Welcome to The Pickup’s Money Journal series, where we (anonymously) snoop on our Tulsa neighbors’ finances. Want to be snooped on yourself? Fill out our Money Journal submission form, or email Matt Carney at matt@thepickup.com. Thanks to our pals at Racket for sharing this format with us.
Personal Information
Job: Analyst
Age: 53
Neighborhood: Midtown
Education: High School diploma, dropped out of Tulsa Junior College (now TCC) during my first semester
Estimated annual income: Gross $95,000
Partner's salary: N/A
Dependents: One child, age 21. Technically his partner as they live with us as well, though they cannot be claimed as a dependent.
Estimated net worth: $130,000
Assets
Own home, one car, one scooter; part owner of one 501(c)3 with assets and building; non-interest savings account; employer sponsored 401k; invested in crypto
Debts
Home mortgage: I owe ~$89,500 on my mortgage, financed at 2.875% interest. Zillow currently shows my home at $195,000, with a high of $240,000.
Monthly Income
Employed full time, occasionally paid for arts involvement
Monthly Expenses
Total monthly expenses are roughly $4,000 per month
Mortgage: $750
Auto Loan: $360
Auto Insurance: $180
Utilities: $400
Groceries: $650
Misc and Entertainment: $900
Subscriptions: $150
Money Talk
Did your family talk about money growing up?
No.
Did you worry about money growing up?
Sometimes, but I was a middle class kid when the middle class was stable.
At what age did you become financially self-reliant?
18.
How did you learn to keep a budget?
Basics were taught in high school.
Have you ever received inherited income, major financial gifts or a large insurance payout?
No.
Do you worry about money now?
I was unemployed for 3 months, April through July 2025, so currently sometimes.
How much do you think a person or household needs to earn to live comfortably in or around Tulsa?
Single-income: $60,000 comfortable; $40,000-$50,000 minimum comfort; $30,000 survival
What are your financial goals?
I need to dig out of my unemployed debt first, replenish emergency funds, then save, invest, and travel.
Do you have any habits around money that you consider to be beneficial or harmful?
It's both beneficial and harmful that I don't worry much—money comes and money goes. I do need to reign in lifestyle luxuries like drinking and eating out.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I was laid off in November 2024 from a fairly niche legal technology position when upper management changed. I started a new position on July 3, a total of 5 months without income. I had roughly $5,000 in savings when I was laid off, enough for survival-minimum for two months.
I was fortunate to have ~$20,000 in a 401k. I cashed this out early and set aside half for my estimated early withdrawal penalty and taxes; the remaining ~$10,000, combined with unsecured credit card debts, allowed me to stretch my unemployment to cover 5 months of zero income.
I have one credit card that I paid off monthly, working those travel points. I now carry a ~$6,000 balance largely due to food/groceries and other expenses accrued while unemployed. I expect to be back to carrying no balance in two months' time.
