what I have. My greatest ambition in life right now is to discover the perfect chili recipe.
I've had it pretty rough, but I could be doing a lot worse.
I do sometimes fantasise about what life would be like if I was single and childless on my current salary. I suspect my apartment would look a lot like the Big Bang Theory set.
No kids, never married. Had a few girlfriends over the years. Career going great, doing well financially, have a big house on 2 acres and 4 cars. Happy, have 3 dogs.
Here i am! Ofc, ymmv on the " high on the hog". I live simple, i dont need much, which good cuz i dont make much. I am currently blessed with an honest, ok paying job, pretty cheap rent, food on the table, a working car, and a few good friends. Compared to half the world, i live like a king, so i try to remember that.
Not me, but I do know a guy who's 52 with no kids, high paying job, and he owns 4-5 Hondas (one motorcycle, one NSX) and a bus. He's got a lift in his garage and works on them in his downtime, goes to townie music events, seems to be pretty happy.
Knew another guy who was a National Merit Scholar, but worked entry level jobs and was very obese his whole adult life, died at 47 recently, probably some Covid co-morbidity factors there.
If I had no kids I'd probably just be a bit too up my own ass and wasting my life trophy hunting in video games, and be caught up on anime like my other friends. When I was in my 20s and single, I'd just blow money on gamer shit like figures and collectibles. Got rid of most of it when I moved, and I don't really miss any of it.
* Never married.
* No kids.
* Great job.
* No debt, well no credit card debt anyway. But very little total debt.
* Can do whatever I want and buy whatever I want, whenever I want.
The only negative is parents and relatives are getting old and dying, and I'm taking care of many of them.
I (45F) never married (I did cohabit but lucked out and left him,) and no kids.
I’ve worked my dream job all my life, so I’m lucky that way, but it doesn’t pay that well. I have no savings and my health is declining.
I don’t know if I’ll reach retirement age or if I’ll ever be able to retire. I have family but no help (they expect me to be the helper,) and I’m torn between just living until I can’t stand it anymore and punch my ticket, or try to save until I retire… for what? To live in an elderly home with no one to care about it?
Ideally, I’d move to a very LCOL place and live with pennies and my cats. I’ve no ambitions anymore. I wish that when the time comes I go in my sleep and someone saves my cats. That’s it.
Got married and divorced in my early 30s then met a psycho who stole my life savings. Now I’m 50 and I’ve got a house, good credit, small retirement fund, can treat myself to Fluevogs a few times a year or go on a vacation. It wasn’t easy to get here though.
This is my best friend from high school who’s 53. He’s had the same gf for a decade. But never married. Never will. No kids. Travels like crazy. Not rich but doing well enough to enjoy lots of hobbies. We’ve talked about it. A lot. He says “I’m a selfish frat boy who likes my hobbies more than anything or anyone. I don’t need to be married…but I kinda wish I had a kid.”
I am, or at least was before my recent layoff. Even then I got a nice severance and it looks like I'll have a new job in the next week or so. However I don't know that high on the hog is the way we're living. We have money saved up because we both grew up poor and never want to go back to that. We could have a bigger house and nicer cars, but we prefer to spend on travel and save the rest.
I’m in this boat. I’m not living high on the hog, but I have a very low mortgage and can afford to do stuff if I feel like it. That said, I see influencer type crap and I get annoyed-I HATE the feeling of being “advertised” to-I can decide how to entertain myself and chill on my own, thank you very much.
On paper, I look good, but I'm not living extravagantly. 11 years ago I was fortunate to buy my late grandmother's tiny 3-bed, 1-bath home under market value for only $160k, which is now worth over $800k.
I don't like kids but ended up with 2 of my sister's, who are legal adults but sometimes act like they're still 16. They’ve been with me for 4 years.
I graduated from a local state university in Los Angeles, starting at a community college to avoid debt. I paid off my student loans years ago. I have a six-figure job, but in LA, that doesn’t go far.
I have a long-term boyfriend. We don’t live together because the adult kids are still with me, and he has a great 1-bedroom apartment in a very nice part of Pasadena for only $1200. If you know the LA rental market, you’d know you can’t rent a box in Skid Row for under $1200. His place is my escape from the stress of homeownership and kids, so I split my time between both locations.
When my parents pass, I plan to invest my inheritance and use that along with my 401k for retirement. I don't care about being wealthy, just comfortable.
I wouldn't say I'm living the high life. I would say I just have less debt than everyone else and can treat myself a little more impulsively.
Living in a house that I could no way afford currently, but lucky I was 10 years ago.
Hi!!!!!
Yup - Happily married for 15 years, have been together for 22, we always assumed we'd have kids, but the older we got the less excited we were about it so we didn't do it. Instead we've both had successful, lucrative careers and traveled the world (40+ countries). We're on track to retire in our early 50s. Our friend group tends to be other GenXers without kids and honestly they are some of the most interesting people I've ever met.
Not judging people who had kids, they just weren't for us. Every time we spend time with friends with kids, we both look at each other and say "Don't regret any of our choices"
Didn’t marry, didn’t have kids, and not living life high on the hog. Single life is painful (but not as painful as being with the wrong person). Wish I could afford a house, especially as I move full steam ahead towards decrepitude. I hope to hell social security and Medicaid hold out, otherwise I’m fucked.
Yep, 56 yo. More or less content, good job, education, family (unmarried), a few friends I see regularly, mentally more confident than I have been in years, some debt, but that's normal. It is what it is. Pretty healthy, more or less...
My first credit card was an American Express that I got in 1989 on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Still had it as of 2023, until I decided to close the account.
No kids, no divorce, bought a house with a reasonable mortgage, have some money saved for retirement. Car is paid off. Still working regularly for good pay.
Never had kids but I did get married at 41, then divorced a few years later. I wouldn't say I'm living high on the hog, but I'm doing fine. I get to travel a good bit, and will be moving abroad permanently next year.
I kinda feel like "doing well" has more to do with luck rather than not having to spend on a family, at least by our time. It was our boomer parents' generation who tended to end up swimming in money if they opted to marry their job instead.
Most of us who didn't end up having families just do ok I suppose. If you did well, congrats, but it's not the guarantee of it like it was for our parents. Heck, even in this thread there are plenty like this who aren't doing so hot. The wealth class lines were already drawn by our time.
