Money
 

How much money is enough money? What do you consider an acceptable salary for a professional that's 30ish.

as much as they are happy with...
 

Seriously, it depends on what they've done...

I t is never enough, i've found that no matter how much you make, you could always use a little more.
but in an attempt to answer your question
it really depends on where you live if your in the dirty south and you make thirty thousand to fifty thousand thats fairlly respectable, but that would probally be no where near enough if you lived in New York. :o

I don't think of it in terms of salary, but how someone is living - I know people that are in human service/community type careers and aren't making much money, but they own their homes and live within their means. I have friends that make $80K+ and drive a nice car and always look good, but live at home with their parents! The respectability isn't in a number, as much as it's in the lifestyle and head someone has on their shoulders.

I think it depends on your growth. If you just received a promotion or position that will give you at least a 10,000 raise (whether it's coming from 12K, moving to 22K or 40K moving to 50K), then that's acceptable. You're moving up and making accomplishments. We may have aspirations/ goals as far as what we'd like to make by a certain age, but realistically, everyone grows at a different pace.

UMMMMM - I understand what everyone is saying and I agree that one should live within him means and have savings. However, I want to know how I compare to others. Some of my friends think I'm rich while others act as if I live in a cracker jack box. I will admit that I like nice things but don't feel that I must have what others have (normally it's the other way around:p) but hell I keep thinking that I may need to look for another job to make more money. I'm in the South and want to ensure that I meet my potential.

My question to you is..
 

are you ready to be rich? Nearly everyone I know says that they want to be rich. But with your new wealth comes much new responsibility.

Ultimately your compensation is a direct representation of your work ethic. In other replies someone mentioned it depends on which region of the U.S. you reside in. "We" (and I know I am preaching now) need to remove ourselves from such a local mindset when it comes to wealth. For example, if Donald Trump moved to any state of the union, or any country in the world, he would still be the manager of an international business conglomerate which, in turn, would make him an extremely wealthy individual independent of his surroundings. (hmmmm??)

To directly answer your question, no amount of wealth (and notice I did not say money) is enough. I am a firm believer that to whom much is given, much is REQUIRED! If you've proven the ability to amass personal wealth I feel that it is your social duty to continue to utilize your skills for the benefit of your/our community.

Look around you, that's how they got where they are now. Why can't we do the same?

Are you noticing a difference in their treatement based on locale? To some people (those who have not migrated from the North) 35-40K+ is cool. But Northerners tend to expect more, especially since they're used to a higher cost of living.