My actual salary isn't all that high for what I do and the market I work in - in this economy, it's fairly close to average. However, I negotiated additional benefits and perks that most employees do not get that more than make up for that.
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How much do you earn?
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I didn't expect anyone to say this... I thought it was natural for everyone to say "not enough."
Do you think you're content because you enjoy your work and the money is secondary to that... or are you jsut VERY comfortable in life?
I'm doing pretty well. Finally.
Job went to India without me a few years ago, so went to $0.00 salary. Took a job that was a 40% pay cut from my previous real job. Quit, moved away, now making about what I was making 4 years ago. But my benefits are far better, my prospects are real, and I'm happy as can be.
Unfortunately, since I got my dream job a couple of weeks ago, all of the sports teams I follow have lost nearly every game. Badly.
But I can live with that.
Job went to India without me a few years ago, so went to $0.00 salary. Took a job that was a 40% pay cut from my previous real job. Quit, moved away, now making about what I was making 4 years ago. But my benefits are far better, my prospects are real, and I'm happy as can be.
Unfortunately, since I got my dream job a couple of weeks ago, all of the sports teams I follow have lost nearly every game. Badly.
But I can live with that.
Worked over a year as an engineer post college, lived below my means and saved...alot (helps when used to living as a poor college kid)
Have been admitted into grad school where I will be receiving a nice stipend
I live a simple life. Much more of a comfort having money in the bank than things in the house
But then again, all I want is food, and a place to crash. I drive a 20 year old car which is dirt cheap to own and dont have much expenses other than the basics
Oh, and I'm a registered land surveyor, I make $62,000 a year plus bonuses.. but haven't gotten a bonus in two years.
That said, I'm really debating starting my own firm. I do a very niche type of survey work that is a hot commodity right now, the surveys I'm specialized in go for about $60k each. If I could get them by myself, I could do probably 6 per year but I have to figure out a way of leaving my current company and competing against them without burning any bridges. They could really be a source of projects for me and I don't want to piss them off.
That said, I'm really debating starting my own firm. I do a very niche type of survey work that is a hot commodity right now, the surveys I'm specialized in go for about $60k each. If I could get them by myself, I could do probably 6 per year but I have to figure out a way of leaving my current company and competing against them without burning any bridges. They could really be a source of projects for me and I don't want to piss them off.
I make 3,600,000 yen/year, which is right at about $40k USD.
It's also tax-free in both countries since I work for the Japanese government and there are tax-treaties exempting me from taxes in both countries.
I also pay 13,000 yen/mo rent for subsidized housing, which is less than $150/mo.
I also have national health care and all the government perks.
Given my rent and tax-free situation, it is much the same as a job paying $55k-$60k taxed with normal rent somewhere back home.
It's pretty comfy.
It's also tax-free in both countries since I work for the Japanese government and there are tax-treaties exempting me from taxes in both countries.
I also pay 13,000 yen/mo rent for subsidized housing, which is less than $150/mo.
I also have national health care and all the government perks.
Given my rent and tax-free situation, it is much the same as a job paying $55k-$60k taxed with normal rent somewhere back home.
It's pretty comfy.
I averaged about $89k my first five years at Verizon Wireless, then that went down to about $75k after they changed the commissions structure on us. I still remember my first commission check from them, back in March of 03, for $7513, after taxes. You dont know what goes through the mind of a 21 year old when he sees $7k deposited into his account lol. Verizon was great to me, especially those LTIs (Long Term Investments) they would give me/us. Definitely my favorite job while in the States.
Now, I make about 2k euros a month, which is a BIG difference to what I made in the States, but I have had two houses here in Greece for 70 and 20 years, both recently rebuilt, just bought me a new car (M3
), and a little 200cc scooter to get me around time, so I dont need to make as much as I did in the States.
I met A LOT of people/sources when I worked at Verizon Wireless, and by doing so, I was able to do a lot of my own thing with them on the side. Not saying you dont, but you really need to build a good repore with your clients, and over time, you will get a feel at what is available with them. I worked in an area where there were clients worth well over eight digits, and it worked out real well for me.
Now, I make about 2k euros a month, which is a BIG difference to what I made in the States, but I have had two houses here in Greece for 70 and 20 years, both recently rebuilt, just bought me a new car (M3
), and a little 200cc scooter to get me around time, so I dont need to make as much as I did in the States.I met A LOT of people/sources when I worked at Verizon Wireless, and by doing so, I was able to do a lot of my own thing with them on the side. Not saying you dont, but you really need to build a good repore with your clients, and over time, you will get a feel at what is available with them. I worked in an area where there were clients worth well over eight digits, and it worked out real well for me.
Enough, but I spend more as a result, and then it becomes "not enough".
Well, I've been here for a large number of years, and I have a sense of familiarity with a number of people here despite not knowing them personally. I care about how these people think of me because I don't have any plans to stop posting here. I don't really care if a newbie (i.e. anyone I don't recognise) knows my salary, but I feel different about the regulars.
I have also met a few MR members, but there are some I have never met, but have posted for a long time. I don't talk about my salary with my "real life" friends, and I choose to treat MR the same way.
Make sense?