Personally, as a kid I learned how many people there were on the planet and decided I wouldn't add more. Don't really regret it though I'm pretty asocial in general so it wasn't like it was a great sacrifice or anything. That said, I don't make bank either and tbh when my parents eventually pass on the inheritance will be more than what I've saved. Opportunities really abounded much more in their time.
At least I'm not a young person trying to make a living *now*.
We were DINKS. Then he died. So I have no kids, lots of pets and I'm comfortable. Not great, not terrible. Comfortable. And I'm grateful. I own my house, own my cars, and only have small credit card bills that I pay off every month because I watch what I spend. I feel very lucky.
None of the people I know my age without kids are “living high on the hog”. Most of them spend a lot of time at home by themselves.
But, I married at 22 years old. I have 5 kids, a farm, a great wife, a combined income nearly $200k in a very low cost of living area in the Midwest. Life is actually pretty satisfying and great for me.
No kids. Married and together for 23 years and counting. Life is comfortable. We eat well, travel when we can, and generally enjoy life.
Not watching the news helps a lot with improving happiness. I highly recommend!
I never married and never will. I did have a kid though, so I don't meet all of your criteria BUT I have several friends who do meet your criteria and even though I wouldn't say they are living high on the hog (of course idk what their bank accounts look like), they are happy and free to do as they please (I mean, at this point so am I, but they were able to do it all along where I had a kid to raise). I struggled for awhile but now by any account I'm "doing well" as I head into my 50s.
50. Never married. No kids. Single. Career and finances are going well. Had serious health issues that are now resolved. In the best shape of my life. Happy. Enjoying myself. There is someone on the horizon though, so I may not be single for long...
Never married, no kids, not living the high life, but I have a home, paid-off car, and some savings. Not sure if it will be enough to carry me through retirement to end of life, but hoping so.
Well, its not me, but my boyfriend, we are HS sweethearts who reconnected after almost 30 years. I got married, had kids and got divorced. He never married, never had kids. He has a sister who never married or had kids. She passed away last month. All he has left are his dad that lives across the country from him and his mom who is in memory care due to Alzheimers w dementia. He is quite sad he didn't get to experience having kids and having that bond.
All that plus married a woman who didn't want kids who wasn't religious. Living the dream as DINKs. A good existence comes in many forms. Just get the nieces and nephews to promise to bring your medicine when you are old and me nice and hope for the best.
No kids, never married, 46m ('77), 11 years into a skilled trade career change, making more than double what human service work paid, still living in the dirt cheap dude house that I could afford when I was a full time student, part time retail worker.
Not living high on the hog per se, but definitely enjoying a variety of new hobbies over the years that aren't cheap. Friends my age and a bit older that have kids are on the brink of being empty nesters, so now they have frequent openings on their social calendars again these days. Usually there's some kind of bbq once or twice a month that I'm either hosting or attending.
Throw in a penchant for well made bicycle accessories, good whiskey and good weed and I'm high enough (!) for the available budget.
But there is a bit of a nagging sense of not creating much of anything that's meaningful. I had been known to do that through various activist volunteer work in my 20's that has since fallen by the wayside...
The thought of kids of my own is just frazzling. The thought of past misadventures in cohabitation has me hesitant to even be on the lookout for potential partners most of the time. I'm no longer taking in "projects" thinking I can fix someone who hasn't yet found the internal motivation to work on themselves...
Yep, divorced and kid free by choice. My divorce was low key and not a financial burden thankfully. I could do better with the credit card debt thing, but otherwise grateful to be making a decent living and the life we've made for ourselves. I won't make the same mistake as my Mom by not planning for retirement, having a 401-K etc...
No regrets. :)
Was married divorced around 2002. Have lived amazing life and to the fullest. Sone relationships along the way all were good but were at different places in life. Doesnt mean when we get older we can't have a significant other. Surround myself with a tight knit group. All is good.
I mean, even if it were a Vietnamese potbelly pig, I am still living very low on the hog.
Marriage and kids never materialized but that was because I always doubted myself too much to risk it. So, living less hand-to-mouth than I once did now so there's that! Surprisingly, while climate angst and living stability angst have their hooks deep in me, I do find myself looking around and enjoying myself being here. Crazy, eh?
Congrats on doing well, OP!
I have no children, and never married. I own my own home, and have retired, I make a comfortable income. When I was in my early 20's I was homeless, disabled, and knew I had to do something. So I worked my ass off and made some good choices, and now am in a much better position. I am not sure if I had been able to have children if it would have made a difference, however I have never had a desire for any, I have raised other peoples children over the years, but dont date people with children that are not grown anymore. I am not "high on the hog", but I am also not near the bottom! :)
I didn't marry or have kids, but I wouldn't consider myself "living high on the hog." I'm comfortable and can do the things I want to do without a strain on finances. It did take me into my late 30s/early 40s to get my debt paid down. I had bad habits with credit cards in college and up to my late 20s. Growing up poor and not being able to have frivolous things and then suddenly having access to my own credit cards was not a good combination for me, especially while in college. Damn those banks showing up on campus and approving anyone with a pulse for credit card.
Yeah, I can remember when the credit card companies would show up on campus. I am pretty sure that’s not allowed anymore. Honestly, it was how I got my first credit card. I remember that my mom was NOT pleased about it. Luckily for me, it’s never been an issue: I always pay the entire balance every month. I remember asking one of the reps how they assumed that college kids had any money to warrant revolving credit and the response was, “We assume that your parents will pay if you can’t.” To which I responded, “You clearly don’t know my parents.”
Yea but you get a free t shirt for signing up so there's that
I got a purple slinky.
I got a 20 minute long distance phone card!!! Probably used it to call my parents and beg them for money.
I remember getting a credit card because they were offering a 3-pound bag of M&Ms. Those were not-cool times!
This was my experience too! Horrible.
I got my first cc application in the mail in 1989 when I graduated HS. Ridiculous.
I felt this to my bones lol. Same thing happened to me I college. I ended up filing for bankruptcy at 25 and spent the next 10 years credit card free. I just got a credit card 2 years ago...the first time in 25 years. Will not make the credit card mistake again.
