What It Really Costs to Live "Comfortably" in America and Why Abundance Still Matters

📍 Spoiler alert: It takes over $100,000 a year for a family of four to live comfortably in every U.S. state, according to a new CNBC analysis. Yes, every single state—even the ones once considered “affordable.”

And if you live in places like California, New York, or D.C.? That number jumps to $170,000+ a year just to maintain what’s considered a moderate lifestyle.

As a mom, a wife, and a 9-5er who worked her way up from $54K to $250K+… I’ve been on both sides of this headline. I’ve done the mental math in Target wondering which bills could wait. I’ve also gotten to a place where I can comfortably book spa days and pay the sitter without flinching. So this report? It’s not shocking. It’s confirmation.

Here’s the thing: Struggling is not a personal failure.

It’s a systemic setup.

And it’s exactly why I created Living In The Abundance. Not because I think everyone needs to be rich overnight, but because everyone deserves options. Everyone deserves to breathe, to rest without panic, to say yes to their child’s field trip without checking their bank app first.

What does “living comfortably” even mean?

According to the Economic Policy Institute data CNBC used, “comfortable” means a moderate lifestyle—not luxury, not extremes. Just:

• A safe home

• Basic healthcare

• Childcare

• Food

• Transportation

• Enough left over for occasional fun and future planning

Yet for many, even with two full-time incomes, this still feels out of reach. That’s not laziness. That’s late-stage capitalism at work.

So what do we do?

We opt out of survival mode.
We get educated, strategic, and intentional.

At Living In The Abundance, I teach everyday professionals—especially first-gen graduates and Black women—how to leverage their 9-5 income to build long-term financial security. It’s not just about budgeting or couponing your way to freedom. It’s about:

💼 Knowing your worth and increasing your income
💸 Managing your money with clarity and confidence
📈 Investing wisely so your money works even when you’re not
🧘🏾‍♀️ And protecting your peace because burnout isn’t abundance

Here's my take:

The world may keep shifting, but your power stays the same.
No matter what these headlines say, you don’t have to settle.

You can live well, give generously, rest often, and still build wealth.
It won’t happen overnight. But it will happen if you get started.

Want help getting started?

📌 Apply for my 1:1 Personal Financial Coaching
Let’s work together for 3 months to help you:

• Create a financial plan that works in real life

• Build an emergency fund

• Pay off debt

• Grow your income

• And finally get out of “just getting by” mode

📖 Or grab a copy of my new book, The Financial Abundance Blueprint, for a step-by-step guide to making your 9-5 work for you

💬 Final thought:
It may take over $100K to live comfortably these days.
But the real cost is staying stuck in systems that don’t serve you.
You don’t have to accept struggle as your norm.

Let’s get you to abundance...on purpose. 💫