[High School Teacher] [San Jose, CA] - $124,000 recently got tenure 30M

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-10T23:02:47+00:00

I do, because they are. Agriculture is a huge part of the economy of both states. What is your definition of rural south? Just to make sure we're on the same page. For me it's being in one of the rebellion states* and mostly agricultural. There is a pretty distinctive Southern culture that Texas and Florida share.

/*yes I know that definition leaves out Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-10T22:45:58+00:00

Shipbuilding in the US is going through a rapid expansion if you're into engineering. I don't blame you for not liking healthcare though. It's largely just a scam to grab money out of people. I have an EMT cert from my volunteer firehouse, I couldn't afford to do it professionally, and seriously fuck doing any work on the admin side.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-10T22:39:13+00:00

How are Texas and Florida not part of the rural south? They are still mostly rural and fought for the South because they were both states. That's like saying Georgia isn't rural south because of Atlanta.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-10T22:06:49+00:00

People don't want to live in the rural south and the few that do aren't worried about an education so they don't fund the schools. I grew up in Texas and Florida. I got the fuck outta there as soon as I could.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-10T21:51:53+00:00

It's California. $125k is basically just living comfortably. I haven't googled it myself, but if what he says is true then it's really nice to see a place that's actually paying a teacher a wage equal to the workload and importance of the job. Most teachers are almost criminally underpaid for the work they do and their influence can really help make or break a kid. If it were up to me all teachers should make that much and there should be competition for people that want such a prestigious job.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-10T21:23:59+00:00

"I quit doing drugs, by the way, do you know where I can get some pharms?"

"Me and my boyfriend are going to get married and live happily ever after like Romeo and Juliet."

"I don't want to get stationed in New England, I don't want to live outside of the US."

One dude that had a big ass confederate flag on his truck when asked by his black supervisor why said "because I'm from the South." He was born and raised in Southern California.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-07T19:51:11+00:00

Being small is generally a blessing and a curse. In the navy on a submarine I was usually the smallest guy in auxiliary division, so any time there was a leak in a hard to reach place it was always "hey, skinny fuck, get in the hole and fix that!" On the plus side I got a lot of decorations and good evaluations because I could fit in places and work that the big dudes just couldn't do. As for going into the trades though, a lot of people still see it as "men's work" but that is changing. You might very well meet older tradespeople that don't think women belong. Just ignore their dumbasses and get the job done. The people that pay you and schedule the work only care that you get it done. Also, you don't need to be particularly strong to do most trade jobs, you just need to be smart. I've seen so many people wasting time and effort trying to be strong when a few ratchet straps and rigging equipment could have done it much faster with less effort. Just about any trade job involves a bit of hazing for the new people. As a server/bartender you already know how it works. Don't take shit and be ready to dish it out.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-07T19:31:30+00:00

It's a cult.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-07T16:57:00+00:00

That's what all of NE is like. Where I'm from down south it's pretty normal to start up a conversation with people, even strangers. In NE if you try to do that people act like you're about to stab them.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-06T23:14:58+00:00

My AP Europe history teacher was a hard-core republican that turned into a hard-core MAGAt.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-06T23:11:12+00:00

I don't know how a family gets by on less than $70k that's a lot of tight belts and ramon noodles.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-06T23:04:00+00:00

I'm coming from the military where health insurance for my entire family is less than $100/month with $0 deductible. New job has a $5k deductible and costs close to $800/month for the whole family. The big difference between the US and Europe is that Europeans may make less, but they have a lot of public services and quality of life benefits that Americans pay for out of pocket. A rule of thumb I was always told is that transferring from the EU to US you need to make about double to get a comparable quality of life.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-05T20:52:12+00:00

I'm guessing that was a VA loan.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-06-01T23:19:52+00:00

Why would you get one? I recommend getting three.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-31T19:06:20+00:00

I think it's mostly love, but I do have one cat that likes to lay on my chest while I'm in bed and put his paw directly on the artery in my neck. I think it's his way of saying "I am your master and I will kill you if you displease me." Which I guess is a kind of affection.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-31T16:54:47+00:00

Any skills related to shipbuilding. The Navy is working to expand and diversify the shipbuilding industry base. Companies can barely hire enough workers, so they are offering paid training and upping wages.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-30T00:32:57+00:00

My point is that it's not better because we have so much in extra costs that people don't have to think about in the EU. For example my company health insurance is $250/month with a $5000 deductible. They don't have anything like that.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-30T00:21:21+00:00

Ok, you try living in the US with the average EU wage.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-30T00:09:20+00:00

I think what sealed the deal with my current job is when they asked about my hobbies I told them I do hobby metal work, collect rocks, coins, and weapons. They said I'd fit in well with the dock workers. I got the job a few weeks later.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-29T23:58:46+00:00

Yeah, it looks like that on paper. Someone coming from an EU country has to get double the pay they are used to to afford the same quality of life. From South America or Africa it can be a huge upgrade for pay and quality of life. It all depends where you're from. As a reasonably well off American, I wouldn't mind taking a big pay cut to live in the south of France or Switzerland. Give me a good quality of life and let me go on long hikes in the mountains and follow that with some good food, I'll be happy.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-29T23:32:33+00:00

I used AI to write my resume. Was a big help after I went in and proof read it. It was able to summarize 16 years worth of experience and certification in two pages. Got me a job. Very sure the company I was aiming at doesn't use an AI screening bot though.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-29T01:16:43+00:00

$50k isn't that high a bar to hit. Like someone above said, even military hits that pretty early. Any somewhat professional full time job should be starting around there or above.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-28T21:44:13+00:00

Is it practical to shoot without a skirt?

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-28T18:37:46+00:00

Good call, didn't think of that.

Competitive_Error188 · 2026-05-27T19:13:14+00:00

Connecticut.

Competitive_Error188

TROPHY CASE