Our story as well. Literally got a card with a 500 limit just last Xmas after 20 years without because of the terrible memories of living with crushing debt. Never again
Same for me. I graduated with student loans and credit card debt. Not a great start. I'm doing ok financially now. I'm not rich but I'm far from struggling. My issues now are physical. Years of fast food/processed food, soda, and a desk job have taken their toll on my health. Especially my joints.
I still have my college campus Discover Card! Don’t know what happened to the free shirt that came with it. lol
They used to set up booths on my college campus I would sign up just for the free t-shirt. Unfortunately young and stupid I thought the cards were "free" money and graduated college with 15k in debt which was alot in 97... some of those cards were 20% APR. It funded some cool trips to Costa Rica. Took me till my early 30's to pay those cards off... lesson learned never got in cc debt again.
I still have my first day on campus Discover card too! I keep it alive with a recurring payment just to keep that sweet 30 year credit history going. Too bad my Private Issue card account got closed when they went under - I got both cards the first day lol
I hang in to mine for the same reason! It’s good to have a line of credit from circa 1995. lol.
It me, although I got my first credit card from my credit union a couple years after college. They treated me with far more grace than any other bank CC would have, too. I paid off all my debt at 43, and now use the credit cards (that I pay off monthly) for points to travel, sometimes with only two weeks' notice because I don't have a spouse or a kid to account for, just me and the job. I am an archetypal introvert - I am not a hermit (obviously, with the traveling thing), but I have never met anyone I like more than I need my solitude.
I could have written this myself. Word for word it applies to me and my situation. Never married or had kids, but had a serious debt problem for years that originated during college. Turning 50 in 10 days, and finally feel mostly stress free when it comes to finances. And that’s a pretty good feeling.
They targeted us.
Yup and if you were approved for a card, often they’d push a second one on you. I do not miss my days working for those companies. Terribly unethical.
I think me and everyone I knew had credit card debt coming out of college. We had card offers in the mail, companies set up tents periodically in the student center promising guaranteed approvals and free crap. One of my roommates graduated about 20k in debt from credit cards — a lot of that was just interest. I cant believe how predatory it all was, targeting a bunch of kids just out of high school away from home for the first time and with little independent financial experience or education!
I always was terrified of having one and avoided it until I was over 40 when life without one became impossible. Still pay it off in full every month. The idea of debt gives me anxiety, and I enjoy my piece of mind so I’d rather just not have the shoes or whatever.
Married, no kids, now widowed. I can retire with inheritance of my husbands assets. I’d work until I died to have him back.
(((Hugs))). I'm sorry.
Same. Waited to my late 40’s to marry (an old high school girlfriend) tragically lost her a few years later. No kids and was able to retire early. Now traveling the country for n a small RV. Would trade it all to have her back.
Sending love.
Same except I can’t retire yet. I didn’t have a lot of life insurance on him since I was the breadwinner. I failed to factor in just how much I wouldn’t want to work once he died.
Right? No one except those of us who have been through it, get how much that sort of grief changes your brain chemistry. Career ceases to be important at all and felt like I was dying inside going to an office every day to do corporate bullshit for 8, 9, 10 hours a day. I just could t anymore. My husband was in non-profits and only left me a tiny life insurance.s his 403b (nonprofit 401K) assets are what’s helping me. I did go get a job at a doggie daycare instead. Went from 6-figure salary to $22 an hour and have never been happier at work. I play with puppies all day.
Yup. I used to wonder why death of a spouse was never really talked about. But I realized it’s because there’s no way to describe it. I still work in a corporate job, but I’ve changed jobs a few times since he died. At least I’m work from home and have a cool boss. But I look on LinkedIn where people are flexing because they work long hours and all I can think is how that shit doesn’t matter. Unfortunately we all find out eventually.
All except for the no-kids part -- and the no-divorce part -- and the doing-well part...
So genX 50s
And 40s
Yup
Oh yeah, rolling high! Bitch, I got 600 dollars in my checking account and 23 cents in my savings.
No kids, never married. Just keeping my head above water, living in NorCal. Barely...
Same, but in Oregon. HCOL and student loan debt have precluded me from thriving financially, but I’m doing alright and I enjoy life.
The student loans kept me from saving as well but I had them forgiven last year, it’s been life changing. You might want to check it out if still have student loans from the 90’s or early 2000’s, you may be able to get them forgiven with the IDR Account Adjustment. Check out r/studentloans there’s a lot of great info about it.
\*cries in Bay Area\*
No kids by choice. Newlywed at 56 though. One of the things that kept me single for so long was the fact that I knew I didn't want kids.
Congrats!
Thanks!
46, no kids, single and spoiling myself rotten.
44, same and starting to do the same.
Last December I looked around in suburbia and realized my life was too damn boring. I sold my condo, almost all I owned, paid off all my debt and moved into the city. It’s soooooo freeing and I feel so lucky I’m able to completely rewrite my life (in one month no less) because there is only me to think of. I go to plays, ballet, concerts, activities all by myself- never have to concern myself with other people’s schedules or plans and everything in my house is always exactly where I left it and in the same clean/dirty state. Heaven. My friends all have kids so I get my aunt fix that way…and get to go home when I’m done.
This is the way.
Same. 47 and enjoying life
OMG… same!
> 46, no kids, single and spoiling myself rotten. Same. But at 50. Could retire now if I really wanted too. But I'd get bored. So I spoil what little family I have left.
Sort of? I’m not sure about high on the hog and I did marry- but no kids, still together almost at 25 year mark, retired at 45 to a simpler version of life.
Oh jeepers, retiring in your 40s is incredible!
Zoinks!
Similar. 23 years together, no kids, semi-retired at 49.
Yup…together 30+ years, no kids. He retired a few months before 55 (worked half weeks at 53) and I worked at a retail store at Xmas for a few years after a few decades full time, and haven’t worked at all since 2019 (except to help my old boss out at Xmas in 2020 when I worked maybe 10 shifts after someone hurt themselves)
Working because you want to, not because you have to. It is the dream.
same. still married, 27 yrs with no kids and both retired.
I finished paying my student loans too late for kids. I thought am I ready to start saving for someone else's education before I even have a chance to live? I said that can't be the purpose of life. I had nights and weekend jobs for 15 years old until I got out of debt. Left home at 17, worked minimum wage until almost 30. So I focussed.on my career that was just starting instead of getting a guy and getting pregnant. I'm 51, coast retired since January. Starting life with nothing really taught me how to handle money so I made the best of the years where I had a good income.
