You might’ve seen this story the Flyer published last month about a new study saying Tulsa families need $205,000 a year to live “comfortably,” even though most aren’t making half that.
Many readers had strong opinions and shared them in the comments. The story resonated with people who have their own ideas of what living “comfortably” in Tulsa means — and where they are on the pay scale. We followed up and asked seven Tulsans to share their thoughts. Here’s what they said.
While each person had a different take on what a comfortable lifestyle looks like, there were some common threads: Money is not going as far as it used to, and solutions to the problem feel somewhat out of reach.
To Gabriel Conn, a native Tulsan who’s also taking care of his father, the definition of “comfortable” would mean being able to eat three meals a day, have a working car, make mortgage payments and go out to do something “just because.”
Others said it’d be nice not having to plan date nights or their travels so far in advance because of money concerns. A couple people also wished for someone to help with the cleaning.
But seeing how much these Tulsans have on hand for weekly purchases like groceries and other day-to-day expenses, which ranged from around $100 to $750, showed what’s costing the most.
For example, some have debt and student loans they’re paying off. Another pays for day care that’s non-negotiable but expensive. Ellyce Thomas must regularly budget for medical bills for her daughter who has special needs.
On a similar note, Brettin White Fox’s husband has diabetes and her son has food allergies, so meal planning requires extra care. They can’t afford pre-made meal kits.
So that leaves us with these Tulsans’ ideas for solutions, or what seems to be working for them.
Mikeal Vaughn has had ongoing conversations with his family about affordability. He can’t imagine living the life his parents had with the money he has now, saying he hasn’t made bad choices, but he’s doing the best he can with what he has.
Others like Alfredo Marcelo think no matter how affordable a city is, living comfortably means creating clear goals and direction. Conn would like more financial help from the local government, specifically for Tulsans who’ve grown up and lived here.
Emily McKenzie said it’s a societal problem that really can’t be fixed overnight. She blames the affordability problem on greed, saying everyone is “just trying to get as much out of the next guy as they can.” And Bailey Hawkins said those who do want to help face decades of barriers, sharing her frustration with not being “poor enough” to qualify for child care subsidies.
Not everyone said the survey was spot on. But all the Tulsans we talked to say they want more money to live comfortably. Many, as McKenzie puts it, would like to afford the items that don’t necessarily improve day-to-day life but would bring a little bit more joy and happiness — that’s comfort.
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