Sometimes the study groups release their original raw data results so people can filter them. I agree, it’d be really interesting to see numbers when the outliers are removed. My guess is even removing the top 0.01% would make a big difference in some of these stats.

We are all effed if we don’t get our acts together!!

Definitely agree on this. Looking at the median is much more useful to understand the “typical” situation.

Well, remember that “averages” are thrown off by extremely wealthy people. “Median” is a better measure if you’re talking about a % of the population. Also there’s a huge difference state by state and city by city. My guess is you’re doing just fine David :)

The average debt balance isn’t all that bad either especially when it includes mortgages. This is making me scared and that I should be trying harder.

Hey Adam! Not sure if you’ve seen this…. It’s a survey done completely with FIRE people as respondents… It’s skewed towards Australians, but i’m hoping someone in the USA will make a FIRE survey dashboard like this one day. It’s fun to know what other FIRE community members are doing.

https://www.aussiefirebug.com/australia-fire-survey-results-2020/. (at the very bottom there’s a link to “fullscreen mode” of the dashboard where you can interact and drill down into the data!)

Again, I should point out that comparing yourself to others is a slippery slope! It can be helpful sometimes and humbling, but it can be harmful in some ways because FIRE IS NOT A RACE.

Good catch, Mary! I just found this in the data report: “Editor’s note: we aren’t reporting the median and average *salary* in the U.S. here — instead, we’re reporting *income*. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks earnings (which are made up mostly of salary and wages) and income, which includes all sources of money that people bring in.

So yes, I should have included rental income. Woohoo we’re crushing this category :)

Hey Lady! Great points! I didn’t even think about rental income but you’re probably right – if other people include it in the statistic data then I should include it too. In this case I’m definitely crushing the average there! :)

I originally had it color-coded (green for good, red for bad). I guess everyone can make up their own mind about how they feel about some things whether it’s good or bad… For example: total houshold debt, I consider a huge debt number as a good thing (home mortgage, leveraged real estate), whereas some people might say it’s bad in their situation.

I know what you mean about the averages being hugely different across the US. There are way too many factors, so all stats should be taken very lightly. Don’t get too lost in the data. It’s interesting, but also mostly useless as far as building your personal tactical wealth plan. :)