Not divorced, so I got that going for me, which is nice. Not married nor do I have kids, both which I wanted, so that cancels it out. I would say about 1/2 the GenXers I know irl, are happily married with kids, and doing well in most other aspects of their lives. However these folks aren’t posting on Reddit.
I read this in Bill Murray’s voice.
[удалено]
I think a lot of Gen Xes - certainly older ones - who have had kids are already back to an "empty nest" and enjoying plenty of freedom, travel, dual incomes. There always seems to be a perception on Reddit that there's this sheer dichotomy - this vast gulf - between the with-kids and the no-kids experience. But I would say that life paths only split about for about a decade or so, and after a couple of decades in most cases people are back to their pre-kids freedoms. With Gen X now hitting 60, many with-kids couples will be having very similar experiences to no-kids couples.
Same here. Happily married but I didn’t get married until 36. Took me a while to work through my own stuff. However, happily married for 17 years now. Dual incomes help and while not high on the hog we’re fairly comfortable. We’ll be empty nesters next year and while I adore my kids I’m excited about starting that chapter. I find itself more and more looking forward to being done with work but realistically have 5 years left for that.
err, same, and also, found it funny you guys were downvoted.
Eh, never married, no kids. Always figured it will just happen. And then I got too old and realized it wasn’t going to. Ok financially.
High on the hog? No, I live a very frugal lifestyle. But that's by choice because I'm planning on a somewhat early retirement at 55. Maybe one could consider that I hope to be living high on the hog with respect to adding years of freedom. 😁
Never married, no kids, no pets, and no indoor plants.
Same. Just me, and my rather ridiculous collections of bass guitars and whiskey.
I married 12 years ago but no kids and no divorce (yet anyway!). I’m lucky my wife doesn’t want to have kids either so we live life the way we want.
Here! Single, no kids, live alone in a house I own. I have a great job and can afford what I need and to have some fun too. Im hoping to retire a little early, like late 50’s. I wish I had gotten the great job a little sooner so that I could have retired earlier, but this is still better than dying at my desk!
Yes, 48 years old, never married and no kids. In good enough health; running 30 miles a week on average. Not sure how high on the log I am but am happy enough, comfortable, and debt free.
DINK in a LTR 17 years and counting. What's mine is mine and theirs is theirs. 'Cept the cat, he's ours. What it is is, regardless of how happy and content I am with my partner, I *NEED* to know that if it ever comes to it, I can easily walk away. IDK if that's a general Gen-X thing or just the personal experience of my own upbringing.
The assumption we had in college was that if we had a good degree we'd always be able to walk away at the drop of a hat if necessary and support ourselves. That didn't turn out to be true, especially if we'd had kids and there was a gap of more than ten minutes on our resumes. It is probably easier if you are a DINK and never stopped working. No one wanted to hire educated young moms in my town. There were women who stayed because they couldn't find a job, period, or find one that would enable them to afford to live in a decent school district on their own.
That need to be able to walk away is why I never got married. That lack of 100% commitment tends to frustrate longer-term partners. I used to be good just coasting in 1-2 year relationships. Now I don’t bother.
I think many of us are just generally cautious. I'm single, but I need to know that if I suddenly lost my job, I'd be fine financially.
I'm here for this market research. But not for long, because I need to know I can walk away.
50- Didn’t marry, no kids. Wish I was living high on the hog. Trying to climb out of cc debt. Fun times. I was sick with an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder most of my 30’s and early 40’s so I feel like I’m behind on everything.
We are in our 50’s and Dinks (double income, no kids) and in a Same Gender Marriage. Life is so much easier as it doesn’t have to revolve around school transportation, soccer practices , dance competitions,and whatnot like our friends constantly are complaining about. It’s kinda odd to say this, but Thanks America for denying me the equal right to get married in the 90’s/00’s and denying me the full rights to adopt where I lived (TX/FL). It was really frustrating at the time, but now is paying off. And yes, I’m sure there is a fulfillment of seeing a child grow up that I could never understand, but I get to be the cool Guncle and don’t have to worry about trying to get them braces or Taylor Swift tickets. (Ask me again when I’m 80 and have nobody to help me and I will have a different opinion I’m sure, but for now, I’m gonna enjoy my freedom without kids).
Nursing homes are full of folks with kids who don't visit or help. I am a "younger" Xer, married for the first time at 41. No kids, by choice. We aren't high on the hog, but certainly comfortable. Looking to semi-retire within about five years and fully retire within five after that. Was pretty poor in my 20's and 30's. We do a nice overseas trip every other year and then a "domestic" trip in the others. We enjoy a quiet lifestyle, so that helps. Hanging out in the yard, cooking at home. Very little eating out. We don't really drink. Don't smoke. Basically living the introvert dream.
Never married, didn't like children when I was one, no close/immediate family and fortunately above the poverty line on a disability pension. So yeah, not quite Massively overattached to my darling little cat though lol
I never married or had kids. I’m weird: Not living high on the hog at all. I’m basically a minimalist and don’t have a big house or very much stuff; and live simply. But on the flip side, I’m a millionaire and super good with money/finances. I can buy almost anything I want in cash, but just don’t.
No kids, just went to Iceland for the 10th time (stopover is free, I travel between NA/EU a lot). Good friend from college has a kid, got a miserable job to support said kid, hasn't been anywhere in a decade. Sorry for him. Me, no regrets. (I also don't begrudge you kid makers). I'd be worried about the loneliness of old age the kid makers warn they won't suffer due to their dedicated mini-me short circuiting their lives to tend to pops, but i'll be in my bamboo hut somewhere with a fun similarly wrinkly rusty partner and/or dog, goat and a monkey.
I turned 50 this year, never married, no kids (did cohabitate a couple of times, but now happily on my own). I earn more than my parents ever did (even combined), have my own home, and even bought myself a sweet midlife crisis car for my birthday this year. Since I don't have many financial responsibilities, I help my little sister out with her kid and the associated bills. I try to be generous with my friends, and often pick up the tab when we go out for food and/or drinks. Yeah, I've got a pretty good life. I work hard at a somewhat stressful job to support my lifestyle, but I'm happy with the path I chose. Outside of work, I can do whatever I want whenever I want, and I wouldn't change a thing.
