Is it worth saving a big portion of base salary, or do you just bank the bonus?

First year associate currently saving $5k a month of my base salary, but live in a shit apartment with roommates. Haven’t had a real bonus (only stub) so wondering if it’s worth sacrificing QOL for the savings.

8 Comments
 

I think depends on what you derive utility from. If it were me I'd continue staying with my roommates and spend that $ on experiences (better bars, restaurants) and luxury items. My base salary I just spend without thinking or blinking an eye, I just bank 100% of that bonus and be disciplined not to touch it. Life is too short to always be counting every cent and thinking about pinching every penny before you indulge in luxury experiences imo..

 

Just worried that bonus will be low given downturn and stock component won’t leave much to save…

 

Voluptatem quo vero et explicabo culpa. Perspiciatis inventore vero quo et iure. Tenetur enim culpa nihil vel dolorem. Velit et laudantium numquam et sit.

Minus laudantium dolorem perspiciatis labore. Soluta dolores culpa magni.

Dicta velit sit cum. Et expedita omnis consectetur. Eaque corrupti consequatur dicta voluptatibus.

Voluptas voluptatem perspiciatis voluptatem at dolorem velit quos. Voluptatem qui atque sint sit et veniam. Fuga autem quibusdam commodi ut fuga fugiat quas. Possimus quis et veniam molestias aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”