Here's a budget breakdown of a couple that makes $500,000 a year and still feels average

Earning this amount makes you upper class

Americans are falling short when it comes to saving. Even some families earning six-figures have little to no savings.

As the example of one New York City couple shows, you and your partner could be making $500,000 a year and still end up with very little besides 401(k) money.

Sam Dogen of "Financial Samurai" breaks down the budget of two New York City-based spouses, each of whom makes $250,000 a year as a lawyer. They're 35 years old and they have two young children. "This one couple shared their story and I decided to anonymously highlight their reported expenses," Dogen tells CNBC Make It, with a focus on why they end up feeling "average" even though they're such high earners.

Take a look at exactly where their money goes.

One time use: $500,000 couple budget

As you can see, they both max out their 401(k) plan each year and are working on paying down student loan debt. But, even though they qualify as "upper-class," after taxes, fixed costs, childcare and discretionary expenses, there's only $7,300 left each year to go towards other savings goals, investment accounts or retirement funds.

As Dogen puts it, they're effectively "scraping by," in part because they're still living "paycheck-to-paycheck," despite their generous salaries.

And they're not the only high earners having a hard time saving.

In North Fulton, Georgia, a suburban area where homes sell for $500,000 to $800,000, residents earning six figures are struggling to set aside money for retirement, college and other major expenses. Some living in the area who earn $100,000 "are living paycheck to paycheck," the Washington Post reports, and even families earning up to $250,000 "don't consider themselves to be high-earners."

What it's like to live on $60,000 a year as a 30-something in NYC

These situations illustrate how difficult it can be to avoid lifestyle creep, especially in expensive cities like New York and San Francisco, where highly paid Facebook engineers recently resorted to asking Mark Zuckerberg for help paying rent.

Ultimately, a hefty paycheck doesn't always guarantee wealth or financial peace of mind. By contrast, budgeting and living beneath your means, no matter your income level, can help you out tremendously in the long run.

How much do you save each year? How does that compare to how much you should have saved at every age?

To keep more of what you earn, check out:

This is an update of a previously published story.

Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.

Don't miss: Here's why some families earning $500,000 still don't have any savings

Here's how much you should save at every age
make it

Stay in the loop

Sign Up

About Us

Learn More

Follow Us