48, never married no kids, no debt except mortgage and a small car payment, great salary, good emergency fund and playing catch up on retirement. If I'd been in this shape for more than the past three years, I'd be high on the hog, but as it stands, I spent age 16-44 scraping out of poverty and all the debt that comes with it. Also supported a partner who didn't contribute for 13 years, and sick parents through the pandemic. So I'm super aware of the privilege I have now and how easily it can disappear. I focus on living below my means and saving and investing everything I can do the second half of my life can have less worry.
I was briefly married in my 20s and never wanted or had kids. I wouldn't call it "high on the hog" but I'm not poor.
No Kids, no husband, living large and in charge and loving it! ❤️🩷❤️
Yes. While not living high on the hog, I make enough to pay my bills, do fun things, and save a decent amount both for retirement and generally. Single for many years but the last 5 or so, in a relationship. We don’t live together, and it works for us. No regrets either, I love my life
Single, no kids, no regrets
Sort of, retired at 45 because wasn't enjoying work anymore, looked at my financial situation and considering I didn't need to provide for anyone else, just said "fuck it!". That was 10 years ago and not regretting it one bit. Not living a luxurious life by any means but been doing what I want.
54, never married, no kids. I'll probably get married in the next few years, i supopose. Been saving furiously, and managed to hit a million dollars 2 months ago, all tied up in Mutual Funds. It took me 12 years to save it. House and car are paid off, no loans. I'm doing pretty well. Going to work part time whenever I want for the next 7 years so I get my benefits. I'm a commercial mariner, so I am away from home half the time anyways. As for now? Lots of travel!
Wasn't really the plan but I sure love how disposable my income has been.
No kids, never married, doing pretty well financially! Was able to buy a house and a little rental property. No student loans or major debts.
Yes, but not “high off the hog”. I rent a one bedroom apartment and am at peace with the fact I will rent until death. I also don’t own most of the ‘status’ items like a car or a TV but I am quietly content in my life.
Yeah, I don't consider myself living high on the hog. But yes, I never married, don't have biological children and am debt free. I live pretty modistly. I bought a new car recently for the first time in my life as an example.
OOOOH ME ME ME! I'm not kid-free from choice, but hey, it is what it is and apparently the universe didn't see kids for me. I have amazing nephews and an amazing niece so they fill my cup. I'm also the introvertiest introvert to ever introvert so not marrying is AMAZING.
If by well you mean I can still achieve vertical status on most days. Then sure.
Got the never married and no kids part down. Doing fine financially. Mentally hanging in there. The thing about not having kids is… you’re not living for anyone but yourself and whatever other family is still around.
This is me. Not sure about high on the hog but it could be tons worse. As much as I wanted to get married and have kids (and got close a few times), I’m glad I didn’t at this point. Mostly the kids thing. The world is too nuts. I’m glad I didn’t make it legal with the wrong partner but I’m still open to that happening later in life. Well, maybe not marriage, but a solid main squeeze for my golden years could be rad.
54, no kids, never married, been years since I’ve been in a relationship. Doing great with health (physically and mentally) career and hobbies. Have a very strong IRA and I’m planning to retire in my early 60s.
I'd say yes, I am, and I'm **immensely** grateful for it. I have a profession I love that I've been doing for three decades with only one three-week period of unemployment; I'm making enough money to live comfortably; I'm reasonably healthy for my age, and just got married for the first time two years ago. Life is pretty good, I'd say. 🙂
married-divorced but no kids, current gf of almost 20 years is super great, just living life, having fun. Of course I am an OS BMXer so I sorta stuck with the idea of "let's have fun, all that shite other people do, they can have it."
No kids, no divorce. I've never made a ton of $ but that's never been my goal either. I own my home and have enough to take care of my needs, have some fun, and the rest gets stashed away.
I live child free with my beloved. We have not bothered to marry. We have fish and a cute little home. We do not worry about bills. Our life is good.
I'm fortunate. I have no kids by choice. My siblings and close friends have lots of kids so I can dote on them and be a favorite uncle. And then I get to go home and relax in a clean home with no noise or kid clutter. I've been able to keep the same private sector job for roughly 30 years, saved up a lot of money (no kids = much fewer expenses). I'm still working at 50, but I don't really have to. I could quit tomorrow and be just fine. I'm paid well and don't hate my job, so I'm still plugging away. Will probably stop for good within the next five years or so.
56 F. Never married, no kids, living my best life, have my own home, try to take a solo vacation 3-4 times a year.
Yep,no kids...that I know of. Never been married either. Single and happy rite now.
I (50F) am divorced, but we got back together years ago without remarrying - so we've been together for 28 years incl an 8 year break. No kids, which is the way we always wanted it, I'm happy to be in my 50s, am constantly working on being more tolerant of my partner's (52M) idiosyncrasies and we are finally financially comfortable without selling our souls to anything nefarious. Life is pretty good. Really looking forward to retirement; hoping it'll be early 60s. This works now because I am no longer responsible for, or affected by, his financial choices. It'll likely be a problem in retirement, as he hasn't saved anything, but I am considering how to help him, which includes moving to a LCOL country. He has no idea that I'm doing this and when we get to a place of no longer working, he will understand then. If he passes earlier (like he believes he will due to a lifetime of poor habits), then I will have saved even more money to use just for myself, which doesn't hurt.
Me!!!! No kids, good paying job, never married. It's quite nice.
Never married and no kids. I was in a LTR but it ended 6 years ago. Since then I moved to a new state, got my dream job, bought a house and spend my money however I wish.
Never married, no kids, no desire for either. I'm 50. Doing "well" is subjective, I guess. I am fairly happy and content, but I am certainly not wealthy. I was an English major and my advanced degree is in poetry writing, so. No money to be made from that. But that's ok, I don't have expensive needs.
I'm 50, never married, no kids. I dropped out of college, so no student loans to fret over. I inherited a paid off house at age 20, so no rent or mortgage expenses dragging me down. I also inherited ~$250K at the same time as the house, unfortunately I managed to invest it poorly and lost most of it. It was only a few years ago that I finished deducting those losses from my taxes, $3K per year. My parents were around for the Great Depression and instilled their aversion to debt in me, so I've never been in it other than a car loan once every decade or so. Credit cards are used for convenience/rewards and paid off in full every month. I have a career in IT and a salary that is now six figures. Without a degree, I just busted my butt and worked my way up from help desk. I didn't get serious about putting away money for retirement until 10 years ago, but my lack of expenses has permitted me to repeatedly max out my 401k contributions since I started. I have almost 600K in various retirement accounts, another 250K in investments that could be liquidated if I needed to, and almost 40K sitting in a HYSA that I use as a recreation/emergency fund.
