Yeah $200k of savings in 4 years is maybe $40k/yr of savings, plus optimistic investment returns for the first 3 years. But GP also mentioned all loans paid off, so that adds another $10-20k/yr, depending on what their loans look like.

It's not impossible to save that much money straight out of school, but if you're making that much then you could still save a decent chunk even if you're paying $2k/mo for an apartment (which comes to $100k over 4 years).

It's quite easy. He's a creative writing major. His girlfriend however has a good shot as a FAANG job. Running an Amazon / Microsoft / etc Seattle SDE1 job with no raises, at $120k a year, 27k in loans and $9k / year in room/board at our house == ~275k. Of which over 4 years, 90k is a lot to spend over the top for 2 kids who don't leave the house and only want pc upgrades.

Versus them spending about $4k/month on living expenses out of house, 48k/year.

That's also assuming she has a FAANG job, not say, the same expenses but $58k/year starting data eng job.

$185k/48 = $3.85k in monthly costs saved by not living independently. I can see it as being possible in Seattle, but on the high end. I would assume comparable abodes to sharing your parents house would be cheaper.

I also would not have wanted to stay with my parents in my 20s though, at least not with my specific parents.

Sounds like it was only the man who wasn't inclined to work, and that the woman has been changing that tendency, as well as presumably having a decent income of her own that's being considered here. So something north of 50K after tax per year for a two-income couple isn't too ridiculous by any means.

185K delta between the two scenarios feels wrong, though - that's almost 4k a month, an astonishing high rent bill for a couple just out of college. The "find an apartment on their own for 1-2K, maybe even with roommates, but ideally just in a cheaper area" option should be seriously considered compared to living at home. Get a bunch more savings AND some very valuable life experience!

The assumption is probably that their salary essentially goes to savings.