Some people got to have it.
Some people really need it.
The revered status of money in the pre-Snowfall society was not affected at all by the advent of magic or monsters. New Washington's gears still keep turning because Credits change hands and that's all there is to it.
We won't go into the technical specifications of how money works in NW; there's a short article about New Washington Monetary System that you can read if you need that. This section is where you should think about where your character stands financially.
This will be determined by your age, job, skill sets, family and luck. Think in terms of real jobs and it shouldn't be too hard to determine how well-off your character is. Remember, more dangerous jobs frequently mean more pay, especially when taken by highly skilled persons. Also remember that a richer character isn't necessarily more fun! Staying alive off of peanuts can create all kinds of adventures.
Most storytellers won't need a monetary value of your character's liquid assets (though in cases where money comes up, the Credit matches one for one with the dollar, and demicreds are the equivalent of cents). Below, you'll see a short list of equivalent levels of wealth. In reading it, it should be noted that most New Washingtonians do not own their own vehicles; the Rail system is very comprehensive and generally precludes the need and hassle of owning a car.
Destitute: No funds, very little property. Homeless or squatting. Empty Rail account.
Impoverished: Less than 500C per month available. Tiny hovel in terrifying, unclean neighborhood (probably an Unpoliced Zone), shared with drug addict or petty thug. Rail account barely has enough in it to travel.
Hurting: Less than 1000C per month available. Little, shared apartment in dangerous neighborhood. Rail account is generally a little thin.
Poor: Less than 2000C per month available. Small, shared apartment in poor neighborhood. Rail account has enough to get to work and back every day and little more.
Modest: Less than 4000C per month available. Small apartment in okay neighborhood or nice shared apartment. Rail account will get you where you need to go. You may have a junk car or motorcycle made of toothpicks and glue, but why bother?
Comfortable: Around 6000-8000C per month available. Decent apartment in a decent neighborhood, or a really nice shared condo. Your Rail Account is probably on a subscription basis. You may own an efficient car or motorcycle.
Wealthy: Around 10000C per month available. Nice condo, nice neighborhood, nice car.
Decadent: As much liquid funds as you need. You are not quite on the level where you can make high-level financial trades with your own money, but you aren't far from it. You may live in any but the most high-class buildings.
Ostentatious: You have more money than you could possibly figure out what to do with in everyday life. You can run with the 'big dogs', financially; you are likely a CEO or full shareholder. Your financial trades are on a major scale and affect the lives of thousands.
If you are doing a Step by Step character creation, you can move on to Community and Contacts or go back to Financial and Social Standing.
Otherwise, you can go back to the Character Creation Index.