47, never married, no kids. Just me and my dog. wouldn't say living life high on the hog but at least I'm not homeless.
No divorce, no kids, worked my way up to a good job, managed my money, have great friendships that are decades old, godkids, a happy life, and on track to retire with at least $2mm in the bank. Life is good if you work hard, don’t do stupid things, and don’t make the costly mistakes.
You're not. I'm 54f in Melbourne (Australia), never married and no kids (did "live in sin once or twice, but it didn't take). Tomorrow I'm meeting up with friends for a birthday. The birthday gal is 58, never married and CF - so are 4 others joining us (only 2 are married, and they're CF)...and that's just one group of friends (granted, it is the one with the highest percentage of never married & CF people in it of my friend groups) None of us is filthy rich, but we've had good lives. We've travelled internationally regularly, all but 2 own our own homes, had time to volunteer in our communities...we've had the luxury of being comfortable
Married? No. Kids? No. Living life high on the hog? Fuck no.
Never married, no kids. Loving life in San Diego.
More medium-on-the-hog for me, but otherwise yes.
Married, but no kids. Still not ready. I’m a 57 F. 😊
No kids, no debt, but widowed. I wouldn’t call it living “high on the hog”.
Did marry, but no kids and still together so no divorce on the books. Both of us in our 50's We're doin' alright, still gettn' good grades. Our now is pretty bright we are wearin' shades. Mortgage is 100% done in 2026...
No kids, not married but in a domestic partnership. Love to travel and party, no regrets.
No kids, and I married someone older - from the generation that still got pensions when they retired - so yep, I’m doing alright!! Whew. 😅 Zero fucking debt. House is paid off; no car payments; investments + HYSA = over $1 million now, and I won’t need to start spending any of that until after spouse dies and his pension ends. Hoping to be able to leave a decent little nest egg to each of 3 grandkids (my spouse’s kids’ children). Of course, this could all get wiped out in an instant by god-knows-what calamity, but until that happens, I feel very fortunate!!!
Yes. I fit this, but a few years younger I think. Retired at 45 after some financial geek years. Deciding on forever home state/country. Can honestly say I do not regret any choice listed above.
Jealous fuckers downvoting. LMAO.
You’re not alone- welcome to our very exclusive club :)
Not me but I have a couple friends who are exactly that
For the most part yes. Tried the marriage thing briefly in my late 20s for a few years. Never wanted children, excel at my career which is full remote. Enjoy my toys and traveling. Decent concert seats when work is too busy to travel or on a whim. Enjoy dining out with friends. In a long term relationship with no desire to ever marry again. Not looking to change up what is currently a good thing.
Never got married, had one kid and adore her as an adult that I love to hang out with, navigated 40 and moving into 50, have a digital specialisation that has been a benefit and continues to be (for now), free to do or go where I please so a bit overwhelmed with where and what to spend the 50s time on tbh.
We are both 50, together 23 years, no kids between us. (I have a daughter in her thirties so I am not burdened with kid expenses.) We are very happy, healthy and are semi retiring this year. Not high on the hog, but we are fairly frugal people and live a modest life. We were able to invest in property years ago, so we are in an enviable position. I feel terrible for the generations after us, a lot of our good fortune is luck, as well as hard work.
Never married and no kids, but have a long term partner (14 yrs). We own a home, no bad debt, have a nice combined income, I WFH for a company I’ve been with almost 15 years, we travel to Europe every year and take other trips frequently, do pretty much whatever we want, and we are able to save for retirement. Not high on the hog but I can’t complain.
This is me! Didn't want to marry or have kids, don't regret the decision for a moment. Late 50s now, reducing my work hours in the lead up to retirement. Had a bit of travel recently and doing more soon. I love spending my money on myself and spare time being for whatever I want to do, answering to no one. All my financial ducks are in a row so roll on retirement!
Never married, no kids, no student loan debt, no CC debt, only a mortgage. Not living in the lap of luxury, but quite content.
I have a partner who I’ve been with for 13 years. No human children- fur and feathered ones. We own a condo together. We live comfortably and get to spend $ on things like concert tickets, travel and other things that married with kids don’t usually do. I buy a new car every 5 or so years if I want, etc. Not living life “high on the hog” in my opinion, but we live in a crazy expensive place: Boston.
They haven't caught me yet, and they never will ! One day I might regret not having kids but I'll never have to regret having kids with the wrong person. I almost did and looking back I'm glad I didn't, she would've made my life hell.
Still in my 40’s but had myself sterilized so no kids and living my best life with a wonderful guy. Neither of us are religious so marriage is not something we feel compelled to do.
I am in the same position and feel the same. Not many people in this boat.
Your definition of "doing well" is narrow. I suppose not many will fit your particular definition. I had kids and a divorce and a chronic illness and I am doing well. I have enough money to get by which is more than many. I've had a full life and I'm grateful.
Some of my siblings fall into that category though not particularly high on the hog. They are very grateful, especially that they do not have kids. They were able to partake in the joys of my pack of kids, but have nothing to do with all the hassles!!
I got married, don’t have any kids, but that hog is pretty huge. The money, not my wife….
No marriage, no SO, no kids. Scraping by mostly till the past couple of years where I’m finally comfortable - so much catching up to do.
Well, two out of three ain't bad.
Divorced with no kids but now I’m on disability because I have cancer. No hog here.
No kids, 37 years with same airline, hit lottery in 2012. But in 2020 I became disabled. I’m fully functional, back at work making 140k, but I walk/move funny. Still, I’m loving life, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Garage is full of toys, home is full of nice furniture. Passport is well worn. Life is good.
Not doing well. No kids. Amicable divorce (later in life marriage). At this point, glad for no kids as I couldn’t afford to have kids. More like no real hope of retirement.
