Living On $130K A Year In Philadelphia, PA | Millennial Money

Lenerson Pyrrhus, 26, lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and earns $130,000 a year as an infrastructure developer for JPMorgan Chase. He was inspired by CNBC Make It's YouTube channel to improve his budgeting and investing. He's pursuing a master's degree in applied data science and hopes to cut half his debt by next year. This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

Nearly 20 years ago, most of Lenny Pyrrhus’ immediate family fled Haiti after his uncle, a popular musician known as Ti Pierre, was killed during a political protest against a repressive military-led government in 1991.

“All of my grandmother’s kids, one by one, got their citizenship and brought their families to the [U.S.],” the 26-year-old tells CNBC Make It. “That’s how we established ourselves here in America.”

Pyrrhus’ aunt and grandparents were already settled in New Jersey when he arrived with his father in 2000, when Pyrrhus was four. His sister followed in 2003, when she was three. However, in the post-9/11 world, immigration restrictions meant that Pyrrhus was unable to see his mother for another 10 years.

“My family went through so much suffering before I was even born, and then for me to have gotten that kind of opportunity in America, I tried to figure out how to make the best of it,” he says.

For Pyrrhus, that meant taking advantage of the educational opportunities found in the U.S., where his talent for math has led to a successful career. Today, he makes $130,000 as an infrastructure developer for JP Morgan Chase in Philadelphia.

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Living On $130K A Year In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Millennial Money

[erickn]

The most scary part was that he only saved $292 but spent $2 9k on food💀💀

[paulk]

This budget is insane, he’s basically living paycheck to paycheck on a $130k salary

[tb]

I hope this guy takes some of these comments constructively even if they are a bit harsh. I want to acknowledge that it takes courage to share your finances with the internet. It seems like he’s suffering from lifestyle creep. As a single person, you can definitely eat out a ton and cook at home on $800. He could take the extra $2k and divide it between his student loans, his car, and savings. With that kind of income and the right discipline, he could be debt free in less than two years while still having a life. I’m sure he works hard so I just don’t want him to look back in 5 or 10 years and realize he didn’t save enough and spent too much on “in the moment” and not enough on saving for the future during his best earning years…best of luck to him.

[mikesangern]

Graham Stephen is going to have a field day with this episode lol

[HiDean]

This man better pray he doesn't get laid off. Because he'll regret spending all that money on food and not for the future

[AshleyEllise]

This was painful to watch. I really hope he turns his money habits around, he seems like a nice guy. Because he could very easily pay off his debts or drown in them...so unnecessary at that salary.

[lidyasolomon]

I’m shook the food alone could pay my monthly bills 😭😭😭😭😭.

[marlenetapilang]

If this guy exchange his food budget to his savings or his investment, he’d be debt free faster and maybe can “definitely change his trajectory and definitely, you know, get some type of financial, you know, freedom”.

[duboisrenee]

As a Haitian-American myself, I CANNOT agree with spending almost $3000 per month on food/dining out!! I know your parents don't agree with that. I can afford it, but why. I'm disappointed with that part. That money can be used for your student loans and credit card debt.

[idrkok]

He makes a lot of money, but he's literally eating it all away.

[naturalbeauty_abena]

I hope this brother switch it up quick and clear all that debt and start saving and investing.

[naimahabdullah-gulley]

This is an example of a HENRY (High Earner Not Rich Yet). The good thing is that he's young. If he turns his spending habits around in the next couple of years, he can still start his financial journey to building wealth before 30.

[pg]

Bruh this is one of those rare cases where he should follow Dave Ramsey's approach

[Yardie_in_Tampa]

This is painful to watch. I left Philly 2 years ago, making over 100k per year and single, he should be living virtually debt free (except for maybe student loan and a mortgage). Philly is one of the more affordable cities to live. Atleast when I use to live there.

[NTUser]

Graham Stephan is going to have a field day with this guy

[dabookwriter]

$2300/mo on food? He’s a very hungry man lol

[sunshinexoxo]

Under $300 in savings per month while earning over $7400 per month? You've done the hard work and are earning a great salary, take the time organize your finances and put yourself first. Even the boring 50/30/20 rule could work as a start. Savings and investments give peace of mind. Best part is you can still enjoy restaurants, concerts, sports events. Just organize

[zacharyporter]

Successful people don't become that way overnight. What most people see at a glance-wealth, a great career, purpose-is the result of hard work and hustle over time. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life..

[KlausDemosten]

A few tweaks and he could change his financial life.
I think at this point it's a matter of choice.

[td]

“I used to have terrible financial habits” 😂😂
Dudes food budget is 10x his monthly savings. “I had to get a Mercedes’ because my Grandma had the same name” 🤣 there’s still time to take down this episode CNBC, this has gotta be a joke. My man is saying all the right things yet does the opposite. He’s completely broke…. Respectfully.