Well, I've been here for a large number of years, and I have a sense of familiarity with a number of people here despite not knowing them personally. I care about how these people think of me because I don't have any plans to stop posting here. I don't really care if a newbie (i.e. anyone I don't recognise) knows my salary, but I feel different about the regulars.
I have also met a few MR members, but there are some I have never met, but have posted for a long time. I don't talk about my salary with my "real life" friends, and I choose to treat MR the same way.
Make sense?
Just remember, student loan debt isn't dischargeable in bankruptcy...
So buy all those computers with some other form of credit.
As for me, let's just say that I made so much this year that I didn't have to file a tax return.
Well, I've been here for a large number of years, and I have a sense of familiarity with a number of people here despite not knowing them personally. I care about how these people think of me because I don't have any plans to stop posting here. I don't really care if a newbie (i.e. anyone I don't recognise) knows my salary, but I feel different about the regulars.
I have also met a few MR members, but there are some I have never met, but have posted for a long time. I don't talk about my salary with my "real life" friends, and I choose to treat MR the same way.
Make sense?
I feel similarly, totally get what you're saying. Though, seeing as how I've made no secret of being a student, its probably pretty much assumed that I don't make much.
Just remember, student loan debt isn't dischargeable in bankruptcy...
So buy all those computers with some other form of credit.
As for me, let's just say that I made so much this year that I didn't have to file a tax return.
eh pay your loans off with cc's then go bankrupt!
I'll follow suit.
Java Developer
2 years out of school
BS in Computer Science & Engineering
Columbus, OH
More than enough.
I'm in the top 5% income bracket of every country I worked so far (GER, UK, AUS and NZ). My lifestyle on the other hand is not overly expensive: No car, didn't have a TV for over 10 years... The biggest "luxury" are my holidays every now and then - I love traveling.
My job is software/consulting related and I'm self-employed.
I'm in the top 5% income bracket of every country I worked so far (GER, UK, AUS and NZ). My lifestyle on the other hand is not overly expensive: No car, didn't have a TV for over 10 years... The biggest "luxury" are my holidays every now and then - I love traveling.
My job is software/consulting related and I'm self-employed.
This is exactly why threads like this aren't such a good idea. If Steve Jobs himself posted his income Larry Ellison would come and willy-wave within a couple of posts, followed by Sergey Brin two or three posts further on.
Much better just to keep it to yourself IMO. $160k a year is a good amount, something that most would be proud to earn. Why open yourself up for others to deride it by posting it in some nonsense Internet thread?
Interesting enough ~$90k will get you in the top 5% in the UK, where as, it takes ~$157k to be in the top 5% in the US.
and everyone's point is...
They should rename this thread "The ego strokers" Kind of reminds me of kids with the old "Mine is bigger then yours" or "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality... children, children, children... when will you ever learn...
This is a free society however and everyone has a right to express thier views. It's kind of like whenever I see a politician smile I am reminded that "Ignorance is bliss"
What I would like to hear about is with all of the money that you're making, what are you doing with it to create some positive changes that help others that are not so fortunate. In your, city/town, State/Provence, or country?
How are you as an individual contributing to making a positive and meaningful difference in this world?
Just curious....
They should rename this thread "The ego strokers" Kind of reminds me of kids with the old "Mine is bigger then yours" or "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality... children, children, children... when will you ever learn...
This is a free society however and everyone has a right to express thier views. It's kind of like whenever I see a politician smile I am reminded that "Ignorance is bliss"
What I would like to hear about is with all of the money that you're making, what are you doing with it to create some positive changes that help others that are not so fortunate. In your, city/town, State/Provence, or country?
How are you as an individual contributing to making a positive and meaningful difference in this world?
Just curious....
Raytheon or Northrop Grumman? It is not Lockheed Martin. Trying to remember what other contractors are around Torrance, CA.
And like you did i might as well do the same:
Programming Consultant (mostly C#)
1 year out of school
BS in Computer Science and Enginerring
Columbus, Ohio
and everyone's point is...
They should rename this thread "The ego strokers" Kind of reminds me of kids with the old "Mine is bigger then yours" or "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality... children, children, children... when will you ever learn...
This is a free society however and everyone has a right to express thier views. It's kind of like whenever I see a politician smile I am reminded that "Ignorance is bliss"
What I would like to hear about is with all of the money that you're making, what are you doing with it to create some positive changes that help others that are not so fortunate. In your, city/town, State/Provence, or country?
How are you as an individual contributing to making a positive and meaningful difference in this world?
Just curious....
Believe it or not, the goal in life is happiness, not altruism. Money can be a large factor in happiness: it gets you toys, freedom from worrying about money, the ability to do things you normally wouldn't be able to, and often, the time to do the things you want. It's awfully hard to take a vacation if you really need the money and can't take time off work.
Does altruism buy you happiness? Sure, it does for me, but not so much so that I would spend all my discretionary income on it. I hate the attitude of looking down on the rich simply because they are rich almost as much as I hate the attitude of looking down on the poor simply because they are poor.
Agreed...
Nowhere did I suggest "spend all my discretionary income on it." and no one is looking down on anyone.
It makes me feel good when I help someone out and I do it as often as I can. It also doesn't always involve "money"