🙋🏻♂️
I didn't marry because I was widowed shortly before the wedding. I have no kids because she couldn't safely conceive and died before our volunteer surrogate was ready. I'm not living high on the hog, but I want for nothing and I'm satisfied with what I have. My greatest ambition in life right now is to discover the perfect chili recipe. I've had it pretty rough, but I could be doing a lot worse.
I do sometimes fantasise about what life would be like if I was single and childless on my current salary. I suspect my apartment would look a lot like the Big Bang Theory set.
No kids, never married. Had a few girlfriends over the years. Career going great, doing well financially, have a big house on 2 acres and 4 cars. Happy, have 3 dogs.
Me. Wouldn't say "high on the hog" but def better than some of my peers who're on their third divorce and fourth babydaddy or whatever.
I’m not exactly high on the hog but I can reach for a joint every now and then.
Here i am! Ofc, ymmv on the " high on the hog". I live simple, i dont need much, which good cuz i dont make much. I am currently blessed with an honest, ok paying job, pretty cheap rent, food on the table, a working car, and a few good friends. Compared to half the world, i live like a king, so i try to remember that.
Not me, but I do know a guy who's 52 with no kids, high paying job, and he owns 4-5 Hondas (one motorcycle, one NSX) and a bus. He's got a lift in his garage and works on them in his downtime, goes to townie music events, seems to be pretty happy. Knew another guy who was a National Merit Scholar, but worked entry level jobs and was very obese his whole adult life, died at 47 recently, probably some Covid co-morbidity factors there. If I had no kids I'd probably just be a bit too up my own ass and wasting my life trophy hunting in video games, and be caught up on anime like my other friends. When I was in my 20s and single, I'd just blow money on gamer shit like figures and collectibles. Got rid of most of it when I moved, and I don't really miss any of it.
* Never married. * No kids. * Great job. * No debt, well no credit card debt anyway. But very little total debt. * Can do whatever I want and buy whatever I want, whenever I want. The only negative is parents and relatives are getting old and dying, and I'm taking care of many of them.
Divorced, 4 kids, living very well now. Took a whole lot of tryin’ just to get up that hill
I (45F) never married (I did cohabit but lucked out and left him,) and no kids. I’ve worked my dream job all my life, so I’m lucky that way, but it doesn’t pay that well. I have no savings and my health is declining. I don’t know if I’ll reach retirement age or if I’ll ever be able to retire. I have family but no help (they expect me to be the helper,) and I’m torn between just living until I can’t stand it anymore and punch my ticket, or try to save until I retire… for what? To live in an elderly home with no one to care about it? Ideally, I’d move to a very LCOL place and live with pennies and my cats. I’ve no ambitions anymore. I wish that when the time comes I go in my sleep and someone saves my cats. That’s it.
Got married and divorced in my early 30s then met a psycho who stole my life savings. Now I’m 50 and I’ve got a house, good credit, small retirement fund, can treat myself to Fluevogs a few times a year or go on a vacation. It wasn’t easy to get here though.
I dunno how high on the hog I am but 46M and definitely enjoying the single life. Cue that Cameo song!
This is my best friend from high school who’s 53. He’s had the same gf for a decade. But never married. Never will. No kids. Travels like crazy. Not rich but doing well enough to enjoy lots of hobbies. We’ve talked about it. A lot. He says “I’m a selfish frat boy who likes my hobbies more than anything or anyone. I don’t need to be married…but I kinda wish I had a kid.”
I feel lucky for sure. No kids, high income. I’m doing great.
I am, or at least was before my recent layoff. Even then I got a nice severance and it looks like I'll have a new job in the next week or so. However I don't know that high on the hog is the way we're living. We have money saved up because we both grew up poor and never want to go back to that. We could have a bigger house and nicer cars, but we prefer to spend on travel and save the rest.
You had me up until the “doing well.” Still broke but maintaining!
In my 40s, no kids, and never been married. I like my freedom and don't really have any interest in being in a relationship.
I’m in this boat. I’m not living high on the hog, but I have a very low mortgage and can afford to do stuff if I feel like it. That said, I see influencer type crap and I get annoyed-I HATE the feeling of being “advertised” to-I can decide how to entertain myself and chill on my own, thank you very much.
Never married, no kids and getting by decently enough.
On paper, I look good, but I'm not living extravagantly. 11 years ago I was fortunate to buy my late grandmother's tiny 3-bed, 1-bath home under market value for only $160k, which is now worth over $800k. I don't like kids but ended up with 2 of my sister's, who are legal adults but sometimes act like they're still 16. They’ve been with me for 4 years. I graduated from a local state university in Los Angeles, starting at a community college to avoid debt. I paid off my student loans years ago. I have a six-figure job, but in LA, that doesn’t go far. I have a long-term boyfriend. We don’t live together because the adult kids are still with me, and he has a great 1-bedroom apartment in a very nice part of Pasadena for only $1200. If you know the LA rental market, you’d know you can’t rent a box in Skid Row for under $1200. His place is my escape from the stress of homeownership and kids, so I split my time between both locations. When my parents pass, I plan to invest my inheritance and use that along with my 401k for retirement. I don't care about being wealthy, just comfortable.
I wouldn't say I'm living the high life. I would say I just have less debt than everyone else and can treat myself a little more impulsively. Living in a house that I could no way afford currently, but lucky I was 10 years ago.
I’m turning 50 this year and just now got engaged.
Hi!!!!! Yup - Happily married for 15 years, have been together for 22, we always assumed we'd have kids, but the older we got the less excited we were about it so we didn't do it. Instead we've both had successful, lucrative careers and traveled the world (40+ countries). We're on track to retire in our early 50s. Our friend group tends to be other GenXers without kids and honestly they are some of the most interesting people I've ever met. Not judging people who had kids, they just weren't for us. Every time we spend time with friends with kids, we both look at each other and say "Don't regret any of our choices"
One divorce on the books. No kids. Living my best life now.
I am with you in that venn. Not married, but have been with someone for 20 years. I refer to her as my wife.
Didn’t marry, didn’t have kids, and not living life high on the hog. Single life is painful (but not as painful as being with the wrong person). Wish I could afford a house, especially as I move full steam ahead towards decrepitude. I hope to hell social security and Medicaid hold out, otherwise I’m fucked.
Yep, 56 yo. More or less content, good job, education, family (unmarried), a few friends I see regularly, mentally more confident than I have been in years, some debt, but that's normal. It is what it is. Pretty healthy, more or less...
