02-22-2019, 08:49 AM
I’m going to throw my hat into the ring… I’ll keep the story short.
Being financially conservative saved my butt. I graduated at 22 and went home to help my mom and stepdad fix up the house and sell it. My stepdad was between jobs and decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I spent most of my 20s helping them financially. Toward the end of my 20s into my mid 30s my biological father was a huge drain (his immigration status threatened my career and had to spend money to keep him out of trouble and to keep me working).
Add to this, student loans, etc… I felt “cash strapped” but not poor. Pinch pennies, look for check hobbies or entertainment… you survive pretty well.
In all this time I learned a lot of things. You are your own advocate for your salary. I was underpaid for most of my 20s and worked my butt off to catch up to my peers well into my 30s. You don’t under sell yourself in an interview so don’t be bought on the cheap. You also need to be prepared to back it up… your work ethic will show and it will show your bosses if you earned it or if you are first on the chopping block.
I stayed put for work, I didn’t move around a lot… my jobs were personally rewarding but that came at the salary expense. I don’t regret anything, everyones story is different… but without good financial habits I could be where a lot of my current coworkers are now (in debt, house poor, cant afford a furlough, cant afford a set of tires for their car, etc.).
I agree with most people… if you want to “move” do it now. Do it early in life when you are most flexible. As you get older you get tied to different things… significant others, jobs, etc.
One big piece of advice I give ALL my employees and anyone that will listen… at least put into retirement what your employer will match AND put in 50% of any raise you see (the tax man will come for you one day and you better be prepared to put 100% of your raises in tax deferred retirement plans lol). Time is on your side… letting the returns compile over 30 years, the money will be “good” for retirement (and you will need it… just go visit the political post). Do it as soon as you get the job… you wont miss money you don’t see.
Being financially conservative saved my butt. I graduated at 22 and went home to help my mom and stepdad fix up the house and sell it. My stepdad was between jobs and decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I spent most of my 20s helping them financially. Toward the end of my 20s into my mid 30s my biological father was a huge drain (his immigration status threatened my career and had to spend money to keep him out of trouble and to keep me working).
Add to this, student loans, etc… I felt “cash strapped” but not poor. Pinch pennies, look for check hobbies or entertainment… you survive pretty well.
In all this time I learned a lot of things. You are your own advocate for your salary. I was underpaid for most of my 20s and worked my butt off to catch up to my peers well into my 30s. You don’t under sell yourself in an interview so don’t be bought on the cheap. You also need to be prepared to back it up… your work ethic will show and it will show your bosses if you earned it or if you are first on the chopping block.
I stayed put for work, I didn’t move around a lot… my jobs were personally rewarding but that came at the salary expense. I don’t regret anything, everyones story is different… but without good financial habits I could be where a lot of my current coworkers are now (in debt, house poor, cant afford a furlough, cant afford a set of tires for their car, etc.).
I agree with most people… if you want to “move” do it now. Do it early in life when you are most flexible. As you get older you get tied to different things… significant others, jobs, etc.
One big piece of advice I give ALL my employees and anyone that will listen… at least put into retirement what your employer will match AND put in 50% of any raise you see (the tax man will come for you one day and you better be prepared to put 100% of your raises in tax deferred retirement plans lol). Time is on your side… letting the returns compile over 30 years, the money will be “good” for retirement (and you will need it… just go visit the political post). Do it as soon as you get the job… you wont miss money you don’t see.
#99 - 2000 Civic Si (Future H2 Car, Former H1 car)
IPGparts.com, AutoFair Honda, Amsoil, QuikLatch Fasteners
NASA-MA Tech Inspector (Retired)
IPGparts.com, AutoFair Honda, Amsoil, QuikLatch Fasteners
NASA-MA Tech Inspector (Retired)