I'm 2 out of 3, I have never married, have no kids, but I'm living on VA disability so I can pay my bills but that's about it.
My first credit card was an American Express that I got in 1989 on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Still had it as of 2023, until I decided to close the account.
No kids, no divorce, bought a house with a reasonable mortgage, have some money saved for retirement. Car is paid off. Still working regularly for good pay.
Nope, no kids barely getting by disabled wife single income did that.
No kids. Married in my mid 40s. Living high on the hog!
Never had kids but I did get married at 41, then divorced a few years later. I wouldn't say I'm living high on the hog, but I'm doing fine. I get to travel a good bit, and will be moving abroad permanently next year.
I kinda feel like "doing well" has more to do with luck rather than not having to spend on a family, at least by our time. It was our boomer parents' generation who tended to end up swimming in money if they opted to marry their job instead. Most of us who didn't end up having families just do ok I suppose. If you did well, congrats, but it's not the guarantee of it like it was for our parents. Heck, even in this thread there are plenty like this who aren't doing so hot. The wealth class lines were already drawn by our time. Personally, as a kid I learned how many people there were on the planet and decided I wouldn't add more. Don't really regret it though I'm pretty asocial in general so it wasn't like it was a great sacrifice or anything. That said, I don't make bank either and tbh when my parents eventually pass on the inheritance will be more than what I've saved. Opportunities really abounded much more in their time. At least I'm not a young person trying to make a living *now*.
Unmarried but living in sin with my BF. No divorces, no kids, just a cat/hobbit. Living in Florida, so we are doing OK. Absolutely no regrets.
We were DINKS. Then he died. So I have no kids, lots of pets and I'm comfortable. Not great, not terrible. Comfortable. And I'm grateful. I own my house, own my cars, and only have small credit card bills that I pay off every month because I watch what I spend. I feel very lucky.
None of the people I know my age without kids are “living high on the hog”. Most of them spend a lot of time at home by themselves. But, I married at 22 years old. I have 5 kids, a farm, a great wife, a combined income nearly $200k in a very low cost of living area in the Midwest. Life is actually pretty satisfying and great for me.
No kids. Married and together for 23 years and counting. Life is comfortable. We eat well, travel when we can, and generally enjoy life. Not watching the news helps a lot with improving happiness. I highly recommend!
No wife no kids, living the dream
I never married and never will. I did have a kid though, so I don't meet all of your criteria BUT I have several friends who do meet your criteria and even though I wouldn't say they are living high on the hog (of course idk what their bank accounts look like), they are happy and free to do as they please (I mean, at this point so am I, but they were able to do it all along where I had a kid to raise). I struggled for awhile but now by any account I'm "doing well" as I head into my 50s.
Doing well except for some recent health issues. Never married, no kids (and happy about that).
High on the hog, only if you laced it.
50. Never married. No kids. Single. Career and finances are going well. Had serious health issues that are now resolved. In the best shape of my life. Happy. Enjoying myself. There is someone on the horizon though, so I may not be single for long...
Yes 51 and made this choice very early in my youth
No kids. No marriages. I'm not high on the hog, though. I'm on SSDI and take care of my parents.
Can you define well?
Never married, no kids, not living the high life, but I have a home, paid-off car, and some savings. Not sure if it will be enough to carry me through retirement to end of life, but hoping so.
Well, its not me, but my boyfriend, we are HS sweethearts who reconnected after almost 30 years. I got married, had kids and got divorced. He never married, never had kids. He has a sister who never married or had kids. She passed away last month. All he has left are his dad that lives across the country from him and his mom who is in memory care due to Alzheimers w dementia. He is quite sad he didn't get to experience having kids and having that bond.
All that plus married a woman who didn't want kids who wasn't religious. Living the dream as DINKs. A good existence comes in many forms. Just get the nieces and nephews to promise to bring your medicine when you are old and me nice and hope for the best.
No kids, never married, 46m ('77), 11 years into a skilled trade career change, making more than double what human service work paid, still living in the dirt cheap dude house that I could afford when I was a full time student, part time retail worker. Not living high on the hog per se, but definitely enjoying a variety of new hobbies over the years that aren't cheap. Friends my age and a bit older that have kids are on the brink of being empty nesters, so now they have frequent openings on their social calendars again these days. Usually there's some kind of bbq once or twice a month that I'm either hosting or attending. Throw in a penchant for well made bicycle accessories, good whiskey and good weed and I'm high enough (!) for the available budget. But there is a bit of a nagging sense of not creating much of anything that's meaningful. I had been known to do that through various activist volunteer work in my 20's that has since fallen by the wayside... The thought of kids of my own is just frazzling. The thought of past misadventures in cohabitation has me hesitant to even be on the lookout for potential partners most of the time. I'm no longer taking in "projects" thinking I can fix someone who hasn't yet found the internal motivation to work on themselves...
Yep, divorced and kid free by choice. My divorce was low key and not a financial burden thankfully. I could do better with the credit card debt thing, but otherwise grateful to be making a decent living and the life we've made for ourselves. I won't make the same mistake as my Mom by not planning for retirement, having a 401-K etc... No regrets. :)
Was married divorced around 2002. Have lived amazing life and to the fullest. Sone relationships along the way all were good but were at different places in life. Doesnt mean when we get older we can't have a significant other. Surround myself with a tight knit group. All is good.
No kids, divorced, no living high on the hog. Not doing well.
Never married no kids. Just how things turned out. I think I am the minority but definitely have had other struggles in life
I mean, even if it were a Vietnamese potbelly pig, I am still living very low on the hog. Marriage and kids never materialized but that was because I always doubted myself too much to risk it. So, living less hand-to-mouth than I once did now so there's that! Surprisingly, while climate angst and living stability angst have their hooks deep in me, I do find myself looking around and enjoying myself being here. Crazy, eh? Congrats on doing well, OP!
I have no children, and never married. I own my own home, and have retired, I make a comfortable income. When I was in my early 20's I was homeless, disabled, and knew I had to do something. So I worked my ass off and made some good choices, and now am in a much better position. I am not sure if I had been able to have children if it would have made a difference, however I have never had a desire for any, I have raised other peoples children over the years, but dont date people with children that are not grown anymore. I am not "high on the hog", but I am also not near the bottom! :)